by Susan Stoker
Typical of Phantom, he didn’t respond, simply nodded.
The door opened wider, and Rani, Sinta, and Kemala filed through. Sinta ran up to Piper and Ace and asked, “I call you mom? And dad?” she asked.
Piper closed her eyes for a second, overwhelmed with emotions.
Luckily, Ace answered for her. He kneeled down and looked the younger girls in the eyes as he said, “You can call us whatever you want. But from here on out, you’re ours. Understand?”
They both nodded happily and gave him hugs.
Piper walked over to Kemala. “What happened in there? Are you all right?”
The teenager smiled, and Piper loved how it lit up her face and made her stunningly pretty.
“I cried. Sinta too. We said we want to go to US. That you saved us.”
Piper smiled at her. “And he said he was signing the papers?” It still seemed way too easy, and she was afraid someone was going to come into the room and say, “Just kidding!”
“He ask question about Ace and men. Said to go fast. We said yes, go, and he wrote name on paper.”
Piper nodded in relief. Then she asked, “Do you think I can get another hug?” She held out her arms and waited.
Without hesitation, Kemala smiled again and wrapped her arms around her.
“I be good,” Kemala said softly. “Thank you for wanting me.”
“Thank you for wanting me,” Piper returned immediately. She pulled back and looked Kemala in the eyes. “I’m going to make mistakes. I’ve never been a mother before. But I promise everything I do, I’ll do with my love for you in mind. Okay?”
“Love?” Kemala asked.
At that moment, Piper realized that she did truly love the girl. “Yes, love. How could I not love you?”
“I mean,” Kemala said with a frown.
Piper shook her head. “You weren’t mean, honey. You were scared and worried about your future. I can’t blame you for that. Just please be patient with me.”
Kemala nodded, though Piper wasn’t sure she understood what she’d said. She mentally shrugged and gave her daughter another hug.
Her daughter. Holy shit.
What an emotionally exhausting week it had been. She’d gotten to see her best friend for the first time in ages, she’d been shoved into a hole, scared to death, almost died, lost Kalee, walked for miles and miles, gotten married, and adopted three little girls. She’d had her fair share of drama, that was for sure.
When they got back to the States, after she worked with Mr. Solberg to arrange a memorial for Kalee, she was going to live a drama-free life. She’d earned it.
Chapter Ten
Ace breathed out a sigh of relief when the wheels of the plane touched down in California. It had been a hell of a long flight from Sydney, even though they’d stopped over in Honolulu. Despite being on a military plane, they still had to be cleared by customs in Hawaii—and Ace couldn’t remember when he’d been so nervous. Even though they had passports for the girls, he’d still held his breath until they were waved through.
They’d been traveling for over thirty-six hours now, and the only thing he could think of was getting back to his house and taking a long fucking nap.
Of course, that would have to wait. He needed to get Piper moved in, and they’d found out while they were in Hawaii that Kalee’s dad would be meeting their flight. Ace had protested, saying he just wanted to get Piper and the girls home after a very long day of traveling, but their commander told him there was absolutely no way he could keep her father away.
Ace was relieved to know that the man already knew about Kalee’s death, though. It wasn’t easy to tell someone their child had passed away, and from the tone of their commander’s voice, Paul Solberg was taking his daughter’s death hard. Maybe after seeing Piper, and the children his daughter had a huge hand in rescuing, he’d feel a little better.
Kemala and Sinta had their noses pressed against the window, happy to see a glimpse of their new home for the first time. Rani was sound asleep in Rocco’s arms, her head resting on his shoulder. Every time he looked at the little girl, Ace’s heart seemed to skip a beat. She was adorable…and all his.
Suddenly, he realized in all the drama of leaving Timor-Leste, getting the excited girls settled, and finding time to catch some sleep here and there through their travels, he’d never given Piper the ring he’d picked up for her.
She was currently fussing with one of the carry-on bags they’d purchased in Sydney and had filled with snacks and toys for the girls.
“Piper?”
She looked up at him—and once more, Ace couldn’t believe she was actually his wife. That she’d married him. Traveling with her had been eye-opening…in a good way. Her behavior in Timor-Leste seemed to be how she was at all times. She didn’t complain about being tired. Didn’t seem fazed that their journey had been so long. He knew she was exhausted, but the more he looked at her, the more beautiful Ace found her.
“Yeah?”
“I got something for you back in Dili, and I haven’t had a chance to give it to you until now. I should’ve found the time earlier, as I know we’re both rushed right now and you’ve got a hard few minutes ahead of you in seeing Kalee’s dad, but I wanted to make sure you had this before we stepped off the plane.”
Ace opened his hand, the ring he’d bought for her sitting in his palm. It was a small princess-cut aquamarine set in a white-gold band. At least that’s what the vendor told him. In reality, it was probably a piece of blue glass stuck in some random metal sprayed with something resembling white gold.
When Piper just stared at the ring, Ace hastened to continue, “I’m going to get you a replacement. I have a feeling this thing isn’t worth more than two bucks, but the blue made me think of the color of your eyes.”
When she looked up at him, he could see the tears in those blue eyes.
Alarmed, he started to say he’d get her the real deal as soon as humanly possible, but she’d already reached for the jewelry before he could speak.
She gently plucked it from his palm and held it up. “It’s beautiful,” she said.
He shook his head. “It’s as good as I could get while in Timor-Leste.”
“Seriously, Ace. It’s perfect. I love it.”
She slid it on her left-hand ring finger and Ace reached for it. He lifted her hand and kissed the ring before reaching out to pull her close. She immediately leaned toward him and, as if they’d done it every day of their lives, their lips met in a gentle and loving kiss.
“Does it fit?” Ace asked softly.
Piper nodded.
“I’m still going to get you a real ring,” he told her. “And a wedding band.”
She bit her lip before asking, “Will you wear a ring too?”
“Do you want me to?” he asked.
“Yes.” Her answer was immediate and firm.
“Then yes, I’ll wear one too.”
“I know you only married me so we could get the girls, but for as long as you decide you want this to continue, I’m going to do my best to be a good wife to you. I don’t know anything about being a military wife, but I’ll try. I’m much happier sitting at home, alone with my thoughts and my cartoons, but I know you probably need me to be more outgoing because of what you do.”
“Piper, I don’t want you to be anyone but who you are. We both have some learning to do when it comes to each other, but you don’t have to do anything different because of my job. I’m going to introduce you to Caite and Sidney as soon as I can, so they can help you figure this all out. But the bottom line is that I married you because I wanted to. Okay?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Ace knew they were true. Yeah, he’d hastily offered to make it easier for her to adopt the girls, but he knew, deep down, that Tex would’ve found a way to get the girls out of the country whether Piper was married or not.
The bottom line was that he hadn’t wanted Timor-Leste to be the end. And he’d tied Piper to him in the mos
t elemental way possible. Their wedding license was burning a hole in his pocket, and he couldn’t wait to get Piper to his house.
To his bed.
He knew sex was off the table…for now. He’d gladly take one of the guest bedrooms in his house until they were both comfortable sharing a room and a bed. But if their chemistry was any indication, they’d most likely end up there sooner rather than later, which was more than fine with him.
Piper was beautiful. He knew some people would disagree, might consider her too plain to be the kind of woman who men catcalled and fell ass over end for, but to him, she was perfect.
“I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t want to be married to you, either,” she told him.
Ace grinned. Every time she opened her mouth, she blew him away.
“Piper, Ace. Look!” Kemala said, pointing out the window.
Without taking his eyes from Piper’s, Ace absently said, “I see.”
Piper chuckled, then turned to see what it was Kemala was so excited about.
Ace took a deep breath to get himself under control. The next hour or so was going to be tough. The second they walked off the plane, Kalee’s dad would be waiting for them, and they’d have to get through that. Then he and the team had to debrief, talk about what had happened in Timor-Leste, while Piper met with someone to get their military IDs. After that, Ace could finally bring his girls home.
His daughters.
Damn, that sounded good.
In the next few days, he and Piper would have to get her things moved to his house and rearrange his own furniture to fit in what she wanted to keep. The thought of blending his life with hers felt natural. And he couldn’t fucking wait.
They weren’t the only ones on the military transport, and while he helped Piper get Sinta and Kemala ready to go, he took a still-sleeping Rani from Rocco.
“Thanks for holding her, man,” he told his friend.
“Anytime,” Rocco said. “And I mean that. Things have happened at the speed of lightning, but these girls are amazing. Well behaved, sweet, and they have a natural desire to learn as much as they possibly can. You made the right choice.”
“Thanks.” It meant the world to Ace that his friend supported what he’d done. “I’ve only known them a few days and I already can’t imagine my life without them.”
“And Piper?” Rocco asked quietly.
“Her too. There’s just something about her that grabbed me from the first time I saw her sticking her head out of that hole in the floor.”
“I know what you mean. That’s how I felt about Caite when I saw her in that elevator.”
“So you don’t think I’m insane for marrying her?” Ace couldn’t help but ask.
“Absolutely not,” Rocco told him. “If you asked Bubba, Rex, or Phantom, they might say yes, but both me and Gumby know what it’s like to be knocked on our asses by a woman. When you know, you know. There’s just something special about the woman who’s meant to be yours. Can I give you some advice?”
“Please.”
“You’ve both got a lot on your plates with getting her moved in, making sure the girls are settled, getting them enrolled in school, and your jobs. But don’t give her too much space. Don’t fall into a routine you’ll regret later. If you want a real marriage with her, you’re going to have to work for it. Woo her. Take her on dates. Include the girls now and then, but don’t forget to spend some quality one-on-one time with her as well.”
Ace thought about what his friend was saying, then nodded. He was right. If they got too involved in their life with the girls, they’d lose what they could be together as a couple. “Will you help? We’ll need a babysitter.”
Rocco grinned. “Absolutely. Maybe it’ll help convince Caite to marry me as soon as possible—and I wouldn’t be opposed to children either. The others will help out too, I’m sure.”
Ace nodded. He had the best friends ever.
His plan had been to give Piper some space. To not rush her. But now that Rocco had pointed it out, he realized his friend was right. He and Piper had amazing chemistry, but he had a feeling she’d push that aside to do what she thought was best for the girls. If they wanted a real relationship—and he knew he did—they needed to get there as soon as was comfortable for both of them.
“Ready?” Piper asked from beside him. She had Sinta and Kemala standing in front of her in the aisle. They were wearing new jeans and cute T-shirts they’d picked up in Honolulu on their layover. Their mocha colored skin shone with the kind of vitality the young had. Both were also wearing the comfortable flip-flops they’d had on since they’d fled Dili. Their hair had been tamed and their excitement over being in a new country and experiencing new things had left spots of pink on their cheeks.
Piper, on the other hand, looked weary and stressed. She knew as well as he did that the meeting with Mr. Solberg was going to be hard.
Without thought, and with Rocco’s words fresh in his mind, Ace reached out with the hand that wasn’t holding Rani and curled it around the back of Piper’s neck. He tugged her forward and kissed her. Hard and deep. Letting her know she wasn’t alone. That he was there, supporting her and backing her up. Hoping to tell her that everything would be all right. That they’d face whatever obstacles came up together.
When he pulled back, he didn’t let go. Ace felt satisfaction curl through him when Piper didn’t try to get out of his hold. He looked into her eyes and said quietly, “You’ve got this, Piper. I’ll be right there with you. Kalee’s dad is going to be upset, but he’ll be relieved you’re all right, and that you saved three innocent girls as well.”
She swallowed hard. “You don’t know him. He’s…intense. Even though I’ve known Kalee forever, I’ve never been sure what he thinks of me. Sometimes I think he likes me, and other times I was sure he was just tolerating me for Kalee’s sake.”
“The bottom line is that he doesn’t have to like you. He just has to respect you. Besides, you’re the last link to his daughter. He’d be stupid not to want you in his life. Hear me?”
She nodded. “Thank you for being here.”
“That’s one thing you never have to thank me for,” Ace told her. Then he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Come on, let’s get this over with. We have a long day ahead of us, and I can’t wait to see the girls’ reaction to their new home.”
“Or mine,” Piper said with a smile. “For all I know, you live in a tiny little one-bedroom house that has a ninety-inch television and is the quintessential bachelor pad.”
Ace chuckled as he finally let go of her and took a step back. She’d see for herself very soon that he had more than enough room for her, their daughters, and a couple more children to boot. He’d used the money he’d received after the death of his parents, and some that he’d saved over the years, to buy a big-ass house. It had five bedrooms, a full finished basement, and a gourmet kitchen. He supposed his desire for a big family had heavily figured into the purchase. And while he’d always hoped he’d meet a woman who wanted a ton of kids like he did, he never thought he’d be as lucky as he was right this moment.
“You don’t, do you?” Piper asked when he’d taken too long to answer.
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” Ace told her with a smile.
In response, Piper simply rolled her eyes and turned to encourage Sinta and Kemala to head out of the plane. Ace shifted his grip on Rani, not having the heart to wake her up, and followed his family off the plane and across the tarmac toward the hangar.
Ace wasn’t surprised to see Commander North waiting for them when they exited the plane. They’d taken a military flight and had landed on the naval base. There were pockets of men and women greeting their family members all around them in the large airplane hangar, but Ace kept his eyes on the man standing next to his commander.
Paul Solberg was tall. Imposing. Taller than both their commander and Ace himself. He was large too. Thick. He had a small gut that he tried to hide behind an u
ntucked shirt. His red hair was messy, as if he’d run his hand through it over and over or slept on it wrong. He had a five o’clock shadow, which didn’t help him seem any more approachable.
But it was the look on his face that had Ace on edge.
It was completely blank. He didn’t look happy to see Piper, or sad that it wasn’t his daughter getting off the plane. He might as well be meeting a stranger rather than the woman who’d been best friends with his daughter for most of her life.
In their exit from the plane and their walk across the hangar, Piper had managed to get a little ways ahead of him—and a feeling of wrongness hit Ace like a bolt of lightning.
He was already turning to hand Rani off to Rocco once more when she reached the commander and Paul Solberg.
Ace was only a few steps behind them, but that wasn’t close enough to prevent what happened. As if watching in slow motion, Ace saw Piper step toward her best friend’s father with her arms open.
Instead of enfolding her into his embrace, Solberg whipped out a hand and slapped her as hard as he could.
Piper’s head flew back and she stumbled to the side before falling onto the hard concrete floor. By the time Ace got to her side, she had one hand on her cheek and was staring up at Solberg in stunned disbelief.
“It should’ve been you,” Solberg hissed.
If Ace had thought the man had no emotion on his face before, the opposite was now true. He was glaring down at Piper as if she’d held a gun to his daughter’s head and pulled the trigger herself.
The anger oozing from every pore of his body was unnatural…and more than a little eerie.
Ace put himself between her and the irate man when Solberg took a step closer. Commander North quickly grabbed hold of the man’s arm, but it was as if he didn’t even notice the commander’s presence.
Kalee’s dad did his best to look around Ace at Piper, but he stood his ground.
“Back off,” Ace barked, wanting to punch the man more than he wanted anything, but not wanting to scare his girls by showing his violent side.