by Stone, Piper
I glared at the ugly sky, the dark clouds threatening rain all morning. Bryce was already worried that the weather was an omen of some kind, which was freaking ridiculous, but women always had premonitions.
“It’ll be fine, Hawk. If it rains, we’ll move to the barn,” Mustang suggested.
“Yeah. I’m sure Bryce will like that.” Hawk shook his head, cursing under his breath when he heard his phone ring. “If this is the minister saying he’s going to be late, you will see me going ballistic.”
I turned my head, noticing the odd expression cross his face. When he walked several feet away, I listened intently, trying to catch his conversation.
“That’s insane. Yes, Major. Do you understand what kind of a position you put me in?” Hawk was already exasperated. “This is my damn wedding day.”
Mustang shot me a look, narrowing his eyes, the other guys clamoring closer to Hawk.
“You know what? I’m going to say this to you, Major. I’m pissed. All five of us have taken this shit in stride for months. It was supposed to be finished until some fucking top brass asshole decided to rock the boat for fame and glory. I’m over it. We all are.”
“What. The. Fuck?” Scorpion snarled.
I inched closer, my own anger increasing.
“Yes. I do understand, Major,” Hawk said through clenched teeth. “Fine, but if you fuck up my wedding, you’re going to have to explain it to my bride and trust me, she will show you what fury looks like.” His voice had raised several decibels and when he ended the call, he held the phone against his forehead, his face blood red.
“What the hell is going on?” Reaper snapped.
Hawk took several deep breaths, his shoulders heaving. “The new investigation starts today. Today, goddamn it! Can’t they leave us the fuck alone? Can’t they…”
A cold shiver chased down my spine, my throat closing up. “What the hell is the reason?”
“Additional evidence,” Hawk answered, shoving his phone into his pocket and hanging his head.
I looked at the other guys and had no idea what to say. “You should talk to Bryce.”
“Yeah, I know, but how the hell can I break her heart? For all I know, they’re coming to court-martial us today.”
“The motherfuckers,” Scorpion growled.
“Well, we’re not going to allow that to happen,” Reaper insisted.
Laughing bitterly, I glared from one to the other. “How the hell are we going to keep them from it?”
Mustang rubbed his eyes. “By getting the best attorney we can afford.”
All of us nodded, Hawk finally turning to face us. “I’m sorry, guys. I need to talk to Bryce. She deserves to know about this bullshit. I’ll be back.” As he walked by, he touched every one of us on the shoulder.
Sadly, his grip and the look on his face indicated resignation.
He was giving up the fight. For the first time, I could see the broken man inside of him.
The tension remained, the four of us riddled with anger, but more than that, with fear. They’d been right that night at Raunchy Ride. Finding Franny had grounded me, reminding me that life was so damn precious. Was karma that much of a bitch to take it away now that I’d found happiness?
Yeah, she was.
I walked toward the bar, pouring myself a whiskey. I had a feeling I was going to need it.
“At least some good news,” Reaper said.
“Yeah, like what?”
“Franny is walking up the porch.”
I almost dropped the glass before I could put it on the bar, taking long strides toward the door and throwing it open. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
She studied my face, narrowing her eyes. “I promised you. I would have rented a Learjet in order to get here. What’s wrong?”
I took her into my arms, holding her tightly as I glanced out at the preparations for the wedding, the large tent flapping in the breeze to the point the entire thing was swaying back and forth. Even the ribbons attached seemed to have difficulty remaining secured. The day was going to be a fucking disaster.
“Nothing’s wrong. I missed you.”
“No, I know my big cowboy. What’s going on?”
I continued to hold her for a few additional seconds before leading her inside, taking her into the hallway. “Major Wallace is on his way over.”
“I don’t know who that is,” Franny said, the concerned look remaining on her face.
“He was our commanding officer at the base in Afghanistan. The investigation is in full swing.”
“Oh, my God. You have to be kidding me.”
“I’m afraid not. We’re concerned that we might be taken into custody.”
When her face turned red, her eyes flashing venom, I almost smiled. “That’s not fucking going to happen. I know people, including in the goddamn military. If they attempt to lay a hand on any of you, I swear I will make their lives hell. Let me make some phone calls.”
“Franny. Don’t. The day is stressful enough as it is. Let’s just see what happens.”
“How can you be so calm?” she demanded, pulling away from me and taking several exaggerated deep breaths.
“Someone taught me a little patience.”
She shot me a look, finally able to smile. “I will help you fight this. I’m not going to lose the man I love. Do you hear me?”
There was so much love in her eyes that I found it difficult to believe she could adore an asshole like me. But thank God she did.
I pushed her against the wall, planting my hands on either side of her. “Yeah, I heard you, lady. And if you think you’re getting out of my sight again, you’ve got it wrong.” I lowered my head, keeping my lips centimeters away from hers. “Damn, woman. I love you.”
As she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me closer, her heated breath created a series of vibrations that could light up an entire city. “And I love you.”
She tilted her head, capturing my mouth, and for a few precious seconds, my life was exactly where I wanted it to be.
With the woman I loved in the city I adored. Whether or not the five of us would face disgrace was something I was prepared to handle, for I knew she would remain by my side through thick or thin.
Through sickness and in death.
And I knew I was the luckiest man alive.
One hour.
One fucking hour later and the five of us continued to pace the floor, the anticipation killing us. While I’d never been a man to have much patience, today had dragged the concept into an entirely different level.
“Where the fuck is the major?” Reaper asked, grumbling under his breath.
“I don’t know but he’s not going to interrupt the wedding,” Hawk insisted.
“Relax. He is a man of honor.” Scorpion’s voice didn’t hold much conviction. We were all worried, sick at the prospects.
“Well, boys. I think the real reaper has arrived,” Mustang said quickly, shifting his gaze from the window. “Two SUVs are pulling up.”
The moment of silence shared between us wasn’t unlike times we’d shared before, the heartache and loss, the horror of what we’d faced coming full circle. Now we were the ones to face our greatest fear.
And perhaps our greatest moment of connection.
We were as one. Six men determined to bring honor to our lives and to our country.
Six men who fought to protect others as well as each other.
Six men who would always have honor.
Hawk exhaled then rubbed his hands down his tuxedo. “Well, you guys have to admit that we’ll be the best dressed men forced into incarceration.”
I walked closer, studying my best friends one at a time. “What we shared is something special. I for one refuse to allow that to be taken away.”
“I agree,” Reaper said, shaking his head.
“All for one. The Bad Boys of Montana,” Scorpion half whispered.
“Men of honor,” Mustang added.
Hawk moved away
from the door, extending his fisted arm. “We fought together. We remain together. And we will never forget Corporal Ricardo Garcia. May his sacrifice never be forgotten.”
As we all placed our hands on his, a weight was lifted off my heart. Snake was with us, with all of us.
And would always be.
Lifting his head, Hawk gave a salute. “To the only men I would ever want to serve with. It’s been my honor.”
He held his stance for a full minute before walking to the door, his back straight and his head held high. When he opened the door, he shifted his gaze, offering a smile and a respectful nod.
One by one we trailed behind him, waiting on the porch as the two vehicles stopped directly in front of the house.
After twenty agonizing seconds, the passenger door of the first vehicle opened, Major Wallace easing out of the passenger seat. Within seconds, a major general that none of us had seen before exited from the seat behind the major.
“What’s going on?” Franny asked from behind me.
I heard the sounds of others following her, all four women who’d been responsible for exorcising the men who I’d fought beside, laughed with, and cared for made their way onto the porch.
“They’re here.” The response was the only one I could provide.
As the major general and Major Wallace approached, they saluted, waiting until we did the same.
Major Wallace approached first, taking his time to look each one of us directly in the eyes. “Soldiers. As you well know, the raid on the Afghan village almost one year ago altered the course of your future. It altered the course of our military as well.”
What the hell was he trying to say?
“May I introduce Major General Young.”
“Soldiers,” the major general said, nodding only once.
“Just get it over with, Major Wallace. If this day is going to be ruined, then by all means, do so before I lose my temper,” Hawk half growled.
Major Wallace moved closer, his usual expressionless face softening. “What you did, all of you, was brave. In attempting to rescue not only a soldier serving in your unit, but also others who had been held captive for months went beyond the call of duty. That being said, there are changes going into effect within our organization. While I can’t go into detail, rest assured that no soldier will ever be left behind without a fight.”
The five of us glanced at each other, still confused as hell.
When the major smiled, acknowledging the five women standing by our sides, an odd feeling rolled into the pit of my stomach.
“Major, while we appreciate your sentiment, please explain what your visit means.” I stated the words gruffly, trying to shove aside my emotions.
“What the major is finding it difficult to say is that your unit, including every man will receive a Medal of Honor for bravery in action.” The major general motioned toward the vehicle.
“What?” Scorpion whispered.
“I don’t understand,” I managed.
I heard the gleeful sounds that both Bryce and Danni made, but this wasn’t right in my mind.
We’d left one man behind.
As a corporal from the second car approached, his hand on several boxes, I was frozen inside.
Ruff. Ruff!
“Apollo. No!” Mustang huffed, unable to catch the dog before he raced out of the house. “What the hell is he doing?”
We all watched as Apollo raced toward the second vehicle, barking nonstop. I realized I’d walked down the steps, trying to see who was inside the SUV.
Then I noticed the number of boxes the corporal held in his hands.
Major Wallace shook his head before walking toward the passenger door of the second vehicle, taking a second before opening the door.
There were no words to describe the next few minutes, no amount of understanding that any of us could have had. As two feet stepped out of the SUV, a bright ray of sun began to shine.
With Major Wallace’s help, the passenger was pulled into the light, the man’s hand wrapped around a cane.
“Ten-hut! May I present Corporal Ricardo Garcia.”
How could there be any words that would suffice in seeing our fallen buddy alive, a smile crossing his face as he saluted? While there was utter silence for almost a full minute, I could swear I heard the angels sing.
“How?” Hawk asked, although his voice echoed.
“Well, it would seem that Senator Montgomery refused to take no for an answer,” Major General Young said, half laughing. “She was determined to ensure that no charges were filed, digging into everything relentlessly. In the process, Corporal Garcia was found in a hospital only thirty miles from the base. He’d been severely burned, in a coma for almost three months and as you might imagine, the healing process taking significant time. He remained disoriented and given Ricardo’s dog tags had been removed, replaced with another soldier’s when he was found, his identification was difficult. Fortunately, he was able to tell the nurses who he was.”
“Better late than never. Right?” Snake said, his eyes moving from one to the other.
“I’m sorry I was late, but I wanted to make sure this was going to happen,” Franny said, her voice shaking.
When Franny grabbed my arm, tears streaming down her face, I was released from the same hell that all six men had been placed in. I pulled her close, my whisper ragged and full of emotion. “I love you, Franny Reynolds. You are my shining star.”
“And you are mine,” she managed. “But don’t forget, I’ll be Franny Bridges soon enough.”
I laughed. “I’ll never forget.”
“Hey,” Snake said, struggling to walk closer. “I heard this was a wedding, like a happy day. Why the hell wasn’t I invited?” With Apollo by his side, he was able to make his way toward us, his face beaming.
Happiness.
The very wise man who’d reminded me that happiness came from deep within, had also given me the greatest gift of all.
The gift of friendship.
Of honor.
And loyalty.
And mostly, one of love.
Brothers in arms.
Soldiers.
Cowboys and Marines.
We’d been called so many things.
Heroes. Monsters. Sinners and saints.
Above all we were men honoring our country even while our pasts continued to haunt us.
Some said we could never return, that we were damaged beyond redemption.
Others would stop at nothing to prevent us from doing so.
But we were determined to protect those we loved.
Six men determined to right the wrongs from our past.
Six men prepared to do what it took.
No matter the cost.
And six men who’d been given a second chance at sharing an amazing life.
The End
Afterword
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Books of the Montana Bad Boys Series
Hawk
He’s a big, angry Marine, and I’m going to be sore when he’s done with me.
Hawk Travers is not a man to be trifled with. I learned that lesson in the hardest way possible, first with a painful, humiliating public spanking and then much more shamefully in private.
She came looking for trouble. She got a taste of my belt instead.
Bryce Myers pushed me
too far and she ended up with her bottom welted. But as satisfying as it is to hear this feisty little reporter scream my name as I put her in her place, I get the feeling she isn’t going to stop snooping around no matter how well-used and sore I leave her cute backside.
She’s gotten herself in way over her head, but she’s mine now, and I protect what’s mine.
Buy on Amazon
Scorpion
He didn’t ask if I like it rough. It wasn’t up to me.
I thought I could get away with pissing off a big, tough Marine. I ended up with my face planted in the sheets, my burning bottom raised high, and my hair held tightly in his fist as he took me long and hard and taught me the kind of shameful lesson only a man like Scorpion could teach.
She was begging for a taste of my belt. She got much more than that.
Getting so tipsy she thought she could be sassy with me in my own bar earned Caroline a spanking, but it was trying to make off with my truck that sealed the deal. She’ll feel my belt across her bare backside, then she’ll scream my name as she takes every single inch of me.
This naughty girl needs to be put in her place, and I’m going to enjoy every moment of it.
Buy on Amazon
Mustang
I tried to tell him how to run his ranch. Then he took off his belt.
When I heard a rumor about his ranch, I confronted Mustang about it. I thought I could go toe to toe with the big, tough former Marine, but I ended up blushing, sore, and very thoroughly used.
I told her it was going to hurt. I meant it.
Danni Brexton is a hot little number with a sharp tongue and a chip on her shoulder. She’s the kind of trouble that needs to be ridden hard and put away wet, but only after a taste of my belt.
It will take more than just a firm hand and a burning bottom to tame this sassy spitfire, but I plan to keep her safe, sound, and screaming my name in bed whether she likes it or not. By the time I’m through with her, there won’t be a shadow of a doubt in her mind that she belongs to me.