15. Ace
15
ACE
Dawn is just creeping across the horizon as we make our way toward the tiny village that’s rumored to be housing our high value target. The brief is to get in, get the job done, get the hell out. We all know there’s little to zero chance of pulling this off without a single hitch.
There’s a reason the Navy SEAL’s motto is “the only easy day was yesterday.”
Because it’s rare for missions — especially ones like this one — to go off without so much as a hiccup. Still, we give it our all each time in an effort to ensure things go as smoothly as we can possibly make it.
As we come around the final bend in the path, Merlin holds up a closed fist, showing us to halt. Then, with a single finger, he gestures for us to spread out in formation. He disappears for a couple of tense minutes before returning.
Three fingers go up to indicate how many men he’s spotted standing watch and, armed with the knowledge, we move. Within seconds, the three sentries are taken out of play, left bound, gagged, and unconscious to prevent them from raising the alarm.
We reach the edge of the village and find only women going about their daily tasks and children running around playing. It’s unusually devoid of any masculine presence other than the three sentries, and the hairs on the back of my neck come to attention.
Moving up beside Merlin, I lean over to whisper as quietly as I can in his ear. “This feels off. Something isn’t right. It’s almost as if they know we’re here but are lulling us into a false sense of security by making it appear normal with the activity,” I say, nodding toward the women and children.
“Yeah, my gut’s screaming the same thing,” he replies. In a toneless voice designed not to carry, he speaks into our comms. “Ace and I agree something doesn’t feel right. Be on high alert, for anything. We don’t want to be caught on the back foot here.”
His words are barely out of his mouth when the first shot rings out.
The women run to gather their children, snagging them as they continue running for the shelter of their homes. Within a scant couple of minutes, there isn’t a soul to be seen in an area that was a hive of activity before.
Rapidly exchanging fire, we attempt to pinpoint where the shots are coming from. We work our way around the village, using the buildings as cover until we reach the other side. Stopping shy of open ground, we regroup to assess the situation.
“Everyone still okay and in one piece?” Merlin asks. We all reply in the affirmative. “Right, then let’s put our heads together and come up with a plan so we can get this done and make it home sooner rather than later.”
Sporadic fire rings out as we review and pivot, coming up with a workable plan on the fly. And all is going swimmingly until Merlin and I inadvertently come upon one of the gunmen. Unfortunately for me, he spots me before we spot him, and he fires our way, at fairly close range.
Pain radiates through me as one of his bullets finds a home in my body. The impact takes me to the ground, leaving me struggling to catch a breath. The pain of a gunshot is unlike any I’ve ever experienced, and this time is no exception.
“Goddamn it,” I hear Merlin say, as if from a long distance away. “Kansas, Ace is down. I need you over here stat.”
I have no idea how long it takes Kansas to come over; all I do know is that pain is all-consuming. It’s not my first rodeo, but this time feels different. Thoughts appear quite clear in my mind, yet any input seems confused and nonsensical.
Kansas is asking questions I can’t quite seem to grasp, and words are difficult to form. Is this what it feels like to someone who’s dying? Am I dying? The thought brings sadness unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I’ve told Sheri I love her, but not nearly enough. I should have told her a million times more. If I die here today, she might not know just how deeply I feel about her and that makes me incredibly sad.
I wonder if this is kind of how Maverick felt the day he died — regret for all the things he’d yet to say, and the sadness of not getting to see her beautiful face one last time?
“Hey, buddy, come on. Stay with me, okay? I need you to hang in there. We’re going to get you out of here. I just need you to hold on. Can you do that for me?” The man’s words sound as if they’re coming from a great distance and, as much as I want to respond, I can’t get the words out.
Instead, I blink twice to tell Kansas I heard him, and I’ll do my best to “hang in there.”
Time loses all meaning as I drift in a world of pain and random thoughts, and I have no idea where I am. The last thing I am aware of is how the pain suddenly intensifies, and then — nothing.
As if coming up from deep beneath the ocean, I experience the weird sensation of regaining consciousness. Popping my eyes open, I find myself in a dimly lit hospital room, and I can hear feminine voices murmuring from somewhere in the room.
I can’t quite make out what they’re saying, so I lift my head up to find them, and my heart stutters when I spot Sheri and Leila standing close to the door. God, they’re a welcome sight. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see them again.
I’m not sure if I make a sound that alerts them that I’m awake, but I find two sets of concerned eyes turned my way.
“Kevin, hey. You’re awake.” The words come from Leila.
She comes over to my side, and Sheri follows at a slower pace.
“Welcome back, honey. You had us worried sick. You need anything?” Leila asks. Sheri has yet to say a word.
“Yeah, I’d kill for some water, please,” I say, my voice raspy.
Leila grimaces. “That sounds painful. I’ll bet you need a glass of nice cold water to soothe your throat. I’ll be right back.” She hurries out of the room.
My gaze arrows back to Sheri, and I find her studying me with a strange look on her face I can’t identify.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hi. How are you feeling?” she finally replies.
“Like I got shot.” It’s clear the moment the words leave my lips that it was the wrong thing to say. Tears well in Sheri’s eyes, and it feels like I’ve been kicked in the gut. “Don’t, baby. I’m sorry.” I’m not sure what I’m apologizing for — being shot or cracking a joke about it. I just hate seeing a woman cry. Especially Sheri.
She’s already been through so much that I loathe being the source of more tears. More pain.
Before she can reply, Leila comes bustling back into the room, water in hand, a nurse close on her heels.
“Mr. Colins, it’s good to see you awake,” the nurse says, as Leila puts the glass down on the nightstand. “Shall we get you sitting up to enjoy your water?” It may have been couched as I question. However, it’s clear it’s pretty much a statement when she and Leila each take a side and gently help me to sit up in the bed.
This time it’s my eyes that tear up as pain radiates through me, and I have to take a moment to catch my breath before drinking the water.
“My name’s Cheryl,” the nurse continues. “I just need to take your vitals and then I’ll get out of your hair.” Which she does with efficiency. “I’ll go now so you can visit a bit. Just ring your bell if you need anything.” With that, she takes her leave.
Silence hangs in the room for an uncomfortable minute after the nurse’s departure.
“The guys should be here soon. I messaged Merlin to let them know you were awake.” Leila is the one to break the silence. “They wanted to be here, but Admiral North needs them to come in for a couple of hours.”
I nod. “What day is today?” I ask.
“Thursday,” Sheri replies. “You’ve been here since late Monday night.”
“They took you into surgery in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and you’ve been out of it since. You had the doctors worried because you weren’t waking up,” Leila adds.
Just then, Cheryl returns. “I’ve notified Doc that you’re awake, and she’ll be in a bit later to check in on you. In the meantime, can I organize some lunch for you? Are you hungry?”
“Yeah, actually, I could eat. Thanks,” I reply.
“Excellent. Hang tight, I’ll be back before you know it.” She gives me a warm smile before once again taking her leave.
“I’m going to dash to the ladies’ real quick,” Leila says.
I watch her leave before shifting my gaze back to Sheri. “You okay?”
She shakes her head, the hated tears back. “No. How can you even ask me that? You’ve been shot and almost died, Ace. I almost lost you, just like ...” Her words die on her lips, and a single tear tracks down a pale cheek.
“I’m sorry, baby. It all happened so quickly. I promised I would be careful, and we were. The guy just appeared out of nowhere.”
“I know you didn’t mean for this to happen,” Sheri says. “But it did, and the consequences are the same.” She stares at me, horrified. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.” Looking down at her watch, she continues, “I need to take the boys. Mom and Dad have an appointment first thing this morning, so I need to get going. I’ll be back later to check in on you.”
My heart sinks at her words, but there’s not much I can say. They are, after all, her priority. “Okay, sure. Say hi to your folks and the boys for me,” is all I say.
“I will.” Sheri hesitates for a second, her eyes going to the door before she leans over and kisses me softly on the cheek. “See you later.”
“Yeah. Later,” I reply, my heart hurting as I watch her leave.
Something is very off, and I suspect I’m not going to like whatever it is that has her acting so distant.
My thoughts are interrupted by Leila’s return, my team right behind her.
“Hey buddy, good to see you awake.” Merlin’s words are an echo of the nurse’s earlier.
It’s a bit loud and chaotic as all the guys greet me and ask how I’m feeling.
“You doing okay there, bud?” Kansas asks, his shrewd eyes assessing. He’s the last to speak.
“Yeah. Just feeling tired now, but otherwise grateful to be here,” I reply.
“I’ve got to say, you scared the crap out of me out there.” Kansas says. “I’m glad you’re doing all right.”
Yeah, bud, me too. I’m just not sure my budding relationship with Sheri is.
Looking around the room at all my friends, I push my dark thoughts away. I’ll worry about them when I’m alone and have time to think.