Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Chaos had never been happier in his life.
Not even earning his Night Stalker wings beat how he felt these days.
Everything seemed brighter, fresher, cleaner.
He finally understood how his teammates felt with their women.
It was a shift in his entire being, to go from only having to worry about himself and when he might be getting in the air again, to putting someone else first.
The truth was, he loved it. Loved thinking about what to have for dinner that Kara might like.
Loved talking about his day and hearing about hers, even if neither of them did anything super-interesting.
Loved seeing Kara blossom, surrounded by people who cared about her and who enjoyed her company.
In the past, he hadn’t understood the subtle nuisances of being in a relationship.
He never had anything to compare it to, as his parents had broken up when he was young and their relationship hadn’t been great before that.
Then it was just him and his mom for so long.
Chaos found that he loved being part of a couple. Being in a relationship that was low-angst and full of respect. And the sex…it was nothing like he’d ever experienced before. Loving your partner made all the difference.
Yes, he loved Kara. So much it was almost scary.
And every day that went by cemented his love for her even more.
But he kept his feelings to himself, not wanting to scare her.
She’d been through a traumatic experience with her last relationship, and he would do anything to make sure she felt not one moment of uncertainty or unease.
While also showing her day by day that he wasn’t her asshole of an ex. That he valued her. Treasured her. Respected her.
Two weeks had gone by since he’d first made love to Kara, and every day seemed to be better than the last. There was a lull in work, which was a minor miracle, and there were no deployments on the horizon.
Of course, that could change in a heartbeat, but for now, Chaos was happy that he and Kara had the time to get to know each other better before they’d be separated for an uncertain amount of time because of a mission.
The downtime also allowed Laryn and Penny to fast track the planning for their combined receptions. Casper and Pyro were also doing everything they could to facilitate things, because all they wanted was to marry the women they loved.
Chaos wanted to spend the rest of his life with Kara, but he was in no rush to get married, and neither was she.
They’d talked about it one evening after making long, slow love to each other.
Marriage in general. Maybe it was his mom’s hippiness rubbing off on him, but Chaos didn’t feel as if he needed the government or church to “approve” of his relationship with anyone he loved.
As long as he and Kara were committed to each other, a piece of paper wouldn’t change that.
Amazingly, Kara felt the same way. There were benefits to being married in the military, but for now, they were both happy to keep things between them as they were.
If things continued as well as they were going now, he’d make sure Kara was provided for in case of his death, and if anything happened to him while he was deployed, his teammates and the other women would be sure to take care of her, as well.
But Chaos was thrilled for his friends. It was obvious they were more than ready to put their rings on Laryn and Penny.
Casper, because he wanted to be married when his girls were born, and Pyro, because he wanted to be able to officially adopt Bowie, and being married made it easier, at least in his eyes.
The reception was this upcoming weekend. The plan was for the couples to go to the courthouse to get married, then to Anchor Point for the reception. They were both happy with a low-key ceremony and one hell of a party afterward.
The bar and grill had been rented out for the reception, and no one was allowed entry if they didn’t have an invitation in hand, for security purposes.
Chaos and Kara hadn’t heard anything from the detective on her case in weeks, and supposedly no news was good news, but they were both still being very cautious. Not wanting to take any chances that Nolan was still out there somewhere, biding his time.
Tonight, Kara was getting together with the rest of the women.
They were going to hang out at Penny’s apartment while Bowie hung out with the guys at Chaos’s house.
Basically unofficial, unconventional bachelor and bachelorette parties.
He’d dropped Kara off at Penny’s apartment building thirty minutes ago and was already missing her.
As for Chaos and his team, they’d planned some things to keep Bowie happy, although she was amazingly easy to entertain.
Pyro was bringing the games and cards he’d bought for the sight-impaired, and Chaos had signed up for the Disney Channel, so when Bowie got tired they could all relax in front of the TV.
They were having pizza for dinner, and Pyro was going to make cupcakes with Bowie.
The night would be completely different than most they’d enjoyed when they all got together, but it seemed right somehow.
They were getting older, and getting drunk and talking about hot women didn’t seem quite as entertaining as it used to be.
Instead, the party for Casper and Pyro—one that didn’t include alcohol, strippers, or jokes about balls and chains—was mostly about six men who’d been friends for years, who had all saved each other’s lives more times than they could count, enjoying time together that didn’t include discussing flight plans or terrorists, or worrying about bullets or RPGs.
Chaos was glad when Edge had said he’d come over as well, because lately he’d been keeping himself separate from the rest of the team.
He probably felt a little like a sixth wheel, since everyone now had a girlfriend or fiancée.
But whatever the reason, he missed his friend.
He and Edge had been copilots for years, and it bothered Chaos immensely that he was going through such a hard time and keeping it to himself.
They could all see how affected Edge was by Jennifer’s new dating status.
They still hadn’t met the guy, as he always seemed to be busy when they had get-togethers, but it was obvious Edge was kicking himself for not asking Jen out when he’d had the chance.
Ex-wife or no ex-wife. Trinity was a piece of work with a jealous streak a mile wide, but that shouldn’t have kept Edge from going after what he wanted.
Knocking had Chaos putting aside thoughts of the vindicative woman Edge had divorced three years ago—who was somehow still dictating his life—and he went to answer the door.
Before too long, all six of the Night Stalkers were talking and laughing and being thoroughly entertained by little Bowie, who was eating up the attention.
After dinner, someone had the great idea of turning on some music. Bowie was currently the center of attention as she giggled and danced in the living area. Chaos and Obi-Wan had pushed back the furniture, and all three were having a dance-off…which, of course, Bowie would win hands down.
The mood was jovial and relaxed, and Chaos realized it had been a long time since he’d felt so carefree.
The women in their lives had brought this about, he had no doubt.
Even though they weren’t physically present at the moment, all the men were likely thinking about their women in one way or another.
They’d brought a lightness into the dark parts of their world.
Giving them the freedom to be silly. To dance with a little girl whose giggles could reach the most hardened of men.
A notification from his security system flashed on his phone, alerting Chaos that someone had tripped the camera at the front of the house. Pulling up the video, he frowned.
Oh, hell no. Not now. Not when they were all having a great time.
Giving Casper a subtle chin lift, he headed for the door, his team leader at his heels. No one seemed to notice them leaving, and Chaos had stepped outside before the woman who was walking up the driveway could approach the door and knock.
“No,” he said in a low, mean tone as the woman glared at him.
“I want to see Roman.”
“And I said no,” Chaos repeated. “Edge has made it more than clear that he wants nothing to do with you. Why do you continue to embarrass yourself by trying to stay in his life? You two divorced, you’re done. Do yourself a favor and move on already. You’re being pathetic.”
Trinity scowled at him. Chaos supposed at one time, the woman had been a looker. But since she and Edge had ended things, she’d let herself go. She looked every one of her forty-five years and more.
“Fuck you, Chaos! I want to see Roman. Get him out here.”
“See, you can’t just show up and demand shit like that,” Casper said mildly. “Especially when he doesn’t want to see you.”
“Too bad. I need to talk to him about something. It can’t wait.”
“No.”
Trinity struggled for a reply, but all she could come up with was, “You can’t tell me no!”
“The hell I can’t,” Chaos said. “You’re trespassing. Get off my property or I’m calling the cops.”
“You’re an asshole!” she spat, crossing her arms and glaring at him.
“And you’re a desperate hag who can’t seem to grasp the concept of a divorce.
Edge doesn’t want you. Move on already. Find the kind of man you’re really looking for—one who’ll do whatever you want, every minute of the day.
Because that’s what you already tried with Edge, and he’s not the kind of man who kowtows to anyone. ”
“Fuck off. He’s just confused.”
“For three years? No, Trinity, you’re just desperate, and for some reason you still want a man who doesn’t want you. Pathetic.”
Loud laughter and music rang out from the house, and Trinity went from glaring at him to looking at the door.
“Who’s in there? Oh my God, do you have strippers in there?”