CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“I’m serious,” Charley said, laughing as she pushed her plate away. “Those were the best tamales I’ve ever had.”
Jessica grinned proudly as she reached for another napkin. “It’s Ray’s mom’s recipe. She’s the one who taught me everything I know in the kitchen. Before her, I swear I used to burn water.”
“She’s not lying,” Ray piped in, playfully winking at his wife.
“The first time I met his mom, I wanted to cook for her,” Jessica said, then looked at Ray. “Do you remember that?”
Ray nodded and chuckled. “How could I forget. The first bite she took, she spit it out.”
Charley snorted a laugh, which Pierce found cute. “She spat her food out?” Charley asked, wide-eyed.
Jessica started laughing and nodded. “Yes. I believe her exact words were ‘Ay, Mija, what is this? Beans or cement?’ Then she proceeded to tell me that I have a very toxic relationship with the kitchen.”
“But look at you now, babe,” Ray said, tipping his beer in his wife’s direction. “You’re married to the kitchen.”
Jessica laughed and took a sip of her wine. “Yeah, well, your mother made it very clear one of us was going to improve, and it wasn’t the stove.”
Pierce chuckled, leaning back in his seat. It had been an enjoyable evening with good food and plenty of laughs.
Dinner at Ray and Jessica’s wasn’t new. It was something their team did semi-regularly.
But tonight it felt different with Charley beside him.
Having her there made the whole evening feel more personal, more complete, like she belonged in his world in a way that should’ve felt too soon but somehow didn’t.
The more he watched her laugh with his friends and converse so easily, the harder it was to ignore how right it felt having her at his side.
Even though he was having a great time, a part of his mind kept circling back to what she’d told him in the Jeep about the stranger, the envelopes, and the uneasy feeling that someone had been watching her.
He’d told her they wouldn’t worry about it tonight, and for her sake, he’d meant it.
She deserved one evening to relax and enjoy herself.
But Pierce couldn’t let it go that easily.
Not when every instinct kept nudging at him that something about it was off.
And if there was even the slightest chance Charley was in danger, there was no way in hell he was going to ignore it.
“Hey, Pierce,” Ray said, pulling him from his thoughts. “I want to show you something in the garage.”
Pierce stood, casting a quick glance at Charley. She was helping Jessica stack dishes and still laughing at whatever story was being told.
“Hey, babe,” Ray called out to Jessica. “I’m gonna go show Pierce my toy in the garage,”
Jessica grinned. “You boys have fun. Charley and I will finish up in here and then have some girl time.”
Pierce met Charley’s eyes, and he winked, making her smile. God, he loved her smile.
“Come on, Casanova. Garage first. Heart eyes later,” Ray joked, slapping Pierce on his back.
Pierce glared at Ray, which only made Ray laugh harder.
“Damn man, this is going to be fun. Hell, it already is,” Ray chuckled.
Pierce just shook his head as he followed Ray out the back door and across the yard toward the detached garage.
When they stepped inside, Ray flipped the switch, and the lights buzzed to life, revealing the half-restored ’67 Shelby sitting in the center, like a piece of art in progress.
“Holy shit,” Pierce gasped as he stepped closer. “This thing is beautiful. When the hell did you get it?”
Ray grinned as he ran his hand over the hood. “Last week. The guy down the street was getting rid of it. He hated to, but he just didn’t have the time to work on it. She’ll be a beast when she’s done.”
Pierce nodded in agreement as he opened the passenger door and looked inside. It was immaculate, as if nobody had ever ridden in it.
“She just needs some new parts under the hood, tires and rims, and the back bumper, which I already found and should be here next week.”
Pierce stood up straight and shut the door. “Well, if you need any help, count me in. I’d love to help you work on this.”
Ray nodded as he walked over to the refrigerator and opened it. He pulled two beers out and tossed one to Pierce.
“Thanks,” Pierce said as he twisted the top off and flicked it into the trash can. He lifted the bottle and took a long pull. The cold beer did little to ease the thoughts still churning in his head.
Ray took a seat on a stool and looked at Pierce. “So, do you want to tell me what’s bothering you?”
Pierce frowned slightly as he leaned up against the workbench. “What do you mean?”
Ray gave him a look, as if he was trying to get a read on him.
“I don’t know. You just seemed distracted during dinner.
And I know you said that everything’s great with Charley, which I believe because you’ve got that dumb look on your face when she talks,” Ray smirked, but then that serious expression returned.
“But it just feels like there’s something else going on too. ”
Pierce hesitated as his jaw tightened. He’d been trying not to let it show, especially not in front of Charley after he had told her not to worry about it tonight. Now he wondered if she had noticed too.
Pierce ran his hand over his jaw. “I didn’t want to bring it up tonight,” he admitted, “but Charley told me something on the way here, and it’s been eating at me.”
Ray took a swig from his beer. “Anything I can help with?”
Pierce looked at Ray. “How much do you know about Operation Storm Current?”
Ray’s hand stalled halfway to his mouth, the beer forgotten as his gaze locked on Pierce. The easy humor vanished from his face, replaced by the hard, battle-ready SEAL Pierce knew all too well.
“It was a long operation. But I was there during the early stages of it. There was a lot of secret shit wrapped up in that mission, and none of it was the kind of thing that ever made it into an official report.”
“I figured you were involved,” Pierce said quietly.
“How does Charley fit into this? I mean, Operation Storm Current was public knowledge because of its broad scope. But again, there was a lot that wasn’t public.”
Pierce told Ray about Charley’s encounter a few weeks earlier with the man outside the foundation building, then about the first envelope that had arrived two weeks later, containing the three names.
He went on to explain how, just a few days ago, another envelope had been left in the foundation’s mailbox—this one with the words Operation Storm Current written inside.
He also told him about Charley’s growing unease, the feeling she’d had more than once that someone was watching her, and what he himself had sensed earlier when he picked her up at her apartment.
Ray set his beer down on the workbench and ran a hand through his hair, looking like his mind was working angles and possibilities.
“So, she believes the person leaving the envelopes could be the same guy she spoke to?”
Pierce nodded. “Yeah. Alyvia, the volunteer at the foundation who intercepted the first envelope, gave Charley a description of the guy. Charley said it matched the guy she spoke to. The handwriting on both papers matches as well.”
“You said you felt something at Charley’s place. Did you notice anything, or anyone?”
“No. But I also didn’t sense that danger vibe, just that there were eyes on us.”
Ray nodded in understanding. “I hear ya. How about Charley? Has she felt threatened?”
Pierce chuckled. “No. She’s more concerned about the guy. She has a gut feeling that he needs help.”
Ray grinned. “Jessica said that Charley has a big heart.”
Pierce agreed. “That she does.” And that was a trait about her that he admired.
“Does she still have the papers?”
“Yeah. I told her that I’d look into it. She said she would get me copies of what she had. And before you ask, nobody else knows.”
“Good,” Ray said. “Tell her to keep it to herself for now. Let me take a look at them when you get them. I’ll ask around. Quietly.”
Pierce nodded. “I appreciate it. I know Charley will, too.” He knew Ray had connections who could access information that shouldn’t be accessible.
Ray waved him off, then slid off the stool and started walking around the Shelby, and soon they fell into easy conversation again about engine parts, restoration plans, and the classic cars they loved as kids.
But the tension from before lingered at the edge of it. Pierce didn’t say it out loud. But he knew this thing with Charley, whatever it was becoming, was already tangled in something deeper. And someone out there knew it, too.
◆◆◆
Charley rinsed the last plate and set it carefully into the drying rack, the kitchen warm and softly lit as the evening settled into a comfortable lull.
“Seriously,” Charley said as she wiped her hands on a towel, shaking her head. “I don’t think I can ever eat tamales again unless they are yours.”
Jessica laughed as she poured two glasses of wine and slid one across the counter. “That’s what everyone says. And then they all ask for the recipe, which I refuse to give because it makes me feel powerful.”
Charley smiled, accepting the glass. “Thank you again for dinner.”
Jessica leaned against the counter, studying her with an open, thoughtful expression. “I’m really glad you came. It was nice having you here.” Then, after a sip of wine, she added, “So, are you excited for the grand opening next week?”
Charley nodded, the familiar mix of pride and nerves stirring in her chest. “I am. It still feels a little surreal, honestly. Like I blinked and suddenly we’re here.”
“You should be proud,” Jessica said simply. “You’ve poured your heart into that place.”
Charley smiled, “I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy. But I’m looking forward to seeing the reward of it.”
Jessica tilted her head, her expression shifting. “Okay,” she said, her grin returning. “Now let’s talk about what you haven’t been talking about.”
Charley’s stomach fluttered. “Oh no.”