Chapter 13
Rogue
As soon as we pull up to the steakhouse, I’m struck down by my past. This is where I proposed to Kara.
Got down on one fucking knee and vowed my love and protection to her until death do we part.
I promised her my heart and loyalty, and what did she do?
She tore it out of my chest and put it right under my brother’s boot to stomp on it.
“Are you coming in or staying here?” she asks as she opens the car door.
“If that ex of yours shows up, let me know. I plugged my number into your phone. I’m going to sit out here and look for his car.”
My voice is a bit gruff, but I never thought I’d be back at this place.
“Oh…um…okay?”
She shuts the door, and I’m alone with my memories. Left drowning in my past.
“Where you headed to, Major?”
“I’m going home to see my woman,” I tell John. Captain granted me a four-day leave, and I plan on surprising my wife for our anniversary.
“Ooooh! Major’s gonna get some.” Decker wiggles his brow, and the others in the bunker all shout their hoots and hollers. After thirteen months away, damn straight I’m gonna get some. I’m going to be spending four days locked in bed, making love to my sexy woman.
“I’ll be back in four days.” I zip up my bag. “You girls behave while I’m gone and make sure you keep yourselves alive.”
I tip them a salute on my way out, unable to break the smile on my face.
I’m going back home and can’t get there fast enough.
Talkin’ on the phone just isn’t cutting it anymore.
Sexting is fun, but I need to feel her in my arms, writhing beneath me.
Her warm body. Soft lips. Hearing her moan in my ear.
I need this weekend to keep me going for the rest of my term here overseas.
As soon as I step outside of the airport, I close my eyes and take in a deep breath.
The air is so fresh and clean here. There’s no dust blowing through on the breeze, no loud bangs blasting off in the distance.
It’s so peaceful. And calm. Everyone’s smiling as they reconnect with their loved ones.
No clue as to what’s happening on the other side of the world.
They aren’t ridden by fear or tormented by the pressure of being under attack.
Having bullets shooting at their backs as they run and duck for cover.
God, I can’t wait to wind through the mountains and look at all the beauty.
I want to see all the familiar sights and stop in for a slice of Magda’s pie from the diner, but that will have to wait.
I need a taste of my woman first. It’s been too fucking long.
I wonder what Kara’s reaction is going to be when she sees me.
I’m hoping she’ll break out into tears and run into my arms, but knowing her, she’ll probably yell at me because I didn’t give her a heads-up so she could do her makeup.
The girl is prettier without the stuff, but she refuses to take my word for it.
Shit. I can’t drive fast enough. When I get to the final turn leading down our street, my stomach kicks up with excitement.
I park out in front of our neighbor’s house on the off chance she’s looking out a window.
I’ve never been able to pull off a surprise in the history of our relationship, but this time, I’m determined.
I didn’t tell anyone I was coming. Not my brother or even my parents. I knew they would spill the beans.
When I see her car parked out in the driveway my stomach kicks up a notch, and my dick already starts to throb.
It’s been too damn long. I slip in through the back door, turning the knob slowly, opening it just a crack to see if she’s in the kitchen.
The coast is clear, so I move in. Slowly tiptoeing to the living room, but she’s not there either. Means she’s upstairs.
I get to the top of the landing and pause.
Sounds like she’s talking on the phone. Whomever she’s speaking with, she’ll have to call them back later, because I need her attention now.
I move stealthily, entering our room like a stalking lion, not wanting my prey to hear me coming.
My feet stop as I walk through the door, and my world blasts apart like a missile landing in my chest. She’s on the bed, naked.
Her hips thrusting fast over a man’s waist. She’s fucking someone else in our marital bed.
Moaning like a goddamn whore. She throws her head back and her eyes are closed.
She’s too consumed by the pleasure to know that I’m here.
My world starts spinning. Like I’ve walked into the center of a war zone. Bombs and shots are ringing out in every direction. I’m struck down in my shock; paralyzed in the pain.
“Fuck, baby. You feel so good.”
The male’s voice clears the debris. I recognize it. No. Please tell me it’s not… But then I have direct confirmation. Davis rises up, pulling Kara’s head up to kiss her lips, and the moment their lips connect, the rage slams into me. I charge forward, crossing into enemy territory.
“You goddamn son of a bitch! You fucking bastard!”
His head snaps up, clearly shocked to see me. Kara shrieks my name, “Xander!” trying to scurry off his body. “What are you doing here? I thought you were on base.”
I ignore her questions, heading straight to my brother. My hand goes around his neck, and I pin him up against the headboard, choking the life out of the bastard. My own fucking brother. My flesh and blood. He fucking betrayed me.
“You bastard.” I squeeze him harder. “She’s my fucking wife. Mine. How could you do this to your own flesh and blood?”
He can’t talk because of the restriction around his neck, but I don’t even want to know his answer.
“Stop it, Xander! You’re hurting him.”
“Good.” He fucking deserves it.
“This isn’t his fault. You were away and I was so lonely.”
His lips are turning blue, his eyes stricken with fear. He stood next to me at the altar. He was my best man. He’s my fucking family.
“Let him go!”
I’m suddenly hit on the side of the head with something hard. My hold on Davis releases, feeling the pressure of the goddamn betrayal pounding so hard in my chest.
“You almost killed me, you bastard.” His rasped voice has me turning. “It’s your fault. You’re the one who decided to join the army. I just stepped up to the plate and looked after her because you weren’t here to fucking do it. You can’t blame us for what happened.”
I was away fighting for our country, fighting to defend their freedom, and now I’m being blamed for this?
No, I know exactly what happened. Davis has been jealous of me all my life.
He couldn’t stand it when the prettiest girl in school fell for me instead of him.
The second I left, he took the opportunity to swoop in and take her from me.
But what hurts more is the fact that she let him. She’s been calling me every week. Sending pictures and sexy videos. She never even let on like there was a problem with our marriage or that she was upset about me being gone. She’s been lying to me.
“For how long?” The question grits from my lips.
When she doesn’t speak, I ask again. “How long have you been fucking my brother?”
“She’s been mine since the day you left,” Davis states like he’s proud of the fact. There isn’t even an ounce of regret in his eyes. Neither of them has even apologized for what they’ve done.
I should’ve stayed on base. I should’ve stayed with the men who stand by my side and risk their lives for me. I should never have come home. How the hell does someone recover from this type of pain? How does someone go on?
I turn toward my brother. “As soon as Mom and Dad learn about this, they’re going to disown you. You’re a fucking disgrace to this family.”
“And that’s where you’re wrong, brother. They know I’m the better match for her. I can provide for her. And I’m here. Dad already told her she chose wrong. I think he’ll be happy when he finds out we’re together.”
I turn to walk out the door, needing to get out of this house before I burn the place down with them locked inside. But before I go, I leave them with one message.
“You both are dead to me.”
My eyes open as the rage simmers through me. I climb out of the cage and head inside, straight to the bar. I need a drink. A tall one.