Chapter 31
Zane
Standing on the other side of observation glass while Brenda sits just inside, her hands cuffed to the table, feels surreal. For six years, she’s been the shadow living over my life. Ready to swoop in and remind me of my greatest failure, all in an effort to control me.
And now, she’s headed to jail for a long, long time.
What this means for my team, I’m not sure, but I know that, no matter what it is, I can face it head-on with Tessa beside me.
I wrap an arm around her shoulders, and she leans against me.
After being treated for multiple cuts and scrapes, we’d received a police escort here to the Savannah FBI Field Office.
Though we’ve yet to see Jack because, the moment we got here, we were ushered into this room and left staring at the woman who tried to kill the both of us and everyone we cared for.
According to the team member who cracked, she and Martin had been working together for a long time. The French diplomat’s daughter was the first in a long string of coordinated attacks on members of an environmental agency trying to stop the destruction of protected land for the drilling of oil.
She and Martin worked with Karver and Alara Benson to open Southeast Environmental Commission, a front for their movements. After all, who’s going to look at an environmental agency for terrorists pushing back against a movement they should have stood for?
Things went sideways, however, when the Bensons decided they didn’t want any part in harming the daughter of the French diplomat who was spearheading the movement.
A man who was in town for one day, attending a conference at the building right beside the Southeast Environmental Commission’s building.
An event that was moved because the original building went down due to what they’re calling a gas explosion—with me and my team inside.
Tessa told us what Martin had told her. That she was merely an opportunity to get back at me. It boils my blood knowing how close she got to losing her life, all because Martin wanted vengeance against me.
Maybe I should have killed him six months ago when I had the chance. Except I couldn’t have known this would happen, and if I had, I would have been taking a life just to take it.
“You okay?” I ask Tessa.
“I can’t believe it’s over. I mean, I’m so glad, but it feels like I’m sitting here, waiting for someone else to come after us.”
I nod because that’s a feeling I know quite well. “I’m sorry you got pulled into this.”
“I’m not,” she replies, tipping her face up to look at me. “Because it brought me back to you.”
I grin, unable to help myself. “Maybe next time, you can just send me a postcard.”
“There won’t be a next time because I can’t live a day without you, Zane Knox. And I hope you feel the same.”
“More than.” Warmth spreads through my chest as my heart practically grows three sizes just hearing her declaration. Before I can say anything else, though, the door opens, and a middle-aged man wearing a black suit and bold yellow tie strolls in, carrying a manila folder.
“Lieutenant Commander Knox. I have to say, it’s quite a pleasure to meet you face-to-face. Though I am sorry it’s under such vile circumstances.” He offers his hand, so I take it.
“Not in the Navy anymore. Who are you?”
“Richard Caldwell,” he says. “Brenda worked for me.”
“So, you’re the guy behind the strings.”
He chuckles. “No, not quite. Brenda had an opinion all her own when it came to how things should be. We just hadn’t realized how far she was willing to go to get things done.”
“What does that mean?”
He offers me the folder he carried in. I open it and am greeted with images taken by drone on that day six years ago.
The day that changed the entire course of my life and those of my team.
“You should know that Brenda orchestrated that entire event. She fed information to the enemy in an attempt to get you right where she wanted you.”
Rage burns hot and fast through me, and my hands tighten on the folder. “People died that day. Good people. Innocent people.”
“I know. I was unaware of her involvement until only a few hours ago. Just as I was unaware of the arrangement she had for you. In our systems, you were listed as an independent contractor, but according to Jack Weathers, the arrangement was more forced than that. Is that true?”
“She told me prison was waiting if I didn’t accept.”
Anger flashes over Richard’s face, and he crosses his arms. “That’s not how we do business.”
I lift the images and see a DD214 with my name on it. An official proof of the time I spent in the military.
Beneath it, there’s also one for Weston, Ryker, Sawyer, and Garrison.
All with honorable discharge listed for each of us.
Emotion fills me because I never thought I’d see one of these. As far as Brenda was concerned, as far as she told me, at least, our records had been completely wiped. No mention of our service remaining.
“You and your men deserve honors for the work you’ve done over the last six years. And the time before that. You’ve saved countless lives. Unfortunately, since we technically don’t exist—”
“Neither do we.”
“You didn’t. But you do now.” He taps the folder. “I apologize for my negligence. Everything she did on our end was above board, but it seems there was a whole lot more than we ever knew.”
“I—thank you.”
“Of course. You are hereby relieved of duty, Lieutenant Commander Knox. You and your team can return home to your normal lives. Whatever that may look like.”
“What will happen to Brenda?”
“She and Martin Shaw will be going away. You won’t need to worry about them anymore. We also apprehended Cal Markson and a dozen others. None of them will see the light of day as free men again. You have my word.”
“And the men who tried to kill Garrison Holt back in Stormwatch Landing?”
“Being interrogated as we speak. It’s funny how much someone will talk when they know they’re facing life in prison.”
“It’s really over?” Tessa questions.
Richard turns to her. “It is, Miss Lane. You should know, we’ve wiped the records of your aliases. As far as the world knows, they never existed.”
“No charges will be pressed for falsifying the records in the first place?” I ask. It’s one of the things I’ve been worried about. While I may understand why Tessa changed her name, she did technically break the law.
“Not a single one. As far as the government is concerned, you have always been Tessa Lane.” He smiles, then claps his hands together.
“Okay, well, I need to get this show on the road. Take care, Lieutenant Commander. I hope you and your team can find some peace now.” Richard shakes my hand, then Tessa’s.
“Thank you, Mr. Caldwell.”
“You’re welcome,” he replies. “Take care.” With a final smile in our direction, he closes the door behind me.
“Zane, this is—what are you going to do now?” Tessa asks. “You have your freedom. Your chance at a normal life.”
I stare down at the DD214s in my hand.
What does this mean? I always assumed I’d die before I got a taste of the freedom that comes from not having someone else call the shots.
So what will I do now?
I set the folder aside and slide one arm around Tessa’s waist, then cup her cheek with the other as I draw her closer. “I know exactly what I’m going to do now.”
“Oh? What’s that?” she asks, tilting her face up to look at me.
When I stare into her dark brown eyes, I can see the future. Marriage. A home. Children. Laughter. Joy.
It’s all right there—just within reach.
“Well, I have a wedding to get to, if the bride will have me.”
Tessa’s smile is blinding, and she winds both arms around my neck. “Is that a proposal, Zane?”
“Nah, I already proposed. That’s my promise to you. Tessa Lane, I will love you until the very last breath in my chest. I will do what I can to make you the happiest woman in the world. God brought you back to me, and I don’t plan to waste a single moment.”
“Then this isn’t me accepting your proposal—because I already did. I never stopped loving you, Zane. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but you’re the only one who’s ever truly made me feel like I’m not those mistakes. Like I can be something more.”
I lean down and capture her mouth with mine. The kiss is meant to seal a promise, but desire thrums in my veins as I hold her against me, tasting forever on her lips.
“Feel like sailing around the world with me?” I whisper against her mouth.
“I’ll go anywhere with you, Zane. Until the last beat of my heart.”
“Good. Then I have a plot of land to show you.”
“What?” She pulls back and stares up at me.
“Didn’t I tell you? I own an acre right on the water.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “You do?”
“It was my wedding present to you. I bought it the week before we were supposed to get married.”
“Zane—how?”
“I’ll tell you everything, but right now, I want to get back home so I can marry you, Tessa. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. But I don’t want to wait to be your husband.”
“I don’t want to wait, either.” She grips the front of my shirt and pulls me in to press her lips to mine. “Let’s go home and see Pastor Reeves about a wedding.”
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Zane & Tessa’s story just as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you feel inclined to do so, please consider leaving a review! They help so much!
Turn the page for a brief look at SEAL of Bravery, the second book in the Iron Tide Brotherhood series!