Chapter 42
MIKEY
There was nothing like a gentle spring breeze and birds chirping in the early morning. Except for the warm body curled up within my arms on a mattress that had once been too soft. Scottie’s long hair brushed against my chin as she shifted in her sleep. Gentle snores left her lips. Subconsciously, she scooted tighter against my body.
I wrapped an arm behind my head, staring up at the ceiling fan that gently swirled. Solid walls. An actual bed. Trailing my fingers up her back, her skin so soft beneath my fingertips, I sighed.
Scottie’s brother had called her back yesterday. After she’d left a voicemail on a phone number she wasn’t even sure was still his. They’d talked for hours, and he offered to fly out to Idaho, to our home, next week. She was so excited to see him after all of these years. I hated that her news, that reuniting with a family member who had been told by her fucking awful, so-called parents that she wanted nothing to do with him despite that being a lie, was being overshadowed by the reason we were heading to Arlington National Cemetery today.
Duncan’s funeral.
I closed my eyes, swallowing the dull ache in my heart. The entire team was going to be there. Even Griffin had said he was coming when he’d received the news while we were still deployed. There was a part of me that wished we could go back, that we could redo the entire mission.
But I knew that wasn’t possible. I had delivered death to enough people myself. I was aware of the fragility that we called life.
Oftentimes, I questioned what I should have done at that moment. If there was anything I could’ve done that would’ve changed the outcome. But there was nothing.
And that killed me even more.
“Mmmmmm,” Scottie softly hummed, wrapping her body tighter against mine.
Slipping my fingers through the ends of her hair, I methodically wound the strands up. The sleek feeling of her tresses grounded me. Her naked body pressed to my side was a comfort that I didn’t deserve but cherished with every breath I was afforded. There was something straining in these silent mornings.
Yet, at the same time, there was something feeding me strength—not something, but someone. Sheets wound between our legs, a shade of purple I would’ve never considered until Scottie saw them and thought they matched the damn comforter that definitely didn’t fit my taste. But I happily agreed, watching her in this newfound sense of freedom and femininity.
We hadn’t even been home that long, and I felt warmth flood a house that once was so empty and cold. Fucking pictures littered my walls, mostly ones taken by Bernie when he wasn’t supposed to have a phone or camera out. But nobody said a word. Those were memories that I would forever cherish because whenever we would deploy again, this time it would be without Duncan.
Scrunching my nose up, I bit back a wave of tears. I’d cried. For the first time in years, I’d cried seeing Duncan’s casket wrapped in an American flag. Scottie had held me and not said a word.
Resting my chin on top of her head, I stared at the picture on her nightstand. The pink glow of the rising sun piercing through the curtains over the sliding glass doors reflected from the frame.
The team. Scottie, Duncan, Dom, Bernie, Ford, and myself stood shoulder to shoulder. Before the shit show of our final mission had begun, while we waited for the Black Box to be broken into. A moment of peace amidst a world of darkness and destruction.
Clamping my teeth together, I swallowed stiffly and closed my eyes, burying my nose into Scottie’s hair. She scootched herself even closer, wrapping a leg between mine and clutching to me as if I was her only lifeline.
She still had nightmares every once in a while, even though she never talked about them. I knew. Anytime her fingernails would dig into my flesh, I knew. I only wished I could take it away, but I knew there were scars that nobody could erase—including some of my own. I merely hoped that the therapy she was starting after the funeral would help some.
Living in the dark, fighting in a world that civilians didn’t need to know existed, afforded me some comfort to watch them thrive in the light.
“You’re restless,” Scottie’s hazy morning voice pried my eyes open. I glanced down at her, her lashes still closed.
“Sorry, Scotch,” I muttered and kissed the top of her head.
“We’re still riding with Griffin and Jane to the airport, right?” she asked, tucking herself tighter against me.
“Uh huh.” I wrapped myself around her body.
“I’m not gonna lie, the thought of meeting your old commander is kind of terrifying,” she whispered, her velvet lips brushing across my pecs.
I smiled to myself. “I didn’t know that word was in your vocabulary.”
“He’s a fucking sniper, or was. But not just a sniper, he also was a SEAL. I am just a sniper.” She inhaled deeply, her chest expanding beneath my arms. Goosebumps prickled on her skin as I trailed my fingertips up and down her back.
“And?”
“And that’s an additional skill set I don’t have.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, Scotch. He’s also much older than you. By the time you’re in your forties, who knows where you’ll be.”
“Married to you, I hope.”
“Ha. Ha. I wasn’t talking about our relationship. But yes. That’s a given. Anyway, I’m talking about your career.” I shook my head, my chin brushing across her hair.
“Someone will tell and they’ll separate us,” she grumbled and pulled away from my chest. Amber eyes met mine.
“Maybe. And if so, we’ll deal with it if that happens. But, most likely the brass will ignore it because our personal relationship doesn’t affect how bad ass of a sniper you are and how fucking awesome I am.” I wiggled my brows, smirking.
She rolled her eyes and pushed upright. Straddling me, she braced her hands against my pecs as I grabbed her hips, drinking in the sight of her. “I can’t believe I even considered Bernie’s bet.”
“It made you forty dollars, so don’t complain.”
“Blah, blah.” Her eyes sparkled as she bit back a smile.
“Besides, you like when I do shit like that.”
“I still can’t believe you fucking smiled at me the first time you bit that dude’s ear off.”
“How else was I supposed to flirt with you when you were so far away?”
She shook her head and leaned forward. As I slid my palms up her sides, her body pressed against me, and she brushed her lips over mine. Delicate and soft, her skin smelling of that faint vanilla, my heart slowed. Gently, she worked her kiss against my mouth, arousing dirty thoughts I was upset I wouldn’t get to divulge in.
“We do actually have to get going for the day,” I muttered, still connected to her lips.
“I know,” she grumbled. “I just…”
Trickling my hands across her body, I slid my fingers along the outside of her breasts. “I know,” I replied softly, reveling in the feel of her beneath my touch.
The shrill shriek of the doorbell snapped my eyes open.
Scottie flew upright, prying her body away from my torso, and she shot her gaze over to the clock on my nightstand. “Is that Griffin? He’s early!” she gasped.
The doorbell dinged again and I slapped a hand against the tan wood of the end table. Fumbling for my phone, my fingers finally wrapped around the device. My eyes widened as soon as I opened the app connected to the camera doorbell.
“That ain’t Griffin,” I muttered. Scottie peered around my arm and narrowed her gaze.
“Is that who I think it is?” she asked.
I nodded.
Rachel. Her red hair styled to perfection as usual. Not a single strand out of place, her makeup expertly applied. Freckles littered her pale skin as she brushed her hands down the front of her gingham dress. She hoisted her purse higher up her shoulder and then jabbed her finger against the doorbell for a third time.
“I know someone’s in there!” she shrieked, leaning closer to the camera. “I’ve already called the cops! They’re on their way since someone is clearly trespassing in my fiancé’s house.”
I rolled my eyes and pursed my lips. “I’ll take—”
“No,” Scottie quickly began, a rather wicked smile spreading on her lips. “Allow me the privilege of taking care of this.”
Lifting my hands in submission, I raised my brows. “She’s all yours. But I’m coming to watch.”
Scrambling off me, she raced to the closet and snatched out a simple T-shirt and leggings. I chuckled, pulling on a pair of boxers and shorts as she hopped into her outfit. She raced down the hall as I followed closely behind until she rounded the corner to the front foyer of the house.
As I remained tucked behind the wall, she flicked the light on, stepped across the entryway rug, and unlocked the front door. While Scottie swung it wide open, Rachel didn’t even bother to look at who answered as she swept some hair away from her face and smiled.
“That’s better,” she said and then looked directly at Scottie.
Such a stark contrast in women. What the hell had I been thinking when it came to Rachel? Like damn…
“Can I help you?” Scottie sharply asked, resting a hand on the oak door. Her long, black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. I swallowed stiffly, attempting to ignore the rush of desire creeping through my veins as I unabashedly checked out my girlfriend’s ass.
“Who are you?” Rachel sneered.
“I live here,” Scottie answered politely.
I smirked, though I was annoyed I chose to be a better man and actually pay attention to the interaction, not just drool over Scottie.
“Uh, no you don’t. Unless my fiancé decided to rent out his home while he’s deployed. Did I mention that he’s a soldier?” Rachel cocked a hip and slammed her hand onto it.
“He’s not a soldier, dumbass,” Scottie replied nonchalantly.
“He’s in the military. So, yes, he is.” Rachel pursed her lips that looked even bigger than the last time I’d seen her. Kind of like a baboon’s asshole.
“But Mikey’s not in the Army. He’s in the Navy. You know, a Navy SEAL.” Scottie mindlessly brushed some hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms.
“So? There’s no difference and—” Rachel slammed her mouth shut and furrowed her brows. A strange, crazed look flashed across her face in a way I hadn’t seen before. “Wait, how do you know who he is?”
“Because he’s not your fiancé and hasn’t been for a while.”
“Yes, he is. We just got in a…disagreement before he shipped out last.” Rachel blinked her overly long lashes, flustered.
“You call fucking another dude a disagreement?” Scottie took a menacing step forward.
“I…It was just a misunderstanding. I was lonely, okay? Look, where is Mike? Or is he too much of a coward that he has to send his new little bitch to answer me instead?” Rachel glanced around Scottie’s shoulder, peering like an ostrich.
I leaned up against the wall and wiggled my fingers in greeting, but said nothing. There was no need, despite how much her calling Scottie a “bitch” pissed me the fuck off. My girl wanted to handle this. Damn, I wished there was time to make some popcorn.
“Come out here and talk to me yourself!” she screeched.
“I don’t know how much clearer I have to make it that I dumped your ass,” I casually replied. “I blocked you from everything, didn’t answer a single letter, didn’t even read them, and I’ve been home for a bit. Also, don’t you fucking dare call my girlfriend a bitch.”
“Michael!” She stepped forward, attempting to lunge past Scottie, who blocked her entry. “Come talk to me you coward! I didn’t mean it! He means nothing to me! I’ll break up with him!”
I chuckled and shook my head. “You called the cops already, right?” I asked.
She nodded yes. “I thought someone had broken into your house. I care about you and want to take care of you.”
“Nah. You cared about the image it gave you being with me. Anyway, you should probably leave before I have the cops you called arrest you for trespassing on my private property.” I sighed, over all of this. And partially annoyed that if this was happening overseas, Scottie could do more than threaten her with words.
“You wouldn’t dare! You need me!” her voice raised, and she suddenly dug into her purse. “If I can’t have you, no one can!” Sirens wailed in the distance, encroaching down our street, certainly waking up our neighbors.
Whipping her hand out, she pointed a Smith Wesson Shield 9mm at Scottie’s chest. “Are you fucking serious?” Scottie grumbled.
“Yes, I’m serious. I get him, or no one does.” Rachel’s hand trembled as she kept the barrel trained a couple centimeters from Scottie’s chest.
“You’re being an idiot. Can’t you hear the sirens? The cops will be here, and you’re threatening me in my own home,” Scottie explained, lowering her hands slowly to her sides.
“This is Mike’s home, not yours!” Rachel screeched, jabbing the metal against Scottie’s ribs.
Scottie didn’t even flinch. “I live here. With Mikey. As his girlfriend.”
“No. You don’t! He proposed to me! He’s mine!”
“You said no, bitch,” Scottie explained, the sass in her voice had me smiling.
“MICHAEL!” Rachel wailed again.
Two police cruisers squealed to a stop, in front of our home. They immediately jumped from the vehicles and posted up behind the doors. “Hi, officers,” Scottie shouted. “I’m unarmed as you can see, and this woman here is pointing a gun at me.”
“SHUT UP! I’LL KILL YOU! JUST STOP TALKING!” Rachel shrieked. Her body shook, every ounce of self-control coming unraveled. I remained lounged against the wall, simply watching my girl handle her shit.
“So, hypothetically speaking,” Scottie continued, watching Rachel carefully but speaking to the officers training their own weapons at the deranged woman on our porch. “If I were to say, disarm this woman and punch her in the face a few times, all in self-defense obviously, what would the consequences be for me?”
A cop chuckled. “Nothing. But there’s no need to put yourself in more danger. Why don’t you let us handle this?” His voice echoed around the cul-de-sac.
Scottie nodded slowly. “I totally appreciate you guys. But—” and Scottie’s hand shot forward, in a fluid motion, she ripped the gun from Rachel’s hand while simultaneously cracking a fist directly against her nose.
Rachel wailed, red liquid spurting from her nostrils as she staggered backwards. With a click, the magazine dropped from the black handgun. Scottie tossed the mag clearly off the side of the porch toward the cops that shot out from behind their vehicles. In a fluid motion, she racked the slide, releasing the bullet from the chamber, and quickly caught it.
Raising them slowly into the air in an obvious display of submission, she sighed. “That was so unsatisfying,” Scottie mumbled.
I pushed myself off the wall and walked toward her. “And now we have to let the police take statements, and still somehow be dressed and packed in time for when Griffin arrives.”
Scottie clicked her tongue. “At least Rachel will leave you alone.”
“You seem so happy about that,” I replied sarcastically, recognizing the grumble behind her words.
She shrugged her shoulders. “I would’ve liked a bit more of a fight or something at least.”
“You and Jane are going to get along swimmingly,” I said as the cops cuffed Rachel. Her cursing and screaming were barely noticeable as Scottie glanced at me with a wide smile.
“I’m excited for life with you, Blondie; it’s never boring,” she replied.
“And I’m terrified for my sanity,” I teased with a smirk.
Scottie rolled her eyes at me as a cop removed the empty gun and bullet from her hands. “You love me,” she said.
“Without a doubt,” I answered.
Scottie walked away with one cop while another approached me, asking to take my statement as more of a formality than necessary considering the fact that they got what really mattered on camera.
Mindlessly rehashing details about Rachel and her behavior after we broke up, I glanced to the side at the girl who changed my world in all the ways I didn’t know I needed. The spring breeze rippled through Scottie’s loose hair. Her dark skin, flattered by genetics and plenty of time in the sun, was as rich as black coffee with just the right amount of creamer that Scottie liked to add to her drink.
Finally, I thought. Just, finally.
My gaze slid to the railing just behind Scottie, the flash of movement catching my gaze. With a flap of his wings, a beautiful, black crow landed with a soft plunk against the wood. Deep shades of blue danced in a swirling rainbow beneath his feathers as he released a caw into the air and then looked directly at me.
I studied the bird. He twitched his neck, training a single eye on me. Scottie’s tale of the legend of the crow flitted through my mind.
Inhaling deeply, a wave of serenity slipped over me, pulling me away from the present for a brief second. “Hope you’re doing good, Duncan,” I whispered to the creature. “I miss you, bud, but Scottie and I, and the team, we’ll be alright. Eventually.”
For a moment, the world stilled. Nothing but this bird’s deep, black eye swirling with an infinite number of stars existed.
Then, with a final caw, the crow took flight, disappearing into the bright sky.