Chapter 21
“The Merlot Room looks a lot different than it did the last time I was here,” Katrina said, looking around the space she’d hidden in two weeks ago, which was now decorated to host dinner for Darwin and his SEAL Teammates and their significant others.
Burgundy tablecloths were draped over the tables, and gorgeous floral centerpieces graced each of them.
There was even a dance floor and a DJ. From what she heard, the meal promised to be delicious, too.
“I guess the people from the Genesis Project really are grateful to you and the other guys for helping them find the drone.”
Darwin snorted as he led her over to one of the tables where Talia and Lennox were sitting with Simon.
“I’m sure the Genesis program office wasn’t too happy about us shooting down their drone, but they do seem pretty thrilled we kept the whole thing out of the news.
At least thrilled enough to buy the whole Team dinner. ”
More SEALs showed up right behind them, some with their girlfriends or wives. Katrina might not know all of them by name yet, but she at least recognized them by sight. Kyla and Wes waved and grabbed the other seats at the table with them.
“How’s Khloe and Asher’s honeymoon going?” Talia asked as their server came by with glasses of water, then took drink orders. “Their late arrival didn’t cause any problems, did it?”
“Fortunately, the resort held their reservation,” Katrina said.
While Khloe and Asher had been able to hold the ceremony and have the reception that night, they’d had to delay their honeymoon for four days while everything got ironed out with the federal investigators.
“I got a text from Khloe this morning, and they’re having a wonderful time. ”
“Speaking of which,” Simon said. “How are things going with your father and brother?”
Katrina sipped her water. “They spent a week being interrogated, but luckily, they both avoided a prison sentence.”
She’d been surprised at how accommodating the feds had been to her father and brother.
They’d asked both of them some tough questions that night, but had allowed them to stay for the wedding, and then ultimately let them go.
Mostly because Darwin and the other SEALs had put in a good word for her father and brother, saying they’d helped take down the drone, as well as assisted in capturing Chapman.
She and the rest of her family were extremely grateful to all of them.
“What happened with Upton and Chapman?” Lennox asked from where he sat beside Talia.
“Upton will probably go to federal prison for assault and theft of government property,” Kyla said.
“As for Chapman, NCIS and the FBI were all for locking him up for the next four or five decades, but then the CIA showed up and pointed out how valuable Chapman would be as an intelligence asset with all his underworld connections. Last I heard, they were moving Chapman to some classified rendition site out of the country.”
Darwin scowled. “So, the man who ordered Giles to use the Genesis drone to murder three men because he wanted to send a warning to Jameson not to double-cross him gets away scot-free? Oh, and let’s not forget he’s responsible for the destruction of that same drone.”
“I’m pretty sure Chapman would point out that the Navy SEALs are responsible for the destruction of the Genesis drone,” Simon said.
“But I agree, it’s a travesty the man is out walking free.
But I’m not surprised. The guy strikes me as pretty slippery.
I wouldn’t be shocked if we end up running into him again at some point.
He seems to always find himself in the kind of trouble we SEALs have to ultimately deal with. ”
Katrina looked around the table before settling he gaze on Darwin. “We don’t really have to worry about him causing any more trouble, do we? The CIA will keep him in prison, right?”
“Probably not,” Kyla said. “As Simon mentioned, Chapman is slippery. It won’t be long before the CIA is desperate for a piece of information that only he possesses. Once that happens, Chapman will trade the info for his freedom.”
That was a scary thought.
“How are things between you and your parents?” Kyla asked, sipping the wine the server had brought while they’d been catching up on everything.
“I think they’re finally getting on board with the idea that Darwin and I are together,” Katrina said with a smile, glad to be talking about something other than Chapman.
Beside her, Darwin snorted as their server returned with their salads. “I don’t know about that. Your father still doesn’t like me. And despite what she says, I’m pretty sure your mother was still hoping you’ll come to your senses about Upton and wait for him to get out of prison.”
“Stop!” Katrina said with a laugh, lightly smacking him on the arm.
Darwin was just messing with her. He was never going to let her live down the fact that Upton had been the guy her mom had wanted her to marry.
“That’s not true, and you know it. Mom and Dad were thrilled when we came to dinner this weekend.
And don’t even try to tell me you didn’t enjoy all the time you spent talking to my father about how to invest your savings. ”
She’d be lying if she said it hadn’t been nice seeing Darwin and her dad hanging out together. She might not need her parents’ approval, but it made her surprisingly happy to see everyone get along.
Darwin chuckled as everyone around the table laughed. “You caught me. I agree that things are better with your family. Though I still think it will take a while for them to get used to the idea of their daughter marrying a SEAL instead of a corporate CEO.”
“Marrying?” Simon repeated with a raised brow as he looked back and forth between her and Darwin. “Have you guys already set a date yet? Because if you have, I need to let my plus-one know.”
Wes frowned. “You aren’t even dating anyone.”
“Yet,” Simon corrected with a grin.
Katrina laughed as the guys continued to rib Simon.
“I can practically see the wheels turning in there,” Darwin said, leaning close to whisper in her ear, his warm breath along her neck making her shiver.
“And before you ask, while I was messing with the guys with that marriage stuff, that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about it.
When I told you I love you, I meant now and forever.
I want you in my life. When we’re ready, I’m going to ask you to marry me. ”
Katrina’s heart did a little happy dance. It had only been two weeks since she and Darwin had first said I love you, but she’d never get tired of hearing him say those words.
She turned her face toward him, giving him a kiss. “I can’t wait.”
“Trying to eat over here,” Simon groaned, trying to hide his smile. “Enough of the mushy stuff already.”
She and Darwin laughed along with everyone else. She really needed to set Simon up with Lakelyn. They might be opposites, but something told her they’d be perfect for each other.
Katrina turned her attention back to her salad, wondering how to make that date happen even as she found herself daydreaming about all the romantic ways Darwin might propose.
I hope you enjoyed Darwin and Katrina’s story!