by Dahlia Rose
“Son, it was intentional,” Grant explained as Wes began to pace in front of the screen. “Wes, I’m going to need you to sit down and listen, calmly.”
He turned to face the laptop camera. “You want me to sit down and be calm when you’re telling me that someone tried to kill my fiancée and our child?”
“Wes, sit down,” Grant ordered. “Please.”
Wes took a deep, calming breath and did as the older man asked. “It was that fucker that she calls a father wasn’t it?”
Grant nodded. “He hired some meth head to do it, but not directly. He used a connection to one of his men. It was his cousin who needed the money to get high. He was feening badly. That’s why she got moved out of the way and easily caught. He was so out of it he stopped at a stoplight and zoned out.”
“How is Christine?” Wes asked.
“She has a bruised hip, the baby is fine, he’s a strong one.” Grant smiled. “She’s in the hospital for a few days and then she comes home. I have her under guard, we’re heading back there now. She insisted we speak to you.”
“You tell her I’m on my way home, they pushed our date up to ship out. I was leaving tomorrow,” Wes said. “I’m going to try and get the last transport out tonight. I think my CO will help when I tell him what’s going on.”
Grant nodded. “Okay, I can do that, maybe seventy-two hours?”
“Give or take a day. I’ve got a stop to make.” Wes heard the deadly calm in his own voice.
Aunt Martha looked up. “Wes, dear God! Do not get yourself in any trouble. She needs you!”
Wes paid no heed to her words. “Grant, can you pass this information on to my friend Gary and the people he’s working with on Leonard’s case? Christine keeps his information in a notebook in her purse.”
“Yes, I can.” Grant hesitated. “Son, don’t get yourself in hot water you can’t get out of.”
“I’m going to try to grab that last transport out, tell Christine I love her,” Wes said. “Tell Gary they’d better be ready to take him in custody when I get there or they won’t have anything to arrest when I’m done.”
“Shit, Wes…” Grant began.
“He’s going to kill Leonard…” her aunt cried out.
Wes disconnected the call, grabbed the last of his things, and shoved his computer into his pack. He jogged to his CO’s office, and true to form, after he explained what went on it was confirmed. He hustled and pulled enough strings to get Wes back stateside before the rest of his unit. He didn’t care that he had to sit between more luggage and equipment than people, as long as he got to Germany and on a flight to the US. It took almost twelve hours for him to get to Germany, and then at the airport the airlines worked tirelessly to get him on the first flight home. They even announced his dilemma over the loud speaker to see if anyone would give up their seat on the packed flight. If they did, they’d receive a rebate and a coupon for a discount on the next ticket. One man stepped up and did it gladly. Wes couldn’t be more grateful, and he thanked the man profusely. He had a few minutes before his flight boarded so he stepped aside to call Gary.
“Hey, Wes, I heard. Grant called me, where are you?” Gary asked.
“They got me on a flight to the US. We’re boarding in a few,” Wes said. “Did they make the connection to Christine being injured and her father?”
“Yes, the guy the DEA has in there heard them planning it, but by the time he got the info out it was too late.” Gary sighed. “I’m sorry man, but they’re moving forward and going in to bust him in the next day or so.”
“If I get there before they move in, Gary, I’m going to that house and beat the shit out of him,” Wes said simply.
“Wes, I know Christine is hurt and you’re upset…”
Wes cut him off. “For more than six months she’s been hiding, looking over her back, and everyone has been protecting her except me. Nothing you say will change my mind. I’m going home and putting my pack down. I’m getting into her car and driving to his house. Anyone who gets in my way I’m going to drop them, and when I get to him I’m going to punch his face in until my knuckles bleed and then I’m going to switch hands. You guys want what’s left of him, I suggest you don’t leave me by myself for too long.”
Wes hung up before Gary could answer and sat back in the chair. When the flight began to board he was allowed to go first, being military personnel. He sat in his seat looking at pictures that Christine had sent to his phone. In each he saw the progression of her pregnancy and how she practically glowed in happiness as life bloomed within her. He could’ve lost it all, lost her and his son, before they even had a chance to be a family. He was going to suffer the same kind of pain he tried to put Christine through. What he tried to take from me cannot be forgiven.
The flight attendant asked him politely to turn his cell phone off, and Wes complied as the plane taxied down the runway and took off for the US. He thought about Christine, knowing she was safe and he’d be seeing her soon. Then his thoughts turned to vengeance and how he would exact his pound of flesh from Leonard Chapel.
* * * *
His anger only simmered on the long flight home. Thanks to AMC, or Air Mobility Command, he was able to fly directly into Kirkland Air Force Base. He checked in, made sure command had his orders, and waited impatiently to be granted his leave. As soon as he had the paperwork in hand, he was ready to go. Gary was waiting to drive him to the house. His plans had to change since there was no way for him to rent a car at the late hour. In all, he’d been flying for over sixteen hours. He was tired and hungry, but Wes barely paid attention to either. He had a destination in mind. He threw his pack in the back of Gary’s car and got into the passenger seat.
Gary handed him a tall cup with a lid. “Thought you might need this.”
“Thanks.” He took the cup and sipped, barely tasting the hot coffee. “We’re going to Leonard Chapel’s house.”
“Wes,” Gary said and shook his head when Wes cast him a cool look. “Fine, but the DEA is on its way there for a three a.m. raid. They want him in bed and sleeping, so he’s so disorientated he can’t try to destroy evidence.”
“They can call me a decoy. He won’t be destroying anything while I’m there,” Wes said grimly.
“How are you going to get to Utah after this?” Gary asked.
“You’re going to drive me, and while we’re there, you’re going to witness our wedding.” Wes gave a little smile. “If this taught me anything, it’s that life is short and all I want is to have her as mine, legal, on paper, and forever.”
Gary chuckled. “Can we swing by so I can pack a bag first? I think this may take a few days to expedite a marriage license and the likes.”
Wes nodded. “I need to pack for the next few weeks myself. We’ll be staying in Utah until after the baby is born. Gary, explain to me how that asshole can try to run down a woman he raised from birth just because she didn’t fall in line?”
“People like him don’t know how to love anything but what they own,” Gary said. “He couldn’t love her if he tried. Something is broken in people like that.”
“I plan to break a few more things inside him,” Wes replied.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Gary muttered.
The drive took one hour and forty five minutes from the base to Leonard Chapel’s Spanish style mansion. Wes knew the precise amount of time because he counted every second of every minute. He had to admit Gary driving was the best thing, because Wes knew that if he were behind the wheel he would push the car to the maximum speed it could go. He would also more than likely get pulled over by highway patrol and thrown into jail for them having to chase him all the way there, since he wouldn’t have stopped. He knew he wasn’t thinking with a clear head, anger and worry clouded his judgment. Wes gave in to the feelings because loving someone meant protecting them, and he hadn’t been there to protect her.
The lights of the mansion cast a yellowish hue on the red brick of his front driveway. His manicured lawns a
nd landscaped gardens seemed so perfect, and yet so much evil was behind those doors. Gary had barely stopped the car before Wes was climbing out.
Gary bent his head to look out the passenger car door. “It’s two thirty a.m., government guys are on the way, Wes.”
“Good.” Wes smirked. “I just need twenty out of those thirty minutes, wait for your guys here.”
“He’s going to have guys in there with him,” Gary pointed out. “Intel says at least two are on site as well as a small staff.”
“Yep, that’s why I’m going to knock,” Wes answered and walked toward the door.
What he did wasn’t called knocking so much as beat on the door with his fist. It took only two times before a before a burly man wearing a polo shirt and jeans answered the door.
“No visitors until morning.” He grabbed Wes’s shoulder.
“Oh, he’ll want to see his son-in-law to be.”
With a quick punch to the throat, he had the guard bent over, and he brought his elbow down behind his neck. The bodyguard was on the ground unconscious by the time his partner came, and the other man was dispatched with vicious pleasure by Wes. He yelled one name that resounded through the house.
“Chapel!”
Leonard Chapel came to the top of the stairs, and when he saw who called his name whatever color he had in his face leaked away when Wes started up the stairs.
“Now Sergeant, you’re in the military, and this is not how honorable men act.” Leonard’s voice trembled.
“You don’t know what honor is, and I’m on leave.”
Wes came up the stairs and moved quicker when Leonard rushed into the room. He was able to throw the lock on the bedroom door. He took infinite pleasure in kicking it in and watching the frame shatter. Leonard had a small, black case on the bed and was trying with clumsy fingers to unlock it.
“What are you doing with that, trying to get a gun and shoot me?” Wes asked casually and grabbed the man around the neck. He heard a small scream from the bathroom door and saw a half naked younger woman, way younger than Leonard should be with. Wes asked, “How old are you?
“Sixteen.” Her voice trembled. “He paid my daddy for me, I-I had to do what he says.”
“Another disgusting part of you.” Wes shook Leonard roughly and said to the girl, “Cover yourself and go outside. My friend Gary is out there, and the police are coming. He will never hurt you again.”
She nodded and grabbed a sheet off the bed, wrapped it around herself, and ran outside. Wes turned his attention back to Christine’s father.
“I can pay you, enough money that you and Christine could be happy for a long time,” Leonard said. “New baby, Air Force pay, admit it, you know you want that nest egg.”
For that Wes planted his knuckles in Leonard’s face and had the satisfaction of seeing his nose spurt blood. He stumbled back into the bedside table and toppled the expensive looking lamp.
“You try to kill Christine, the woman I love, and my child, then you offer me money,” Wes shouted angrily and let the emotions consume him. “Did you touch her like you were doing to that innocent child tonight? Answer me, damn you!”
“No, no, no, I never touched her.” Leonard shook his head vigorously and spoke through his hands as he tried to staunch the blood from his nose.
“Good, at least I won’t have to beat you to death in your bedroom,” Wes muttered.
He grabbed Leonard and punched him in the stomach and watched him double over and fall to his knees. He was retching on the ground when Wes heard footfalls running up the stairs, and then DEA agents flooded the room. Gary came in behind him, and they watched as Leonard Chapel was read his rights and led away while other agents ransacked the room.
“Where’s the girl?” Wes asked.
“The DEA came with an ambulance on deck, they’re checking her out,” Gary answered. “They are tearing this place apart and getting all the evidence, his two men downstairs are singing like birds.” The agents passed with a bloody Leonard in handcuffs and Gary commented, “Hmm, he doesn’t look too bad. Glad you showed restraint.”
“There was no restraint, those guys came in before I could drag him up off the ground,” Wes answered as they walked out of the room.
“So, on to Utah?” Gary asked.
“With a quickness,” Wes replied.
When they left Leonard Chapel’s house Wes didn’t even look back. That part of Christine’s life was over, and her father wouldn’t be a problem any longer. Even if he managed to get out of jail eventually he’d have nothing because the government would seize his house and his assets. Gary went home and grabbed a bag, and then took Wes to his house to shower, change, and pack for an extended stay in Utah. With fresh coffee in hand for the long drive, they got on the road and beat the estimated ten-hour drive by two hours. By noon they were pulling into the hospital and finding parking. Wes stopped as they rushed to the door.
“What?” Gary asked.
“I didn’t even get her flowers or anything,” Wes said.
Gary pointed. “Easy fix.”
When they took the elevator up to the hospital room where Christine was, Wes had flowers in hand. Outside her room he finally met Aunt Martha in the flesh, and she embraced him with tears in her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Grant shook his hand and he introduced Gary to them. He left the threesome talking in the hall and slipped into Christine’s room alone. The sun was filtering through the half closed blinds and streamed across the bed and Christine, who was lying there.
He could see the imprint of her pronounced belly under the blankets and a rapid thumping sound filled the room. Wes walked slowly toward the bed and looked down at the woman he loved. She was so beautiful, her lips were parting in sleep, and all he could do was think about how he almost lost her. Wes put his hand on the mound of her stomach, and there was a strong kick against his hand and then another. He chuckled softly in amazement just as Christine blinked sleepily and focused on him.
“Wes?” she whispered.
He smiled wide. “Hey darling, I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Wes!”
She held out her arms to him, and he bent low to hug her tight. The flowers were crushed between them as their scent blended with hers, and he inhaled greedily. Wes pressed his face in her neck as emotion overtook him.
She cupped his cheek and laughed through her tears. “You’re really here, I’m not dreaming.”
“I won’t ever be too far away from you ever again,” he whispered huskily. The baby kicked between their bodies and he laughed out loud. “I see my boy is welcoming me home, too.”
“That’s his heartbeat you’re hearing, he’s so strong,” she said with a smile.
“Just like his mother.” Wes laced her fingers with his.
She raised his hand to kiss it and frowned at his bruised knuckles. “What did you do to your hand?”
Wes didn’t bother to deny it. “I kind of beat up your father and his paid muscle.”
“Did you get hurt?” she asked.
“Not in the least,” he assured her.
“Then I hope you got in a good one for me and the baby,” she said.
“I did,” he said with a smile. “I love you for not chastising me, and well, for everything. Every day I was away it almost killed me knowing you had to hide, and I wasn’t here to protect you.”
Christine ran her hand over his. “You’re here now, and that’s all that counts. Our future begins today.”
Wes bent low to hold her in his arms again, and his world righted on its axis. He was where he was meant to be, with Christine and their unborn child.
Chapter Eight
“I don’t see how I can get married in bed,” Christine said good-naturedly as her aunt fussed over her hair.
“Bed rest,” Aunt Martha reminded her. “And you have a pilot that won’t take no for an answer or wait.”
“In that case, I’ll deal with the fussing you’re doing.” Christine laughed. “How
many times can you brush my hair up?”
“I’m making a chignon,” Aunt Martha said. “Just because you’re in bed doesn’t mean you can’t look gorgeous. Those pearl earrings scream up-do.”
Christine was dressed in an ivory and white lacy maternity sundress that Aunt Martha purchased and ballerina style ivory flats. Christine was surprised as heck that her aunt could find a place that had wedding-style maternity clothes. But then, this was her aunt, who could probably find well water in the desert. She’d been released two days after Wes arrived and told by her midwife that she had to be on complete bed rest. Luckily, her choice to deliver naturally at the comfortable midwife center with a homey feel didn’t have to be changed.
The injury to her hip wasn’t that severe, but even so, Beverly, her midwife, had made preparations in case there was an emergency for her to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. Wes doted on her, and it felt amazing to be home and back in his arms. He held her protectively while they slept, with his hand on her stomach. He stared at her with a kind of wonder, as if he was amazed she was there. Wes was fascinated each time the baby moved in her belly and kept looking at the tiny clothes and socks. He brought a whole new fascination to the pregnancy that amused her.
“Are you guys ready in here?” Grant stuck his head around the door and asked.
“Just about,” Aunt Martha said cheerfully. “Bring the fly boy in.”
Grant opened the door wide, and first the minister came in and stood at the foot of the bed. Behind him, Gary was wearing a tailored gray suit, looking dapper as usual. Wes walked in dressed in his full formal uniform. “Gosh,” was all she managed to say. He was so handsome in his dress blues, and he stood next to the bed and reached his hand out to her. Christine took his hand and he smiled down at her.
“Ready, darling?” he asked huskily.
“Always and forever,” she whispered.
The minister began to speak. “Friends and family, we’re gathered here to witness the union of this man and this woman. If anyone objects to this union speak now or forever hold your peace.”
