Hostile Home Front [Black Ops Brotherhood 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Bella Juarez

  “All right! That’s enough!” Rock ordered.

  They pulled up to the villa and got out, attempting to gain their composure before walking inside. Gavin walked with JJ to the rooms and pointed him to his room. Gavin handed JJ a key to the front door and walked away. He heard conversation going on in the kitchen. Amy was thanking Anna profusely for her assistance with the caterer and the florist. It seemed as if everything was on track again and the relief on Amy’s face was evident.

  “What exactly did you tell the caterer and the florist, Anna?” Rock asked cautiously.

  “I asked them for their help in making this event a top priority,” Anna said nonchalantly.

  “Uh huh, and just how did you ask for help?” Rock asked suspiciously.

  “It’s food service stuff, Jack. You wouldn’t understand,” Anna said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

  “Anna…” Rock started.

  “What?” Anna asked innocently.

  “Where’s Irene?” Gavin asked Amy, trying to defuse the tension.

  “She’s up—”

  Before Amy could finish, they heard a bloodcurdling scream from upstairs. It was Irene screaming for Gavin. The kitchen emptied of occupants as everyone raced to the stairs and the down the hallway to the rooms. They were in time to see JJ backing out of Irene’s room.

  “JJ! What the hell?” Gavin demanded.

  “I was in my room watching TV when she came out of the bathroom nekkid!” JJ said, wide-eyed.

  “Pinche culero!” Irene yelled.

  “For Christ’s sake, JJ!” Rock said, trying to maintain his composure. Instead he started howling with laughter.

  The entire group was almost rolling on the floor with laugher. All of them spoke fluent Spanish and understood that Irene had just called JJ an asshole.

  “I said, left! Dumbass! Your fucking military left! That way…” Gavin said, pointing to the room across from Irene.

  “This has been a bad day, hasn’t it, partner?” Mac asked, holding his sides.

  “Fuck you, Mac!” JJ snapped.

  The ladies returned downstairs to let the men sort everything out. JJ left the house in a huff and everything seemed to return to normal for the moment.

  The wedding was in three days. Later that evening, the full wedding party got together for dinner at the villa. Anna and Justin seemed to whip out a beautiful feast effortlessly. Gavin noticed how happy Amy was to see Shaq. Amy gravitated to Shaq and his friend, Justin, for most of the evening and seemed truly happy and comfortable. Irene seemed to gravitate to Liz and Anna.

  Doc and Gamez decided to scope out some of the local nightlife. Irene decided to go for a walk along the beach. JJ hadn’t returned. Shaq and Justin, after helping clean up, decided to walk along the beach as well. Cheryl and Lynn had also joined the party, and for the better part of two hours everyone relaxed and got acquainted. Gavin watched as Amy was scanning the beach.

  Irene returned and excused herself for the night. Amy was still scanning the beach.

  “What’s wrong, honey?” Gavin quietly asked.

  “I was looking for Shaq and Justin, they haven’t come back. It’s been over an hour.”

  “Honey, don’t worry about them. Shaq can take care of anything that comes along.”

  Justin and Shaq walked onto the patio where everyone was talking and took seats. Gavin noticed the whisper and then the small touch that Justin gave Shaq. Shaq stood and announced they would be leaving for the night. Everyone said good-bye and the party started to dwindle from there. Later that night, as Amy laid her head on Gavin’s chest, they talked.

  “Why were you so worried about Shaq, honey?” Gavin asked.

  “I don’t know. I really like him. He took good care of me while you were in the hospital. He’s like a big brother and he’s so sweet, Gavin.”

  Gavin smiled. “You really like him, huh?”

  “Oh, yes. I can’t believe he even picks up a gun, much less uses it.”

  “He picks it up just fine and has no problem using it. He’s a very nice guy and a really smart SEAL. He’ll be another Rock. He’s a smart tactician,” Gavin said.

  “Does he have a girlfriend?”

  “Sort of.”

  Amy lifted her head and gave Gavin a look of concern. “Is she good to him?”

  “Well, his girlfriend isn’t a girl and he’s here with Shaq.”

  Amy’s eyes widened and Gavin could tell she was stunned at the revelation.

  “You mean…”

  “Yeah. Shaq and Justin are very good friends and have been for a while from what I understand.”

  “You’re okay with that, Gavin?” Amy asked, uncertain.

  “I’m fine with it. Shaq is a good guy and I’ll always appreciate how he took care of you,” Gavin said.

  Amy’s face flooded with relief. “I’m so glad. I would hate for you to dislike him because he’s gay.”

  “I’m not that judgmental. Am I?”

  “This isn’t a criticism, but you can be sometimes.”

  Gavin pulled Amy back down to his chest and smiled. He could be very judgmental and he knew it. Amy coming out and saying something even remotely critical to him was a positive thing in his mind. They needed to be able to be honest with each other.

  “I guess it’s my suspicious nature.” Gavin reached for the light.

  In the wee hours of the morning Gavin could hear JJ stumble through the door. He closed his eyes and relaxed against Amy. He could hear JJ close the door to his room. Gavin’s eyes flew open. Did he go into the right room? JJ had been screwed up most of the day and now he was drunk. Him screwing up again just got elevated to the “about to fuck up in a big way” category. Gavin’s body tensed waiting to hear Irene scream again. It had to have been five minutes before he heard JJ stumble into another room. Irene must have been roused when JJ walked in uninvited. At least she didn’t get freaked out again, he considered with relief.

  * * * *

  Amy ran her hand over the soft ivory chiffon material of her wedding dress. Anna and Cheryl were busy fussing over her hair and makeup as they waited at the church. Master Chief Jones and Irene would be walking Amy down the aisle. Gavin had wanted to dump tradition and walk Amy down himself. The women had prevailed.

  They did not, however, prevail in convincing Gavin that he had to spend the night away from Amy last night. The men did their level best last night to keep him away, but he managed to come home and snuggle up to her in the wee hours of the morning. He had told everyone, in no uncertain terms, that as far as he was concerned this whole wedding thing was a formality and very overrated. She was secretly on Gavin’s side. After this last year and all the horrible things that had happened, when he was away she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

  Amy looked at herself in the mirror once more and recalled the first time she had been through a wedding. That affair had been truly overrated and very unlike Amy. It had been a circus and Tim’s mother had made Amy’s life miserable during the process. While this affair had been a little stressful, it was nothing like the last one. Amy and Gavin were surrounded by people who truly cared about their happiness and success. The man that waited for her this time was someone who loved and cherished her. She felt like the day held promise and felt the emotional significance of the commitment she was about to make to Gavin. It would simply formalize and publicly announce a promise they had made to each other long ago.

  “You look gorgeous, mi hija!” Irene exclaimed.

  “Thank you, Tía. Do you think David would be okay with me and Gavin by now?” Amy asked quietly.

  Irene smiled and took Amy in her arms. “Yes, I think so. I think he would be proud. He would complain, but he would be proud,” Irene said as tears shone in her eyes.

  Amy smiled and hugged Irene. There was a slight knock on the door and Master Chief Jones poked his head around the corner. She smiled at the man and waved him inside. While Gavin was in the hospital and since Master Chief Jones had moved to Texas,
Amy had gotten to know the man and found him likable and riotously funny. Master Chief Jones was like a father to Gavin, so when they were in a quandary because of David being gone, she had suggested Master Chief Jones. Irene and the old Master Chief found themselves at odds, and it was hilarious to watch the elderly pair square off with each other. They had seemed to work out their differences for today.

  “You look precious, honey. If I were your daddy, I’d be proud.” Master Chief Jones hugged Amy. “Your boy up at the altar is getting a little antsy. Have you changed your mind?” Master Chief Jones asked with a mischievous smile.

  “I haven’t,” Amy said with a smile.

  Last night, Lieutenant Gamez had outright asked Amy to dump Gavin and run away with him. Gavin did not find that little joke funny in the least.

  “Well, then, let’s get up there before he comes for you. He isn’t known for his patience,” Master Chief Jones said as he tucked Amy’s arm into his.

  Irene, Amy, and Master Chief Jones stepped out into the foyer of the small church and prepared to walk down the aisle. The music started and they proceeded with their wedding march. Mater Chief Jones was right. Halfway up the aisle, Gavin left the altar and met the trio. He relieved Irene and Master Chief Jones of their duties and walked with Amy the rest of the way, much to the delight of the guests in the church. Rock stood at the altar shaking his head.

  “You couldn’t wait ten steps?” Rock said under his breath when they arrived.

  “No,” Gavin shot back.

  Amy giggled and leaned into Gavin. She was anxious to hear Gavin’s vows that he had written. She had offered to help so she could get a peek at what he was planning on saying, but he declined the assistance, telling her she would hear what he had to say when the time came. Finally the time had come. He took her hands into his much bigger ones. He lifted one of her hands and kissed it.

  “Amy, I love you. Until now, you’ve been just a dream and a prayer I’ve been chasing all of my life. This day is like a dream come true and my prayers have been answered. Today, Amy, you, my true love, become my wife. I’m so proud that you chose me to spend the rest of your life next to. Thank you for being the wonderful, gentle and special woman you are to me. You’re my friend and the love of my life. Accept me, Amy, and I promise I will care for you, honor and protect you. I would lay down my life for you. Today I give myself to you as husband, a friend and a lover.”

  Amy blinked back tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her. The church went silent. Amy could see Captain O’Malley standing behind Gavin staring at him in open surprise. Gavin was such a private man and to hear his feelings expressed in such a public way was a shift in his personality. It had to be difficult for him to express his feelings the way he just did. Amy and everyone listening knew he meant every word.

  Amy had to pause a moment. Gavin leaned over and kissed her, encouraging her. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice from shaking.

  “I love you, Gavin. I thank God for the love that has bound our lives, hearts, and souls together. We’ve been through so much. I will love, honor, and cherish you always. As we enter into the privileges and joys of life’s most intimate relationship, I look forward to beginning the adventure of building a life and future with you. You’re my best friend. I will love you no matter what obstacles we face. I know we can get through them as long as we’re together. Accept me as your wife and I promise to be faithful and love you the rest of my life.”

  Amy slipped Gavin’s ring on his finger and could hear sniffles throughout the church. Gavin pulled Amy close and held her.

  “I do,” he said simply.

  The rest of the ceremony seemed to fly for her and before she knew it they were leaving the church as husband and wife. It was such a different occasion. Amy looked around the church as she was leaving and saw all the smiles. This was her new life. There was no fear and trepidation. There was laughter and love. Gavin didn’t try to make her perfect. He believed she was already close enough for him. They went to a nearby resort for the reception. The party afterward was intimate and relaxing. She felt as if her life were truly complete. She felt healed and cleansed for first time in a very long time.

  * * * *

  Gavin couldn’t take his eyes off Amy from the minute she had started down the aisle. In all the time he had known her, this was the first time she seemed truly happy and at peace. They had a connection he couldn’t explain, and Gavin knew what Amy was feeling just by looking at her. All the hoops he had to jump through for this wedding had been worth it. It was her turn to shine, and she was radiant.

  When they arrived at the resort and started the party, Amy transformed into a social butterfly. This was the natural Amy in Gavin’s mind. Not the cowering, shy, hurt librarian. She loved people and it showed. His quest to make Tim’s pain a distant, unpleasant, faded shadow was complete. He gathered her in his arms and pulled her close, kissing her soundly.

  “I love you so much, and you look absolutely beautiful,” Gavin whispered in her ear.

  Amy giggled. “I love you, too.”

  “You need to sit down and eat something,” Gavin reminded Amy.

  “I will in a little bit.”

  Lieutenant Gamez was up bugging the DJ. Gamez managed to take over the microphone and announced that it was time for the bride and groom to take the small dance floor. The song started and Amy looked at Gavin in surprise. He knew the song was special for them. He had it on his iPod and played it for her one time. He had told her that that song described how he felt. She had played it over and over again while he was in the hospital. Gavin took Amy and pulled her out onto the dance floor. The song was “You and Me” by Lifehouse. He whispered the words to her as he pulled her close to him.

  Amy hid her face in Gavin’s chest. She started crying when she heard the first couple of verses. He lifted her chin and kissed her. He felt bad because he certainly didn’t mean to upset her.

  “What’s wrong, honey?” Gavin asked as he wiped Amy’s tears away.

  “Oh my God, Gavin! I love this song. I can’t believe you’d have them play it here.”

  “I’ll have them stop!” Gavin said in alarm.

  “No! I’m not upset or sad. I’m happy. This song means so much to me. To us. It’s amazing you would think to do something like that.”

  “I’m not totally clueless, honey.” Gavin pulled Amy close.

  They finished the dance and continued through the evening. Amy and Gavin were sitting with Irene, Anna, and Rock, talking. Anna was asking Rock about the bachelor party.

  “We had fun,” Rock said.

  “SEAL fun or normal fun?” Anna asked.

  “Anna, baby, come on…” Rock started.

  “Do we own a bar in St. Thomas?” Anna asked.

  Irene started laughing. It seemed to Gavin that Irene was doing much better since David had passed away almost a year ago. He always thought of David and felt a twinge. He knew he was doing the right thing by not telling Amy and Irene what he knew. It wouldn’t solve anything and would probably make things much worse than they had been.

  Gavin watched as JJ walked across the dance floor and took an empty chair near him. They briefly bantered with one another. He noticed JJ sneaking looks at Irene a couple of times. His gray eyes narrowed like sharpened steel at the thought of what was running through JJ’s head.

  “What the hell’s wrong with you?” JJ asked.

  “Forget it! Forget it right now! She ain’t in no position to be screwed with, JJ,” Gavin warned.

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” JJ asked with a frown.

  “You and Irene.”

  “The Dragon Lady?”

  “Yeah, I’ve seen that look on your face before. You’re on the hunt. Fucking sniff around somewhere else.”

  Gavin shuddered inwardly. This conversation was beginning to sound like the ones he had with David over Amy.

  “She’s a big gir
l, badass. I know she can take care of herself. I don’t think she’s asking your permission to do anything,” JJ said.

  “Don’t you dare fuck with her and hurt her, JJ.” Gavin growled.

  A new song started and JJ smiled dangerously at Gavin. He stood and walked to Irene. He asked her to dance. The song was “Save the Last Dance for Me” by Michael Bublé.

  “No, I don’t dance very well.” Irene tried to politely decline.

  “But, Tía, you love to dance and all those lessons you’ve been taking…” Amy started.

  Gavin wanted to clamp his hand over Amy’s mouth. He loved her, but she could be innocent to the point of naïve sometimes. It was just the opening JJ needed. He pulled Irene to her feet and into the middle of the dance floor. They started to cha-cha. Everyone in the hall was staring as they burned up the floor. Gavin watched in mute shock as JJ spun and dipped Irene like Fred Astaire. Irene was no slouch. She knew the steps and knew the rhythm and kept up with JJ like Ginger Rogers. What the fuck? Where and when did those two learn that shit? He fumed.

  “Did you know he could do that?” Rock asked.

  Gavin had been so captivated watching Irene and JJ he didn’t notice Rock had taken the seat next to him.

  “I didn’t know she could that!” Gavin said.

  Rock shook his head as he watched JJ and Irene. Everyone in the hall held their breath as JJ dipped Irene one final time and kissed her. Rock raised his eyebrow and looked at Gavin.

  “You better watch him,” Rock warned as he stood and walked away.

  No shit! Gavin exclaimed to himself.

  Chapter 23

  Ritz-Carlton

  St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

  February 15, 2009/0316 Zulu

  Gavin and Amy were staying the night at the resort where the reception had been held. It was a little after midnight when they reached the room. She went to the bathroom and changed out of her dress. He untied his tie and took off his jacket. He poured her a glass of champagne from the bottle that was waiting in the room. He turned when he heard the door open.