Jack hefted his sidearm in one hand, dropped into a crouch. He grabbed Laurie’s arm with the other and pulled her forward with him into the darkness.
Chapter 17
Nothing makes a man more aware of his capabilities and of his limitations than those moments when he must push aside all the familiar defenses of ego and vanity, and accept reality by staring, with the fear that is normal to a man in combat, into the face of Death.
—Major Robert S. Johnson
Several hours of walking around the area had gained him very little until he accidentally scratched his arm on a rock. It was a superficial wound, but the coppery smell, combined with the dirt and mud and the flashing lights, penetrated the shell. As if a switch had been flipped, he started seeing it in his head and acting it out from the beginning.
The pieces fell into place. He could see himself fast-roping into a clearing in the trees. Felt his feet hitting the ground and at the same time he lifted his gun.
He moved quickly out of the way as Don came down right after him, swiftly and silently taking the spot next to a bush. Lowering himself to one knee, Jack scanned the area. It was standard operating procedure.
Jack’s voice was barely audible as he began to vocalize what he was seeing on the viewing screen of his mind. “From the corner of my eye, I could see Don landing on his feet, like a cat, and lifting his gun. The Team was accounted for; the helicopter took off as we moved into the jungle. Very few animals stirred as we went into stealth mode.” There was a slight grin on Jack’s lips, and then it slowly drifted away. “Except for Seeley, who got friendly with a snake and jumped about a mile out of his boots.
“Other than that one occurrence, no one spoke. There was nothing to say.” Jack crouched down low.
Laurie followed closely behind him. It was odd and yet his comments made her feel like she was right there, on the Op with him. She needed to keep him on track, though. “Unless there’s something important here, speed ahead. Stop when you’re at your goal.”
Jack complied and moved closer to the building. “We’re at the hill overlooking the factory. There is no one around and the place looks deserted. I’m uncomfortable, but I’ve already voiced my doubts about the mission and the Intel. Knotts says over the comm, ‘We don’t change horses in midstream unless something makes us.’” Jack paused, blinking as if he was trying to see or hear more of the scene playing out before his mind’s eye. “But already we spot a few IEDs half-buried in places along the hill.”
“Okay. Then what’s next, Jack?” asked Laurie.
“We noted the path in case we had to return this way and then we made our way single file down to the factory. The rest of the Team goes forward and into the building. Don and I were designated rear security. He was carrying the big gun, tagged the Peacemaker, and I was humping additional ammo as well as my own gear.” Jack took several steps and then stopped. Tilting his head, he looked like he was listening. “We stopped behind an outcropping of rocks. Don and I had a good visual, though there was nothing in sight. Then Pickens and Seeley called us inside.
“Don said, ‘I’m getting spooked by this place. What the hell could be of interest to the brass? No one has been here in months, maybe years.’ Then Don whispered, ‘Jack, you were right to be uncomfortable. Your instincts are dead-on, man. I’m sorry I didn’t give you more support during planning.’”
Jack motioned for her to move ahead and together they entered the building. “I said ‘Thanks, Don. I’ll take that to mean you’re buying the beer when we get home.’ I checked the door. There were no trip wires around it, so I opened it and went in. Don followed me.
“There were layers of dust on the stacks of boxes. I could see six sets of footsteps on the ground in front of me. No one except my Team had been in here for a long time.
“Don tapped me on the shoulder and pointed. About five steps in, something was in the corner—thick shadows. I was using my night-vision goggles, but couldn’t get anything useful. I just knew something was wrong. So, I pulled them off and grabbed my blue light, and that’s when I spotted them… at least a dozen bodies in various states of decay… staked out on poles.
“Some had their skin peeled off. Others had missing teeth or fingers… How had the rest of the Team missed this? The victims had most likely been tortured. There was stuff scattered around: knives, needles, barbed wire, steel bars. Christ, some items were still sticking out of them! God, what a horrific way to go!
“The suits were CIA. I’ve worked with spooks before. They’re pretty identifiable.” Jack took a slow long breath.
“Don’s radio wasn’t working so I used mine to communicate with the rest of the Team.” Jack’s voice was barely audible.
“Jack, what were you afraid of?” asked Laurie.
Jack shook his head as if he didn’t want to answer; her question was throwing him off. The pieces… the pieces were coming together in his head, and he frowned as if he didn’t like the picture that was forming.
His tone changed, going back to reciting the incident. “My Teammates had retraced their steps. Sure enough, they had confirmed seeing more explosive devices, trip wires, et cetera, and had thus far avoided setting them off. Down below were cases of guns and ammunition as well as several million dollars worth of cocaine. It could be a plant, or this could really be someone’s stash.
“There was no way we were going to investigate a booby-trapped building without knowing the area was completely secure. We don’t like surprises.”
He looked at Laurie. “I asked the team, ‘Did you guys see those bodies?’ Nobody answered until Knotts finally said, ‘I’m getting that bad-mojo feeling. We’re scrubbing the rest of the mission. Let’s move.’”
Jack paused and then turned back to the door. His head tilted. “I saw Don turn toward the door, retracing his steps very carefully. He checked the door again. No wires or anything were there, and then he slowly opened it. Don walked about three feet and then the bullets hit him.”
The memories rained down on him then, thick, hot, and fast, knifing him in the gut and knocking him to his knees. “Don’s body danced in the gunfire. I dove onto him, bringing him to the ground. The firefight was going on over his head. The helos were trying to get to the landing zone to extract them, and only one made it as flames consumed the other. The victim of a rocket-propelled grenade. The explosions. The bodies. Everything. Every sight. Sound. Smell. Emotion. And the frustration.” It was all there. His memories. Down to the last grain of sand and sour taste of fear and grief in the back of his throat. Oh God! Oh holy, fucking glory. He knew. He had everything back and the pain was the worst he’d ever felt.
He was panting; his entire body shook with the stress and grief of the memory.
“Jack?”
Strong fingers grabbed Laurie’s forearms, wrapping tight like steely bands. They bruised her but she didn’t care. He drew her close to him. His face was only inches from hers and his eyes searched hers wildly. “I remember. I remember it all, Laurie.” Then he hugged her and she wrapped her arms around him like a vise.
They held each other for a long time. When he broke contact, his face was solemn. “Can you… can you give me… some time?”
She nodded.
He escorted her back to the relative dryness of the blind and made sure she was safely ensconced, and then he walked away. She couldn’t help admiring him for wanting to know the truth and for confronting the pain. A cry cut through the wind and she was instantly on her feet. It took all her will to stop herself from going to him. But she said she would give him time, and she meant to honor that.
Silently, she sat on the ground and pulled her knees up to her chin, hugging them. She thought of the sorrow he must feel for his best friend, and the trauma he’d had to slog through to find the truth. Her tears fell for him and for the ones who didn’t make it back.
She must have fallen asleep, waiting for him to return, because sometime later she felt Jack move her onto a blanket. Then, he cur
led up beside her. His heat warmed her. Laurie closed her eyes and sent her love into him, willing him to heal, or at least feel comfort from her presence beside him.
His arms squeezed tight, his breath soft and shallow on her neck as she slipped away into a dream, held safe in his arms.
***
Later on, the rain woke them, forcing them out of the no-longer-waterproof duck blind and into the semidestroyed building. The fine mist of rain had turned into a barrage of wetness as they ran the short distance and settled themselves inside. When lightning fired up the sky again, he turned her toward him and cradled the back of her head. He murmured her name and then kissed her.
Lightning crashed around them, and yet she felt perfectly safe here with him, especially with his arms wrapped tightly around her body.
“I need to get our packs,” he whispered against her mouth.
“So romantic,” she quipped as she watched him run outside. She’d have bet a trip to Hawaii that their shelter would be completely dismantled, too, and nary a trace of it would be identifiable.
“I’m home.” When he came back in, the lightning illuminated him in the door, and he looked like the mythical Thor, God of Thunder and son of Odin.
Stripping his clothes off, he stuffed them into the wet sack, and then he came to her and removed her wet clothing. His tenderness touched her deeply, especially after everything he’d been through. Then he was touching her, smelling her hair, rubbing his cheeks and lips against her throat and breasts until she moved into him, silently asking him to take her.
Pulling a condom from his pack, he sheathed himself. Lifting her up, he turned her away from him, putting her hands on the walls. Gently pushing her feet apart, he played his fingers between her legs, making her juicy and wet until she sighed with want. “Jack.”
Then he turned her around, dropped to his knees, and buried his mouth between her legs, licking and lapping a path to her clit and making her move wildly against him. His tongue tormented the tiny nub over and over as a climax crashed over her senses.
“Yes!” she screamed.
Wetness bathed his face and her thighs as he spread her wider, and he stood and slowly teased his cock at the entrance of her. With one push, he thrust himself into her.
She came again, and as the climax wound down, he began to move in earnest, thrusting in and out, harder and harder, pounding his body into her with an edge that was almost violent and yet reverent. And when the climax hit, they both shouted their release.
The night was not over, though, as Jack laid her on the blanket. He explored her—her breasts, her neck, her hair, and the curve of her rear. They cuddled, touched, kissed, and renewed themselves with each other’s energy.
They didn’t talk about Jack’s experience again that night. Laurie knew he had the answers he’d sought, and she wasn’t going to interrupt the time he needed to process it all. The best thing both of them could do… was live.
***
Morning came too soon for Laurie. Birds chirped and the sun pushed through the window, lighting the barrenness of the old building they had slept in. She loved the outdoors; camping was definitely her thing.
Wrapped around Jack, who was like her own personal heater, she never imagined she could be this warm and see her breath at the same time. The only thing she lacked now was a steamy shower and hot cup of coffee, which weren’t the only two things that woke her up.
“Look at this!” said an unfamiliar voice. “Who’s that hot dame?”
“Jack,” she whispered hurriedly. Laurie’s eyes had sprung wide open. She was awake now and very alarmed. Pulling every piece of clothing within reach on top of her, she rolled away from Jack. Shit! Shit! Shit! Don’t look!
“What?” asked Jack sleepily, throwing an arm over his eyes. “I know those voices. Don’t worry. They’re fine. Go back to sleep.”
Shoving her feet against his body, she pushed him with all her strength. “Get up, Jack. I’m naked!”
Jack rallied. He sat up and said, “Laribee. Hanks. Good to see you, guys. When did you get back, and who did you piss off to get stuck with morning patrols on the island?” Then he got to his feet and just stood there, shaking hands with the two guys who had discovered them.
Laurie was incredulous. Why didn’t Jack care if his cock was hanging out for the entire world to see? What? Did they just like the fact they had one that much?
“Two weeks ago. Don’t ask about the extra duty. I could live without going through that particular hell again,” said Hanks. “What brings you to Bomb Island?”
“Sorry to interrupt,” said the stockier one with a shit-eating grin. He leaned down and presented a hand to her. “I’m Laribee, ma’am. If you ever get sick of this loser, give me a call. I’ve got more in the, uh, manhood department than this FNG.”
The fact they were teasing each other about being fucking new guys meant they were friends. Only buds teased each other with such callous pleasure.
Despite the lighter mood, Laurie could feel a blush rising from her toes and going up to the top of her head. God, she was a prude when it came to public nudity! Wrapping one arm tightly around the clothes that were pinned in place, she freed a hand and shook his. “Gee, thanks.” Unfortunately, his enthusiastic shake sent her clothes askew and she had to scramble to make sure her, uh, assets were hidden.
“My BUD/S class was two before you. Who is the new guy?” corrected Jack as he stretched. She couldn’t believe he was still just standing there, naked. Why did men look like Highland warriors—all sexy and godlike—and she just wanted another layer to cover up?
“Put me on the list, too, ma’am,” said the taller one. “I’m Hanks. Jeffrey Handel Hanks. No relation to the composer, unless that helps my case.”
“Would you guys get the hell out of here so my lady can get dressed? And for your records, she is mine. Got it?” Jack pushed them toward the door, laughing. “Head toward the landing. She’s got a gun, and she’ll use it if you stand there and stare in the window.”
“Crap! I was hoping he wouldn’t think about that,” said Laribee.
“She had nice tits. A really sweet ass, too,” added Hanks.
“Is that anyway to talk about a fellow Team member’s lady?” asked Laribee.
“Hell, yes! It’s better than asking what he was drinking when he landed a total dog. Arf! Arf!” Hanks joked.
Their voices were drifting away. Laribee said, “Shut up, Hanks!”
“Woof! Woof!” barked Hanks.
Laurie shook her head. “So, that was a compliment?”
“Yes,” he said, pulling a dry change of clothes out of his bag. “Either you can put on your damp clothes or you can give mine a try.”
“I’ll take yours. I’m not proud, and there’s probably a very cold ride back to shore ahead of us. I’d rather be warm than freeze.” Laurie pushed the damp garments off her and stood. “Maybe we should go away somewhere warm. I’d enjoy romping in the wild with you.”
“We’re on the same wavelength. I’d like to add, you do have a spectacular body, Miss Smith,” said Jack with a wicked gleam in his eye. “How about a little sookie-sookie before we go?”
“No!” squeaked Laurie as she grabbed the proffered garments and danced out of reach. “Jack, I don’t want those guys to see us, you know. I want our lovemaking to be between us.”
“Understood,” he agreed, rather disheartened. “Though if you change your mind…” His cock was still ready to do battle, but seeing her frown of disagreement, he covered himself rather speedily with his clothes from last night. Those guys must not have bothered him at all, because he gathered the gear together and was ready to go almost instantly. “Do you need any help?”
“No, thank you.” She had just finished buttoning the last button when he asked. The clothes hung on her body. One good stiff wind and they would be falling off. Her hand held firmly to the top of the pants and the edge of the shirt to anchor them in place. If there were going to be more guys to encoun
ter on the way down, these clothes were most certainly going to stay put.
He put his pack on and took hers. They left the building, making their way down the hill, through the trees, and down to the small alcove. A light marine layer floated on top of the water as Jack helped her climb on board and secured their gear. This man had a way of making physical feats look effortless. She really admired his abilities and was determined to improve her own. Maybe she’d start jogging every day again.
When she was in high school, Gich had had her doing five miles a day. They’d talk every morning… about the weather, boys, or whatever took their fancy. It was a very nonjudgmental space and had been a nice way to start the day.
Sunlight teased the water, glistening on top like millions of tiny diamonds. Pelicans flew overhead in formation. And the ocean seemed vast from here… as if it went on forever.
The wind whipped her hair about as the RIB flew over the water. Errant squirts of water splashed her now and then, and this time she laughed.
Dolphins swam alongside them for a time and then dropped behind, diving in and out of the wake of the boat. Nature’s glory truly awed her.
Soon enough, the dock came into view, and the RIB was drawing alongside. Jack secured the ropes and retrieved the gear. He tossed it up on the deck and then turned to help Laurie topside.
They stood there together for a few minutes, watching the sunbeams peek through the foggy wet layer on the water. Suddenly, a rainbow appeared, making them smile as they gazed at the glorious spread of colors.
“All set?” With the fog lifted—in more than one way—it was now time for them to get on with their lives. “I have to go,” said Jack as he turned Laurie toward him.
She nodded her head and handed him the pack with the camera in it.
A SEAL at Heart Page 23
