He saw Hawk first, then Bowie and the rest of the guys standing at ease, shooting the shit. Captain Jackson stood with Admiral Cooper. They shook hands, then Cooper peeled off from the group and started toward the door.
Zach reached for the knob, and, holding door open, went to attention with a salute. Cooper returned it with a nod and moved on past and out. Zach strode to Captain Jackson and saluted.
Jackson never changed. His prematurely gray hair looked a little grayer, but the man never aged. He had been known to be a real hard-ass at times, but after being held hostage by a group of terrorists for three days, he seemed to have found his center. There was a more decisive bent to his decisions. He seemed to weigh in more often on behalf of the men under his command.
“At ease, Ensign. How’s the hip?”
“I’ll be ready to return to duty as soon as the doc releases me, sir.”
“When will that be?”
“I have an appointment at ten on Wednesday, but I can call and try to get them to push me through today if you need me, sir.”
“Not necessary. Wednesday will be soon enough.”
“Aye, sir.”
“You can join the others until I call this meeting together. We’re waiting on a couple of guests.”
“Aye, sir.”
He’d almost made it to a seat beside Bowie when Zoe entered the room with A. J. in tow. Captain Jackson crossed to her and shook her hand, then bent to shake A. J.’s.
Hawk joined them, and they spoke for a few minutes. He bent and picked up A. J. and placed a hand against Zoe’s waist to usher her to a seat. Once they were settled, Hawk stretched an arm out along the back of Zoe’s chair.
Zach caught a seat next to Bowie and hunched forward to brace his elbows on his knees.
He was getting a clue as to what he was here for, and it wasn’t special duty. His heart raced and he was sweating a little. If his promotion hadn’t gone through, he would be disappointed. If Hawk was being promoted, he was glad to be here. He’d have been majorly disappointed to miss it.
Seaman Jeff Sizemore, aka Bullet to his teammates, the sniper of their team, slid into the seat next to him. Sizemore’s smile stretched across his face and he slapped Doc on the back.
“How you doing, Doc?” Bullet asked.
“I’m good. I’ll be back on Wednesday.”
“I heard you’ve been wooing a real babe, while you’ve been laid up.” Sizemore emphasized the word laid.
Zach eyed Bowie who threw up his hands and shook his head.
“Watch yourself, Bullet,” Zach warned. “Piper’s a lady.
“What does she do for a living?”
“She’s a veterinarian.”
Bullet nodded. “See, when you say vet, I immediately get this picture of the vet back home, Dr. Chalmers, horsy face, long nose, big teeth.”
“She’s a vet and a babe,” Zach cut in.
“A beautiful babe,” Bowie added.
“A beautiful, classy babe.” Zach felt like he was being set up somehow, and narrowed his eyes at Bowie in warning.
Whatever they were doing was cut short when Captain Jackson said, “Everyone please take a seat.” His voice carried well in the small room.
The noise died instantly and everyone moved to the nearest chair.
Captain Jackson cleared his throat. “I seldom get the opportunity to do presentations like this. I’m proud and pleased to do so today.
“There are two men among you who have fulfilled their duty as SEALs in ways all of us hope to emulate. Both of them have shown great courage, dedication, professionalism, and leadership. They have gone above and beyond without being asked or ordered to do so. That in itself is saying something in the company they are among today. Each and every one of you has put your life on the line for your men, family, and country, numerous times. You stand between the innocent who cannot protect themselves and those who would bring them harm. And you do it at great risk to yourselves. What these two men have accomplished is what each and every one of you can aspire to.
“I wish to ask Ensign Zachary Tobias O’Connor and Lieutenant Adam Yazzie to come forward.”
Zach waited for Hawk to rise before doing so himself. He followed him to the front of the room.
“Lieutenant Yazzie. You may not know this, but every SEAL who has been under your command, past and present, has said the same thing. You are the ultimate example of what a SEAL should be. You remain calm and professional during times of extreme stress. You fight with the fierceness of your warrior ancestors. And you lead your men by example, yet you are always looking out for them. You are always searching for ways to improve their performance, and you do it with the idea of making sure every one of them returns home safe.”
Zach found his throat tightening with emotion while he listened to Captain Jackson. Every word was true. They all admired Hawk and attempted to follow his lead.
“Today I am honored to present you with a promotion to Lieutenant Commander.”
Captain Jackson reached for a box on the table and removed two insignia and a ribbon. He removed the insignia from each point of Hawk’s collar and replaced the bars with the gold oak leaves of a Lieutenant Commander. He saluted Hawk, and Hawk returned the gesture. The two men shook hands. He handed Hawk the ribbon.
Hawk stepped aside and took a place to Captain Jackson’s right.
“Ensign O’Connor. I know you have put yourself at great risk to treat the injured during battle, even dragged or carried them out of the line of fire. A team medic has possibly one of the most dangerous jobs, because the instinct to protect your wounded comrade is strong. I also know you’ve volunteered to act as a corpsman at the field hospitals where you’ve been deployed.
“But that’s only one area where you’ve excelled. Lieutenant Commander Yazzie has told me how you’ve taken over many of the leadership roles during missions, taken over the shooting drills and instruction, and mentored some of the newer members of your team to sharpen their skills. All the qualities of a leader.”
“It gives me great pleasure to present you with your promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade.”
Captain Jackson reached for a box on the table and removed the silver bars and a ribbon. The transfer from the gold bar insignias on his collar to the silver of a Lieutenant went quickly. As he returned Captain Jackson’s salute, shook his hand, and accepted the ribbon to go over his uniform pocket, all he could think was how much he wished Piper could have been here to see it.
The men in the room erupted into applause. Hawk shook his hand, then jerked him into a hug and pounded him on the back. A crowd gathered to congratulate them.
Bullet grabbed his arm. “Smile for the ladies, Lieutenant O’Connor,” Bullet said and pointed toward a camera on a tripod hooked to a computer. “We couldn’t arrange passes for your sister or Dr. Bertinelli to attend, so we Skyped the whole thing so they could watch you get your bars.”
He strode to the computer to see Kathleen and Piper at Piper’s house. “Hey.”
“We’re very proud of you, Zach,” Kathleen said, while she sniffled and wiped her eyes with a tissue.
“Thanks, sis.”
“I hope they’ve taped the ceremony, because Mom and Dad and the rest of the clan would love to see it.”
He glanced at Bullet, and he nodded. “I’ll see what we can do.”
“Congratulations, Zach,” Piper said her composure only a little better than Kathleen’s. “Hooyah, Lieutenant.”
Naturally he got hard, and he had the feeling that every time she said it in the future, it would happen again. “When I get home, I want you to say it again, just that way.”
Piper laughed. “I will.”
Captain Jackson waved to him. “I have to go, the captain’s calling.”
“Okay. We’ll see you later.”
*
Piper closed the laptop and reached for another tissue to dry her eyes.
“Does he always refer to your house as home?” Kathleen as
ked.
Piper hesitated to think about it. “My house and his. Wherever we’ve decided to stay.”
Kathleen smiled. “Cahan said something to me before I got on the plane. I think I cried all the way home because it was probably the most beautiful thing he’s ever said to me. And he’s said plenty.”
“What was it?”
“He said home is where I am. Don’t you think it’s telling that Zach’s doing the same thing?”
Piper attempted a smile. “I hope so, because I love him so much it hurts. He thinks it’s because of everything we’ve been through. But it isn’t. I fell in love with him our first weekend together. When he goes, I’ll wait for him if he wants me to. Probably even if he never says a word.”
Kathleen put her arms around her and gave her a hug. “He’ll figure it out, Piper.”
If she loved him enough, maybe he would.
Chapter 44
‡
Piper rubbed her burning eyes, then returned her attention to the chart she was updating. She’d sleep better once Zach was home from the team’s weekend training. Just one more day.
At least she knew Zach was okay. He was just out in the desert somewhere, training with his team, instead of in some dangerous place out of the country. He’d been reassigned, and was now leader of his own team. He loved it. And though it meant more responsibility, he was finding his feet.
And he’d be home on the weekend. Excitement like a bubble expanded inside her. It was like that every time. She could hardly wait to see him.
She missed being held, missed him reaching for her in his sleep, missed making love with him. The dogs were restless, particularly Gracie. They were grieving his absence, and were clingy when she was home, following her every move.
Like last night, when they thought they heard something outside and barked for nearly half an hour.
She propped her head on her hand and continued to write the notations in the chart. Almost done. She blinked to clear her vision, then closed her eyes tight. Maybe if she just rested for a moment.
*
Zach’s phone was ringing when they hit the locker room. A successful day of maneuvers left the men loud and keyed up, hot and sweaty. They all smelled like Gracie and Trouble after a day at the beach. Whoo! He didn’t smell like any bed of roses himself.
He glanced at the number and frowned. He hadn’t heard from Lester in a couple of days. He walked out into the hall and closed the door behind him. He swiped the face of his phone. “Hello.”
“Our boy’s making a move finally. He’s been parked in the lot adjoining your girl’s office for over an hour, but he hasn’t made a move yet. I have eyes on him.”
“Where’s Piper?”
“According to the GPS, she’s still at her office.”
Zach glanced at his dive watch. Ten-oh-five. “That’s late for her. She’s usually out of the lot by nine fifteen. Are you sure he hasn’t slipped by you?”
“I’m watching him right now. He’s got binoculars trained on her office.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll call you back.”
He stepped into the locker room and gave a whistle to get everyone’s attention. Most of the men had peeled out of their tactical vests and were in the process of stripping and cleaning their weapons.
Crossing the room with a speed that gained everyone’s attention, he reached for his personal Sig Sauer 226 and holstered it, then secured the lock on his locker. “I have an emergency at home. I have to bug out.” His attention snagged on Petty Officer Rankin. “Rankin?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Weapons cleaned and secured. Everything else stowed and shipshape before anyone steps foot off base. As long as everything is as it should be before they leave, everyone can report Monday morning, zero seven hundred.”
“Aye-aye, L.T.”
“Do you need backup, L.T.?” Seaman Clarence asked, his gaze drifting to the weapon on Zach’s hip.
It wouldn’t do for anyone but him to take the hit if something bad went down. “No. But thanks.”
Zach broke into a jog as he hit the outside door. His heart was beating fast and hard when he hit the key fob and unlocked his SUV, where he started the engine and dragged the seat belt over his shoulder at the same time.
Once he was on the way out of the base he reached for his phone, hit Lester’s number, and speaker. “I’m going to call Piper and check on her. Don’t take your eyes off that SOB. If he so much as steps foot outside his vehicle take him down.”
“We won’t be able to get him for anything if I make a move too soon, Ensign.”
“I’m not risking Piper.”
“Understood.”
*
An annoying ringing pierced Piper’s sleep-addled brain. She was reaching for the bedside clock and knocked over a small cup of pencils instead. Her cheek rested on the chart she’d been updating. The pen was still in her hand, but had made a long streak up the page. She jerked up, blinking against the harsh overhead light. She reached for the phone in her lab coat pocket, and swiped the face to answer the call.
“Hey, babe. You home yet?”
Zach’s voice brought her to complete wakefulness. “I’m at the office. I fell asleep at my desk.”
“Piper, it’s ten-fifteen, and I’m on my way home.”
“You’re coming home early?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m on my way right now.” She scooped up the spilled pens, put them back in the container, and set it on the corner of her desk. “I just need to turn off the lights and set the alarm.”
“Stay on the phone while you do it. I don’t like the idea of you being there alone this late.”
She smiled at his concern. “Okay.” She stood, shook free of her lab coat, and draped it over the back of her desk chair. She set the phone to speaker and placed it on the desk while she retrieved her purse from the bottom desk drawer. She paused a moment to rub her eyes and stifle a yawn. “Is the training going well?”
“Yeah. We’re beginning to come together. What have you been up to?”
She gathered her things, unlocked her office door, and scanned the hall each way before stepping out. She brushed the light switch off in her office. “I had two surgeries this morning. The rest of the day’s been pretty routine. A cat came in with bladder stones. I’ll have to do surgery on him on Monday.” She went into the front office and turned out all but the security lights. “He actually got up in the sink and urinated right in front of his owner like he was showing her what was going on. He had blood in his urine, so she brought him in.”
She turned and wandered back down the hall toward the surgery, turning off lights as she went.
“Any word from your mom?” he asked.
“No.” A twinge of pain caught her unaware, and she dragged in a breath. “Dante called to check on me, and we spoke for a few minutes. He’s going to come by tomorrow and have lunch with me—us, now that you’ll be home.”
She stopped to check the animals in the recovery kennels. Then turned out the overhead lights. A single security light shone overhead.
“I’m going into the boarding kennel area. It will be loud.” She opened the door and the dogs immediately started barking. She checked their water as she went through…all good for the night, keyed in the code, and set the alarm, then opened the back door and scanned the yard before stepping out. The exterior motion lights they’d installed to go along with the cameras came on, but it still made her nervous walking around the back side of the building.
“I was just so tired tonight I couldn’t keep my eyes open. The dogs have been restless the last few nights, barking at shadows, so I haven’t slept well. Now you’re coming home, I’ll get a better night’s sleep.”
“What do you think they were barking at?”
“I don’t know. I looked out, but I didn’t see anything.”
She reached inside her bag and withdrew the pepper spray Zach had given her, and her car keys. “I’m almost at the car.�
�
“Don’t do this again, Piper. It’s dangerous for you to be there alone this late. In fact, you need to leave with the others. There’s safety in numbers.”
“I was going to leave as soon as I finished that last chart. I just fell asleep.” She hit the button on her key fob to unlock the car, making the headlights flash and the interior lights came on. She checked the back seat, then the trunk area, before climbing in behind the wheel and locking the doors. She placed the phone on the passenger seat along with the pepper spray. “I’m locked in the car.” She fastened her seat belt and started the vehicle. “I’ll probably be home before you are.”
“Be careful. I have another call coming in. I’ll call you back as soon as I’ve answered it.”
“Okay.”
*
Lester’s breathing was loud in his ear. “He’s following her, and I’m following him. This might be it.”
The note of excitement in the man’s voice made Zach’s stomach pitch.
“I hope the fuck he’s going to try something. I’ve been watching this son-of-a-bitch for three weeks. He’s dealing again. And he’s not the skinny twenty-something he was back in the day. He’s buffed up, so be prepared for a dude as big as you.”
“I know, I saw the pictures you sent. What kind of car is he driving?”
“A brand new Cadillac Escalade. Black on black. Nothing too good for mama’s boy. They traded in the car he drove before and bought him this one.”
“I’m going to try to get there ahead of her.”
Lester’s voice held an edge. “For God’s sake, don’t get pulled over.”
“I won’t.”
Crossing the bridge from Coronado to San Diego seemed to take forever. He punched Piper’s number again. “You doing okay?”
“Yes. It’s slow going with the traffic.”
“From my end, too.” He whipped around a truck turning into a grocery store parking lot and turned right at the next corner to take a short cut. “Take your time, Piper. We have the whole weekend free.”
“Good. Maybe we can go out on the boat.”
“Sounds good. Let’s do it on Sunday.” Zach swore under his breath when he hit a red light. His heart rate doubled and he had trouble getting a deep breath. “I think you’re going to make it home before I do, Piper. I need you to do something for me.”
Breaking Out (Military Romantic Suspense) (SEAL Team Heartbreakers Book 6) Page 40
