Breaking Through (Book 2 of the SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers)

by Reasor, Teresa

  Brett narrowed his eyes and studied the two agents. They both looked like hell. Scott needed a haircut and some sleep from the size of the bags under his eyes. And Wright looked like a big, hulking thundercloud about to rain on someone’s parade.

  Well it wasn’t his job to make their life any easier. They certainly hadn’t made his all gumdrops and lollipops.

  “Give Senator Welch my regards, and tell him to go fuck himself.”

  Where was Tess with that drink? His mouth felt as dry as the Iraqi desert. The damn medication they’d given him was kicking up his stomach. And these two assholes weren’t helping with that.

  “What does Senator Welch have to do with the terrorists you took out?” Agent Wright asked

  Brett raised a brow. “I know his son got killed in Iraq and he blames my team. I know he’s had every move my team made in Iraq examined under a microscope. I know he’s putting pressure on someone to make what happened at the house with Derrick Armstrong seem like something it wasn’t to get some payback. Find out who he sent to Iraq to investigate the allegations of murder against me, and you’ll probably find out who leaked my name and to whom. I’m not giving him another shot at me.”

  “You haven’t been watching the news, have you?” Wright asked.

  “No. I’ve been busy getting shot at.”

  The door opened and Tess stopped to eye the two agents, her expression suspicious. Her clothing had been wet and spotted with blood, and the green scrubs they’d given her to wear were too big. She tugged at one pant leg as she strode into the room. She handed Brett a soft drink and a straw. “Don’t say anything,” she said.

  Brett laughed.

  Agent Scott scowled then continued. “You and Armstrong have been cleared of the murder allegations. A Captain Frank Morrow has sent photo identification to us of the boy. He and thirty-two others were rescued from a training camp. Al-Qaeda forces kidnapped them off the street, just as you told us, and attempted to train them as terrorists. Seven of the eight al- Qaeda operatives died during the raid on the complex.”

  “Yes!” Thank God. The relief was unbelievable. He might actually get his life back.

  “Your father was being held there at the complex, Miss Kelly. He’s being treated for his injuries. We weren’t told specifically what they were, but none of them was life threatening.”

  Brett laughed at Tess’s soft squeak of joy. But her smile was something special. And when the tears started, he tugged at her shirt until she bent down for him to give her a hug.

  “He’s okay, Brett,” she repeated, her eyes tear-glazed with joy and relief. She kissed him.

  “I knew he would be. He’s as tough as you are.”

  She laughed. That did more for him than all the pain pills in the hospital.

  “We know what happened at the house,” Wright said bringing them back to the reason for their visit. “Look, Ensign Weaver.” He rubbed a hand over his forehead. “We got off on the wrong foot. We were told to investigate a situation and we did. And you have to admit, the boy not being seen at the house after you dropped him off looked pretty suspicious.”

  “Had anything happened to the kid on our watch, Agent Wright, we would have reported it. The guys covering us would have reported it. We aren’t murderers. We’re peacekeepers. We’re there to protect the innocent and take down the bad guys.”

  “Noted,” Scott said, and shot his partner a look. He pulled a notebook from his inside jacket pocket and flipped it open.

  “Mrs. Jackson is being treated for shock, but she’s been able to tell us a few things,” Scott said. “We’d like for you to confirm them for us.”

  “How are Captain Jackson and the baby?” Brett asked. He popped the top on the soft drink, stuck in the straw and took a long pull.

  “He’ll have to have some reconstructive surgeries to his cheekbone and nose. He’s suffering from a concussion and they’ve checked him for internal bleeding. He took a hell of a beating. It’s going to take him some time to come back, but he’ll make it. The baby is being monitored for pneumonia, but they think he’ll be okay. He has a rare birth defect and will always have some issues.”

  Brett squeezed Tess’s hand. She’d saved a life. His girl had saved a child. And come back into a house invaded with terrorists to save him. And they’d all survived to tell about it. It didn’t get much better than that.

  “We’ve shared more information with you than we should, Ensign. We’d like some quid pro quo. We need you to confirm what happened inside the house,” Scott pushed.

  They had been downright talkative. And they’d brought some really good news to Tess and to him. “I’m listening.”

  “We know that Captain Jackson called you repeatedly while you were in flight from Washington, D.C.”

  “Yeah. When I turned on my phone, there were several calls from him and voice mails. When I called him back, he said he needed to speak with me about my change of orders and asked me to come by the house.”

  “They were holding a gun to Mrs. Jackson’s head at the time of that call,” Scott offered.

  “Jesus.” If even a fraction of what he’d guessed about the situation was true—

  “When you arrived at the house, Mrs. Jackson answered the door. What made you aware there was a situation?” Agent Scott asked.

  “She used a hand signal. I thought at first that it was just a nervous gesture. She looked upset, as though she’d been crying. But when she repeated the signal, I knew there was a hostage situation going down.”

  “Miss Kelly was with you at the door.”

  “Yeah. I sent her on a bogus errand to get her the hell out of there.”

  “We’ve found the rental car you were driving with the note, your phone and possessions, Miss Kelly. We know you dialed 911, talked to the operator, then hung up.”

  “Yes. I heard shots. I had to go back to the house. I had to know what was happening to Brett. He’d gone into the house unarmed.”

  “We know you took out the first terrorist at the door, Ensign. Broke his nose, crushed his trachea, and dislocated his index finger.”

  “You left out the part where he tried to shoot me in the head and got the door, then tried to shoot me again and killed the TV.”

  “You took out the second terrorist at the French doors with the gun you took from the first one.”

  “After he got off two rounds through the door and nearly hit Mrs. Jackson and me.”

  “Then you put down the gun and walked outside to face the other man.”

  “He had a gun to the baby’s head.”

  “You could have left then, Ensign, escaped.”

  Anger surged through Brett, and the soft drink can popped when his grip tightened around it. “Fuck you. I wasn’t walking off and leaving three defenseless people alone with an armed asshole.”

  Scott and Wright exchanged a glance.

  “You didn’t have a weapon?”

  “No.”

  “Where did the Sig come from?”

  “I brought it with me from the car. Brett had left it there when he went into the house,” Tess said.

  “It isn’t very polite to enter your commanding officer’s house armed,” Brett said with a shrug. He ran his hand down her arm. “We really have to hit the target range, babe. If you’re going to go around rescuing me, you’ve got to learn to shoot.”

  “I’m hoping this is the last time I ever have to do anything like that, Brett. I was terrified.” Color leached from her face just talking about it.

  Brett tugged her down next to him on the bed and put an arm around her.

  “He dropped the baby in the pool,” Edwards persisted.

  “Yeah. And Mrs. Jackson jumped into the water to save him. The fucker tracked her with his gun all the way. I was too far away to reach him in time. I knew he’d shoot her. If the Captain hadn’t shoved his chair back and knocked the tango off balance, he’d have killed her.” Brett drew a deep breath and ran a hand over his head. “I thought Jackson was
dead. He looked pretty messed up. I’m glad he’s going to make it.” Despite their differences, he wouldn’t have wished any of this on him.

  “We found the gun at the bottom of the pool.”

  “After I knocked the asshole into the water, he hit me in the head with it and I nearly blacked out.” He pointed to the knot at his temple already beginning to bruise. He almost made it back out of the pool to go after all of us again, and I dragged him back in, and I held onto him until … ” He chose his words carefully, “he was no longer a threat.”

  Edwards shut his notebook and returned it to his pocket. “The forensic evidence will substantiate everything you’ve told , and Mrs. Jackson has made a corroborating statement. There will be no charges brought against you on this matter or any other, Ensign Weaver. You have my word.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’ll need to come down to the office and sign a formal report.”

  “Okay.”

  “The FBI has found the apartment the terrorists were living in and they’ve confiscated several computers, phones, and other evidence. From what I’ve heard through them, they think the rest of the men are on the run, looking for a way out of the country. So for now I think you and your family are pretty safe. It may take some time, but between the different agencies on this case, they’ll be apprehended.”

  “Good. Thanks for letting us know.”

  The two Agents approached the bed, and first one, then the other, offered his hand and Brett shook them. “I’m glad things worked out for you, Ensign,” Agent Wright said.

  “Thanks.” Glad didn’t say the half of it for him. “Who was the guy?” Brett asked as they reached the door. “He was the same dude who shot me at the beach.”

  Wright turned to look over his shoulder. “His name was Tabarek Moussa. His brother was killed in the building you destroyed in Iraq during your last mission.”

  “Well, how did he get my name?”

  “We don’t know yet, but we will.” Wright promised.

  After the two left the room, Brett set aside the soft drink on the hospital table and scooted over to make room for Tess. “Come lie with me.”

  “The nurse will have a fit if she comes in and I’m in bed with you,” Tess protested, though she slid beneath the covers and pressed against his side. It was a tight fit, but that made it even better.

  “Darlin’ if there was a lock on that door over there, we’d be doing more than just lying here together.”

  “You’re in no shape for any added exercise. The doctor said you might have a concussion.” She nestled in closer.

  “Your coming back to the house today was a dangerous thing to do, Tess,” Brett said.

  “I know.”

  He turned on his side so they could lie face to face and he could see her expression. “I don’t think you’d have done that for just anyone. So, I suppose that means you like me pretty well.”

  Her brown gaze scanned his face and she touched his cheek, her fingers gentle.

  “You think you’ll ever be able to tell me straight up how you feel?”

  Her throat worked as she swallowed. “I love you, Brett. I think I fell in love with you when you danced with me at the barbecue.”

  Thank you, Jesus!

  Hearing her say it was the sweetest moment of his life. Brett moved in and kissed her. And for a moment they were lost in the response of lips and tongues and heated bodies. The need to be closer ran through him like a torrent. But damn the room had been like a revolving door for doctors, nurses, and cops. He drew back to rest his forehead against hers. “If we were somewhere private—”

  “I know.” She laughed.

  “I had my eye on you from the moment you walked down the aisle between the tables during my speech at the Del. Your dress flipped up and I thought, if I could get a closer look at those legs, all that discomfort I was feeling would be worth it.”

  “And you did.”

  “Yeah, and I loved every moment of it. And I love you, Tess.”

  “I can feel it,” she said, placing her hand over his heart.

  Brett grinned. “You better believe it.”

  ***

  Zoe curled on her side in the hospital bed and studied the ultrasound picture. This was her baby, their baby. She traced the shape of the baby’s head with her finger, so much bigger than the rest. But she could see the line of its tiny body, its little bottom and its hands and feet.

  She wanted Hawk to be here with her so much her chest ached with it. But he couldn’t. She’d save this picture for him to see later.

  The door opened and Brett stuck his head in. “Hey, Sis. You all right?” he asked. Zoe smiled as he sauntered into the room, dressed in a hospital gown and pajama pants. Bet he loved that. He drew Tess into the room and approached the bed.

  “I’m fine. They just wanted to keep me overnight for observation and I think the FBI felt better about me being here than at home alone,” she said.

  “Same here.” He nodded.

  “How’s your side?” Zoe asked.

  “Stapled this time. It looks pretty wicked. I think they put in about ten.”

  “Agent Wright and Scott just left a few minutes ago. They seemed to have had an attitude adjustment concerning you. They didn’t say exactly what it was you did. Maybe you can share it later. And they told me about your dad, Tess. Wonderful news.”

  “Yes it is.” Tess fairly glowed with happiness. Zoe’s eyed her brother for a moment.

  “I called Mom and told her we were both okay, just in case she watched the news tonight.”

  “I did, too.”

  Brett clasped her hand. “It’s over, Zoe.”

  She squeezed his fingers. “I’m so relieved. I just want our lives to go back to being as normal as possible.” But what would normal be until Hawk came home. She couldn’t share the news about the baby with him, not right now. But she could share it with her brother. “Look at what I have,” she said.

  He took the piece of paper from her and turned it several ways, studying it. The moment he realized what it was, his lips parted and he jerked in her direction. “You’re—”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Does Hawk know?” he demanded.

  “No, he doesn’t. And he’s not going to until he’s right here where I can tell him in person.”

  “You can’t keep this from him, Zoe. You have to tell him. Right away. I mean—” An expression of outrage crossed his face. “He knocked you up, and he’s damn well going to marry you, or I’m going to kick his ass.”

  Tess laughed, and though she tried not to, Zoe joined her.

  “It’s not funny,” he said, a scowl working its way across his features.

  “Hawk and I will get married when we want to,” Zoe said. “Not when you decide we have to. Now, quit playing the outraged brother and listen.” She pushed a button on her phone and played the recording for him. The waha-waha sound she’d recorded on her phone wasn’t loud, but the heartbeat, fast and strong, was easy to pick out.

  Brett lowered himself to the side of her bed. “Oh, man.”

  The surprise and wonder on his face brought a smile to Zoe’s lips, but tears blurred her vision, too. Hawk was going to miss all of this.

  Brett put his arm around her and gave her a gentle squeeze.

  “I’m going to save pictures and sounds of every moment for him, until he comes home.”

  The phone rang. She blinked hard to clear her vision and frowned as she looked at the screen. She hit the button to answer the call.

  ‘Hello, sweetheart. How you doing?” He sounded like he was inside a tunnel, but it was Hawk.

  Bittersweet tears slid down Zoe’s cheeks. She brushed them away with the corner of the sheet. “I was just wishing I could hear your voice.”

  Tess tugged Brett up from his seat and pulled him toward the door.

  “I meant what I said, Zo. I’ll kick his—” Brett said, but the door closed behind him cutting him off.

  “Who was t
hat?” Hawk asked.

  “It was Brett. He and Tess just left.”

  “I love you, Zoe. I miss you so much.”

  “I love you, Adam Hawk Yazzie,” she answered.

  He filled her in on some of the things he’d been doing. How the team was. And entertained her with some of the humorous things that went on in the block dormitory where they slept. If they slept. She could tell he tried to put a positive spin on everything so she wouldn’t worry.

  When it came her turn to share she said, “The FBI says they’ve tracked the terrorists, and they’re on the run and possibly trying to leave the country. So, we’re safe now.”

  “Good, I’m relieved. I didn’t want to leave you unprotected.”

  “Norm has been looking out for me.”

  “He hasn’t been putting the move on you, has he?”

  “Every morning. But there’s nothing for you to worry about. He doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  Though her throat was filled with emotion, Zoe answered, “Always.”

  Five and a half months later.

  EPILOGUE

  The C-17’s engines vibrated beneath his feet, the sound dulled by his earplugs. They’d been packed into the aircraft like sardines for hours, but the discomfort meant nothing to him. They were almost home. Hawk’s throat worked as he swallowed. He clenched his hands to still their nervous tremor. Jesus, how long had it been since he’d felt that? His heart was pumping a mile a minute and his palms were sweating. It had been a long six months, but it was behind them. And he was going to see his girl.

  Hawk gestured to Greenback as he wandered by. Greenback pulled out one of his earplugs and Hawk did the same. “Who won the pot?” Hawk asked.

  “Lang, but I think he had an inside edge because Zoe talks to Trish all the time, and Lang talks to Trish. We all think he needs to forfeit the pot and hand it over to the rest of us.”

  Hawk laughed. It hadn’t taken the men long to figure out he hadn’t known about the baby. He suspected Lang might have been the one to spread the word. He also probably set up the pot hinging on when Zoe would break down and tell him. Every man in the platoon had picked a date when they thought she might cave. Some had picked several to hedge their bets. Greenback had been the man chosen to keep the pot.