So far, this mission has been a bust. After reporting back to Commander Hurt, he and Knight have decided we’re giving it one more day before heading back stateside. Not sure if the intel’s bad or our target has gotten wind that we’re on their tail, we’re unable to locate them. Unwilling to waste further time and resources, the commander’s decided to gather more intel before we attempt another raid.
The only thing keeping me sane are thoughts of Agatha and home. I can’t wait to get back to her. The sex is undeniably good, but it’s more than that. She settles something inside me. I’m calmer around her, and the world seems so much brighter to my jaded senses because of her.
My career has always meant everything to me. The downside of it, though, is that we get to see the worst of humanity, and it makes a man cynical. We view the world through that jaded lens. But when I’m with her, she helps me to see it all so differently. She’s become my drug of choice that helps me to be a better man.
That she accepts me, flaws and all, and this crazy-ass career I’ve chosen speaks to the kind of woman she is, her beautiful heart. I love that she’s the kind of person I could count on to be there for me, no matter how long I’m gone. That she’s willing to ride the wave of uncertainty and unpredictability that deployment brings.
That she’s not some young girl looking chasing the thrill of bedding a SEAL, but not willing to stick around when it’s crunch time, appeals to me. I appreciate that she’s a mature, independent woman who want’s to be withmeand not just theideaof me. I miss her, stuck in this godforsaken rainforest.
For the first time, ever, I find my focus split – not a good thing when lives depend on you. Thank God for my teammates, my brothers, having my back and keeping my head in the game.
Bear drops down beside me, pulling me from my mental whining. “Looks like some heavy thoughts going in that head of yours. Everything okay?”
“Just had enough of this shithole, you know? I’m so ready to get back home, to enjoy being dry, a cold beer, and my girl – though not necessarily in that order.”
“I feel you, brother. Man, I’m sick of being wet all the time. This chafing’s a bitch.”
Taking a seat next to Bear, Knight grins. “You two sound like cranky old men.”
“Mainly because we feel like cranky old men,” I rejoin.
With a full laugh this time, he elbow-bumps Bear. “Where’s your protective cream?”
“Done. Finished. Used up. They don’t make those tubs big enough for gigantors like me.”
This time Knight nods. “Grab two next time.”
Bear lets out an almighty groan. “For the love of all that is holy, please don’t make me come back here anytime soon. Just shoot me now and put me out of my misery.”
By this stage, the rest of the team has joined us. Checking my watch, I see we have a couple more minutes to catch our breath and rehydrate before we need to move on.
“Hey, how’s that girl of yours, Lucky? When do we get to finally meet her properly?” Dutch asks.
“I’m trying to ease her into this, and the last thing I want is to introduce her to you bunch of reprobates,” I tease him.
He chucks a tiny stone at me. “Asshole. Now I’mreallygonna tell her all the crap you’ve gotten up to.”
We joke back and forth a bit more, then suddenly Digit holds up a hand for silence. He reaches into a pocket of his pants and hauls out the satellite phone he mans on our missions, listens intently, asks a question, then listens some more. “To confirm, we’ll rendezvous at the collection site in one hour.” He listens again, then, “Roger that, sir.”
Stowing the device back in his pocket, he gets to his feet. “New orders, gents. We’re being sent to respond to a hostage situation since we’re the closest team and not a whole hell of a lot of anything is happening here. So, saddle up and let’s ride.”
A muted shout of joy goes up as one. The news that we get to leave this hellhole is well received and, with renewed enthusiasm, we line up single file and get the hell out of Dodge.
Out of breath due to how difficult it is to breathe in the humidity and dripping with sweat you couldn’t distinguish from the moisture in the air if we paid you, we’re still in high spirits by the time we reach the pre-arranged rendezvous point.
No sight of our transport yet, we take cover, checking carefully for danger of the nonhuman variety that abouts in the overgrowth. Barely any time at all passes before we hear that distinctwhop-whop-whopof rotary blades, and a helicopter quickly comes into view.
Holding position as the bird gets herself situated, we wait for Knight to give us the signal to climb aboard. Within minutes we’re all loaded and, once again, on the move. Digit contacts the commander to let him know we’re boots up. His eyes seek me out, and everything in me tightens at the look on his face.
Whatever he’s hearing can’t be anything good, and since his gaze is locked on mine, I can only imagine I feature in the conversation somehow. Ever the observant one, Knight notices the strange vibe that now fills the helicopter and frowns.
What’s the issue?he mouths.
All I can do is shrug and wait as patiently as possible for Digit to be done with his call. What seems like eons later, he eventually says goodbye to the commander and puts the satellite phone away. Clears his throat. Fidgets with his watch.
“For the love of God, man, spit it out. Whatever it is can’t be worse than the worry that’s currently coursing through me,” I all but yell at Digit.
He gives Knight a brief look, clears his throat again, and asks, “So remind me again where Agatha said she was going for her writing retreat?”
