Breaking Through (Book 2 of the SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers) (36 page)

Jackson readjusted a stack of files on his desk. “There has been some discussion about your team doing an early deployment.” His focus shifted to Hawk’s face. “It would make things more difficult for the Justice Department to prosecute a team of heroes serving their country down range, rather than cycling through training rotations.”

Did that mean an indictment was inevitable? The thought punched the breath from Hawk’s lungs, and a wave of nausea hit him. Zoe. What about Zoe? Oh, Jesus. Three weeks had seemed like an eternity. A six-month deployment would be forever. But if he was convicted and sent to the federal pen—

“Admiral Cane is aware that you just got back from a tough seven-month deployment.” Jackson continued.

It was his fault they were even scrutinized. Why hadn’t he tried to take Derrick down himself? Because he’d been focused on saving all three hostages, Brett, Zoe, and Melanie, Derrick’s girlfriend. The chances that one or more might have been hurt or killed had been too high. “You could transfer me to another team and deploy just me. The rest of the team could remain home.”

Jackson studied him for a long moment. “You’d be willing to take responsibility for everything that went down at the house?”

“We saved three lives, sir. I truly believe we had no other choice.” A knot the size of a baseball lodged in his throat, and his breathing grew constricted as a band of emotion tightened around his chest. “They’re my men. They came because I asked it of them.”

Jackson’s eyes fell to the stack of papers again, and he remained silent for a long moment. He cleared his throat. “There were five SEALs in your home when you took Ensign Armstrong down. And though it’s admirable—damn admirable—for you to take sole responsibility, there would be no guarantee the others would be cleared, despite your sacrifice. If it happens, it’ll be all or none, Hawk.”

Hawk nodded. “The whole platoon, sir?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Two weeks possibly.”

It’s too damn soon.
Jesus. I’m going to pay for this in every way.

***

Tess paced the floor and glared at the cell phone. Ian was late calling her. Every time this happened, her anxiety level spiked. A knot spiraled in her stomach and pushed against the confines of her rib cage. Though she was grateful for the place to stay, Eva’s living room, as small as it was, seemed to grow tinier as her focus narrowed on the phone. She dragged in a breath and continued to pace from the leather couch that took up most of the room to the breakfast bar that separated the living room from the miniscule kitchen.

When the William Tell Overture began to play thirty minutes later, every muscle in her body relaxed at once and she hiked herself up on one of the bar stools, her legs shaky. “Hello.”

“We’ve discovered something else,” Ian said from the other end of the line, the connection made sporadic by static. “There’s someone else following our investigation. I think it might be the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.” The connection cleared and his voice sounded more natural. “We went to see Captain Morrow yesterday, and he wasn’t surprised by what we’ve uncovered. He was receptive to the info and he’s going to follow up. He’s also pretty much promised to keep me apprised of any developments.”

“That’s great Dad.”

“We spoke to Sanjay’s parents. They’re hiding something, Tess. I can smell it. I think they know something they’re not sharing. I had my doubts about Brett’s innocence when I first started, but not anymore. This kid was snatched off the street. I know it. I just can’t find anyone to collaborate it. We’re going to question one of Sanjay’s friends today.”

“It sounds as though you’re making good progress.”

“So far. How’s Brett?” Ian asked.

“He was released from the hospital this morning and has settled into a hotel. One of his team members is picking me up and taking me to the hotel to see him.” She eyed the suitcase she’d packed. Her heart raced just thinking about it, and a jittery feeling of nervous excitement tap-danced along her nerve endings.

“If someone leaked info, Tess, it wasn’t us. His name has never come up in our questioning of the people here.”

“I know that, Ian.”

“If terrorists are after him, that means someone here fed some very bad people his name and location. It might be better if you stayed away from him.”

Tess drew in a deep breath. “I can’t do that.”

He remained silent for a moment, then swore under his breath.

Tess rested her head in her hand. Tears blurred her eyes. “I never expected to fall in love with someone who trots the globe like you do. I swore it would never happen. I tried to keep my distance. Tried to think of him as just a source. But I couldn’t.”

“He’d better love you. And he’d better not let anything happen to you. I’ll be on his ass for the rest of his days.”

The tears that had threatened streamed down her cheeks. That was the closest he’d ever come to saying I love you. “I’ll be fine, Dad. Brett won’t allow anything happen to me. That’s why he’s sending his friend to pick me up. You need to be careful, too.”

“I will. I’ll call again tomorrow.”

“I love you.” There she’d said it.

He remained silent for a beat then two. “It’s hard for me, Tess.”

“I know.” They were so alike in that way.

His tone grew husky. “I know I’ve been a disappointment to you.”

“Not always.”

He loosed one bark of amusement. “Thank you for that. You’ve never been a disappointment to me.”

The connection broke. Tess shook her head, but a smile blossomed.

***

Brett shook his head. “So headquarters is going to allow politics to dictate when they deploy us—you.” In all the time he’d known Hawk Yazzie, he’d never seen him this agitated. 

“Yeah, they don’t really have a choice. Remember when you said you felt like you had a target painted between your shoulder blades? Well, I’ve got that itch between mine right now. Jackson as good as said they were close to indicting us for taking Derrick down.”

“If I ever see Derrick Armstrong again I’m going to beat the crap out of him.” Brett shook his head as rage forced heat into his face. The hard thump of his heartbeat filled his ears.

“I’ll help.” Hawk said. “I need a favor.”

“Anything,” Brett said without pause.

“Do you think Tess could do some more research on Welch and his crew?”

“Sure.”

“We need to find out why Welch has a hard-on for us, Cutter. Jackson said someone was putting pressure on from on high and it was coming from the Senate Arms Committee.”

“Okay. Tess is great at research. You’ve read her articles. And I’ve told you about everything she ferreted out about Welch and his buddies. Doc’s bringing her over in a few minutes.”

The seriousness of Hawk’s expression ratcheted up his own tension. His stomach muscles tensed. The pain reminded him to relax, but it was easier said than done.

Hawk’s hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. “I know I don’t have to ask this, but I need you to look after Zoe for me.”

“Done. No one’s going to fuck with her on my watch.”

Hawk tipped his head. “There’s a chance that even getting sent to the sandbox won’t keep the indictment from coming down.” He swallowed and the struggle to maintain his composure was evident in his labored breathing. “I want to pop the question, Cutter. I want to be with her for the rest of my life. But if I go to prison—I can’t ask her to wait for me. I can’t ask her to marry a felon. That will follow me for the rest of my life, and she deserves better than that.”

Why was all this happening?
“First, these bullshit charges are going to go away, Hawk. And second, it’s already too late. Zoe would have never let you lay a hand on her if it wasn’t the real deal for her. She won’t give up. She doesn’t know how, any more than you do.”

“I can’t ask her until I’m sure I have a future to share with her, Cutter.”

Brett understood that. But Zoe wouldn’t. She wouldn’t give a damn about anything but Hawk. She’d done hard before and she’d just look it as another obstacle to overcome. “I’ll look after her.” But she’d still be heartbroken and he’d be useless to help with that.
Fuck.

Hawk nodded “I know you wish you were going with us.”

Brett forced a grin. “Why would you think I’d want to eat MREs and sand for six months, not to mention dodging bullets, and going days without sleep?”

Hawk smiled for the first time. “You’re right. You’d be crazy to want to do that.”

I’d give my right nut to be going with them.
His gaze locked with Hawk’s. “There’s worse things than crazy.”

 Hawk nodded. “I have to go. We need that intel ASAP. Once you find some connections, maybe I can find some on my end. Right now all I have are the missions we covered on our last deployment.”

“I have my laptop here. Since I can’t do anything else, I’ll help Tess.”

Hawk slapped his back.

Brett suppressed a flinch. Damn he was sore. “I’ll call you as soon as we find something.”

Hawk nodded. “Do you have backup? Your personality might not be strong enough to keep the bad guys away. ”

“You’re off your game. That insult was subpar for you. I have a nine mil in the dresser drawer.”

“You have a permit to carry?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, start carrying it. It’s not going to do you any good out of reach.”

Brett nodded and moved from the sitting room section of the room to the bedroom, the areas divided by a thin decorative panel that ran from floor to ceiling. He opened the dresser drawer and retrieved the Sig Sauer. He checked that it was loaded.

Hawk’s gray gaze sharpened as soon as he returned. “That isn’t your service weapon?”

“No, L.T. It’s a registered backup.” Brett checked through the peephole before opening the door. He looked down the hall in both directions. Nothing. “Go home and wait for Zoe. You need to be with her, Hawk. And I wouldn’t tell her tonight. Let the dust settle. This deployment may not happen.”
He hoped.
Because his sister was going to be devastated, though she’d try to act the good little military girlfriend. She’d be supportive and true. But while he’d been recovering from the head injury, he’d seen her wander the house and grieve when they’d gone wheels up before. Hawk loved the job, loved being a SEAL as much as he did. But it was always going to be an issue for Zoe. And the way Hawk was so twisted up about it, it was going to be hard for him, too.

He grabbed Hawk’s arm when he started to leave. “Tess and I will find something. There has to be some reason why they keep coming back to our team.”

“I’ll work on my end until Zoe gets home. And call if I find anything.” Hawk strode down the hall to the elevator, a man on a mission.

Fifteen minutes had passed when a tap came on the door. Brett picked up the pistol and headed for the door, his gate slightly stiff. He suppressed the urge to put his hand over his side. He had to quit doing that. Tess would be afraid to touch him and he sure as shit didn’t want that. His heart revved like a Humvee with a stuck gas pedal. And his breathing was uneven. If he had anything to do with it, they were going to make love
tonight.

With everything going down, he needed to feel connected to her, physically, emotionally. The way she’d held him and comforted him in her apartment kept springing to mind. He’d never needed that before. He’d always been the one to offer support, comfort, whatever was needed. To know he needed it, and that she would offer …

But what do I have to offer her?
One thing came to mind but his thoughts veered away. He wasn’t ready for that yet. With all the trust issues they’d had up until now—And they hadn’t even slept together yet.

After looking through the peephole, he opened the door to Tess and Doc. Doc motioned Tess into the room, then set a suitcase down just inside the door.

Tess wore a silk shell and a wraparound skirt that flowed around her long legs. Her auburn hair hung just past her shoulders, dark against her pale skin.

Aware of Tess’s innate reserve, Brett controlled the urge to kiss her senseless, despite Doc’s presence, and brushed her cheek with his lips instead. His hand wandered down her back to bring her in close enough that she could feel how glad he was to see her. Her cheeks flushed pink and her soft “hey” had him grinning like a fool, he was sure. The constant interruption of medical personnel and family at the hospital had held him in check. He didn’t think he’d have so much control when they were alone.

When he released her and turned his attention to Doc, the guy had a knowing grin plastered on his face and there was suppressed laughter in his Irish green eyes. “I can’t stick around. I have things to do at the base. We weren’t followed, I made sure of that.”

“Good. Thanks, Doc.”

“I rented a car. I thought they might look for mine,” Tess said and actually put her arm around him and pressed close to his side.

Brett looped an arm around her and gave her a squeeze “Good idea.”

“Hawk fill you in?” Doc asked.

Brett tipped his head. This fucking terrorist bullshit sucked for them all. Especially now with deployment hanging over their heads. He was reasonably sure his family was covered. But what about Langley Marks’ wife, Trish, and the kids? And what about Greenback’s wife, Selena, and the new baby? “Is everybody okay?”

“Greenback’s wife and baby are spending some time with her family. And Lang’s taken Trish and the kids on a before-school-starts R and R close by. The rest of us are on alert.”

“Good.” He drew a deep breath of relief.

Doc pointed a finger at him. “Get fit so you can get back to the team.”

“Bank on it, Doc.” They bumped knuckles.

“Thank you for bringing me over,” Tess said

“No problem, Legs.”

She shook her head at Doc, though a small smile peeked out.

“Call if you need anything.” Doc said in parting and left.

Brett secured the door behind him and pivoted to face Tess. The words “let’s get naked,” perched on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them. He’d once promised himself that he’d romance Tess, and thus far he’d really sucked at it.