Breaking Through (Book 2 of the SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers) (7 page)

He turned to face Evan. He looked frail, ill. If the disease was raging through his system he’d only grow weaker. Their time might be too short to peel the bandage off slowly. He’d waited twenty years for Evan to allow him into his life.

“I don’t suppose you remember any of it. You were only eight. Your mother waited until I was in a war zone to file for the divorce and sole custody.”
She was dating Carl before I deployed. Something I didn’t know until I got back nearly a year later.
“She and Carl were married a week after the divorce became final. I was still in Iraq.”

“The court system didn’t care about my military status or the legitimate reasons behind my absences. They awarded her sole custody, but gave me visitation rights. When I returned home, I filed for more frequent visitation, and she played the military card. My household wasn’t a stable environment. I was an absentee father. There were guns in the house, and she was worried about supervision. And then she tried to get me to sign over my parental rights so Carl could adopt you.”
When I refused, she launched her campaign to undermine my rights any way she could and to keep me from seeing you.
He looked into Evan’s pale features. “And she had the best legal advice money could buy, her own husband.”

“But you never relinquished your rights.”

“No. I’d have never done it. You’re my
son.”
His voice cracked on the last word. He glanced at his watch to cover the loss of control. “I have a meeting at the hospital. I won’t be long. I’ll be off for the next few days. We’ll have plenty of time to talk.”

Evan drew the ice tea glass closer and cradled it between his hands. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”

“Your mother has always been important to you, Evan. I didn’t want you caught between us, then or later. By the time you started college—”
I’d lost you.
“A pattern had been set, and … you didn’t seem interested in changing it.”

“Is there any proof?”

Russell flinched, then ground his teeth. Was it the lawyer in him coming through? Or was he truly his mother’s son in every way?

Russell strode from the kitchen, turned left down the hall to the master bedroom, and went to the closet. From a shelf above the clothes bar, he dragged a cardboard box down and laid it on the dresser. He removed the lid and withdrew a thick file bound together by brittle rubber bands. The faded pages represented more pain than anything else he’d ever experienced. The dissolution of his family, and the loss of his child. Tears shoved a knot the size of a soft ball into his throat.

It was indisputable proof that every word he’d spoken was true.

Was Evan strong enough to handle it?

Evan shuffled through the door.

Too late to back down now.
Russell stepped forward and extended the file. “Here’s your proof.”

CHAPTER 6

Where was Brett? He was supposed to be back hours ago. Typical man. None of them had any sense of time.

Zoe eyed her mother as she poured a cup of coffee in Brett’s small kitchen. The aroma of the casserole she’d prepared permeated the room. Instead of enticing her, the smell made her nauseous. Was this the beginning of morning sickness?

“So, is there any news you want to share with me?” Clara asked as they sat down at a kitchen table barely big enough for four.

Had she sensed something? Or was it the marriage thing again? “I think my interview went very well this morning. They said I should hear back by the end of the week.”

“Good. How are things with Hawk?”

“He’s wonderful. He hasn’t gotten his orders yet, but the team is training again. They never truly stop. He thinks they’ll be going to Afghanistan next. He’s filling in for one of the instructors today whose little boy is sick.”

“He’s a gem, Zoe.”

“Yeah, he is.” She met her mother’s gaze. “I love him so much, Mom.”

Clara smiled. “I’d have never guessed. What’s up with your brother?”

“He’s started getting in shape again. He’s running and swimming. And he’s taking a language class, one of the Afghan dialects.”

“But?”

“I think he’s having trouble with someone at work.”

Her mother’s features settled into a frown. “Do you know who it might be?”

“He doesn’t say much about what happens on post. None of them do.” Zoe drew a deep breath. “I guess that’s a good thing. I’d worry more if I knew everything they did.” An instant memory flashed through her mind of Hawk, his cheek swollen and his eyes enflamed, after being hit in the face by a Simunitions round. It could have been so much worse.

Though her stomach roiled, she cleared her throat and continued. “If I had to hazard a guess, it would be his commanding officer. He’s been dragging his feet about assigning Brett to duty.”

“But you just said a minute ago that he gave him an assignment.”

“A public speaking engagement in front of two hundred women.”

“Oh—” the word came out in a whoosh of air. Her expression grew fierce. “
That asshole!”

Zoe laughed. “That was my take on the whole thing, too. I texted Brett right after my interview. He said everything went fine.” Her eyes strayed to the clock. “That was two hours ago.”

“He’ll be here in a minute. And what about Hawk? Will he be joining us for a meal?”

“Yes, he will. But he may be a little late.”

“I’m anxious to see him.” Clara grew quiet a moment. “I saw Dr. Connelly at the airport.”

Instant interest had Zoe’s brows rising. “Oh, how was he?”

“He looked fine. A little tired. He was picking up his son.” She cupped the tea in her hands as though warming them.

Zoe took a sip from her cup. “I didn’t know he had a son. I knew he was divorced. All the nurses would primp a little before he came on the floor. Even the younger ones. He’s older, but still a hunk.”

When Clara’s cheeks grew pink, Zoe studied her.

He’s very ill. The son, not Dr. Connelly. He looked so frail, so thin.” Clara reached out to lay a hand over Zoe’s. “I mentioned we’d have them for supper one evening. Would it be all right with Hawk if we invited them to his house instead of here?”

“You know it will, Mom. And you know you can come stay with us whenever you like. We have extra bedrooms.”

“I want to spend some time with Brett first. I haven’t really been able to since he got out of the hospital. I hope he doesn’t feel as though I didn’t want to be here for him.” A worried frown creased Clara’s brow.

“Of course he doesn’t, Mom. He knows Sharon needed you more urgently than he did. And Hawk and I were here for him. All you could have done was sit by his bedside, like I did, and wait for him to wake up.”

“Has Derrick Armstrong confessed why he tried to kill Brett?”

“Derrick’s denying he ever tried to hurt him.”

“But he admitted it in front of you, Brett and Marjorie.”

“He’s backpedaling on it now.” And the statement he’d murmured while holding a gun to Brett’s head had been too ambiguous to prove.
Damn him. “
I haven’t seen Marjorie since he attacked her. I think she’s gone back to live closer to her parents.”

“But she’ll return for the trial?”

“I don’t know, Mom. I’m sure she’ll have to testify. She’s the one Derrick was after that day. I think he’d have killed her. He’s unbalanced.”

“Every time I think of Derrick leaving Brett in that building unconscious, and of Hawk going in and rescuing him—” She reached for Zoe’s hand. “Had Hawk been any less the man than he is … ” Obviously close to tears, she shook her head.

Zoe gave Clara’s hand a squeeze. “But Hawk is who he is, and Brett’s fine now. If he can survive getting up in front of two hundred women and talking about what he does, he’s good. He’s been training on his own. And just waiting to be released to return to full duty.”

“If he isn’t able to do that …” Clara began.

Being a SEAL was all he’d ever wanted. He’d move on. But he’d never truly bounce back. Zoe shoved the thoughts away. “As Hawk says, he’s done hard before, and it wouldn’t mean as much if it came easy. His speech glitch is getting better all the time. He’s going to be just fine.”

At the sound of the apartment door opening, she caught back a sigh. She didn’t wish for Brett to be on the hot seat with their mother, but seeing him would set Clara’s mind at ease. Clara rose and Zoe followed. Dressed in his summer whites, Brett wore the uniform as though he’d been born to it. The grim set to his features kicked Zoe’s heart into an anxious gallop. Something had happened.

His eyes homed in on Clara, and a genuine smile flashed across his face. “Mom.” He pulled her in close and gave her a fierce hug.

Clara buried her face in his chest and gave him a squeeze.

He kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re here, Mom.”

Zoe frowned. What was it she heard in his voice? Stress and what else?

“You’ve done something to your hair,” he said, with a frown.

“Just a few highlights, nothing drastic.” Clara pulled back to look up at him and touch his cheek. “You look good. Strong.”

“My hair’s growing back.” Brett grinned and rubbed his hand over his hair so it bristled up.

“I can see that.” Her brows rose. “Your new assignment?”

“I filled in for a public information officer today. I’m buying him a beer as soon as he’s out of the hospital.”

“That bad huh?”

“I’d rather have my nose hairs pulled out one at a time.”

Zoe laughed. “Makes my eyes water just thinking about it. You said it went all right.”

“Yeah, it did. But it’s not something I’d want to do all the time.”

“Out of two hundred women, did you meet anyone interesting?” Clara asked.

A slow grin worked across his lips. “Yeah. Got her number, too.” He patted his pocket. Let me get out of this monkey suit and we’ll eat. Something smells good, and I’m hungry.” He sauntered into the bedroom and closed the door.

Zoe frowned at his quick escape. Something was definitely wrong.

***

Brett closed the bedroom door. He closed his eyes and for several moments breathed in and out slowly to relax the tension.

As much as he’d looked forward to seeing her, his mother couldn’t have picked a worse time to visit. Shit was going to hit the fan. He could feel it. And he was going to be trapped in the middle of it.

He removed the card Tess Kelly had tucked inside his shirt pocket and studied it.  If he could get one member of the press on his side …. But how was he supposed to do that and not divulge any military secrets? As far as the mission went, he was safe. He couldn’t remember shit about it, so that wouldn’t be a problem.

But the investigation into the Iraqi kid would be something Tess Kelly would want to sink her teeth into.

Agents Wright and Scott had blinders on. As far as they were concerned, they’d found their men.

But they weren’t taking into consideration that he wasn’t Derrick Armstrong. He might not remember anything about what had happened that day, but he knew what he was capable of. And killing a defenseless kid wasn’t one of those things.
No fucking way.

But how was he supposed to prove it? Why wouldn’t Derrick tell them about the protection detail?

Because if something happened during the transport, it could be Derrick’s motive for trying to kill him.

Shit. If only he could
remember.

He set aside the card on the dresser and changed into jeans and a pullover knit shirt. His eyes strayed to the card again. His thoughts went to Tess Kelly. Heart-shaped face. Chestnut red hair just a little deeper hue than his mother’s Her eyes weren’t just brown but a warm—
Jesus, what am I doing?
He blew out a breath.

If he didn’t have this damn speech thing, he’d have already called her.

If she weren’t a damn reporter, he’d have already called her.

If he had any balls, he’d have already called her.

He’d just be upfront about the speech thing. It was no big deal. She wouldn’t think anything of it. Or would she?

A knock sounded and his head went up. In one stride, he was at the door and jerked it open.

Zoe stood on the other side, a frown on her face. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Hawk’s here, and we’re ready to eat.”

“Good.” He’d fill Hawk in after dinner. See if anything was screwy about the way he and Derrick had acted before the mission.

She reached up and smoothed his hair down. “You didn’t lose her number, did you?”

He smiled. “No.”

“I think you need to give her a call. You haven’t been out since you left for Iraq. Ten months is a long time between dates.”

How long had it been for her before she met Hawk?

“I allowed my leg to keep me from enjoying so many things. If it wasn’t for Hawk, I’d still be in that same stunted place I was back in college.” Her dark blue gaze fastened on his face, her expression earnest. “Don’t blow this little glitch you have out of proportion, Brett. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t even register.”

She was always trying to build him up. Always had his back. He drew her close and gave her hug. “Thanks, Zo.”

He looped an arm around her shoulders as they strolled into the kitchen together.

“Doc has invited us all to dinner tomorrow night, seventeen hundred. All we have to bring is the beer and the girls,” Hawk announced as he took his place at the table. “He’s invited you as his date, Clara. I told him what a cougar you are, but he said he’d take his chances.”

Clara’s eyes grew round, then she laughed. Zoe joined her.

“You boys are something else,” Clara said with a shake of her head. She turned to Brett as he pulled a chair out and sat down. “Why don’t you call the woman you met at the speaking engagement today? I bet she’d love to go.”

A reporter at a SEAL barbeque. The guys would love that. “I was hoping to start out with something a little less—” He searched for the word.

“It isn’t like being thrown in a shark tank. We survived it. She will too,” Zoe said while spooning casserole onto her plate.