This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be constructed as real. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Axel

*****

David Axel had a bad feeling in his gut. He hated feeling small, and right now, he didn’t appreciate the way Warrant Officer Brady was talking to him.

"Come in, why don't you?"

David nodded while swallowing down his anger.

"So, you know why you're here, don't you?"

Again, he nodded.

"Good..... The investigation," the officer slammed a heavy file down on his desk. "It's still in progress and it's going to be at least twelve weeks until it reaches a conclusion.

David was silent.

"Well, this ain't like you to be so quiet. Not from what I've heard from your friends anyway."

"It's just... Not easy to talk about. I mean it's all good, I'm fine," he corrected himself and sat upright. "Just bad memories, that's all... but I'm over it now. It all worked out well in the end."

The officer squinted, as he looked deep into his eyes with a hefty dose of cynicism.

"Are you sure about that?" he leaned forward across his desk. "From what this report says, you witnessed something that even the toughest of men can't handle."

"Yeah.... I grew up in a rough neighborhood, you know," David shrugged. "I'm no stranger to flying bullets."

“But… You’re a stranger to watching your best friend die…”

The young Navy SEAL just looked right into the center of the officer’s forehead.

"Very well," Brady packed up the file and slid it back off the table. "But we've been talking, the other officers and I. We've decided you need to take a break." His words came out abrupt and he clapped his hands together as he spoke.

"Take a break? Why in God's name would I take a break?"

"You need help, Axel. We can all see you need to take time to recuperate. We’ve scheduled an appointment for you with our very best psychiatrist tomorrow at nine. It’s non-negotiable."

"This is bullshit!" he stood up. "I don't need a break. I need to get back out there! I need to fight for this country."

Officer Brady sat in shock, as he looked at the young man in front of him, his jaw gently dropping open. He could have quite easily lost his temper, but instead, he counted to three and spoke softly.

"It’s been decided, Axel," and he stood up to leave the office. "You're on leave starting immediately." He strode to the door and opened it. "And, if you act like that again in my office, I'll put you on your ass," and he was gone.

David meanwhile was left standing alone with his hands trembling in anger.

"Bullshit," he yelled again, and stamped the floor.

His face was burning up and his hands were clenched into fists. There were only three things the young man was good at; drinking, fighting, and screwing, and he was sure as hell gonna do one of those tonight.

He strode out the building with fire in his belly and reached into his pocket for the keys to his Harley. Seeing it glitter in the parking lot brought a swell of pride to his chest and he smacked it as he approached.

"Waiting for me as always," he patted it down before taking a seat and roaring onto the highway.

His thoughts were muddled, as he drove and he had a bad feeling deep within him. Images flashed in front of his mind, violent memories of losing his friends on tour. The way he had to see them die would always live with him, and losing his best friend, Damian, was enough to drive him crazy. But, he knew what he was signing up for when he joined the military. He knew it would be difficult.

Cruising to his local bar, he just wanted to forget about everything and blot out the pain. Nevertheless, the faster he drove, the more he couldn’t' get Damian's image out of his mind and he rode faster in the hope that he could shake him from his mind.

Damian, after all, had been almost like a brother to him since high school, so when they both joined the Navy at the same time, aged nineteen, they were in it through thick and thin with unwavering loyalty.

But now, he was dead and no matter how much David tried to reason, he still thought it was his fault and thought he was to blame for everything. So, when the day came when he had to announce the news to Damian’s wife, he thought the world was falling apart. He watched her sink to her knees with her face twisted in pain. She let out a bloodcurdling yelp and covered her face, as the tears slipped through her fingers. He'd never forget the way she cried or how her children came down the stairs to see what was wrong with their mommy.

There was a tight knot in his gut just remembering that day, but it wasn't long until the military bar came into view and he breathed a sigh of relief. It was time to put some bad thoughts to bed.

The bar wasn't much better than a dive, but it was always packed to the rafters when everyone came spilling out of the local bases. David was a familiar face and when he strode arrogantly up to the bar, there was already a drink waiting for him.

"Straight up whisky on ice," the barmaid flashed a smile and pushed out her breasts.

"Thanks, Tina," he winked back at her.

Tina was a nice girl or at least, she had been when she began working there aged twenty one with a fresh face, a spunky attitude and a perky body. Now, she was almost thirty and her happiest days were far behind her. She often drank twice as much as the patrons and smoked more than anyone David had known. Yet, what really aged her was the heartache. Falling for almost every man in uniform who paid her attention, she'd had her fair share of lovers and David; of course, was one of them.

"You still miss me?" he grinned, as he slammed down his already empty glass.

"Miss you? Can't get rid of you," she laughed. "Another one?" she nodded to the glass.

"Sure. Actually, can you just slide me over that bottle there," he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his jacket, as he eyed the bottle of bourbon at the end of the bar.

"So, it's one of those days eh?" she commiserated alongside him.

"Yup," he lit two cigarettes and passed her one.

"Wanna tell me about it?" she asked.

"Not really," he didn't bother raising his head to look her in the face. "I'm gonna see if any of my buddies are around," and he craned his neck to see over the tops of the tables behind him.

"Your usual crowd is tucked into that corner over there," she pointed one long, pink nail to the back wall and sighed, feeling rejected.

"Oh cool," he stood up and waved to get their attention.

But, before he could make his way over, a strong, yet gentle hand gripped his bicep.

"Hey, maybe you'd like to tell
me
all about it?"

She was tall and strong with platinum blonde hair and curves to die for. Almost as tall as the young Navy SEAL. She towered over Tina and her confidence made her command the air around her.

"And you are?" David was suddenly distracted from everyone around him, as he got lost in the mysterious woman's blue eyes.

"I'm just a lonely girl looking for some company," she purred. "Sounds like you're having a bad day."

"You don't know the half of it," he sat back down and poured two glasses from the bottle in his hand.

Tina, meanwhile, was livid, but not surprised. She meandered away and kept her distance at the other end of the bar while keeping her eye on the man she could never keep.

"What's her problem?" the blonde raised her eyebrows toward the barmaid, "You two a thing?"

"Nope," David knocked back his drink. "Well, we were for one night, but you know how girls get," he shrugged and gave a cheeky smile. "Always ready to fall in love."

"Is that right?" the woman chuckled. "Well, I'm not like that. I'll never fall in love, not ever."

"That's what I like to hear," David smiled, and poured another round of drinks.

He couldn't help but notice she was drinking as fast as he was.

"So, you're a seasoned drinker then?" he asked wryly.

"Seasoned? Honey, I'm a professional," and she pulled out a cigarette and placed it between her plump lips.

"Here, let me get that," David leaned in to light it.

"I'm Marie," she reached out her strong hand once again and David was pleased to shake it.

The night past by in a haze, as the two new friends finished the bottle of bourbon in record time before eventually hitting the dance floor. When the big clock on the wall chimed midnight and David felt himself begin to stagger, he sat back down at the bar and ordered two beers.

"I think you've had enough," Tina sneered.

"I think you should do your job!" Marie laughed in the barmaid's face.

Tina pinched the bridge of her nose and went to fetch the drinks.

"You're some gal!" David laughed. "Since when did girls act so cool?"

"Well... I'm no ordinary girl," Marie chuckled. "I was raised with five brothers, all of them Navy SEALs."

"Is that so?" David looked at her wide eyed. "Well, I better behave myself then," he grinned and slid a hand onto her thigh.

It was then that Marie caught sight of the clock behind her and stood up in a hurry.

"It’s late,” she huffed. “and I have an early start tomorrow."

"Well, let me see you out to the parking lot."

"Sure."

"You ok to drive?" David asked with genuine concern.

"Yeah, I'll be alright."

Linking arms around each other, they walked with a tight grip together. David turned round to wave goodbye to his buddies and one of them gave him the thumbs up and a wink.

Reaching the cold air of the night, David looked up to the stars and let his mind wander away to thoughts of Damian and his lost friends. It was nights like this when the sky was clear that he'd look up to the universe and hope that somewhere, they'd be waiting for him.

"You look so sad all of a sudden," Marie grabbed him and rubbed his arms up and down to warm him.

"No, I'm fine," he shook off the sadness like he always did. "Just tired is all."

"Well, as long as you're sure," Marie smiled. "But anyway, this is my ride," and she leaned back on her motorcycle.

David noticed right away it was a Harley, one that was almost as nice as his.

"No way!" he burst out laughing. "Of all the girls I gotta meet tonight, I end up with a biker," he couldn’t contain his amusement. "That's mine right there," he pointed to a few rows over where his was.

"Very nice," Marie nodded in approval, as she pulled on her helmet. "But, I gotta go now. It's been nice. You're a pretty fun drinking partner."

"Do I get to see you again?" David found himself saying rather out of character.

"Hmmmm.... Perhaps," but she made no attempt to give him her phone number.

However, she didn't want the night to end just yet and she leaned up for a second and kissed him passionately. Then, as though nothing had happened, she revved her engine and sped away, waving a peace sign with her fingers as she left.

"That is some woman," David exhaled slowly and watched his breath gather in the air.

He climbed on his own bike and sat for a long while just appreciating the quiet of the night. Every now and again, another drunken reveler would walk past him and he'd nod and say hello. Then he'd look back to the stars and feel a deep sense of sorrow swarming inside of him. What he wouldn't do to turn back time.

As the sun came up, he looked across the landscape and saw the morning glow spread across the horizon. He was starting to sober up and his head was beginning to pound. He rubbed at his bleary eyes and suddenly had a craving for the strongest coffee he could get his hands on. Then, he thought about the therapy session he had booked the next day and he grimaced.

“Urgh…. better be on my way,” he muttered under his breath before making his way home.

BOOK: Navy SEAL Romance: MC ROMANCE: Axel (Bad Boy Alpha Male Military Romance) (Military Suspense Protector Romance)

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