Enlisting Her Heart (11 page)

After a twenty-four hour layover and two flights from hell, the team landed in Justice. The General had arranged transportation for them to make the short ride home to Cavalry. It was mid-morning when they pulled up, met once again at gunpoint. Hulk, Vince, and Michael all waited at the front gate, guarding the only known entrance in as they pulled up. It took a moment for it to register but the guns were soon lowered and greetings made.

“What the hell you doing back so soon? Is everyone okay?” Michael asked, all while taking inventory of each member.

“Yeah, we’ll talk later. Right now we need a shower and food,” Rock mumbled, feeling part zombie from staying awake for over seventy-two hours.

“Just in time. Martha just finished with lunch.” Michael patted Rock’s arm that sat in the open window, a smile warming his seasoned features.

“God, I love that woman.” Rock drove up the driveway, parking at the gate before stumbling out of the driver’s seat running on sheer miracle. The others were right behind him, tripping up on the cobble stone path more than once. It didn’t take long for the others to see them coming and rush out to greet them. It took strength they didn’t know they had to remain vertical with each hug, but somehow they managed. It was momma bear who noticed their lack of resilience and pulled everyone off.

“Lordy lordy, look at you. Everyone back off—they need a good meal and some rest. Go on…shoo.” Mrs. Sanders waved her hands, managing to ward off even Bella and Alaina. “Come on, let’s go fill those tummies.”

“Your words are magical, Martha.” Dom smiled faintly, his feet dead weight with each step.

Once they’d been stuffed full, then stuffed even more, Mrs. Sanders showed mercy and stopped piling food on their plate. There wasn’t much conversation exchanged given the way each team member inhaled the hot meal and the inability to fester up enough energy to do so, but relief they’d made it home safely. The family all made small chit chat but understood, despite the questions on their short return. When it came to missions, there wasn’t much information the team could give.

No one questioned Pop’s presence, but instead helped to get him a room ready for as long as he needed. They all shared the same dislike and distrust for his wife and gave him an open invitation, encouraging him to stay. Mrs. Sanders had minded her business but had suggested his stuff be retrieved from his home at a later date and this residency become more on a permanent basis. Pop had just grinned in appreciation, but kept the offer tucked away in the back of his mind. With the way things had been going, he might end up doing just that.

“Now, straight to bed…all of you. We’ll have plenty of time to catch up in the morning after you’ve had time to rest up and get a good hot shower.” She left Alaina and Bella to tend to their men and busied herself on the others. It’d been a fight Kodiak had lost from the start, so instead of having a much-needed conversation with Violet, he went to his cabin. Alone. If not for his body’s unwillingness to remain awake any longer, he’d have sought her out after his shower. But, the hot water, accompanied with his full tummy, had been his kryptonite.

Dinnertime came and went, the family congregating at their usual spots in the living room for a drink and to catch up. Hulk had a newfound positive attitude after talking to Dr. Mars. Instead of feeling embarrassed and ashamed like he’d expected, the good ol’ doc had passed it off as nothing, comparing it to a splinter or common cold. After hearing how the doc himself had struggled with the same problem after Nam, he’d relaxed and opened up. Two pills, once a day at bedtime. That was all it took to fix everything. Well, that and someone to talk to when his mind started going bonkers, but both were so simple on his part. He would adjust, and overcome. Once he got the medication in his system, he could then begin to recognize the emotions and anger as it took hold of him and react accordingly. No, he’d never be ‘normal’ per se again, but a soldier’s life was never the same after war. Ever. The family had all offered to lend an ear, without saying why of course to avoid the ‘PTSD’ subject for his benefit. It was the family who held the greatest task of all…patience and understanding. Hulk may never know what they’d been going through and continue to battle, but it was a consistent effort on their part. They’d been counseled on how to avoid situations that might arise a problem and pointers on how to defuse a blowup before it got out of hand. It was trial and error, plain and simple. Instead of hostility or isolating him, the huge mix matched family embraced it. Some might say their task was to walk on eggshells around Hulk but that wasn’t true. They loved him enough that whatever was necessary to keep him on track, they’d do it and then some.

Crowded public areas were a hot point, being one of the biggest hills to overcome— which meant any type of concert, festival, or carnival the town was so known for. If they proceeded with enough preparation and caution though, he still wouldn’t be missing out on all of the family fun time. It took precise planning with lame excuses to pull him away to a quiet place from when he reached his breaking point, but between the kids and Mrs. Sanders, they could always come up with something without sending red flags to tip him off.

He might know why they changed their itinerary during certain outings, but it was never spoken aloud, which helped a great deal. Hulk felt more love and admiration toward everyone for the way they handled him without throwing his condition in his face at every turning point. It wasn’t that they hid it, but only mentioned it when necessary instead of using it was a weapon was the key. Hearing the word ‘PTSD’ every time he had symptoms wouldn’t have solved anything but instead would have escalated it. Somehow, they knew. His pride teetered on a narrow ledge and never pushed over by anyone but himself. His own guilt and stubbornness had been the case of outbursts from time to time, but on a whole he felt better. Happier. Things may never be normal in all senses of the word, but
their
found normal. It was a new way of life they all learned as they went to maintain a way the ordinary public would never see or comprehend. It wasn’t a burden. Hulk was their family. Whatever it took to bring
everyone
harmony would never be considered anything but just a way of life.

Violet seemed to be the best therapy he needed. She spotted his meltdowns before he knew what was going on. She kept him from blowing a gasket on many occasions, and it doubled in helping him notice his anger and mood changes to help work on it. He’d expected a lot worse. Now, it seemed almost silly at how he’d danced around the issue for so long.

The family waited, knowing that Dom and Pop would address the issue that weighed on all their minds when the timing was right, and politely made small talk until they were ready. Finally, after everyone had settled down, Dom stood. “I know you all have questions about what’s going on, and I’ll do what I can to answer. As you all know, anything said in this room is confidential. Our security and yours depends on it. Because of recent events, we still need to take extra precautionary actions. The missions we have been deploying on are all for the same cause. What, who, and where isn’t something you need to know. What I do feel necessary is for you to know that we believe there is a leak. Because you all are careful and know the drill, I don’t think it was an accident on your part.”

“Leak…you mean like a nark?” Bella asked.

“For lack of a better word, yes,” Pop answered.

“Well shit. So, what do we do?” Michael stood, taking inventory of the guns in the room. He’d been adding to the random places throughout the house, making sure that a weapon was in reach no matter where you were if one was needed in a pinch.

“Right now? Nothing. Sooner or later it’ll come out and we’ll be ready. Until then, just go about your normal business and stay on guard. No one in or out without us knowing. We got to the location of our job and it was deserted. So, somehow, someone tipped them off.” Dom took a swallow of his brandy, clinking the ice around in his glass in thought. “Same with them knowing we were at Cabo. What I don’t understand is even after our late night guests took us to the docks, they were there. Somehow, our leak didn’t know we were going. Anyway, just be careful. You all are our first priority.”

“Will do. We upped security around the ranch, and Hulk and Vince helped me install motion sensors. It’ll be good for the cows too. Double uses for those high military gadgets.” Michael grinned.

“Good. Well, for now, we’re home…and damn does it feel good.” Dom grinned.

“Speaking of which, thanks for letting me crash here. I’ve got to face the inevitable soon, but knowing I’ve got a place here helps. Who knows what’s going to happen with the wife, but thank you all for being my family.” Pop’s eyes fell to the floor.

“I don’t know what you’re thanking us for. This is your home, Pop.” Michael refilled Pop’s glass, giving him a nod. The corner of Pop’s mouth tilted up.

“Appreciated.” As he turned back to join the conversation about Alaina’s growing belly, Kodiak had eased his way behind Violet, steadily moving closer until he could talk without anyone else hearing.

“Hey, baby. Did you miss me?” His warm breath whispered in her ear, sending a chill over her she desperately tried to hide. She turned her head just enough to make eye contact and narrowed her gaze.

“No.”

“Aww, come on, you know you did.” He moved closer, the heat from his body warming her skin. She took a step away, her arms folding over her chest. “Let me make it up to you,” he said as he followed. “I was an ass. Can we go somewhere so I can beg for forgiveness properly?” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, turning away.

“No.” Instead of backing off, Kodiak grinned, loving a challenge.

“Okay, remember…you asked for it.” He cleared his throat, stepping into the middle of the room. “Can I have your attention please. So, as I’m sure you all know, I’ve been a jealous ass. Hulk and I both...” he turned to Hulk and added, “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, bro, we are both in love with Violet. I wanted to apologize to her, and to each of you, for being a jackass.” The room went silent, and Violet’s jaw hit the ground.
He did not just say that.
God! How embarrassing! Wait…
love?
Her eyes darted to Hulk who grinned, standing up.

“Yep. I love you, Vi.” He looked back at Kodiak, nudging him to continue. For them not choreographing this beforehand, he had to give it to him. So far, so good.

“I have some major kissin’ up to do, and Hulk and I need to get started on a field manual on those kiss spots as soon as possible if you don’t mind excusing us early.” All eyes turned to a bright red Violet.

“Thanks for that little announcement, but I’m not going anywhere.” She straightened, her face practically glowing under the watchful stares. Hulk and Kodiak looked at each other and grinned.

“Thought you’d say that.” Hulk laughed.

“Hell, I counted on it. Hulk, if you wouldn’t mind giving me a hand?” Kodiak and Hulk walked over to her and pinned her between them.

“Wha-a—” Her stunned pleas were stopped short by the deep, toe curling, panty twisting kiss Kodiak dropped on her. She tried to pull away, but the moment his tongue made contact with hers, her body relaxed into his arms. She was faintly still aware of Hulk who pressed against her back, now oblivious to the room full of witnesses. As Kodiak eased off and pulled back, both of them gasping for air, Hulk spun her around and continued where Kodiak had left off. Back and forth they passed her until Violet was lost in a cloud of lust and desire. The catcalls that whooped through the room around them brought her back to the present, but didn’t stop the feelings that they’d ignited.

“Take her somewhere private where you boys can grovel properly. If you need any pointers, call me,” Rock hollered above the crowd, encouraging the playful banter. When Romeo and Juju stood to block their path, Hulk bowed up.

“You two had better treat our girl good or you’ll have to answer to us.” Romeo’s playful grin eased the initial defense both Hulk and Kodiak had taken.

“Will do. Now get the hell out of the way.” Kodiak punched him playfully on the shoulder, knocking him out of their path. Violet still hesitated, despite the show everyone seemed intent on creating. She stopped and looked back, just in time to see her view turn upside down over Hulk’s shoulder, getting an up close and personal view of his lower back.

“Really? Let me down!” She wiggled in his grip but it was no use. The warm summer night air hit her and she knew there was no fighting it. Why fight something she’d wanted for so long? Not that they needed to know that. She had every intention on making them pay… Over and over and over….

After a shorter discussion when they reached the cabin, this one Violet had intended so everything in the relationship could be laid out, she now sat, naked, spread eagle on the bed with two sets of eyes burning holes in her flesh. Talk of feelings and the future weren’t any man’s strong point and even less a soldier’s, but she’d gotten the basics of her intentions laid out on the table. Leave it to these two to turn a serious conversation sexual.

Hulk and Kodiak were still slowly removing their clothes. “So you flank her from the left, I’ll go in from the right and navigate up to the northern side. You get that sweet pussy all juiced up and ready, then we switch.” Kodiak grinned from ear to ear, never taking his eyes off her. Her heart thudded in her veins just from the scrutiny alone as she fought to grasp her concentration, determined to lay out the dynamics of their relationship. She wasn’t a woman who could easily accept casual dating without the prospects of long term in the plan even if it meant holding her ground when they looked at her like she were something to eat.

“Roger. Let’s move.” Hulk made a fake radio static sound, crawling up the middle of the bed. The bed dipped from the side also, and Violet attempted to scoot up to hide.

“You realize I heard you, right? Listen, I’m not some mission or military exercise…I’m—” Once again, she was rendered silent by a set of hot lips pushing down on hers. After Kodiak kissed her into an aroused fog, he pulled away and grinned.

“First thing’s first… I love you, Violet. I will love and cherish you until I take my last breath on this earth.” Kodiak leaned in again, this time brushing his lips sweetly against hers. He pulled back when she tried for more, keeping his movements sweet and intoxicating. Across her cheek, down her neck, his lips heated a trail that had her arching toward him.

“I love you, Nick. With all my heart.” She pulled him down for another lip lock, holding her arms around his neck for leverage as she showed her true feelings. Her tongue darted against his, twisting and begging for what only her two men could give her. Hulk halted her ideas, getting her attention by suctioning her bundle of nerves into his mouth. The abrupt sensation made her gasp, tearing their lips apart. He let it plop out from between his lips with a ‘pop’ and grinned up at her.

“I love you more than I can put into words, baby. From this sweet pussy…” he flattened his tongue, lapping up the length of her slit, “to your bright emerald eyes. You are mine.” He trailed kisses over her mound and down her legs, making her squirm and fight to concentrate. Leave it to these two to making their ‘moment’ physical. Who was she kidding. And…she wouldn’t have it any other way. The romantic fantasy of them confessing their undying love over candle light or walks under the moonlight were shattered…but they managed to replace those storybook notions with something she’d never of dreamt of. Love with her two soldiers wasn’t what she’d hoped for—it was more. So very much more. It was messy, took effort, and infuriated her at times, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

It was perfect for
her
.

“I love you my gentle giant, always and forever. Now, if you two don’t get on with it, I’m going to change my mind.” She jerked like she was going to get up, only to be trapped under four deliciously large hands.

“Mmm. We’ve got a fighter. Kodiak, keep those hands above her head.” Hulk spread her legs wider, wedging his shoulders between them where she couldn’t move. “God, your cream is so sweet. You should see how wet she is, man.” He traced his finger up her crease, sinking into her moist heat to the knuckle.

“Aaah!” she gasped. He crooked it, rubbing against her G-spot as his mouth took her clit once again. He flicked his tongue over and over, pulling it out of its protective shell before sucking. “I’ll never get tired of tasting your cream, Vi. It’s like my own personal drug.”