Page 1 of Deliverance

Prologue

Ric

Crickets chirped around us, the sky pitch black under the new moon and no light lit up the African sky—it was perfect conditions for us to rescue the two American humanitarians captured by Somalian pirates and taken to the middle of the desert for ransom.

My platoon of sixteen crept through the darkness, our AK-47s drawn, and our night vision goggles on, casting everything in a lime-green hue. Each step we took was silent against the sand as we got closer. I could see the camp where the hostages were being held and counted seven enemies and two captives. I motioned to Cole, a new team member, in the direction where the hostages were under blankets out in the open. The enemies were under the trees, and it was apparent they did it on purpose—taking shelter, while the ones they wanted to use for money were treated like animals.

We moved in, knowing the only survivors would be my platoon and the captives. At least that was the plan. Just before we got into position to take out the enemies, one of them noticed us and started to shout, alerting the others.

Bullets flew in every direction through the dark night, hitting one terrorist after another as they returned fire on us. The seven pirates turned into more, emerging from the surrounding stillness, but the intel we had didn't say there would be more. We were supposed to take out the seven, make our extraction, and not be under numerous enemy fire. Had they been tipped off?

We kept shooting, the mission not going as planned. I turned, hearing a guy behind Cole and me. He was seconds away from shooting Cole in the back, so I didn't hesitate to shoot the attacker in the head. I didn't see the other enemy.

The one that shot me.

* * *

I woke sometime later. I didn't know how long it had been, but I was no longer in the desert with my team. Instead, I was in a hospital room, an IV in my arm.

"Welcome back."

I blinked as I looked over at the doctor. "What happened?"

"You were shot—"

"Yes, I know, but how did I get here?"

Before she could answer, Cole walked into the room. "You're awake."

"What happened?" I asked him.

"You gave us quite the scare but you also saved my six."

"Did we get the hostages out safely?"

"We did."

I blew out a breath. "That's good."

"I came to thank you," Cole stated. "If it wasn't for you, I'd be right where you are. Or worse."

"Just doing my job."

Cole smiled. "If you ever need anything, let me know. I owe you."

I wouldn't take Cole up on his offer for over a decade.

Chapter One

Ric

A year had passed since I'd been shot.

I spent two weeks in the hospital in Somalia before being sent stateside, where I stayed two and a half more months in a hospital. I was unable to go home due to swelling and nerve damage—and the fact I couldn't walk. Instead of going back to Somalia, I was medically discharged, and for the next nine months, I went to rehab every day until I was able to walk again.

I never thought I would be medically discharged from the military. I never expected a Purple Heart. Those were honorable medals, but no soldier wants to go out because a doctor told them they could no longer serve. Being a SEAL was what I was good at. I loved the rush of a successful rescue mission, and even though we didn't necessarily get credit for the top-secret service we did, being the hero made me happy, made me feel alive.

It made me feel as though it was all worthwhile.