Page 14 of Delta Mission (Alpha Tactical Ops)

Makenna

In the aftermath of the drug lab discovery in Afghanistan, Channing and I had spent days apart.

I had led the team in dismantling the drug lab at Amir Momahhadakan village, and Channing had helped Blade, Ghost, and the rest of those amazing Aussie soldiers ferry the twenty-seven bodies of the men who’d attacked us, from the ravine to a secret location for identification.

My operation netted twenty tons of drugs, estimated to be worth sixty million dollars, confirming that Jabeen’s tip-off resulted in one of the biggest seizures of Taliban drugs to date.

In addition, four bodies recovered from the ravine were identified as key figures in the Taliban drug trafficking network, and their deaths were hailed as a significant win for America and the rest of the world.

Thankfully, I’d managed to keep my name out of the media spotlight. I did, however, ensure Lyle and Trent were recognized as heroes who had died while working to keep our nation and our people safe, and at their funerals, I personally told their loved ones how brave they were.

For the first time since I’d completed my training at Quantico, I was treating myself to a vacation, and since our feet had touched down on US soil, Channing and I had spent a lot of time together.

But while Channing had been busy working through the never-ending reports that came with the aftermath of a military operation, I’d been busy making our little apartment in East Arlington into a home.

I never knew buying knickknacks could be so fun, or that choosing bed sheets for a partner could be so stressful.

Not as stressful as the family dinner Channing had invited me to half an hour ago. ‘Get ready for Sunday dinner’, he’d said like it was something we did every week.

This would be the first time I’d seen his family in nine years.

To say I was terrified was an understatement.

I adjusted my hairstyle four times before I decided on the style I wore nearly every day, a high ponytail. And for the umpteenth time, I contemplated whether the floral cocktail dress I’d chosen was too sexy for a family dinner.

Maybe I should wear something more demure?

“I’m home.” Channing’s voice echoed down the hallway.

My heart skipped as I walked out of the bedroom. Channing’s broad frame nearly filled the kitchen doorway.

I strode to him. “How did it go with Talon?”

His gaze whipped up my body, and his smile lit up his face. “Wow, babe. You look incredible. Are you ready?”

“No. I don’t think I ever will be. And you didn’t answer my question.”

He reached for my hand. “It went well with Talon. He apologized.”

I frowned. “For what, exactly?”

Channing leaned against the kitchen counter and explained the conversation he’d had with his brother. “He says he doesn’t remember the details of . . . you know. Only what happened before and after.”

My mind swooped back to those rotten moments that nearly ruined my life. I couldn’t believe it. I also couldn’t find the details, and for that, I was grateful. But I still knew the event took place and that alone was pure hell. “So, what did he apologize for?”

Channing clutched my hands. “For not letting you tell me.”

I sighed with relief. “That’s good. I’m so glad he said that.”

“So now we can move on. Starting with dinner with my family. I’ve told everyone you’re coming, and they can’t wait to see you.”

I cocked my eyebrow. “Even Talon?”

“Of course, Talon. I know it’s going to be strange, and he and I can have a difficult relationship at times, but he’s still my brother. He’s trying to change, and I can see that. This whole thing didn’t just affect us. It did something to him too.”

“Okay. I know he’s important to you. I’ll try not to stress around Talon.”

Channing smiled. “Perfect. And I’m sure Aunt Betty will—”

“Channing!” I ripped my hand from his grip. “You never told me Aunt Betty was coming! I can’t—”

“What?” He drove his fingers through his hair.

“I’m not ready to see her.”

“Hey.” He clasped my hands and kissed the back of my palm. “Aunt Betty comes to every Sunday dinner. Don’t worry. We’ll talk to her together, so she won’t make a scene.”

I groaned. “I don’t know—”

“Come on. I want everyone to see you again.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping he would change his mind.

He kissed my lips, and I snapped my eyes open.

“Babe. I love you, and Aunt Betty will be happy that we’re happy.”

“Or she’ll peg the gravy jug at me.”

“Stop being dramatic. Did I say how beautiful you look?”

I rolled my eyes. “Charmer.”

“Just stating a fact. Now stop stalling. We have to get there before Talon eats all the roast potatoes.” He dragged me down the hallway.

I grabbed the house keys off the side table in the hall and locked the door.

Channing wrapped his arm around my waist and guided me toward his truck. His grip was tight as if he didn’t want me to run away.

If I did, he wouldn’t be able to catch me. We’d proven that fact last week when we’d taken a run along St John’s River to Ed Austin Regional Park. He’d tried damn hard to keep up, but it was nice to hear him concede defeat.

In my line of work, not many men did.

Twenty minutes later, Channing pulled his truck into his parents’ driveway. The house he’d grown up in hadn’t changed in the nine years since I’d run out of there with tears streaming down my face.

I opened the car door, and a child squealed from somewhere inside the house.

Channing came around to me, and I glared at him. “Who else is here?”

His eyes bulged like he’d been caught stealing. “My sis came. You remember Charlotte? She’s married now.” He leaned into my ear. “Her hubby, Brad, is a total snooze. But that’s between you and me. Charlotte has two kids. You’re going to love Edwin and Sutton. They’re—”

I pressed my finger to his lips. “Shh. You’re scaring me with all this intel.”

He burst out laughing. “I’m just trying to relax you so you can enjoy the night.”

“ If I make it through the night.”

“Of course you will. You have nine lives.” He dragged me toward the front steps. On the porch, he cupped my cheeks. “Smile, babe. You’re beautiful.”

I poked my tongue out. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Let’s get you a wine, then.”

He opened the front door. “Mom, we’re here,” he yelled into the hallway.

“In the kitchen.”

We entered the large kitchen with a massive island in the middle that was filled with food and cooking equipment.

His mother, Valerie, turned to me, and her expression was a baffling mix of wariness and delight.

She opened her arms. “Makenna, it’s so good to see you.” She clutched my shoulders and pulled me forward to kiss my cheek.

“It’s lovely to see you, too.”

We eased apart, and she fiddled with her apron. It was a move I remembered from the day of Uncle Henry’s wake.

“Valerie, I want to apologize for—”

“It’s okay.” She shook her head, making the pearl drops in her ears sway. “Channing told me about the . . . mix up, and it’s all forgotten now anyway.”

Valerie was a retired schoolteacher. She never swore. She never drank alcohol. And the fact that she knew what happened all those years ago horrified me to my core. I truly hoped she could forget.

Channing handed me a wine glass, topped nearly to the brim. “See, I told you.”

I accepted the glass and took a large gulp.

“Come on, you have lots of catching up to do.” He tried to grab my hand, but I swept it away.

“Valerie, would you like me to help you with dinner?”

“Oh gosh, no.” She shooed me off. “You go enjoy yourself.”

“Okay, well, holler if you change your mind.”

She nodded and pretended to dry her hands on her apron.

Channing led me toward the sounds of kids playing, and we stepped through the archway that led to a large living room.

Talon jumped up from the corner sofa. As he strode toward me, my stomach tensed.

“Goodspeed. I didn’t think you’d show up.

” He wrapped me in a bear hug that was awkward, yet also a relief.

I knew how much family meant to Channing, especially his twin.

I’d been the source of a rift between them for years.

This was another step toward putting that behind us so we could all move on.

And if Talon was willing to try, so was I.

Talon let me go, and I blinked at one twin, then the next. They were identical in every aspect, right down to their hairstyle and three-day growth.

I shrugged. “Channing had to drag me here.”

“I’m glad he did.” Talon punched his brother’s arm.

His aim was right at the wound on Channing’s bicep that Ghost, the stunning Australian soldier, had patched up with twelve stitches.

Channing didn’t give any indication that the punch had hurt, and I wondered if he’d even told his brother about the injury.

At least now Channing had something to distinguish him from his twin.

The kids raced into the room and jumped onto the lap of a small woman on the three-seater sofa. Channing’s kid sister, Charlotte, was barely recognizable from the last time I’d seen her. Beside her was a man whom I assumed was Brad, her husband, and beside him was Rupert, Channing’s father.

Rupert didn’t stand to greet me. And his lawyerly scowl, which made him look eternally unhappy, convinced me not to make a move toward him either.

Channing swept his hand toward his sister. “You remember—”

“Oh, my god. What on earth—”

I spun to the wobbly voice.

Aunt Betty stood in the doorway. Fury and something much more haunting marred her expression.

“Aunt Betty.” Channing strode to her and kissed her cheek. “You remember Makenna.”

Her white hair was set in curls that could only have been done at a salon, and her matching yellow skirt and jacket outfit looked like designer clothes from the sixties. She was immaculate, except for her horrified scowl.

“How could I ever forget?” She clamped her jaw and glared at me like I was a stain on her skirt.

Guilt oozed through me, sharp and hot. I put my wine glass down, ready to hustle out of the room if I needed.

Channing groaned. “It’s been nine years, Aunt Betty.”