Page 31 of Hayes (Voodoo Guardians #37)

Lieutenant Leland Bonds was considered dead, lost at sea due to an unfortunate incident on the carrier. It was a shame that after surviving an ambush of his team that he’d met such a fate.

No one mourned him.

Khalil Aamani’s body was found on the banks of the Euphrates. He was missing one arm, presumed taken by a crocodile. Several other bodies were found as well, but no one seemed to care much.

In Dubai, Noor and Mariyam, the mother and daughter who helped the team in the market, were safe in their new home, paid for by the sheikh. His own physicians were doing the plastic surgery to repair their damaged faces and bodies.

As it turned out, Noor was quite an artist, having created the small trinket dishes that she’d given the team. She was hired by the sheikh to mass produce them with images of his own beloved country.

They never once believed that the Americans would keep their promise but were thrilled that they had.

“Move your fingers back and forth,” said Gabi. She watched as Hayes struggled to move the fingers. They wouldn’t curl down properly into a fist, nor did he have any sensation in the tips of them.

“It’s not good, is it?” asked Hayes. “I mean, I’ve been to the pond every day since we returned, you’ve done another surgery, and I still can’t feel everything in that hand.”

“No, it’s not good, but it could be worse. The hand is healthy and alive. We won’t have to amputate, but I’m not sure how the Navy will feel about this, Hayes.”

He nodded at her, looking up at his father and friends. There was a piece of him that would mourn if he were forced to leave the SEALs, but there was another piece that would gladly come home.

“What do I do now?” he asked.

“You’ll need to return to the Naval hospital in San Diego and see the surgeons there. They’ll reevaluate, with my notes as guidance, and make the final decision.”

“I’ll let Victoria know that I have to go for a few days,” he said, nodding at her.

“I’m going with you,” she said, walking into the office. She smiled at him, kissing him sweetly as she looked at Gabi. “Thank you, Gabi, for all you did. I’ll call you if anything changes in San Diego.”

“Go get ‘em, honey,” she laughed.

“Vic, you don’t have to do this. I know how hard this is for you,” he said.

“It’s not hard for me,” she smiled. “I love you, Hayes. I’ve proven to myself that I can survive the worst possible scenario. Although I’d seriously like to avoid that in the future.”

“Baby, thank you.”

“Let’s go. The Osprey is ready.”

Four days of tests, x-rays, therapy, and more tests, all for the Navy to tell Hayes that he would need to be retired due to his disability.

“But he could do a desk job,” said Victoria. “He’s not disabled just because he can’t feel things in that hand. He’s more than capable.”

Hayes wanted to laugh at her fierce defense of him. His woman. The woman who refused to leave the property was now trying to encourage the Navy to retain him.

“Ma’am, we understand what you’re saying, but as a SEAL, he cannot continue with his duties,” said the doctor.

“I think that’s a ridiculous decision,” she said with her hands at her hips. Hayes laughed, hugging Victoria and kissing her in front of the doctor.

“It’s alright, honey. Let’s go home.”

“But,” she started. He kissed her again, quieting her.

“It’s really okay, Vic. We’re safe. You and me. We’re okay, and we’re going to be married. Let’s go have a nice dinner and spend the night at Faith’s mansion. We’ll head home in the morning.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, frowning at him. “We could call Kari and the others and see if they could fight it in court.”

“No,” he smiled. “I’m good. I served my time and then some. I nearly lost my life and yours in the process. I don’t think I have anything left to prove to anyone.”

Victoria nodded at him as he left the sprawling Navy medical compound. It was across the street from Balboa Park and the famous San Diego Zoo, allowing visitors to take breaks from treatments or appointments if they needed it.

After changing their clothes and heading out to dinner, they found themselves seated in the cool summer air of Coronado Island, enjoying juicy mushroom Swiss burgers with fries.

The soft music from inside the restaurant filtered into the night air, making them melt into their seats with relaxation.

“I thought I’d find you two here,” said the voice.

“Fucking hell,” muttered Hayes. “When did you get back, Wyatt?”

“Not long after you guys did,” he said, taking a seat. He kissed Victoria’s cheek and leaned back in his chair. “Sounds like everything went as planned.”

“Well, pretty much,” frowned Victoria. Hayes held up his hand and shook his head.

“Seriously? Fuck, I’m sorry, man,” said Wyatt.

“It’s alright. I thought I’d be more upset about it, but I’m really not. I’m okay with going home and making a different life.”

“I’m sure you are,” grinned Wyatt.

“Hey, Wyatt! Come on, dude, the girls are getting restless,” said a man at the door of the patio.

“Gotta run,” he winked.

“Girls getting restless?” frowned Victoria. “Wyatt O’Neal, you’d better watch yourself. You’re not a young man any longer, and I know what those girls want.”

“What is that, sweet Victoria?” he smirked.

“Happily ever after.” Wyatt stared at her with a horrified expression and shook his head.

“Fuck no! I’m going home.”

She laughed, watching as Wyatt took off in the opposite direction of his friends, and Hayes couldn’t believe it.

“What did I say?” she asked.

“I think you scared the hell out of him,” said Hayes. “Come on. Let’s get back to the house and pack up. Tomorrow, we start our new life together, and with any luck, by the end of the week, we will be Mr. and Mrs. Hayes O’Neal.”

“Before we start our life as Mr. and Mrs. O’Neal, don’t you think we should get something out of the way?” smirked Victoria. Hayes stared at her, tilting his head to the side. Then it hit him.

“Vic, we don’t have to rush this,” he said quietly.

“Hayes, I’ve been in love with you for almost ten years. I don’t think we’re rushing anything. Now, please, take me home and make love to me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he laughed.

Hayes thought it would be awkward on their first time. It was anything but awkward. It was beautiful and sweet. His brave Victoria stripped right there in front of him, showing her beautiful body to him in all its glorious nakedness.

When he stripped, Victoria trailed her fingers over every rippling muscle, feeling what would soon belong to her. They’d always had passionate kisses, but tonight, their kissing was filled not just with passion but also with love and promises of a future together.

Her sweet body molded to his own as he gently pushed forward, a little at a time, he moved further and further inside of her until one final push.

He stilled, allowing her to catch her breath.

True to her new bravery, she only smiled, rocking her hips back and forth, raking her nails over his back.

Hayes was happy with just one love-making session, but Victoria wanted more, and she went for it. Touching his body with a passion and knowledge that confused Hayes.

“I see your wheels turning,” she said breathlessly, straddling his hips. “I’ve read every single one of Charlie’s books. Every. Single. One.”

“Fuck,” he muttered.

“Yes. Fuck,” she smiled.

“Baby, aren’t you sore? We have a lifetime to keep going. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m not hurting, Hayes. I’m so happy right now, I just want your body as close to mine as it can possibly be. And as it turns out, that’s making love. You good with that?” Hayes laughed, rolling her over, and kissing down her neck, tweaking those beautiful nipples.

“Babe, I am more than okay with that. Open up, honey, I’m about to truly make you mine.”