Page 58 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

WILLOW

Princess,

I told you once that, for as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a Marine. It’s who I am. It’s in my blood.

For the first time in my life, I question my decision. Leaving you is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Please know, if there was any other way, I’d be there with you right now.

I have a favor to ask—Trust me.

You are my single greatest motivation.

I love you in a way I never imagined possible. You are my world.

Talon

I re-read the note, making sure my tears don’t drip on the paper. The scroll of his penmanship, the words, the emotions and sentiment—all of it rooted all the way to my bones. The beautiful necklace weighing on my neck another reminder of the man who owns my heart.

There’s a soft knock at the door and Wolf lurches to his feet, his tail swooshing excitedly.

“Come in.” I slip the note under my pillow, swiping my eyes.

April peeks around the door. “How’s the studying going?”

I glimpse down at my laptop and the notes strewn about the bed. It was a coward’s way out—using my studies as an excuse to be alone. But no matter how large this house is, I felt like the walls were closing in on me when I wasn’t in Talon’s room.

Not to mention, the sympathy aimed my way.

All my notes blur together on the pages, making no sense. Each time I attempted to concentrate, my focus drifted to Talon.

“I’m not getting much accomplished,” I admit.

“Are you hungry?”

“We just ate.”

“Sweetheart, you barely touched your breakfast six hours ago.”

Six hours? It couldn’t be. “Is it still Tuesday?”

Her slight smile falters and she nods. “It is.”

I mentally calculate; it’s been fifty-six hours since I woke up to an empty bed and Talon gone.

Fifty-six hours since a fear struck me so deep and splintered my heart into a million pieces.

I didn’t get to tell him goodbye, kiss him, soak in his warmth, wish him luck… tell him I love him more than anything.

A single tear falls and Wolf waddles into my space, bumping my shoulder.

The next second, I’m engulfed in April’s arm.

Her gentle embrace opens the dam and a sob escapes. I cradle into her hold and cry until I’m gasping for air. She rocks me, rubbing my back with the tenderness that reminds me so much of Talon, my soul aches.

Her chest trembles and realization hits me hard.

Her son is gone—again. Doing God knows what, God knows where, and she woke up to the same shock and disbelief a few days ago.

She’s hurting, too, and I’ve been in my own world, selfishly avoiding everyone.

Mortification crashes through me as I slip my arms around her waist and squeeze. Her tears drip on my neck, and I suck in a deep breath, willing myself to pull it together.

When I trust my voice, I say, “He’s your son and I’ve disregarded the way this affects you and Mark. You’re hurting as well.”

She loosens her hold, moving her hand to tip my face. A lump lodges in my throat at her watery gaze.

“A mother’s worry never ends.”

“How do you get through it?”

“When Talon first enlisted, I was sick for a month. His first deployment, I was a wreck. It never got easier, just more tolerable, I guess you could say. When he told me he was getting out and becoming a police officer, I wasn’t happy.

I also wasn’t surprised. We joked he was trying to give me heart failure.

But through it all, I have hung on to one thing. My faith in my son.”

“I have faith, it’s just buried under my heartache.”

“Then we need to remedy that. Let’s dig it out, starting now. He would be pissed knowing you’re wallowing away in his room and not leaning on the people who care about you.”

“I’m not wallowing,” I try to defend.

Her eyebrows arch and lips cinch to one side.

“Okay, maybe I’m feeling sorry for myself. But I’m also out of place. Everyone is angry at him for leaving. Then they watch me with restraint. Ace and Major frighten me, and the girls are trying to be supportive, but they seem torn. My family is walking on eggshells.”

“There’s a big difference between being concerned and being scared. The girls are concerned. The guys are scared. Even big, bad Marines get scared.”

“They don’t seem scared. They act infuriated.”

“They are both. Their best friend took off, leaving their brotherhood and team behind.”

“He had his reasons.”

“We know that, but they need some coaxing to see the big picture.”

There’s a loud crash from somewhere in the house that sounds like glass shattering, causing us both to jerk.

“What was that?”

“Now would be an ideal time to dig out that faith. You’re going to need it.” She gives me one last squeeze and stands. “I’m taking Wolf. He needs to get outside for some exercise. Why don’t you collect yourself and meet me in the kitchen in a few minutes?”

I nod, rubbing Wolf’s head before he leaps off the bed and follows April out.

By ‘collect yourself’, I’m assuming she means clean myself up.

One glimpse in the bathroom mirror leaves me reeling in terror. This is much worse than when I woke up in the hospital.

My face isn’t only pale, it’s streaked like something right out of a horror movie. My normally bright green eyes are dull and bloodshot, reminding me of a monster on one of Wyatt’s favorite shows.

And my hair… good God, what happened to my hair?

April asked me to meet her in a few minutes, but this emergency requires more.

I jump in the shower, letting the cold water stream over my face until it feels much better. I wash my hair and body in record time, grabbing a pair of shorts and one of Talon’s t-shirts that I tie around my waist.

A small grin spreads seeing my reflection. Talon would have a shit fit with the sliver of exposed skin, showing off my navel ring. A hint of sadness creeps in, but I force it away, combing out my hair and applying a coat of mascara.

Not exactly winning any beauty contests, but not nearly as horrendous as earlier.

The closer I get to the main rooms, the louder the voices. Another glass shatters, small shards landing in the hallway. It’s then I hear the unmistakable roar of Ford.

“He fucking left us behind! You let that shit happen!”

My heart stops at the scene playing out in the kitchen.

Ford, Major, and Ace are facing off against Robbie and Finn.

I was wrong before… Major and Ace are no match for this.

The three of them together, their rage rolling off them in waves, the fury in their eyes, the hardness in their expressions… they petrify me.

Robbie and Finn stand firm but with a much cooler demeanor, not fazed.

All the other men—Mark, Jim, Pete, Rich, Doug, Tom, and Captain Boyd are casually watching the exchange with no worry.

The Captain Boyd standing in the room is not the same man I met days ago at the wedding. Gone is the relaxed joker who told me the story of learning about me and assuming Talon had a crush on Abe. This man is all business.

He catches sight of me first, his face growing severe.

Rowan’s gasp has Ford turning my way, a flicker of something in his gaze as his arm shoots out.

“When I pull Simms out of whatever shithole he’s in—I’m beating his ass for what he’s done to her. She looks like a fucking walking zombie.”

Guess my speedy marathon of collecting myself wasn’t as miraculous as I thought.

“Sweetheart.” Rowan rushes to me.

“What are you doing here?”

She jerks at my question. “What are we doing here?”

“Yes, you’re supposed to be on your honeymoon.”

“My honeymoon? Maybe you should sit down.”

“You’re supposed to be on a beach. That’s why he didn’t tell you.”

She glances over her shoulder, Ford’s stoney face softening a little.

“I know why he didn’t tell me, Wills. But that shit isn’t cool.”

“He wanted you to have that. After all you went through to be together, he wanted you to have that time.”

“We will, honey. The beach isn’t going anywhere.”

“You can’t be mad at him,” I blurt out, my own anger bubbling. “None of you can be mad at him. Disappointed, yes… maybe a little ticked because that is what badass brethren do… or even feel the sting of being left behind. But this anger you’re projecting, it’s… it’s… awful!”

“Talon would be standing here with the same thoughts if the situation was reversed.” Ace’s lightened tone is a direct contrast to his dark expression.

“You fell in love with Harley at seventeen and tortured yourself for over a decade.”

His jaw ticks as he works his lip through his teeth.

“She just had a baby. Your son… “ I pause, making eye contact with Major and Ford, pushing on. “And Jewls, the twins, Rowan’s beating and kidnappings… he didn’t want you to risk any of the reward of your futures.”

“We get that, but he didn’t have the right to take that choice from us.” Major steps forward and I instantly step back. His expression fills with shock, knowing he’d never hurt me.

Rowan’s hold on me tightens. “Willow, you should sit down.”

“Like Ace said, if the situation was reversed?—”

I slice my eyes to Ford, daring him to finish his sentence.

“Maybe he would understand. But I don’t!

How can you stand here full of so much rage, it’s clawing at my skin.

He’s protecting you and your families from any further heartbreak.

He did this for YOU! ALL OF YOU! Your brother and best friend is out there alone on a mission and you’re threatening to beat his ass!

How dare you? Where’s the loyalty? The respect?

He left his parents, he left ME! I love him so much it literally beats in my veins.

He is everything to me. If anything happens to him, I’ll hate you all forever. ”

If possible, the air in the room takes on a new intensity. A hiss sounds and I catch the silent exchange.

My rant dies, knowing there is something unsaid between all men. And I may have gone a little overboard on my hate speak.

“She doesn’t know.” Ford directs his statement at Robbie, who gives a short shake.

“Know what?”

Robbie turns my way, his beautiful blue eyes filled with care. “Talon’s with a team. A team he picked.”

A sense of relief washes through me so fast, my knees wobble. “Thank God. Do you know them?”

“We all know them, including you,” Ace informs me with less acid in his voice. “Hugo, Blade, and Rand.”

“The MARSOC guys?” I remember the endless flirting and exchanges at the wedding reception that had Talon gnashing his teeth. They also had every single woman salivating because they are all hot. Then panic sets in. “Omg! No! They’re goofballs and pretty boys.”

This earns me a lip-splitting grin from Major, who chuckles, telling me, “They’re combat-trained.”

“They’re babies. That one with the dimples, he hasn’t even grown whiskers. Are they even capable of doing a rescue mission? You sent Talon into a rescue assignment with amateurs?” I shout at Robbie, hysteria building.

I don’t know why, but they all smirk at this comment.

“They’re our age, ‘Lo. Don’t let the clean shaves and suits fool you. There’s a reason Rand earned the name Baby Face. I assure you he can grow a beard, and when he does, he looks like a deranged lumberjack. They’re not as good as us, but they’ve had our six many times.”

“Really?”

“They earned their stripes.”

I feel foolish for jumping to conclusions. “Well, that’s good to know.”

“But that being said, we’re going to get them.”

I suck in a breath, waiting for the room to erupt, but no one so much as winces. At the very least, I expect Rowan to react. But she just gapes at her new husband lovingly.

The front door bursts open, and Jewls zips in with Tom on her tail carrying both her boys. Harley comes in last with Maverick asleep in her arms.

“What’d we miss?” Jewls scans the room frantically like we’re having a party.

“You missed Willow revealing she has a backbone, a sharp tongue, and can cut a hero to the quick,” Rowan states proudly.

“Ummm, Maybe I —”

“Well, shit, I knew we should have taken the truck.”

“Woman, you drove that golf cart like a bat out of hell. No way I’m getting behind the wheel of an SUV with you,” Tom snaps gruffly.

“Stop being dramatic. Maverick didn’t even wake up.”

Tom spears her with a glare so frightening, I’d slink into the floor. She flips her hair and stalks to Major, curling to his side. “He’s exaggerating.”

“He’s not exaggerating.” Major bends to kiss her nose.

“Who pissed off the princess?” Jewls coasts her eyes along all the guys. “Do I need to give you all another professional speech on dealing with emotional trauma?”

Ace shakes his head, gesturing to Ford. “Wasn’t me who threatened to beat Simms’ ass.”

“Pretty sure I’m safe from counseling since I haven’t said a word.” Finn throws his hands up in defense. “I’m debating on being offended that Princess doesn’t consider us pretty boys.”

My face heats when Finn winks at me.

“Yeah, wait until Baby Face hears this one.” Major joins in the ribbing.

“I may have gone a little overboard,” I grumble.

I’m so focused on the others, I don’t realize Ford has moved into our space.

His hazel eyes are troubled and his jaw tight when he takes my hand. “I should have reigned it in. Talon is the closest thing to a brother I’ve ever had. What he did was stupid, but I get it. We’re going to help him finish what he’s started and bring them home.”

The decree might as well be a vow the way his words spread through me.

I throw myself at him, squeezing tight. “I believe that.”

When I lean back, there is an audible intake of breath from Rowan at the same time Harley screeches, rushing over.

“Is that??? My God… it’s gorgeous, let me see.” She reaches out, lifting the chain that has come loose from under my shirt.

The sparkling diamond ring dangles, catching the light at an angle, and casting glimmers around the room.

April and Jewls are instantly here, pushing Ford to the side. Out of nowhere, Celia, Addison, Carson, and Cindy join the huddle.

Where the hell have they been?

“Ummm, it’s a… Talon gave it to me,” I finish, not knowing how to explain what this is.

Obviously, I’d assume it’s an engagement ring, but you can’t be engaged without a proposal.

“It’s one hell of a promise ring.” Jewls carefully fingers the ring.

“You think? A promise ring?”

I glance at April, her eyes shining bright with admiration. She nods. “Jewls is right, it’s his promise to come back.”

Labeling its extravagance as a promise ring seems juvenile, knowing our relationship is much more. But I like her inference.

A hand runs over my head, pulling my attention to Ford. He tugs a strand of hair, flashing me a small grin.

No words are needed because I can read his thoughts.

And for the first time in fifty-six-plus hours, I have hope.