“And you’re just going to go along with it? What do you think?”

“I know you’re thinking we’re getting married for all the wrong reasons, but that’s not the case. We were going to get married regardless, and this just helps our cause. I love him, Dalton, and I can’t wait to have him in the one way that means more than anything else.”

A sparkle went off in his icy blue eyes. The boyish charm that he so easily exuded was coming back, front and center. “Well, I’m delighted for you then. I know how much you love him. Where are you getting married?”

“I have no idea—”

“It’s all a surprise for her,” Alex interrupted, standing in the doorway of the room holding a small, brown paper bag. “All she knows is that I’m giving her my last name. Everything else is left up to me.”

He strolled into the room, looking exquisite in a pair of jeans and a tight fitting t-shirt. I couldn’t believe that he was mine, and would be filling the void that was the other part of my heart.

“What you got there, Conquerer?”

His eyebrows shot up as he gently sucked on his bottom lip. A faint smile filled with seduction caressed my lips as I stared back at him. Dalton looked on in pure confusion.

“Your friend is here, Blondie. Don’t start shit.”

I looked over to Dalton and smiled, which he returned, albeit nervously.

“I brought you some Tylenol and Icy Hot patches. You said you were sore, and since I can’t be with you tonight, I thought this might help.”

He sat the bag down on the bed, then kissed me before turning for the door. Staring at his ass as he walked away temporarily put me into a trance. I could get lost in his body twenty-four seven, seven days a week.

“Thanks for making sure she eats, Dalton. Can you make sure she gets some meds in her system as well? I have a few things I need to do,” Alex called out, turning and looking over his shoulder.

“You’ve got it, man.”

Alex stopped walking and turned to me, narrowing his hazel eyes that were crusted in lust. “I love you, babe,” he said, the words warm and gentle, melting the ache that lay throbbing inside my body away.

“I love you too.”

He winked then strolled out the door, leaving me sitting with a fool’s grin on my face, and Dalton’s mouth hung low.

“I take my questions back. I can totally see this wedding happening.”

“So you’ll be there? Please say you will. I can’t imagine marrying without my best friend by my side.”

Dalton’s eyelids lowered, darkening his emphatic gaze and popping the balloon that held my excitement. I didn’t like what spread across his face, and I didn’t particularly care to hear whatever was coming next. “I really wish I could, Cassie, but we’ll be in the field starting tomorrow night through the middle of next week. I’m so sorry, but there’s no way I can be there.”

My stomach twisted with his words. Dalton had been everything to me in the midst of the scandal that I found myself embroiled in. He was my friend, my brother, my confidant, and I couldn’t believe that I would be embarking on the next big step in my life, and he wouldn’t be there to be a part of it.

“Hey, you know if I could, I’d be there in a heartbeat.”

“I know,” I finally answered. “It just never dawned on me that you’d be tied up in work, and you wouldn’t be able to be there, but this is what happens when you move on to the fleet. You actually do shit Marines are supposed to be doing.”

He leaned over and gave me a hug. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Who will be there?”

”As of now, just me, Alex, Riley, and Nat.”

“Natasha? Alex is okay with that?”

“Yes, it wasn’t her fault. Alex finally realizes that.”

“No Emmalyn Bennett?”

Hearing my mother’s name destroyed my mood. It was remarkable, and all together sad just how destructive the woman had been in my life. Even now, when I thought I had purged myself of her, the mere mention of her name disgusted me as if she were once again sharing my breathing space.

“No fucking way, Dalton. Don’t even play like that.”

He held up in his hands in defense, understanding the severity of my reaction. “I’m sorry. It was a joke. A poorly timed one, but a joke nonetheless.”

I was being ridiculous. Dalton knew how much I loathed my mother, and just how awful of a person that she was to me, but freaking out at the mention of her name was a bit overboard, and the roller coaster of emotions that I had sent him through since he’d gotten into my room was probably a bit much for him.

“You’re fine, sorry. I need to loosen up a little.”

“Yeah you do, Mrs. Cruz.”

His words put a smile on my face and warmed me from head to toe. I had no idea when I’d checked into Comm School just how drastic my life was due to change and even after everything that we’d gotten ourselves into, I was in no way prepared for what we were ready to embark on next. All I knew was that I was ready—ready to take the plunge.

That thought had me excited and nervous all at the same time.

++++

Alex was in my room bright and early, waking me up and escorting me to the chow hall. He complained the night before that he was missing me, and having to share me with Dalton was crippling him and turning him into a whiny little bitch who needed to be with me every night. I laughed at his words, fully aware that he was just pouting, but reassured him that, after this weekend, we wouldn’t have to worry about that.

Those words sparked an epiphany for me. I hadn’t given much thought to what a marriage with Alex would mean. Not only would I be his wife, but I’d be free to leave the barracks and make his home my own. I’d also collect BAH, and have priority over any and everyone else when it came to Alex and his well-being. For some reason, those thoughts scared me. A marriage didn’t just mean we’d sign our names to a piece of paper and live happily ever after. It meant we had to tackle and face real life obstacles, big and small. We would finally be granted the freedom to live and function as a couple, but with that came larger and more pressing issues.

What would become of us after the court-martial? If we were found guilty, we’d be once again pulled apart, thrown into the brig, possibly discharged, and left to pick up the shattered pieces or our fragile lives. The thought of that happening sickened me, giving me an adverse reaction to the food sitting on the plate before me.

“What’s the matter, babe? You aren’t eating, and you’re awfully quiet.”

“I’m just thinking…”

“About what? You have me fucking nervous over here.”

I laughed. Alex being nervous was new. He wasn’t nervous when O’Hara was threatening to destroy everything he had worked so hard for, yet he was nervous at my silence.

“I’m just thinking about what it’s going to be like being married.”

“It’s going to be a hell of a fucking lot better than this situation. I hate sleeping without you. I don’t like that cold side of the fucking bed. The house is missing its spirit when you’re gone, and it needs you in it.”

“You don’t live alone. You have Riley. Did you apologize to Nat?”

“Riley has been staying at Nat’s place, so no, I haven’t. And fuck those two. I love them, but they aren’t you. I can’t wait to take you home for good.”

“What about Riley?”

“What about him? If you want him gone, I’ll ask him to look for a new place.”

I shook my head. How Alex could be so cold was alarming. “No, I don’t want you to get rid of him. I’m wondering how he’ll feel about me moving in.”

“That doesn’t matter. You’re about to be my wife, Cassie, and I’m the owner of that house, so if you want it to be just me and you, say the word, and I’ll make it happen. If not, then it stays the way it is. But listen…” He softly rubbed my hand as it sat on the table. “All I care about it making you happy. Making all of your fucking dreams come true is what I’m going to do.”

I couldn’t help but fall under the spell of Alex’s words. With his smooth, husky voice passing over the plumpness of his moist lips, and the intense gaze of golden eyes, I was taken, held captive, and left to his disposal. He knew he could get me that way, and moved on to a provocative lip suck, making me wish we were in the confines of a bedroom instead of seated in the middle of a crowded chow hall. The thick material of cammies were only intensifying the heat that Alex had put between my legs, making me cross them to keep from coming undone.

“Well, good morning. If it isn’t Twentynine’s most scandalous couple. It’s nice seeing you both out and about. No more lurking in the shadows,” a voice lowly murmured.

My eyes finally landed on the name tape: Vernon.

The sweet, seductive gleam in Alex’s eyes was long gone, now replaced by annoyance with traces or fury.

“What the fuck do you want, Vernon?”

“Just wanted to stop by and say good morning. I don’t think I’ve actually met Pfc. Bennett.” He reached out his hand for mine, his devious smile sending chills down my spine, and certainly not in a good way.

I looked over to Alex who had his eyes deadlocked on Vernon’s hand, watching to see if I would take it. I reached out and took his hand, shaking it firmly enough to crack a knuckle.

“Wow, that’s quite a grip you’ve got Pfc. Don’t want to make you mad.”

Alex’s expression shifted to menacing. He stood, placing one hand on Vernon’s upper back, and leaning over to whisper loudly in his ear. “I don’t know what the fuck you want from me or Cassie, but whatever it is, you won’t be getting a damn thing. You’ve done your part, now back the fuck up before I do it for you.”

“You already have one assault charge against you, Alex. Let’s not add another,” Vernon replied, smiling so disingenuously that a blind man could see it. “I hadn’t met the girl that was finally able to tame the fucking beast, so I thought I would come over and introduce myself. Lo and behold, she’s a fucking tiger. I expected no less.”

His words were flowing, but I had no clue what he was talking about. To anyone not seated with us, this scene probably looked like two guys casually exchanging information, but shrouded by the bulk of bodies were subliminal messages and threats of violence, leaving me as the third party and wondering what would happen next. Alex was volatile when pushed too far, and I could tell Vernon was getting to that point.

“I see you two need to finish your breakfast, so I’ll leave you to it,” Vernon nonchalantly said. “I should probably grab something to eat myself, although the meal I had this morning was more than filling. You’d know, Alex. You’ve had it a few times before.”

My eyes floated over to Alex, wondering what Vernon was referring to. Alex’s eyes darkened as he held his lips in a tight scowl. Whatever had happened between him and Vernon in the past was obviously a sore subject here, making the situation almost unbearable.

“Oh, look. There she is now.” Alex and I both followed Vernon’s eyes and sadly landed on Sgt. Castillo. “I’d be careful if I were you, Pfc. Bennett. Alex has a way of making women fall for him, then dropping them without a second thought. He’s made enough enemies to last him a lifetime, and if you don’t watch yourself, you’ll soon be able to count yourself on that friendly list.”

He turned to Alex. “You’d better be careful who you fuck over because they’ll turn around and fuck you right back.”

Alex lurched for him, but I moved quickly, and threw myself in the way. “You’re a fucking dead man, Vernon.”

“Homicide will look good on your list of charges, Cruz. Have a good day, you two.”

I watched Sgt. Vernon as he walked away. Sgt. Castillo had moved closer to the door, averting our stares as we looked in their direction. She wasn’t acting like herself, and as I was turning to face Alex again, it hit me, knocking me back into my seat with the realization of what was happening here.

“Alex, Castillo is fucking this guy isn’t she?”

“I don’t know, and I certainly don’t fucking care.” He was stewing, trying to channel the anger that Vernon had lifted out of him. “Why do you care?”

“Because he all of a sudden has an interest in us, and I’d never heard of all him until now. He said something about turning around and fucking you right back. I read between the lines and figured it out.”

Alex rubbed his hands over his face, seemingly frustrated and done with the bullshit that had become our morning. “What did you figure out?”

“Alex, wake up. Castillo didn’t want to implicate herself in this directly, so she has a hired hand. A proxy. She’s probably been feeding information to Vernon because she knows that you two don’t like each other. She can look like the good guy here because she knew of our dirty little secret and held it in, but meanwhile, she fed this guy things and let him be the one to run his mouth. It works perfectly for her.”