Eyes widening, her mother wrapped an arm around Brittany’s shoulders. “I am happy for you, sweetheart. It will just be an adjustment.”
As both continued to pack clothes for her Arizona apartment, Brittany allowed her mind to wander to Scott.
She’d tried twice to make amends. The first time, at Freedom Meadow’s annual family rodeo where he’d been participating. The second, at his promotion ceremony. Both times she’d been rebuked.
It surprised Brittany he hadn’t asked how she’d learned about the rodeo. Turned out, locating him had been easier than she’d hoped.
A friend had insisted Brittany allow her to do some digging. Meaning, she’d hack into private systems to learn what she could about Scott.
It had become a project, her way of helping Brittany. She’d hacked into various government agencies, putting both of them in danger of losing their jobs and even arrest. The results had been shocking, and so much different than expected.
She’d stumbled upon a gold mine of information about Scott and his current SEAL team. Data which had been buried deep within a virtual catacomb of government secrets. Details that would be dangerous in the wrong hands.
Her friend had learned about Admiral Grayson and the establishment of the undercover Eternal Brethren. It had taken Brittany time to accept what her friend had found. She’d continued to dig, night after night, until Brittany had begged her to stop. The risk to both of them was too great.
What they’d learned had gone deep. Very deep, which meant it could put them in huge trouble if anyone discovered their off-hours work. They’d made a pact to never talk about it to anyone else.
Brittany had done her best to ignore the information until curiosity had become too great. She’d taken a few days off, traveling to Liberty Lake. When she couldn’t locate the clubhouse, she’d gone to the sheriff’s office, already knowing the connection between Ethan McCord and the undercover team.
Introducing herself to the sheriff, she’d listened as he gave the usual condolences about the death of her brother. When Ethan asked about the reason for her visit, Brittany told him she’d learned Scott had moved to Liberty Lake from some old friends. He’d hesitated, but finally directed her to his family’s ranch. She had no doubt he’d called the ranch the instant the door had closed behind her.
Other than meeting a few of his friends, the short reunion hadn’t gone well. He’d obviously moved on, having no interest in having Brittany back in his life. She’d left the ranch, her hope at any kind of friendship with Scott evaporating.
The brief time at the promotion ceremony had been worse. Her parents had insisted she attend, thanking the SEAL once more for his part in rescuing them. Scott had allowed her to congratulate him, then brushed her off. This time, his rebuff hadn’t come as a surprise. She’d done all she could, vowing to never extend a hand in friendship to him again.
Robbie’s Bar
Liberty Lake
“One more round.” Fuse held up his empty glass to Mike, the longtime bartender at Robbie’s, a bar named after one of their fallen teammates.
A group of Eternal Brethren, fresh off the successful op to snatch al-Assid, gathered for dinner and drinks at their favorite watering hole. The married members, some with children at home, had left right after eating, leaving the single ones to continue celebrating.
Gunner’s hand rose with his newly filled glass. “Another success, gentlemen. Here’s to those in the future ending so well.”
They clinked glasses, taking sips. No matter how it appeared, the team seldom over-indulged. Most had ridden their Harleys to the bar and wore their MC cuts. Unless in the confines of their homes, they wore the leather vests emblazoned with the Eternal Brethren on the back and rockers on the front.
Shoving out of his chair, Gunner zeroed in on a woman at the end of the bar.
“Where are you going?” Fuse asked.
He tipped his glass toward the woman. “Can’t let a beautiful lady drink alone.”
Fuse watched one of his closest friends walk across the room to where Kat Snowden nursed a beer, picking at a plate of fries. They’d met her months ago through Val, the assistant for Tessa Walker, Rock’s pediatrician wife. If Fuse remembered right, she worked with Val’s aunt at the woman’s nursery. Gunner had shown an interest from the first evening at Robbie’s.
Taking another slow swallow of his craft brew, Fuse let his mind move to Brittany. Specifically, the last two times he’d seen her. The Blackmores’ attendance at his promotion ceremony had been surprising, but not out of character. The senator was a great fan of the military. He and the family were still grateful to the SEALS, and Fuse in particular, for rescuing Brittany.
Her appearance at Freedom Ranch had been more curious. If it hadn’t been for Ethan’s call, her showing up would’ve been a shock. Fuse had a hard time understanding what motivated her to make such a long trek to thank him.
He winced at the memory of the way he’d treated her, ignoring her attempt at extending an olive branch. Fuse had stared at her hand, refusing to grasp it. The slight wasn’t because he couldn’t stand to touch her. The refusal came from a deep fear he wouldn’t be able to let go. Months later, he found himself wishing he’d tested his theory.
“Hey, man. You all right?”
Fuse’s eyes refocused at the glass Bas Broussard, one of their newer members, waved in front of him. “Yeah. Thinking about the op. I wonder where our man ended up.”
“Don’t know and don’t care. As long as they get what they need from him and we never have to hunt his ass down again, I’m good.” Bas sat back in his chair, stretching out his legs. “I could sure use some female company tonight.”
Fuse motioned around them at the mostly full tables. “Appears to be a good selection tonight.”
Bas glanced behind him. “The thing is, I’m looking for quality, and that takes time.”
Tilting his glass toward Bas’s, they touched the rims. “I hear ya.”
Brittany’s image appeared once more. Definitely a woman of high quality. There were others, but she’d been the only one to capture his heart.
Fuse doubted there’d ever be another woman like her. She might want to make peace between them, forge some kind of friendship after the way they’d parted, but he couldn’t find it in him to embrace it.
His life was fine as is. Important work with a great team, friendships that would last for life. Long rides on his Harley, occasional weekends at the McCord Ranch, and a woman in his bed when the need arose. There was nothing else he needed.
Most definitely not Brittany Blackmore.
Chapter Three
Eternal Brethren Clubhouse
Wrath ended the early morning call, the disgust on his face signaling his mood. “They aren’t telling Grayson anything about the interrogation of al-Assid.”
“Fucking FBI. When have they ever shared information with anyone else?” Ghost scrubbed a hand down his face, wanting to pound his fist into something. Time for a trip to the gym.
He knew most of those in the FBI were good people. Ghost had also seen firsthand experience there were those who pushed their own political agenda, coveting information to the harm of the American people. “All I want to know is if he has a cell that’s going to carry out an attack, and the location.”