“They didn’t get the call. They were put on alert to follow if need be, though.”
Priest’s job gave him access to the orders and battle plan before it got handed down to the rest of us, so I nodded.
“So…” Cameron said, looking around with a grin, “Where’s the hubby?”
“Right here.”
I spun on my heels, executing an about-face as I let my gear hit the deck. I couldn’t believe he came. Declan stood with a few others, a woman and man, both younger than him, and another man who appeared older. All of them had similar features, giving me the impression they were family.
Declan ignored the others, pulled me into his arms, and whispered, “I tried ditching them, but they’re like leeches when they think they’re going to miss out on something.”
Tucking my face into his neck, I replied, “No worries. I gotta meet them sometime, right?”
I hated how hesitant my voice sounded, but even more, I hated how much her actions still affected me.
“Absolutely, Papi.”
He eased back, and I cupped his face in my hands, bringing his mouth to mine. I needed a taste.
“Well, we’ve lost them,” Priest said. “I’m Jonathan Priestly, or just Priest.”
“Nice to meet you, Gunny. We’re the rude ass’s cousins. I’m Walker, that’s my cousin, Heidi, and her brother, Lincoln.”
“That’s Zander Cameron and Scott Blackstone, and the guy sucking face is Hayden Marin.”
I let the kiss come to an end, staring down into Declan’s eyes. The blue-green shade I still couldn’t name was becoming my favorite color. His cheeks pinkened, and I leaned in for another kiss, trying to keep this one chaste.
When we parted, Declan kept one arm around my waist as he turned back to his family. “Hayden, these are my cousins, Walker, Heidi, and Linc. Guys, this is Hayden.”
I reached my hand toward Walker, shaking his hand, then the others. I eyed Walker, and he returned the favor. There was something familiar about him. Hell, there was something familiar about Declan and Linc, too, now that I got a look at the three of them together, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
The niggling thought made my brain itch, but I blew it off. The rumble of the plane’s engines started up in the distance.
Walker looked at Declan, then at me and the guys, and said, “You guys stay safe downrange. Declan, we’ll be in the truck.”
Heidi and Linc waved at us, and the guys moved off, taking my gear with them. I’d have to thank them for the privacy and extra time them stowing my gear gave me. Turning away from them, my gaze danced over the face of my husband, a man I barely knew. Giving this a go was stupid as fuck, but…
“Second thoughts?” he asked.
I leaned against my car, pulling him to stand between my splayed thighs. Our bodies aligned, and my dick twitched. He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“You’re incorrigible.”
“I’m a horny motherfucker, and my husband is sexy as sin.”
“Well, when you put it that way…”
I looked out over my fellow Marines, taking in the sadness and love I’d ignored in the past, certain that life wasn’t for me. My gaze returned to Declan, and I said, “I’ve never done this.”
“Saying goodbye on the tarmac.”
I nodded. “My ex never came. We said goodbye at her place.”
“Well, I’m here now.”
My head bobbed again, and all the shit I felt and wanted to say got stuck in my throat. I rolled my lips into my mouth and cleared my throat.
“I’ve not updated anything…”
