* * *
Watchingher come under his touch was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Would this be enough for her? He was half a man. He had never been angry since he was hurt—until now. He’d never wanted a woman like this before. And right now, the thought that threatened to overwhelm him was the terror this would be all they’d have.
“You are stunning.” He forced a smile.
“Thank you.” She rested her head against his broad chest. “I’ve been so afraid.”
His hand rubbed up and down her back, pulling her closer. He held her, lost in thought, enjoying the feel of her naked body in his arms. He’d felt a tingle while he enjoyed loving her. Loving her? This was what he was feeling.
His eyes caught the time on the wall clock. “I don’t want this to end, but it’s time for me to get ready for the interview.” After kissing her once more, he helped her retrieve her clothes.
Chapter 32
Advised of the interview, Fani prepared an early dinner, and 3-Romeo team members delivered it to the building. The mood in the conference room was tense. Troy was grateful Tim postponed the physician meeting until Monday. The group talked about anything but work, trying to divert Troy’s mind. He remained quiet. His low back and thighs ached. His heartrate was increasing, and he was fighting off the sweats.
The lights flickering over San Diego Bay were beautiful at this time of night, but Troy did not notice them. He expected the reporter, Alec Kunzleman, any minute. Dressed in a navy blue suit with a white shirt open at the collar and an American flag pin on his lapel, a trimmed beard and camera-ready hair, he turned and began to pace. Gwen, dressed in an Eagle’s Talon dress uniform, sat quietly on his loveseat.
“Thank you,” he said.
“For?”Her head tilted to look up at him.
“Being with me. Supporting me.” He swallowed hard. “Am I out of my mind to do this?”
“What do you think?” she asked, her big eyes filled with concern.
“I need to do this…for me. I’ve let what happened rule my emotions. I need to be the one to do that.”
“I think you do too. And so does Ian. Do you think he would let you do this if he felt differently?” she cheered him on.
“I guess you’re right.”Troy took out his handkerchief and blotted his sweaty brow.
Gwen stood and walked toward him, stopping a foot away from him. “My turn to say thank you. I…I was so afraid you’d get disgusted looking at me. I mean, you weren’t, were you?”
Troy shook his head. “Oh, my beauty. You came alive for me. Your body flushed a beautiful pink; you were stunning.” A knock on the door made him jump.
Gwen went and opened the door. “Verna, what are you doing here this late?”
“Do you think I’d leave my sweet man to go this alone? I have Mr. Alec Kunzleman stewing his heels in the waiting room.” Verna said walked over to Troy and palmed his cheek. “You’ve got this.” Her brows crunched. “You’re warm. Are you feeling alright?”
“Just nerves.” Troy took her hand. “Thank you. Send him in.”
Alec Kunzleman walked inside Troy’s office and looked around. “Beautiful view.”
Gwen walked over to Troy. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear. As she walked to the door, she stopped and faced the reporter. “You were chosen for this interview because you’re known to search for the facts and not sensationalize things. You screw with this man, there will be a line of people volunteering to make you disappear.”
Troy chuckled. “Thanks, Gwendolen. Mr. Kunzleman, make yourself comfortable.” Troy pointed to his living room area as Gwen left the room.
The lanky man with perfectly cut brown hair and bright hazel eyes sat on the loveseat. “Call me Alec. When Ian Chase reached out to me, to be honest, I was worried it was an attempt to deny the story. And when he explained the story was accurate, I needed to think about it. I felt horrible for you, and from what little Ian told me, I knew the last thing you wanted was pity.”
“True that. I recently learned there is a difference between feeling sad for someone and pity. I’m doing this interview because I need to take control of my story. The person or persons who released these videos desired to destroy me. That’s under investigation. But the attack and my attackers are known,” Troy said. “And if my story can help someone else…”
“I will try to ask you about the events and your story post-event without being overly intrusive, but I need to confirm nothing is off the table.”
“I understand. But, yes, nothing is off the table. I want to demonstrate that this isn’t staged.”
“From my point of view, you are incredibly brave to do this,” Alec said.
“Not brave at all,” Troy said. “Thousands of women and men are being sexually assaulted each year in our military, as well as our civilian population. They live in fear of exposure and stigma. I’ve devoted my career to investigating these crimes. I’ve told victim after victim that I want to help them reach a place of acceptance. Kind of foolish if I can’t do it myself.”
