Page 1 of No Fear

Chapter One

“She said yes!”

A chorus of congratulations went up at Dex’s announcement. Not that the engagement was a surprise. Donnie raised his bottle of beer in salute and wondered what had taken Dex so long to pop the question. His team leader and Kelly, head of the intel team at Onyx, had known each other since they were kids and been involved for over seven years. It was about time he sealed the deal. He smiled at his friends and took his turn in kissing the bride-to-be and slapping Dex on the back.

“So, when’s the big day?” he asked.

Dex’s smile wavered. “Not yet.”

Raven and Nyx were two teams with Onyx Black Ops, a highly classified unit of the military. The teams had been hand-picked by Captain Sam Harrison, former SEAL Team 6 leader and a bit of a legend in the Navy. A unit like theirs often got rolled into action on short notice and could be gone for days or weeks. Planning anything, let alone a wedding, was always a challenge.

“We’re on downtime for the next week. No time like the present.” Donnie grinned.

Raven team had just got back from a two-week mission and were due some R&R. That had prompted Steve and Diane’s housewarming party today where the entire team enjoyed a barbecue feast on the back deck.

“Don’t think I didn’t consider whisking her down to city hall this week, because I have. But we’ve waited this long; I can be patient a little longer. Neither of us wants anything fancy, but I know Kelly doesn’t want to rush it, so this will be on her timeline,” Dex said quietly.

Before joining Onyx, Kelly was a lieutenant with Naval Intelligence, supporting SEAL teams. She had been deployed to Daram with Bravo team when they got ambushed. Bravo team were killed. Kelly had been captured, tortured, and raped by Reyes Lazir. Raven, or Alpha as they were known then, had rescued her and Lazir had been captured, but Reborn, the terrorist organization Lazir was a soldier in, now had a personal grudge with Raven and had been causing trouble far too close to home.

“She doesn’t still blame herself for Reborn’s retaliation attempts?” The last couple of threats by Reborn had been foiled by Raven, no doubt pissing them the hell off. The team were expecting they would try again.

“A little. Doesn’t matter how many times I tell her, none of what’s happened is her fault, the guilt creeps in every now and then. She still seems to think us rescuing her is what started this vendetta,” Dex said. The two of them had moved away from the ladies all admiring Kelly’s engagement ring.

“Are you serious?” Steve said, pausing as he passed by.

“Yeah. We’re working on it. I forget sometimes it’s only been a little over a year since it happened. The sooner we take down those fuckers and finish Reborn, the better. Perhaps then she can finally move on.”

“OK, you guys look way too serious. This is supposed to be a celebration,” Ryan said as he, Mackie, and Tyler joined them.

Donnie looked at his teammates. They read each other well and could sense when something was off.

“Just wishing we could take down Reborn sooner rather than later,” Steve said.

“We all want that,” Tyler said. “Any more news on them?” He glanced at Dex.

“Sam says no.”

“Sam says no about what?” Their captain asked, joining the group.

“No more news on Reborn. We are long overdue taking down the Aziz brothers and bringing Reborn to their knees.” Mackie filled him in.

“Nothing solid yet. As soon as there is, you will know. We’ll find them.”

The conversation came to a halt when the women joined their men.

“What are you all talking about mysteriously over here?” Kelly said, wrapping an arm around Dex’s waist. Dex smiled, pulling her close into his side.

“Nothing important, fiancé.”

Donnie turned to Steve and Diane. “How are you feeling, Diane? What are you? Six months?”

“Almost seven. I feel great. Relieved to finally be settled in the new house.” She smiled up at her husband. “And I get to have Steve here the whole week to complete his honey-do list.”

Donnie laughed. “You mean there’s more to do? Didn’t we do everything before we spun up?”

“There’s always more to do.” Steve grumbled, although he was smiling lovingly at his wife.

“Megan has settled in alright?” Donnie glanced over to where Steve and Diane’s nine-year-old daughter played soccer on the beach with some of Nyx.