Page 111 of No Fear

“They said it can be hard. You can be gone for days or weeks. I wouldn't know where you were or what you’re doing. But they also said they support each other, and how proud they are of the whole team.”

Damn, those women were awesome. He loved all of them. If Charlie did this, she would have the most amazing support system.

“I’m not just a SEAL.” When she said nothing, he continued. “I can't give you too many details, but I am part of a special unit. A unit that very few people know about. We get sent to do the missions that the US government do not want recorded on paper. If you get my drift.”

“Holy shit. I thought being a SEAL was badass enough.”

He smiled. “Yeah, it’s pretty badass. It’s also very dangerous. I’m not trying to scare you; I just want you to know. I have the very best team around me. Two teams. We are very good at what we do, but shit happens. Like it did to me. Obviously, I do not know if I’m making it back to active duty yet but, if I do, there’s no guarantee something won't happen again.”

“There’s no guarantee it will happen either,” Her warm hand covered his.

“I can be called to go at short notice. There’s a lot of training. Time away. Weekends. It’s a lot for any woman to put up with. Even if I’m never on active duty again and end up on a desk, the hours are long, irregular.”

“If you are trying to change my mind about us, it’s not going to work. If Sophie, Kelly, Mira, and Diane can make it work, then so can we.”

Damn, she was strong and determined. Before he could change his mind, he laid it out in the open.

“I love my job, Charlie, and it’s here in Coronado. Sight or no sight. I know I’m being selfish saying this, but I can’t leave. Especially now. I want you. I need you. But I also need my team. They are family to me.”

Silence. He waited, mentally cursing again that he couldn’t see her reaction. Then her hands were on his face as she stood in front of him. He spread his legs so she could get closer and placed his hands on her waist.

“Donnie, I would never ask you to leave your job or your team. Just being here these past couple of days, meeting the team, meeting the ladies, I can see what a wonderful family you have here, and how important they all are to you. To each other.”

He placed his hands over hers. “If you stayed here, they’d be your family, too.”

“Are you asking me to stay?”

He thought about Simon. Nate. Fuck. He should tell her, but this wasn't the time and dammit, he wanted her here. He’d tell her the rest. Just not now.

“Yes. I want you here in Coronado, with me. Preferably here in my home, in my bed, but I know I still need to win your trust. We can find you somewhere close. It’s a huge ask, I know. Your job, your folks, Maddie. I’m taking you away from what’s important to you.”

“Donnie, I travel for my work too. I’m already away from them. Coronado is further and yes, that will be harder, but you’re important to me, Donnie. I want to be with you.”

“Is that a yes?”

Her lips were on his and he pulled her closer, his hands in her hair as he kissed her back. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavy.

“It’s a yes, but I will want to spend time in Albany. Maybe we can go together, I mean your folks are there too. We can find time around both our schedules.”

“Of course. We’ll make time to go. Both of us. I promise. How the fuck did I get so lucky to get another chance with you?” He kissed her again. “I swear I won't let you down.”

Charlie was everything he’d dreamed of having. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but he held back the words. He needed to see her face when he told her.

That night, Donnie showed her in slow, attentive detail how much she meant to him. When she drifted off to sleep in his arms, he held her close, more content than he could ever remember. This, Charlie, here in his arms was everything he could ever want. He no longer feared what the future held. With this woman beside him, he could overcome anything.

Chapter Nineteen

Steepling his fingers, Omar Aziz rested his elbows on the small wooden table. Hakim had gone to speak to their soldiers. Soldiers of Allah. Preparing them for the New Dawning coming to Daram. Before long, Daram would be theirs. It was time for him to take his seat at the table and get the respect he deserved with his brother by his side. Together they would change the future of Daram. They would spread the good word of the New Dawning of Allah. Daram was just the beginning.

He had promised his daughter he would avenge her husband's capture. He would ensure the men responsible were punished. He understood the team were highly skilled. Special Operations. It was never going to be easy, but they had a plan now. The American soldiers would come willingly to them.

The raid on the house where he and Hakim had been staying had been a surprise. They had been very careful in organizing their return. Apparently, someone had leaked their location. A traitor among them. Thankfully, they were always prepared for an attack. He did not know if it had been the team that had come for them. It did not matter. Two Reborn soldiers, chosen to make the ultimate sacrifice, had failed. One killed before he could detonate. The other ran. Once cornered, he did detonate his vest, but he’d been too far away to do real damage. No American bodies, which meant the Americans had gotten away. May even still be out there, looking for them. Unfortunate, but it wouldn’t stop their plan.

“Omar?”

He raised his head at his brother’s voice. “Yes, Hakim?”

“We are ready. We must move forward. Coordinate the attacks. We’ve waited long enough. It is time to take control of Daram before another team finds us.”