Page 136 of No Fear

“He was ashamed. He said he couldn't face us knowing what he’d done.” Now knowing the truth, Charlie’s heart ached for him. His whole life changed that day. Set him on a different path because of something he thought he was responsible for.

“He has nothing to feel ashamed about. He is a fine young man. You on the other hand. Asking him over to sleep with you?” Her mom raised her eyebrows. Charlie blushed. Maybe she shouldn't have shared so much, but she was a terrible liar.

“I’m sorry. For the record, Donnie was the perfect gentleman.” She didn’t want them thinking badly of him.

“Now that sounds like the nice young man I remember Donnie to be,” her mom said. “So why did he suddenly tell you the truth now? Are you two dating?”

“Not exactly. He was there for me when I ended it with Simon. We’ve grown close, and he wanted to be honest and get it out in the open.” If only he had done it sooner, they may not have lost ten years.

Her mom put an arm around her shoulders.

“Even if Nate had seen that text and was heading home, we still would not have lay any blame with you or Donnie. What happened was an accident. We don't even blame the driver. He didn't know his brakes would fail. Donnie is a good man. We love him like family. You have to put this behind you. Both of you do.” Her mom kissed her hair. “Nate would never want either of you to feel this way. The three of you were so close.”

Charlie cried. Relief, sorrow, happiness. She wasn't sure what tears they were, but she desperately wanted to tell Donnie. To relieve him of the guilt.

“Is he here at home? I think perhaps your mother and I should talk to him and set the record straight about that night.” Her dad said, clearly thinking the same thing.

Charlie shook her head. “No, he’s deployed right now.”

“That’s too bad. He needs to know the truth. He told me he was a SEAL when he was here last. Was it his team that got you out of Daram?”

“I... don’t think so,” she stammered. The question caught her off guard, but she remembered the “debriefing” she had when she arrived back warning she must not mention the team.

“It’s alright, darling. I shouldn't have asked. Whoever it was, I am very grateful to them for bringing my little girl home safely.” Her dad stood and held out his arms. She went to him, hugging him tight.

***

DONNIE PARKED THE MUSTANG next to the white Mini and followed the directions Mr. and Mrs. Weston had given him. He couldn’t resist renting the Mustang again when he landed at Albany airport. Still not giving up his Bronco, but he had to admit he liked this.

He’d taken the shot in Daram and hit his target. The Aziz brothers were dead. Ryan’s knife wound had missed anything vital. His hand would take a while to heal, but he would be fine. Dex was bruised and battered, but not out of action. Onyx had come home safe.

More importantly, all fourteen hostages were home and unharmed. Sadly, the ambassador’s death had been beyond their control, but they brought her body home, and she was going to receive a funeral with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.

When he neared Nate’s grave, Charlie was sitting on a blanket, chatting to her brother like it was the most natural thing in the world. She wore a white sundress, and her golden hair was loose over her shoulders. God, she was beautiful. His heart squeezed. He loved this woman, and the thought of what might have happened in Daram... He stopped, shook the thought away, and got himself together. She was here. Safe.

He was just a few feet behind her when he heard her say, “What do you think Nate? Me and Donnie. Would you be OK with that?”

Donnie smiled.

“I think he would be fine with it,” he said.

Charlie jumped at his voice, then gasped, scrambling to her feet and running straight into his arms. He squeezed her to him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck so tight he thought he might choke.

“I can’t believe you're here. I was coming back to Coronado and I—”

He crushed his mouth over hers. She melted instantly and kissed him back. The kiss was hungry and hot. If they hadn't been at a cemetery, he might have stripped her naked and taken things a whole lot further. Pulling back, he gazed into those baby blues. Seeing her. Really seeing her.

“Hello, beautiful.” Damn, he’d missed her. He’d got back to Coronado forty-eight hours ago, but then there were the debriefs. The team had then celebrated the Aziz brothers’ demise. He’d ducked out and with Sam’s permission, got on a plane. Not until now, with her in his arms, did he really feel like he’d come home.

“I can't believe you’re here,” she whispered again.

“Nowhere else I want to be.”

He had the woman he loved in his arms. And he could see her. Every delicious, sexy inch of her.

“And your sight is still good?”

Donnie thought about the shot he’d had to take. “I’m not sure it’s quite as sharp as before. But I was able to do my job. And I’m able to see you. That’s all that matters.” He kissed her forehead.