CHAPTER FIVE
Friday, September 8th
Brooke stood next to Piper in front of the hotel and felt her friend’s hot, questioning stare. Ignoring it as best she could, she studied the massive security gate that separated the property from the road and noticed the armed guards chatting with one another.
“Anything you’d like to share?” Piper asked sweetly. “Maybe something about the man you were canoodling with at breakfast, for example.”
“What does canoodling even mean?” Brooke asked, in hopes that it would distract her language-loving friend long enough for the men to arrive.
“I believe Webster’s defines it as kissing and cuddling amorously.”
“I was not kissing Frisco at the breakfast table.”
“But you were kissing him by the potted palm in the corner. And…” Lifting her arm, she made a show of studying her watch. “It hasn’t been twenty-four hours since you met him.”
Brooke turned and gave her friend a smile. “Roses. He sent me roses and then held my hand and listened when I spoke and…kissed the living daylights out of me.” Flapping her arms up and down, she made a small distressed sound. “Do I run at him or away? I can’t decide.”
“I’d suggest running at him.” Piper rested her arm on Brooke’s shoulder and nodded. “Grab whatever happy comes your way and hold tight, because you and I both know how rare it is.”
“Why am I overthinking this and trying to make it more complicated than a handsome man wanting to have relations?”
“Because you can’t help yourself. You’ve been overanalyzing romantic relationships since we were freshmen and you asked Hugh Fowler to Sadie Hawkins.”
Leaning her head on Piper’s shoulder, she let out a sigh. “My ability to suck the joy out of something would be impressive if it wasn’t so darn depressing.”
“True.”
A gray Toyota Land Cruiser rumbled in their direction, and Brooke saw Frisco in the driver’s seat. “When he told me the plan this morning, I almost started to argue with him, but I stopped myself and ended up telling him thank you. He and the guys want to make sure that nothing happens to us, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him we could manage it on our own.”
“I’m not surprised, because Jax was making noise about it last night.”
As Frisco parked the car under the portico, Brooke studied her friend. “What about Jax—are you interested?”
“He’s still hung up on his ex-girlfriend and doesn’t realize it. One minute he would be flirting, and the next he would be talking about something they used to do with one another.” Scrunching her nose, she let out a laugh. “I think it’s good to avoid men who do a twenty-minute monologue about a woman they used to date.”
“Yeah, definitely a good idea.”
“What’s a good idea?” Frisco asked as he walked up.
“Ice cream.”
“That’s the damn truth,” he said with enthusiasm. “Is there a good place to get some?”
“We haven’t spent much time in the city, so I really don’t know,” Brooke responded.
“We should ask the Marines at the embassy,” Bryce said as he stepped out of the car. “They’ll know where to find some.”
Frisco nodded with approval. “The kid is like a walking Google; ask a question, and the best damn ideas come out of him.”
“Happy to contribute,” Bryce said as he held the door.
Brooke looked at Bryce and smiled. “Smart, good-looking, and brave. You must have to peel off the women clamoring for your attention.”
“No, ma’am, no peeling.”
The group erupted in laughter, and Brooke watched the lieutenant’s face grow red. “I bet you’d rather face just about anything but a compliment.”
“Probably true.”
Brooke squeezed his arm and grinned. “Me too.” She opened her purse and started digging through it. “I have the directions somewhere in my purse.”
“Not necessary,” Bryce said as he held up his small tablet. “I’ve got three routes mapped out, so we’re good to go.”
“Told you,” Frisco said as he led Brooke toward the car. “Human Google.”
Piper rested her hand on Bryce’s arm. “How are you on song lyrics?”
“That’s my specialty,” Jax said loudly. “Give me a couple of lines, and I can name the song.”
Brooke looked over at Piper and stifled a laugh. Poor Jax, he thought he still had a chance. Maybe she should fill him in, so he didn’t keep trying.
“Women in back, Jax is shotgun, Bryce, you’re covering our six,” Frisco called out as he helped Brooke in.
“You’re kinda bossy,” Brooke said as Frisco’s hand rested on her waist a second longer than was necessary.
“You have no idea,” he said as he threw her a wink and sexy smile.
Lowering her sunglasses, she raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure now is the time to tell you my thoughts on that comment.”
“Probably not,” he said as he shut the door.
Piper snorted as she climbed in the other side. “Frisco, you’re in trouble with a capital T.”
“Don’t I know it,” he replied as he got in. Looking into the rearview mirror, he gave Brooke a smile. “Little did I know, it’s just what I’ve been looking for.”
Brooke tried her best not to return his smile and then gave up. “We’ll see how long it takes for you to change your tune.”
“Not going to happen,” he replied as he drove toward the exit and nodded to the guards as the massive gate was opened. “I’m heading west on Corniche Road, right?”
“Affirmative, sir,” Bryce responded.
“Nothing on the satellite feed that should give us any problems,” Jax added.
“Why are you treating a trip to the US embassy as an op?” Brooke asked as she looked out the window. “The city hasn’t been hit with any serious violence in two years. Nothing suggests that today is the day that will change.”
“And nothing indicates that it isn’t,” Frisco replied. “Having Flintlock in town is seen as a negative by some, and encountering Americans in the city may incite people to act out.”
“This isn’t a united country, and just because our governments are getting along doesn’t mean the population sees it that way,” Jax added as he studied the street.
“This is one of the oldest inhabited places on earth, and they have never been unified about anything,” Brooke commented as she watched the dust of the desert swirl up in a flowerlike ball. “There are more than two hundred ethnic groups in the country, and they perceive themselves as mostly autonomous. Even when the French ruled, there was no attempt at any serious unification.”
Piper sat forward and said, “Did you guys know that the major cultural divides are geographic?”
“Had no idea,” Jax said as he turned in his seat.
“In the South, you have the Sera people, who live sedentary lives and are mostly Christian. The North is inhabited by nomadic tribal groups who are Muslim. The center of the country is the Sahel region, and it blends people from both areas.”
“They don’t even have a national cuisine,” Brooke added. “The last attempt at cultural unity in the sixties failed miserably and stress between the many groups exists to this day.”
“Sometimes, the only thing that brings people together is a mutual enemy and the Big Bad West is often seen as that. No need to make you two easy targets, so that’s why we’re running this little field trip with all the precautions necessary,” Frisco commented as he entered the roundabout that would lead them to the embassy.
Brooke looked over at Piper and rolled her eyes. “A five-minute trip becomes an op.”
“You, better than anybody, understand the mindset of SEALs and shouldn’t be surprised.”
Letting out a sigh, Brooke looked at the back of Frisco’s head and wondered how his sexy ways had completely dissolved her usual avoidance of men in the military. When no answer came immediately to mind, she decided to enjoy the view of the busy streets.
It had been a long time since she had seen this many cars, busses, and throngs of people, and she found the stimuli both shocking and welcome. As they passed a small business district, she noticed a lively sidewalk with cafés and bars and wondered if they should stop there for lunch on their way back. She also saw a busy bazaar next to the disco and wondered if it might sell some of the music that Malaba’s niece had gotten her hooked on. The star of the Chadian music scene, Clement Masdongar, mixed Western pop with traditional songs, and she’d fallen in love with his sound. Leaning forward, she put her hand on Frisco’s shoulder. “Let’s have lunch in this area on the way back and then go to the bazaar so Piper and I can do a little shopping.”
“Whatever you want,” he replied as he covered her hand with his. “Bryce…”
“On it,” Bryce replied before Frisco could finish his sentence.
Brooke looked at the tablet in the young lieutenant’s hand and watched as he linked up to what she assumed was the local police feed. “What are you looking for?”
“Sitrep. Just checking to see how much criminal activity has occurred in the area.”
Piper let out a laugh. “Of course, because that’s a reasonable thing to do before you go to lunch.”
“Glad you understand,” Frisco called out from the front.
Letting out a sigh, Brooke sat back and looked out the window. “Please deliver me from men who are paranoid.”
Bryce patted her arm and gave her a resigned smile. “Not real sure how plausible that request is.”
“I know,” Brooke replied. “Believe me, I know.”
***
Frisco stood with Jax and Bryce and shot the shit with the diplomatic security officers who were responsible for the security of the embassy, and noted there were no Marines present. Which meant CIA personnel were not in-country and there were no classified materials to secure, which would’ve been the only reason for them to be there. “Bryce, did you find any ice-cream places?”
“Two.”
“Pick one, and we’ll stop after lunch.”
“Yes, sir.”
The guard change was about to happen, so Frisco and his men moved inside the small embassy and waited for the women to finish gathering their supplies. The UN didn’t keep a permanent home in the area, so the consulate stored medical supplies and vaccines as a way to aid the humanitarian effort. Leaning against a wall, Frisco studied Jax and Bryce before he asked the question again. “Are you sure you want to go down to Zakouma? You both have a seat on a transport plane out of here on Tuesday. You can be in Coronado by the end of the week.”
“I decided when I signed up for the Navy that I was going to see as much of the world as I could, and I want to see the wildlife that they’ve got down at that park. So, my answer remains the same; I want to go down and run security for MSF while the women do their thing,” Bryce said as he adjusted his kit.
“I’m not going to miss seeing the damn elephants,” Jax added as he emptied his water bottle.
“All right, then. All for one and one for all. We’ll be heading down on Sunday morning after we’re done with the Flintlock exercises.”
“How did we get the okay for this trip?” Bryce inquired.
“I called the rear admiral and told him what I had in mind, and he helped out with the red tape.”
Jax let out a snort. “We’ve been friends for longer than I care to admit, so I feel comfortable in asking the question that no one else will. Isn’t this a lot of work for a second date?”
Frisco looked from side to side and then flipped his friend off. “We are providing protection for two women who have put their lives on the line again and again so that they can provide medical care for people who would not otherwise receive it. And, to answer your question…yeah, it might be a lot of effort for a second date, but since I’ve put in exactly zero over the last ten years, I figure it’ll all even out.”
“Brooke has no idea what she’s in for,” Bryce commented quietly. Shaking his head, he gave Frisco a bland smile. “If my mama was here, she would say, ‘Bless his heart,’ which is reserved for the people who are on the far reaches of the crazy branch in the family tree.”
“I’m thinking your mama would also commend my efforts in being a gentleman and offering to protect a woman from the many possible dangers.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Bryce responded.
“Like I said, you’re both free to jump on the plane home.” He gave them both a sharp nod. “Nothing is keeping you here after we’re done with our commitment at Flintlock.”
“Are you kidding me?” Jax replied. “There’s no way I’m going to miss seeing you make a fool of yourself as you go after Brooke. I’ve been waiting years and years for it, and God has blessed me with a front-row seat to what is, by all accounts, going to be a hell of a show.” He stood up straight and shrugged. “Not to mention the elephants.”
“I had no idea you held those pachyderms in such high regard,” Frisco commented. “Anyway, I appreciate your support and promise to return the favor when the time comes.”
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s coming anytime soon. Piper informed me we could be friends and nothing more, because, and I quote, ‘I am still hung up on my last girlfriend.’”
“She’s right,” Frisco replied.
“You should’ve sprung for the flowers,” Bryce added.
Jax flipped them both off and crossed his arms. “Frisco, while you were busy smooching on your girl under the moonlight, I was gathering Intel—are you interested or what?”
Standing up straight, he frowned. “What kind of intel?”
“The kind that could save you a lot of grief. Carrick told me that Brooke and her father don’t have the best relationship. In fact, he characterized it as ‘extremely strained.’ Apparently, the rear admiral wasn’t around much when his wife was fighting cancer, and it was left to Brooke, her brother, and maternal grandmother to handle it. By all accounts, his absence was never completely forgiven and has made Brooke adamant about not getting involved with a man in Spec Ops.”
Frisco leaned against the wall and let out a huff. “So, you’re telling me my slim chances just turned into slim to none?” Kicking the cement, he shook his head. “No way is she going to be interested in me long term.”
“Which makes the next week all the more important,” Bryce said. “This is your one shot at letting her see you as something other than a SEAL. When we’re down in Zakouma, we’re in her world, not yours, and you should make the most of it.”
“True.” Frisco nodded and straightened his shoulders. “Good point.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Frisco let out a laugh and studied Bryce and knew the kid was the best version of what a SEAL could become. “We’re damn lucky to have you on the Teams, kid.”
“Appreciate it.”
As they waited, Frisco ran over the information he’d just received and knew the battle in front of him was not only an uphill one but also damn near impossible. Which, lucky enough, was his favorite kind. Nothing in his life had ever been easy, and he didn’t expect the girl who had him tied up in ten different ways to be either. All he could do was make sure they had as many moments like they’d had earlier so when the time came to make a choice, she’d choose him.
There was some kind of special alchemy that happened between them when they let the world fall away, and he was praying being in the middle of a national park with elephants, camels, and whatever else was down there would give them the chance to have a couple more moments like that.
The mind-blowing connection that was starting to happen wasn’t anything he was willing to give up. So, if he had to follow her to the end of the African continent and show her what they could become…then so be it. Because the Brooke Fosters of the world came along once in a man’s lifetime if he was lucky, and there was no way he wasn’t going to make the most of what they had.
No way at all.