Arriving back at the homestead, York, Raso, Laura, and Cortez kept watch on Sadie and Gypsy while Sgt. Brocard, Rameriez, and Diesel went with Hank and Jerry to clear the house and the outside perimeter. The women in the SUV joked with each other, exchanging stories while watching their surroundings. Sadie got to know the women of Alpha Squad while they got to know the real Sadie instead of the starlet. By the time Hank and his group returned twenty minutes later, the women in the SUV were like old friends.

Once the SUVs were unpacked, Hank and Jerry showed Alpha Squad where they could put their things and showed them the layout of the house so they could decide how they wanted to work out security. Once Alpha Squad put everything into their rooms, Hank and Sadie showed them the grounds while Jerry and Gypsy went to the kitchen to get prep started for the cookout for a late dinner.

Gypsy got the hot dogs and burgers out of the fridge while Jerry prepared the grill. As she turned around to go to the fridge again to grab some more stuff so she could start the salad, she found herself walking smack dab into a wall of muscles.

“Shit, Gyps are you okay?” Jerry asked.

“Yeah, sorry wasn’t watching where I was going,” Gypsy croaked out.

Gypsy looked up as Jerry looked down. She felt his hands tighten on her arms as he stared into her eyes then down to her lips. Gypsy swallowed as she licked her lips, her eyes drawn to his lips as well. Before she knew it, her lips were fused to Jerry’s.

Gypsy’s heart raced, not in fear as she had expected, but in excitement. Her skin tingled with heat. For the first time in her life she wanted a man’s touch. She wanted that touch to be Jerry’s. She could tell Jerry was holding back so that he didn’t spook her. This made her want to take control of the kiss. She opened up, licking his lower lip as she nipped him and drew a deep growl from low in his throat. Feeling his tongue reach out of his mouth, she slipped her between his lips to start a wrestling match with his. The kiss deepened as each second passed, drinking from each other like they were thirsty for each other’s essence, yet not moving anything but their lips and tongue. Both Gypsy and Jerry were so engrossed in their branding of each other’s mouth they never heard the group coming into the house.

“Now that’s what I call body protection. Hello, nurse!” Diesel hollered out.

Gypsy and Jerry broke apart. Jerry kept his back to the group, and Gypsy turned beet red and she peeked around him, glaring daggers at Diesel.

“What? You’re the one playing tonsil hockey with kong over there. Don’t glare at me like that, woman. I’m the one cheering your ass on while these hookers want to stab the poor guy in the neck with an ice pick. Sheesh,” Diesel defended herself with both hands in the air.

Raso came into the room smacking Diesel on the back of the head, “You’re such a dumbass. Stop embarrassing the girl before I stab your ass in her honor. Gypsy, ignore the twit, she’s just jealous because she can only pick up little boys still discovering the stumps they call a dick. Jerry, I apologize for Diesel.”

“It’s okay, Detective. SEALs are worse, trust me. Let me get the meat out on the grill.” Jerry grabbed the plate with the burgers and hot dogs to go outside.

Raso looked over at Rameriez and York to get them to take Diesel out of the room. Sgt. Brocard walked with Hank and Sadie out of the kitchen, leaving Raso, Pratt, and Gypsy alone in the kitchen. Raso looked over at Laura and then back at Gypsy.

“Hey Gypsy Danger, you okay?” Laura asked concerned.

“Yep. Peacy Keechy, Laura,” Gypsy said nonchalantly.

“Uh huh, sure you are. You said Laura instead of Red. Talk to us. It’s just the three of us now, babe. We had York and Ramz take Deez out behind the shed and beat her ass,” Laura joked.

Gypsy smirked. “Make sure they get a few licks in for me.” Breathing a heavy sign, she looked around. “Does it mean I’m a whore for liking that kiss?”

“Fuck this. I’m flying to Los Angeles and beating the shit out of that damn counselor. Hell no it doesn’t mean you’re a whore for liking that kiss, Gypsy,” Raso fumed. She took a deep breath to bring herself back under control when she realized she was shaking from her anger. “Sorry, ok let me ask this, what did you feel when you two kissed?” Raso asked calmly.

“I felt tingly. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. My arms still tingle where he touched me,” Gypsy said quietly, yet wearing a smile on her face.

“Okay, what about your nether regions? Your breasts?” Laura asked direct and to the point.

“Huh? Why would you seriously ask me that?” Gypsy asked confused.

“Jesus, Gyps! Did your nipples get hard and did your pussy tingle and become wet? Just answer the damn question,” Laura barked.

Confused by the line of question from Laura and Raso, Gypsy replied, “Um yes, they did. Damn it, I’m a whore. My dad was right.”

“I’m gonna stab that…” Laura started. “Gypsy, no you’re not a whore. Answer us this and maybe you’ll see why we asked the questions we did. Have you ever felt that way when you were held captive with any of the men you were forced to have sex with?” Laura asked, causing Gypsy to stop her intended tirade and seriously think about the question.

“No. I hated sex. I wanted to strip out of my skin. I was always the one girl that got punished the most because I couldn’t get wet and would cry when they penetrated. I don’t know if I’m ready.” Gypsy started to panic.

“Hey, Hey, slow down there, Gypsy Danger. First there’s a difference. Those men were losers who took joy in hurting those weaker than them. You are no longer the victim your uncle forced you to become. You’ve turned into one hell of a woman, one we’re both proud of as if you’re our own chicklet. You are a survivor. Jerry doesn’t want to hurt you. From what we’ve seen since we got here and from that kiss we walked in on, he genuinely cares about you,” Raso paused to make sure what she just said sunk in for Gypsy.

“Second, the fact that you’ve never felt excitement for a man’s touch but you do for Jerry’s tells me from experience that this is the real deal. With your background, only the real deal would ever work for you. That is far from ever being a whore. Gypsy you were forced into human trafficking, it wasn’t something you chose for yourself. If anyone says differently, then you send that son of a bitch our way and we will set them straight, even if it requires a few trips behind a shed to stomp their asses,” Laura said with a firm conviction in her voice.

“Exactly. Give it a chance, Gyps. Talk with him. Let him know your fears and concerns,” Raso advised.

“And if he’s any kind of SEAL, he’ll put your desire and fears first. SEALs are alpha as hell, but they always put the person they desire first,” Laura said with softness.

“What if he has to be in control, even in the bedroom?” Gypsy asked in a semi-scared voice.

“That’s your alley since you’re with squidward,” Raso joked, pointing at Laura.

Laura flipped Raso off as she looked at Gypsy. “Gyps, after what I went through in Mexico, I walked away from Joe thinking the same thing. Joe is alpha to the bone. He’s dominant in the bedroom. It was refreshing for me when we first got together since I had to be in control in our line of work all damn day. After Mexico, it scared the living hell out of me. But when I was finally able to let him back in, he knew that he had to let me make the moves and be somewhat in control so I didn’t panic. Any man worth their weight in salt and who truly wants to be with a woman knows this and isn’t going to have a problem with it,” Laura said sternly as she looked Gypsy in the eyes.

“Okay.” Gypsy sighed deeply, nodding her understanding. “Let’s get this salad made or they will think I’m upset about that kiss.”

The three women set about getting the salad and potato salad made for the cookout. Sadie and Rameriez came into the kitchen while they were getting things ready, laughing and joking like long lost friends. Sadie and Gypsy shared stories about behind the scenes during filming. That’s how Hank and Jerry found the women in the kitchen; their relaxed conversation making it seem like it was a weekend getaway. Gypsy smiled sheepishly up at Jerry as she finished cleaning up her mess.

“Everything okay in here?” Hank asked his wife as he took in the room.

“Yes, dear. We are just talking about behind the scenes stuff that Gyps and I went through, and they are telling us their war stories, so just girl stuff,” Sadie smiled sweetly at her husband.

“War stories? This should be interesting to hear,” Jerry said. “Burgers and dogs are ready. Need help with anything else?”

“Nope, we have it all. Let’s get everyone together and head outside. You guys can grab the glasses and the two pitchers of tea we made,” Sadie ordered Hank and Jerry.

Everyone headed outside and got everything set up. Once everyone filled their plates and got seated, the laughter and stories were told. Hank and Jerry told Laura funny stories about their escapades with Joe, which had the women in stitches from laughing so hard.

Every time Jerry moved around, got up or spoke, Gypsy was hyperaware of him. She followed him with her eyes every time he got up and everywhere he went. Her lips still held the heat from their kiss earlier. When their eyes would meet during sneak peeks, she could see the heat in his eyes scorching her to the core, letting her know he wanted her, causing Gypsy to squirm in her seat.

“Stop squirming, padawan. We’ll keep Deez busy tonight for you to talk to him. But if you keep blushing and squirming, we’re going to be down a team member because Ice and the Sgt. are going to beat her to death. Stop giving her ammo,” Laura whispered in Gypsy’s ear.

“Why does she hate me?”

Laura stood up and nodded her head away from the table. Gypsy shyly got up and followed Laura. “I know Diesel is a pain in the ass, but she means well. To her, you’re hers just like Ice and I consider you ours. In her own way, she’s testing Jerry. She wants to make sure he can handle everything, because Diesel will push us out of the way to take a baseball bat to his knees if he ever hurt you. She honestly didn’t mean to embarrass you, she only wants to see if he is strong enough to handle our brand of protection. She may go about it the wrong way, but she wants you to be happy and would stand between you and danger just as hard and fierce as the rest of us on this team would.”

Gypsy didn’t realize tears streaming down her face until Laura pulled her into her arms and held her as she cried. Laura just held Gypsy, not saying a word, running her hand up and down Gypsy’s back, soothing, which only made Gypsy cry harder. After a few minutes, Gypsy lifted her head from Laura’s shoulder. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. I haven’t cried like that since you guys found me seven years ago.”

“Hey, nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re strong, Gyps. The strongest woman I know. You survived a hell beyond hell. You are allowed these moments. Never doubt yourself. You also deserve love. Shit, if anyone deserves happiness, it’s you,” Laura paused, making sure Gypsy was taking it all in. “I’m still learning to let my guard down with Joe when we’re together. I walked away from him after Mexico. Like you, I felt he could do better or have someone who wasn’t damaged. And yes you did say that, maybe not verbally but with your eyes. Gyps, I know your way of thinking.” Laura looked at Gypsy knowingly. “But your eyes say it. It’s ok to be scared. Lord knows I have been and there are days that fear still creeps in, but we both deserve happiness and love.”

“Were you raped in Mexico?” Gypsy asked quietly.

“No. But Taz and I had our asses handed to us. I’d do it all again if it kept those girls from going through the hell that you went through. While these girls have nightmares, they won’t have the nightmares you do. Ice said Dr. Colez doesn’t like the fact that you’re still in touch with us?”

Gypsy laughed. “Yeah, the old bat thinks our association is hurting my healing process and is the reason I’m still in counseling six years later. She thinks I should be healed and out fucking my way through Hollywood.”

“Screw the banana in the tail pipe, shove it up her ass. Oh wait, she may like that. Screw it, I’ll send Diesel and York up there to have a heart to heart with her. I’ll give you the number of who I’m seeing. I know you’re in Los Angeles, but she can do phone and video or meet halfway, whatever you’re comfortable with. Never let anyone tell you that your healing process is wrong.” Laura smiled gently.

“Thanks, I’d definitely like that information. I don’t think I’d be where I am now without you guys.” Gypsy sniffed back her tears.

“Never sell yourself short. You’d get to where you are when you’re ready. We better get back to the group,” Laura said. Gypsy and Laura started back toward the group when the ground in front of them exploded into the air.