Chapter Forty-One

Briggs

It’s a moment fit for the movies, one I already know I’ll replay over and over again in my mind for the rest of my life. The image of her coming to a stop the second I call her name. The light reflecting off her golden curls, that now reach her shoulders, as she turns toward me. The relief and heat that cover her features as she drinks me in. The swish of her dress as she takes off toward me in her heels without giving it a second thought. A dream could never have been better than this reality.

She’s fucking beautiful.

My arms are already open when her small frame slams into mine, and the air becomes charged. The smell of her perfume permeates the crisp air around us, filling my nose. Instantly, she’s lax in my arms. My body remembers hers. How could it have forgotten? I’ve replayed the few days of freedom we shared in Germany over and over so many times that I could re-enact every move, every breath, every heartbeat.

“You look beautiful,” I murmur into her neck with a raw voice filled with love. Her warmth radiates through me.

“Briggs,” she croaks, clutching me tight. Closing my eyes, I pull her a little closer. In my heart, I feel a peace that I haven’t felt since the moment we parted. But that peace is cut short the second I lift my eyes, and they land on the man whose life I’m holding.

There’s no mistaking who he is. The look on his face is filled with accusation and fury, mixed with a whole lot of get your fucking hands off my wife!

I’m not sure if this man knew a single thing about me before today. But as I observe him watching me with his wife in my arms, I’m fucking positive that I’m on his radar now.

I should have known he would be here. I had an inkling, but somehow, I let myself hope he wouldn’t. Scottie’s still oblivious, holding on tight. Abruptly, I break away and try to wrestle my heart out of the moment—not for me, but for her. Hackles rising, I feel his presence in the pit of my stomach and curse my luck that I had to fly with my uniform on today. Sick with what’s coming, I do my best to hide it.

Scottie follows the direction of my gaze. Her breath hitches as panic starts to mar her features.

“It’s okay, Katy,” I whisper. Apologetic eyes find mine. Plastering a smile on my face, I nudge her in his direction.

“Let’s get this over with,” I say it low enough for only her to hear, and her eyes mist with fresh guilt while what’s left of her elated tears slide down her cheeks.

Terrified of what my getting lost in the moment has just cost her, I follow her over to where he stands. His posture is relaxed, but his jaw is ticking, and his eyes are still trained on me. He’s ripping me apart in his mind, limb by limb. Anger and jealousy, possession, gnaw at me as I match his stare with the same intensity. But protection overrules all these emotions as I feel Scottie start to unravel with the tension. I know she didn’t want this, didn’t mean for this to happen, but it’s a fucking train wreck, and none of us has any choice but to watch it unfold. Scottie’s words pass through my thoughts.

It only feels this way when it’s real.

I only spent a minute on the other side of love before being tossed back into hell. With one look in Scottie’s direction, I know it was worth it, and I’d do it all over again.

I fucked up with my foolish heart. In my mind, this situation has always been screwed, but to feel the gravity of it in the flesh is another thing entirely.

“Gavin, this is Sergeant Christopher Briggs,” Katy announces timidly.

Scottie, what have you done to me?

Gavin remains wordless, his lips twitching as I approach him and snap my boots together, keeping eye contact.

As soon as Katy realizes what’s about to happen, her eyes volley between us.

I told her I would be here for her in any capacity, that I would do anything for her, and I’m about to prove it.

Swallowing the whole of my fucking pride, I keep my eyes trained on his. Straightening my spine, I raise my lined fingers over my brow, and salute my superior.