CHAPTER NINETEEN
Thursday, April 26th
Daphne stepped out of the Activity One building and tilted her face toward the sun and let out a long breath. The day had been brutal and the ten-minute break she was giving herself hopefully would allow her to return to the video feed she was going through with fresh eyes.
There was a pattern to the non-sensical chatter the extremist faction was filling the airwaves with, and she had yet to figure it out. Walking slowly over to a bench, she collapsed against it and checked her messages. Before she could read through them, she heard her name and looked up to see Bryce jogging in her direction.
Before she could stand, he swept her into his arms and gave her a tight hug. “Hey, sailor, how did you know I’d be out here?”
“I called a couple of minutes ago and someone on your team told me you were taking a break, so I ran over from the compound to see if I could grab an afternoon kiss.”
He let her slide down his body and held her close while he puckered up. “Well, those lips of yours are hard to resist, so come here.” She framed his face with her hands and gave him as good a kiss as she dared in the middle of the base. Pulling away, she looked from side to side and then patted his chest. “That’s all you’re going to get for now.”
He made a show of looking around and then gave her a wink. “Knowing what’s in store for me later is making me accept your sweet kiss without complaint.”
“I think it’s best if you never complain about my kisses.”
Taking her hand, he sat down and took her with him. “Do you expect to get out in time for dinner or are you in for the duration?”
“I’ve got a couple more hours, and then I should be done for the day. My current project is not mission critical, so I should be done at a decent hour.” She ran her finger over his knuckles and then looked across the small square of grass. “Are you getting together with your brother for dinner?”
“I am and was hoping you’d join us.”
“You don’t need me tagging along. Last night was fun, but I’m sure he’d like to hang out with you one-on-one.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, you two don’t get much time together and it’s important that you guys catch up.”
“Is that an order, CIO Ross?”
“No, it’s more of a suggestion and, considering you outrank me, none of my orders need to be obeyed.”
He leaned down and kissed her neck. “I seem to remember some order you gave the other night that I followed perfectly. More than once, as a matter of fact.”
She swatted his chest and then smoothed out her hair and made sure it was tidy. “You hush, lieutenant.”
“Yeah, I don’t think that was what you were saying last night.” He tapped his finger to his mouth and then looked down with an innocent smile. “I think the words more and harder were used.”
She sucked in a deep breath and looked around. “Don’t be naughty.”
He gave her a careless shrug and tightened his hold. “Not possible.”
“I’m changing the subject.”
“Probably a good idea because my BDUs are no match for your appeal.”
She glanced down and realized he was speaking literally. “Okay, new subject…”
“Kinda of hard to think of one considering I’ve got very little blood left in my brain.”
“I know, tell me what your brother thinks of Selah. They seemed to get along last night at dinner and I was hoping it was a sign they could be friendly.”
“I think he’s going down to the shop she works at and having her do some work on one of his tats, so I think the first meeting of our families was a success.”
“Oh, good, she didn’t say anything to me and I didn’t feel like digging because it never works with her. She tells me stuff when she’s good and ready and not a minute before.”
“Bruce is damn picky about his ink, so I know he wouldn’t let Selah near him if he didn’t trust her.”
“She had quite a following in Los Angeles and I know she’s in demand, so he’s in good hands.” She checked her watch and groaned. “I should get back to the salt mines.”
He stood and held out his hand and heaved her up. “Okay, go on and develop some intel to save the world.”
Giving him a salute, she winked. “Copy that.” She walked back toward the building and heard her phone buzz and read the incoming text. “You have the finest ass in the whole world, and I can’t wait to worship it and you tonight.” Looking over her shoulder, she saw Bryce wave his phone and bless her with a grin that could only be described as deeply satisfied. She blew him a kiss and walked back into the building. Little did he know, she had some plans for several of his body parts and it would be interesting to see who got to go first.
***
Bryce walked into a gym in downtown San Diego and looked around for his brother. He’d never been to Undisputed before but had heard good things from some of the other team guys. Spotting his brother in one of the octagons, he made his way over and saw there were quite a few spectators.
Made sense, considering there was a world champ sparring. He leaned against a pole and watched Bruce move through a series of ground moves and thought of all the times they had wrestled growing up. Little did he know that the big brother who tortured and protected him in equal measure would turn into a fighter with a legion of fans.
He watched Bruce unleash a devastating left hook, which resembled the one he used to drop his last opponent and sent his sparring partner to the canvas. His brother stepped back and waited for the other fighter to collect himself and when it took longer than it should, he knew that was the end of the round.
A coach stepped into the cage and Bruce walked over to the gate and climbed out. Moving in his direction, he noticed his brother was barely winded. “Didn’t think you were supposed to deliver a KO to your sparring partner.”
Bruce threw him a grin and hitched his shoulder. “Sometimes it happens.”
“You taking anyone else on or are you done for the day?”
“I’m done.”
They both watched the other fighter stand and walk toward the gate, climbing out slowly. “Good thing because I doubt you’d get any more willing volunteers.”
“What about you, baby brother, would you get in there and go a couple of rounds?”
“Sure, but I’ve got twenty pounds on you and three deployments under my belt. The last thing the world needs to see is me beating your ass in public.”
“Not even possible,” Bruce replied with a smirk. “I’ll get cleaned up; then we can go out and grab some supper.”
“I’ll be here.” He watched his brother amble off to the locker rooms and wondered who the victor would be if they ever did end up in the cage together.
Their pizza was delivered, and Bryce slid a piece onto his plate. “How did it go with Selah, are you going to have her add to your ink?”
“Yeah, but not this trip. I’m heading out early tomorrow and won’t have time. We came up with a design that will add to the piece I’ve got started on my back and, next time I’m down, she’s going to do it.”
“She must be good if you’re letting her get her hands on your body because I know how picky you are.”
“Yeah, she’s definitely talented.” He devoured a piece of pizza and then wiped his mouth. “What do you know about the biker that’s been hassling her?”
Sitting back, he shook his head. “Nothing. Daphne hasn’t said anything. I know she’s dated some in the past and the one we met a couple of weeks ago was a real prize. Daphne was going to look into him and see if he was part of a one-percenter club.”
“If it’s the same guy who showed up today, then he’s definitely a one-percenter. His name is Don and he’s fucking obsessed with Selah. He’s been on her ass since she ended things and, according to the shop owner, he’s been acting real stalkerish.”
“Did you say anything to this Don asshole directly?”
“Yeah, and it pissed Selah the hell off. She told me in no uncertain terms that she could take care of herself and did not need me adding gasoline to an already combustible situation. She’s a tough cookie and it took a lot of talking on my part to get her to cool down.”
“That sounds about right. They had a hell of a childhood and had something happen when they were thirteen that was fucking tragic.”
“You gonna give me more or am I supposed to fill in the blanks with my crazy-ass imagination?”
“It’s not my story to tell, but I will say they got a shitty set of parents who they were lucky to survive. They were sexually assaulted when they were thirteen and barely escaped being raped. The only way that doesn’t break you is if you become tougher and harder than the thing or person that tried to destroy you. They both have done that, but in completely different ways.”
“I don’t get why she was so pissed at me for warning the asshole off, though. Why wouldn’t she accept it as the helpful gesture it was and not some insult to her strength or whatever bullshit she’s got in her mind?”
“The only person in their life that showed up and gave a damn was their grandmother and, from what I gather, she was a tough bird who probably taught them they could only rely on themselves. I know Daphne doesn’t like to be vulnerable and it’s a damn miracle she’s letting me in as much as she has and giving me a chance.”
“Rock and a hard place. If you never let anyone in, then you’ll never find out if they’re trustworthy.”
“So far, Daphne is letting me in, inch by fricking inch, but she’s the softer, kinder twin, so it makes sense. Let me talk to Daph tonight and see what she says. I’d be more than happy to pay a visit to the guy and let him know what the consequences will be if he so much as gives Selah an unfriendly look.”
“It’s gonna piss her off, but that’s better than the alternative.”
“Absolutely because they’re family now and we’ve never let anything happen to family.”
Bruce crossed his arms and lifted an eyebrow. “Is this the one, little brother?”
“Yeah, I knew in a minute that she was the one for me, and every day we spend together just lets me know I’m a damn genius for figuring it out as quickly as I did.”
“Does she know what’s she’s in for with your stubborn perfectionist ass or have you just shown her the slicked-up version?”
“She’s seen the real me and hasn’t run away yet, so I’m assuming she’s going to stick.”
“Damn, how is it both my siblings have found their mates in the same damn year, and I can’t find a woman who’s worth more than one date?”
“We’re livin’ right and getting rewarded by the good Lord. Whatever happened to Bree’s best friend? I thought the two of you were finally ready to stop dancing around one another.”
“Yeah, that didn’t work out. I can’t make her take a chance on me and, honestly, I’m tired of trying. Which tells me it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Yeah, I have to agree because you’ve never given up on something you want, no matter what stood in your way or what obstacle presented itself.”
“I came to the same conclusion. Good news is that we’ll remain friends, so it shouldn’t be awkward when we run into one another.”
“Can’t ask for more than that.”
Bruce drained his water and then rapped his knuckles on the table. “Let me know what happens with the biker.”
“Roger that. I’ll check in with Daph and then make a plan from there. I’ll grab some of the guys if intel suggests I need it.”
“Make sure you do because if you beat his ass, you’ll need a credible witness to back your alibi.”
“Always thinkin’ like a big brother.”
“Never goin’ to stop; doesn’t matter if you’re a SEAL because, as far as I’m concerned, you’re still that snotty-nosed runt who followed me around from the moment he could walk.”
Bryce threw his head back and let out a bark of laughter. “You, brother, are the only one who sees me that way.”
“Maybe, but it keeps things real, so you don’t get a big head.”
“Back at you.” Grabbing another slice, he ate it slowly and thought about how he was going to approach Daph and Selah on this thing. If he didn’t handle it correctly, he would have not only Selah pissed, but his girl, and that wasn’t something he wanted to happen.
Because a happy Daphne is all he wanted.