Page 25 of Ground Zero

“He’s a retired, decorated, combat war hero, buddy. He ain’t a dog.”

Dirk smirks. “Well, I stand corrected and answered.”

Everyone laughs.

Jocko nods and says, “Just wait until you see him work. Then you’ll know, he’s not a dog. He’s an MPC.”

Dirk laughs, “I was just poking you, Jocko. I read up on each of you before I joined up, including the retired, decorated, combat war hero sleeping under the table. Honestly, I’m excited to get to work with y’all.”

Jocko gives him a knuckle bump. “I was poking you too. Hardcore told us not to cut you any slack just because you’re a flyboy.”

Dirk smirks, “Just wait until you see my work, then you’ll know I’m not just another flyboy.”

Mike laughs out loud. “Touché!”

The next ten minutes, Dirk entertains us with antics from his days serving with Hardcore, and when Wynona brings our food, Mike entertains us with his version of events for Dirk’s benefit while we eat.

When Nina walks onto the deck, I don’t hear another word being said. All I can hear is the sound of my heart rate increasing and drowning everything else out. She looks absolutely gorgeous. Her hair is piled on top of her head in a bun, and she’s dressed in an off the shoulder, open back, red silk dress with red stiletto heels. My cock hardens immediately as the urge to meet her halfway, turn her around, march her back to my suite to give her a good hard fucking weighs heavy on my mind.

Mike’s whistle and his, “Damn, woman! You clean up good,” breaks through my trance.

She cocks that eyebrow at him, and he throws up his hands, making everyone laugh.

She walks over to me, and I reach for her. My hand settles on her bare thigh as she places her hand on my shoulder. “Bri just called. She’s asked me to come over. Bethany’s suffering a little PTSD.”

“Of course.” I stand, “I’ll walk you out.”

“I’m sorry to bug out, but I’m sure you all understand.”

Jocko nods to her, “Of course, she was traumatized.”

Mike says, “Well, if you’re not going to be here to dance with, I’m going to go FaceTime with my family, then crash and burn on the bed.”

Dirk agrees. “Sounds like the smart plan of action.”

Nina slips her hand in mine, and we all walk out together.

Chapter 13

Crockett

I hear a “hooyah”just as I walk back inside and see Brody standing outside the dinner theater on his phone. I throw up my hand and wave. “Did I hear a hooyah?”

He grins. “Yes, sir! You sure did.” He walks to me with his hand outstretched.

I clasp it firmly and pump it. “Good to see you, Brody.”

“You too.”

“So, you’ve gotten good news?”

“Yes, my application for OCS[Officer Candidate School]has been accepted.”

“That’s awesome news! Congratulations! When do you leave?”

“I don’t know the details yet, just that I’m in.”

“Well, this calls for a celebration! Come on,” I throw my arm around his shoulders. “Let’s go to the bar and toast this amazing news.”

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