Page 27 of Fall of the Trident
Genevieve smiled ear to ear.“Whoever could that have been?”She took a sip of her lemon infused water.“Fortunately, Lieutenant Commander Limburg has RSVP’d that he has duty that day.By the way, did I tell you that Val is dating a commander stationed at WESTPAC?Evan told me he’s a real up-and-comer.He’s already commanded a ship and will be up for captain in about two years.Widow.Car accident.Loves her kids.You’ll get to meet him Saturday night.”
“She deserves a good man after everything that asshole put her through.Something else to look forward to.”Marta would be sure to pull Val off to the side and let her know that her ex had been counseled by Commander Jake Burton, his Team CO.“Her ex is such a dirtbag.Evan has been doing a good job getting rid of his kind.”
On her drive back to base, Marta wondered if Genevieve’s birthday party might be a good time for her and Trevor to go public.As far as she was concerned, they were seriously dating.Or should they wait, until they slept together?What if they weren’t compatible in bed?It would be easier to stay quiet until they’d taken their relationship to the next step.
An hour later, she was at her desk when she took a phone call from Captain Don Arnold.
“Good afternoon, Ms.Merkel.I need to speak to Vice Admiral Maddox, and before you ask, Homeland Security raided the brothel in Norfolk late Saturday night.They’re issuing arrest warrants for five of my SEALs.I’m happy to say it wasn’t anywhere near as many as Group 1 had, but we’re farther away from the house they used.There are plenty of squids in Norfolk who are going to find their asses in the brig, so they didn’t need to focus on our SEALs.”
“I just notified Vice Admiral Maddox that you’re holding and the reason for the call.He’s on a videoconference with General Lyon at USSOCOM.”Marta relaxed a fraction and went digging for details.“It certainly took them long enough.Director Kam Hood and Commander Gallagher told us nearly a month ago they were going to do this.”Marta wondered why they hesitated.
“I have no idea.When I didn’t hear back from Commander Gallagher, I thought we’d dodged that bullet.”He huffed.“Looks like I was wrong.”
“Captain Arnold, please send me the list of names so we can get them processed.I prefer to do it myself rather than involve my East Coast staff.This needs to stay at the top level until the minute they’re arrested.”
“Thanks.I wasn’t sure exactly how to handle that.”The captain released a long sigh.“Commander Gallagher said that he would come down from Washington and walk me through the rest.He’s been such a huge help already.Hell, just giving us a heads up is much appreciated.”
Marta looked at the message that popped onto her screen.“He’s available.Putting you through now.”At least this time she knew exactly what to do.Kam had helped smooth the path for her dealings with Homeland Security.Most of those idiots needed to take her class.Maybe when she retired, she’d offer her services to the government as a contractor.She enjoyed visiting Washington D.C., she just never wanted to live there.
Ding.
That meant she had a message from Trevor.I need to see you in my office immediately, please.
She closed anything that was security sensitive or confidential before leaving her desk.“Yes, Vice Admiral Maddox.How can I help you?”
As soon as the door clicked closed, he smiled.“You could lock the door, come over here and sit on my lap, and kiss me.”
“I could, in that I’m fully capable, but we both know I can’t, and won’t, do that.”She gave him an exaggerated stern gaze.
“Okay, then, come to Little Creek with me.I need to be at Group 2 when those five SEALs get arrested.I have complete faith that Captain Arnold can handle it, but I want to show every SEAL standing in that formation that their commanding officers have my backing.”
The idea of traveling with Trevor again excited her to the core.“Captain Arnold is sending me the list.Last time it took almost three days for Homeland Security to get the warrants together and then we had to coordinate with base security face to face to maintain secrecy.That puts the formation on Saturday morning, if we’re lucky.”
“I don’t want to delay until Monday.A lot of people are involved in this and the chance for a leak increases every hour.”Trevor crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’ll do what I can to speed up the process, but we’re dealing with Homeland.We can’t make a move till the warrants have been issued.Until we have paper in hand, it’s just gossip,” Marta warned him.
He held her gaze for a long moment.“You still haven’t answered my question.Will you come with me to Little Creek?”
Her mind ran in several directions at the same time.Did she want to go to Virginia with him?Hell yes.If she did, she’d have to break her promise to Genevieve.Fuck no.Gen was counting on her.Was she needed on the East Coast as his administrative assistant?No, not really.
“What we need to do is both of us travel there and work at Group 2 for about two weeks.Maybe even a month,” she suggested.
“That’s a brilliant idea.We’ll show up as though we’re conducting a surprise inspection.”Excitement was written all over his face.“We’ll stay for a month and on weekends tour Washington, go for a ride in the Blue Ridge Mountains.Hell, we could charter a plane to a Caribbean island for the weekend.”He moved to her and placed his hands on her shoulders in a rather public display of affection.“Go pack for at least a month.Bring a bathing suit.”
She looked away.She didn’t want to see his disappointment.“I’ve made plans for this weekend.”When she lifted her gaze to his, the pain in his deep ocean blue eyes tore a hole in her chest.
“I understand.”He stepped back and let go of her.“Will you check on a plane headed east for me?”
Fuck.Cold Trevor was back.
She stepped forward and invaded his personal space.“I don’t believe you do understand.We’re both supposed to go to Evan and Genevieve’s house on Saturday night for her birthday party.I have to go early and help her prepare.”She broke her own rule and cupped his face with her hands.“I’m so sorry.We can still do all that.Everything you said.Just not now.”Holding his stare, realization dawned.“You thought I had a date with someone else, didn’t you?You were hurt at the thought I was going out with another man.”
“Yes.”His admission seemed stilted.
“Trevor Maddox, I want you to listen very carefully.There is no other man in my life.”She huffed.“And there hasn’t been for a long time.A really long time.I haven’t even been interested in dating in years…and then you sat down in this office.Day by day you’ve captured my heart.Our time alone together these past few weekends has been amazing.I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun.I want you to know, I’m falling in love with you.And when you’re ready, we’ll take this to the next step.”
“Please tell me the next step is your bed.”The heat in his flame-blue eyes was enough to melt her panties right there.
