Page 95 of Mariposa
I don’t care.
I don’t care.
The lie swirling in my head like a carousel makes me sick.
One loud gunshot rings out from inside the building, making my blood run cold. I turn to Chaos, whose hand tightens around his rifle. Swallowing the worry back down, I don’t have time to think the worst. Seconds later, three more shots boom, and questions erupt, flooding the comms.
“What was that?”
“Beast? What’s going on?”
“Are the hostages alive?”
Blood pounds through my ears as I wait. I swear, if Kade is hurt or dead…
I know there is a team of SEALs and the rest of our team in there, but I can’t help but worry.
“The threat has been eliminated,” Karen’s sullen voice rasps.
The intense breath I’ve been holding releases as my shoulders relax. Loosening my grip on my rifle, I re-adjust the mic in my ear, as if that’ll make her say more.
Why is she saying it so solemnly? This is a good thing.
Finally, Kade emerges from the shadows. At first, I’m relieved, but the second I see what he’s carrying in his arms, my spirit shatters at the horror. He keeps his gaze on the lifeless, bloodied child as he walks out into the village while a group of special operators rushes in to complete the investigation.
Tears spring to my eyes as bile rises to my throat. My body grows so cold that I almost drop my rifle. Suddenly, the blanket that’s partially covering the child moves. Tiny arms wrap around Kade’s neck desperately while the little girl sobs into his chest.
He saved her. He managed to save the little girl’s life.
“He killed the doctor with a GSW to the face. I managed to terminate him before he could do the same to the child. The blood splattered all over her. She’s alive, but she needs medical attention.”
A group of medics breaks into a sprint towards Kade. Once they reach him, he slowly hands her over. At first, she resists, not wanting to let Kade go, and pleads with him. I know she’s begging him not to let her go, but he manages to reassure her that she’s safe now and everything will be okay.
Before tears can roll down my cheeks, Chaos snaps me out of my emotional state with an arm around my shoulder. Pulling my attention towards him, I purse my lips, fighting the urge to run to Kade instead.
“The operation is over. We get to live another day, Posa.”
36
VIOLET
One week later, I knock on Kade’s door. I’m running on only a few hours of sleep as the reality of war sinks in. My chest tightens as I breathe in and out, trying to gain control of my emotions before I face my superiors. The unknown of what awaits behind the door is getting to me. I’m not ready to talk about the horror I witnessed, watching everyone come in with life-altering injuries from gunshot wounds and bombs.
Castle lost her legs; children, soldiers, and doctors are dead because of the high-value target we’d been searching for. The Surgeon gave the order on the attack.
I asked Booker why he pulled me from the mission that night once all medevacs were completed. He came clean and said it was because Kade requested him to.
I’ve ignored every single text message Kade has sent, which was only two messages about work. He hasn’t gone to my room to look for me, and I haven’t reached out, either. I’m too upset to face him because I fear what I’ll do. I’m really trying to turn a new leaf and remain professional.
Playing with my dog tags around my neck, I rub the metal back and forth as I knock again with my other hand. Maybe theydidn’t hear me over the storm that’s rolling in. Finally, after my second attempt, Booker’s voice booms on the other side of the door.
“Come in.”
I twist the knob and push it open. All three high-ranking officers stand over a desk, looking at a mountain of paperwork. I walk in with a pointed chin, hands at my sides, and a deadpan expression.
“Master Sergeant O’Connell.” I salute him and the others.
“Everyone out, I need to speak to Isla in private.”
