Page 97 of Fighting for Brielle
“Why didn’t you tell me the truth?” Justice demanded, foregoing pleasantries.
“It was a mistake,” she admitted.
“Damn straight it was.”
“Look, Justice, I…we…needed you in Laguna Beach. We’d already lost Special Agent Nash Carson, Ferguson, rather, and when he showed up in Laguna Beach out of the blue…”
“Wait. What?” he interrupted her. “You knew about Nash?”
“Of course. We sent him undercover.”
“And turned him into a ghost. You’re a real piece of work,” Justice flung in a scathing tone of voice. “So, to cover up another mistake you sent me to Laguna Beach. A man barely recovered from a brain injury.”
“Yes. We wanted,hoped, you’d be able to help Special Agent Ferguson and find out what he knew about Anderson’s plans.”
“Well, now you know. We stopped a madman from launching a domestic terrorist attack.” He squeezed Brielle’s hand.
“Do you intend to stay on as Chief of Police? If not, I could…”
“Hell, yes, I’m staying in Laguna Beach. Those are my men and women. I’m not abandoning them. There’s only one thing I want from you, Madam Secretary. The truth about what happened in Afghanistan.”
Secretary Washburn sighed. “We were betrayed. Deceived. By someone on the inside who’s been court martialed and will spend the rest of his life in a federal prison. He provided the intel that caused you to lead your men into a trap.”
“And my commander? Did he know the truth?”
“No. As soon as we told him, he retired his commission.”
“What about my team’s families?”
“They were sent letters explaining what happened. Their widows and children will receive death benefits for the rest of their lives.”
“And what about me? You stole my career from me. How can you compensate me for that?”
Secretary Washburn shook her head. “I’m sorry, Justice. I can’t.”
He and Brielle rose to their feet.
“Thank you for your time, Madam Secretary. Honestly, I hope I never lay eyes on you again.” Justice offered his hand.
She took his hand in hers. “When I’m in the Oval Office as the first woman president, I want you on my security team, Chief McQuaid.”
He tilted his head. “We’ll see.”
* * *
At sunset two months later, Justice and Brielle exchanged marriage vows on Laguna Beach. She wore a simple, strapless, white wedding dress with a lacy bodice and flowing silk skirt. Her dark hair was arranged in a classic French twist with curly tendrils framing her face, and baby’s breath adorned it. In her hands she carried a bouquet of fresh, multi-colored roses. They’d decided to keep the wedding party small and intimate with only Faith and Franklin serving as their maid of honor and best man.
When Justice caught his first glimpse of Brielle as she approached a flowered arch, his heart leapt into his throat. He thought she was the most beautiful bride he’d ever seen. His jaw dropped and Franklin clasped his shoulder.
“Close your mouth, son,” he whispered, smiling.
After Cameron placed Brielle’s hand in his, Justice murmured, “I’m in awe. You’re so beautiful.”
Brielle smiled, her eyes shining with love. “And you take my breath away in that tux.”
They faced the minister and repeated the traditional vows they wanted to make to each other. After they were pronounced man and wife and Justice pulled his bride into his arms for a hot kiss, the festivities began.
Brianna and Adrienne had planned the reception, a luau on the beach. A wooden platform had been erected for dancing to music provided by a steel drum band. Tables laden with food, including a roasted pig, sat around the platform. Tiki torches created a soft ambiance.
