Page 92 of Her Marine
“Were you briefed?” Killian questioned. Both men nodded.
“We were, and Commander Fields told us if we wanted to go, it was up to us to convince you,” Minner stated.
“You know a six-man team can be better than four at times, Killian,” Haney added.
“Then we leave in fifty-five minutes.”
“Yes, sir,” the men replied in unison.
“And Haney, if you call me by my first name again, I’ll throw you out of the plane.”
Haney smirked at him. “Yes, sir, Major Stoll.”
Killian refrained from glaring at him. Regardless of how things ended between the other man and Ziggy, he would admit he was a damn good combat medic.
When the plane was packed and they’d changed into the uniforms they kept in the hangar’s locker room for occasions like this, they boarded and got ready to take off. Killian’s mind shifted to Journee. He’d text her when he landed to let her know he’d made it safely. He didn’t get a response but hadn’t expected to since it was the early hours of the morning. He also texted his sister and parents to let them know he’d be unreachable.
As they took off, Killian pushed her from his mind to focus on the task at hand. If all went well, they would have completed what they needed shortly after nightfall and would return the following morning.
25
Journee stared down at her phone. It had been a week since Killian told her he had an emergency at work, and she hadn’t heard from him. She hadn’t wanted to distract him the first couple of days and allow him to take care of whatever he was doing. On day three, she texted him to make sure he was okay, but she hadn’t gotten a response. By day four, she was worried. Since they’d started dating, they hadn’t gone more than a day without speaking to one another, and even then, one of them would text the other to let them know if something happened.
Her worry had sent her to Axel. She asked him if he’d heard from Killian or knew what it was that happened, or had an idea of what he was doing. He hadn’t, but he told Journee he was sure he was fine and was just busy getting whatever it was sorted and would call her in no time. For some reason, she hadn’t believed Axel didn’t know what Killian was doing, but she let it go because even if he did, was it really his place to tell her when Killian hadn’t?
Sighing, Journee turned her phone off and slipped it into the back pocket of her slacks. When she looked up, she surveyed the area to find that most of the wedding party was missing. She shook her head as she walked toward the room Alijah was in, getting ready. Journee wouldn’t put it past Kieran to try and sneak some time in with his soon-to-be wife before the wedding.
When she rounded the corner, she found him, his best man, and all three bridesmaids standing outside Alijah’s door with her.
“Mr. Cayman, please tell me you aren’t down here trying to see your bride before it’s time,” Journee stated, though as she took in the atmosphere, she figured something may have been wrong.
She looked over at Alijah to find her eyes were watering slightly, but from what Journee could tell, she hadn’t been crying. For that, she was glad because Aariah and Talia had left half an hour ago after finishing all four women’s hair and makeup. Though, Journee was sure any of them could touch Alijah up if need be.
“Of course not,” Kieran told her.
“Why do I not believe you?” Journee questioned because he’d tried to sneak into Alijah’s bridal suite when they’d first arrived. “Alright, everyone. Let’s get to our places.”
Journee grabbed Kieran’s arm and pulled him down the hall. She was surprised that he didn’t look back to get a glimpse of Alijah.
“Do you have your phone on you?” Journee asked.
“No, I left it in the groom’s suite.”
“Okay,” she stated as they stopped at the side of the room. “Now, all you have to do is take your place and wait for your beautiful bride.” She gestured to where he’d be standing.
Kieran went over, and Journee looked around, ensuring the videographers and the photographer were in place. She glanced down at her tablet, which she’d silenced and dimmed as she went to the back of the room, waiting for the minute to roll over. When it did, she signaled the music for the bridal party to begin.
Once the last pair were at the altar, Journee signaled for Kieran’s grandfather to stand, and the rest of the guests followed suit as the music shifted before Alijah came into view. She looked gorgeous, and Journee could read the happiness she was feeling. Once she made it to the altar, her hand placed in Kieran’s, the ceremony began.
The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was now winding down. The couple had shared their first dance, the cake was cut, Kieran had removed the garter from Alijah’s thigh, and they were now getting ready to toss it and her bouquet.
Journee stood off to the side while all the unmarried women took their places in the middle of the floor. Alijah turned her back and tossed the bouquet. It sailed through the air before landing in one of her maid of honor’s arms, though Journee wasn’t sure she’d been trying to catch it.
When the women cleared the floor, the unmarried men, well, those who were willing to participate, took their spots. Kieran lazily slingshot the garter, and it landed on one of his groomsmen’s heads. Journee couldn’t help but laugh as he reached up and plucked it off.
She turned her attention to Alijah as she approached her and was pulled into a hug. Journee returned the gesture, and after a few seconds, they pulled apart.
“Thank you,” Alijah stated. “I couldn’t have imagined a better wedding day. And the come-through with hair and makeup was phenomenal.”
