Page 1 of Faking It With The SEALs

1

Calvin

“Alright, traitor!”

I turn to see Terry and Layton walking towards me, smiling and laughing.

“Less of the traitor, shit. Remember, I can still kick your ass, pipsqueak,” I jest, flipping Layton off before shaking Terry’s hand.

“He’s just sour as he’s got to escort Jaz to get her nails done, and he couldn’t get an appointment for himself,” Terry laughs as Layton glares at him.

“So today is your last official day as a team member?” Terry asks, ignoring the rookie. I nod, smiling.

“Yep. I’m officially no longer working for the O’Reilly’s.”

“How does it feel?” Layton asks.

“A little daunting, to be honest. It’s been a good five years. They’ve looked after me as much as I’ve looked after them. Being my own boss will be strange, but I know it’s the right time.

Terry claps me on the shoulder before gripping it.

“I’m proud of you. You struggled returning to civilian life after leaving the SEALs, but you worked hard and achieved a lot in the time you were with us. I know you will make a great boss and achieve big things with your own business.” He squeezes my shoulder one last time before removing his hand. “How are your mates handling the change?”

“Yeah, they’ve settled into English life as well as can be expected. Everything’s been snowballing, and it feels like we haven’t stopped,” I laugh, rubbing the back of my neck. I check my watch and curse. “I gotta go. Christian wants to see me before I leave.”

I shake hands with Terry and Layton as they wish me good luck, and I head towards the main office, where I know Christian O’Reilly’s waiting for me.

Six years ago, I was injured in the line of duty and medically discharged from the SEALs. I moved to the UK with only the clothes and belongings I could fit into a suitcase and holdall. Did I know what I was going to do when I got here? Nope. I only knew I would stay with an old friend I met when serving. Terry helped me get back on my feet and adapt to life outside the SEALs. He knew I wanted a new way of life and helped me find it here.

Terry got me a job working as security in one of the O’Reilly clubs. He helped me gain my security and gun license as well as many other work-related courses. He gave me everything I needed, and I will be forever grateful. I wanted a fresh start, and I got it, but I always felt like I was destined for more. I pushed myself to prove my worth, and after defusing a dangerous situation in a club, Jason O’Reilly promoted me to be his personal guard.

It was a step up from bouncing and a role that often tested my loyalty to the O’Reilly’s. But I’m proud of what I have achieved in the five years I have been guarding Jason, and I’ve kept him alive and relatively unharmed. I don’t take any blame for the facial injury he received six months ago. He went off without telling me when and where he was going. It’s his own stupid fault he took a knife to the face and has a scar down his left side. The idiot learnt his lesson and now doesn’t go anywhere without backup. But now the duty of protecting his stubborn ass falls on to the guy I’ve spent the two months training. It will take a little time to get used to not seeing him daily, but I’ve already promised to pop in now and again for a drink. Let’s face it: why would I give up the chance to taste the fantastic yet highly-priced bourbons these guys drink?

I stop outside Christian’s office and knock three times. I hear him talking to someone inside before he calls for me to enter.

Inside, I see two O’Reilly brothers and Jasmine, their fiancée. All four brothers are in a reverse harem with Jasmine Connors, who they met when their father married her mother six years ago. Even though they’ve only been in the harem for approximately seven months, there’s no mistaking the soul-bound connection between them all. There’s nothing they wouldn’t do for each other, which they’ve shown time and time again.

“Hey, Cal! How does it feel to be a free man?” Jasmine asks, grinning at me from Jason’s lap. Jason and Christian laugh as I smile at her.

“You have no idea. At least I don’t have to take you to the hairdressers or clothes shopping anymore.”

“Hey! You only took me once!” she protests, pouting.

“I was talking to Jason.”

Christian and Jasmine both roar, laughing as Jason flips me off. Jasmine climbs to her feet, still laughing and kisses Jason.

“He’s not wrong; you do shop a lot,” she teases. Jason threads his fingers into the hair at the back of her head and holds her in place.

“But who do I shop for the most, Angel?” he asks, looking deep into her eyes as she grins.

“Me, and I thank you for it in my own way,” she teases, kissing him again before standing up and walking away. She stops in front of Christian, who wraps an arm around her waist and kisses her hard on the mouth.

“Be good and try not to get into trouble whilst you are out,” he smiles as Jasmine steps out of his arms.

“I’ll be on my best behaviour, I promise,” she smirks at him as he arches one brow at her. We all know she could get into trouble in her sleep.

Jasmine takes me by surprise by throwing her arms around my neck and giving me a big hug. I chuckle as I hug her back.

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