Page 2 of Not Faking it with the Colonel

Mateo’s posture stiffened. He stared past Graham as Cruz departed.

“My understanding from Captain Bryson is there’s a rumor about your wife that prompted today’s altercation.”

Mateo didn’t speak, but his jaw shifted. He shot Graham a cold, dark glance.

“Whatever your issues are with your wife, they cannot affect the team. If you can’t resolve them, you need to make a decision. If you need a permanent change of station, where you can get a fresh start, that can be arranged. Have you thought about 7thGroup?” Graham offered the young soldier an out.

Mateo sucked in a breath. “We bought a house after I made it through selection and was assigned here at Liberty. Michelle’s sister takes care of our son while we work. It’s the best childcare option we have. Her sister has three kids and depends on that income.”

That explained their reasons for staying. Word of what happened between his wife and Colonel Thomsen at the military ball had likely spread through the tight-knit Special Ops community. Even though nearly two years had passed, it could impede getting a fresh start in units at other bases.

“I can appreciate your dedication to family.” It was Graham’s top priority too. “However—”

“I don’t need interference from you when it comes to my family,sir.”

“Noted. However, from what I observed at the grill the night she didn’t have the means to pay for her order, your wife may be struggling to feel part of the unit. Unfortunately, my wife isn’t alive to support her through this, but I could help out yours by giving her the cash she was short. Regardless of whatever rumors you may have heard, I moved you to Bryson’s team to help you—and her. Bryson’s fiancée is already plugging in with the Family Readiness Group. A new FRG might be beneficial support.”

Mateo’s demeanor relaxed a notch, and his gaze darted around Graham’s office as he contemplated this information.

“What I can’t have is discord among my men. You need to trust one another. And you all need to trust me.”

“Understood. But . . .”

Graham cringed inwardly at the word and Mateo’s hesitation. “Yes?”

“Considering what happened with Boatman and Thomsen, I’m not the only one on the teams concerned about their wives with you being alone now. We know guys have needs, and our wives do too. We’re gone a lot and . . .”

“You do not need to be concerned about me repeating their actions.” Having his integrity and character questioned made bile rise in Graham’s throat, but he understood where these men were coming from, especially in light of former command. He needed to prove they could trust him. But how?

After dismissing Mateo, Graham tried to wrap his brain around the situation and evaluate his options. There weren’t any good ones. He’d been brought in to rebuild trust between the boots-on-the-ground men and command. Not an easy assignment when everyone in the unit knewbothcolonels proceeding him had slept with wives of men under their command.

Mateo had given his wife a second chance. After Graham accepted the new command and moved here, Bethann had tried to get Michelle to reengage with the Family Readiness Group. But the other women in the unit hadn’t been as forgiving as Mateo. With Bethann’s sudden death, General McKittrick’s wife had taken over Bethann’s role with the FRG. It didn’t surprise Graham that the general’s wife hadn’t gone out of her way to support a woman whose actions raised a red flag about the general’s leadership.

Not only had Graham’s world been turned upside down by losing his wife, but now it looked like the headway they’d made together those first few months here had been wiped out. Even taken a leap backward.

* * *

McKittrick motionedfor Graham to enter his office. “Did you talk to Bryson?”

“I did. I also spoke with Cruz and Mateo.”

“Did Mateo initiate the scuffle?”

“He did.” Graham expected this might be Mateo’s last strike with McKittrick rather than wait for a third.

“Is everything resolved?”

“Not exactly.”

“Is Mateo not integrating onto Bryson’s team?”

“That wasn’t the issue. Cruz actually had his back. Mateo heard a rumor about his wife.”

“Don’t tell me she’s cheating on him again.” The General pressed two fingers to his temple.

“No,” Graham started.

“You can’t be sure of that.”

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