“Capt. Robertson went out to retrieve some service members who were injured in a helicopter crash. On their return the helicopter she was traveling in was shot down near the Syrian border,” the man calmly replies. “We have crews out searching, but the area is still a hotbed of activity. We haven’t been able to locate the crash site, yet.”
“How long has she been MIA?” Luke asks, his voice growing stronger, this time.
“About twenty-eight hours, sir,” the man replies. Luke nods. “We just got word they are sending a Special Ops team in to search for her and the other missing crew.”
“Special ops?” I ask, forgetting I’m only a guest here. All eyes turn to me and I wish I could melt into the floor. My eyes fly to Luke, full of apology for butting in on the conversation. He gives my hand a squeeze.
“Yes, ma’am,” the military man replies. “A team of Marine Raiders. Team one out of Camp Lejeune are in the air as we speak, headed over to join the search. We will keep you updated as information becomes available.” Luke nods. “Is there anything we can do for you at this time?”
“No, thank you,” Luke answers. His thumb is circling absently on the back of my hand. “I appreciate you coming by.” The men nod. Kelvin moves to escort them to the door. Rosco spins on his heel and hurries from the room toward the patio. Bo lingers with his hand on Luke’s shoulder. Enos looks in the direction his brother has gone before turning back to us.
“I should go check on Rosco,” Enos says, his voice is thick with emotion, and it breaks my heart, knowing these men mayhave just lost their only sister. I feel the sting of my own tears for a woman I’ve never met, but I can feel their loss so keenly.
“Stay with Luke,” Dalton interrupts. “I’ll go see about him.” The three brothers nod and watch Dalton follow after Rosco. Kelvin comes back into the room just as Dalton leaves.
“Fuck!” Bo shouts, spinning to punch the wall, causing me to jump in fear. I’ve never seen these men lose control like this. I know the anger isn’t directed at me. Still it’s frightening to witness. He punches the wall a few more times, shattering the drywall, creating a large fist-sized hole.
“Bo.” Luke’s voice is strained and chastising. “That isn’t going to help.”
“I fucking know that,” Bo spits back. “But it makes me feel better!” He lowers his head onto his forearm that he rests against the wall he’s just beaten up. I watch all this playout in shock, not knowing what I should do. This is a family matter, after all. Perhaps I should leave them alone to deal with their grief.
“I can’t believe we are having to go through this shit again!” Enos growls in anger. He grips the hair on both sides of his head tightly as if he’s going to rip it from his scalp. It shocks me at the intensity of his anger. Is he angry at the situation or his sister? This makes no sense. Why would he be upset with her? She can’t help the fact her helicopter was shot down.
“When she gets home,” Luke begins. His tone angry, too. I turn to look down at him. “I’m going to tan her ass and lock her in her room for six months. This has to stop. I’ve had enough of this shit! She isn’t going to stop until she kills herself.” I know my mouth is hanging open at his words. Why are they being such assholes? It isn’t like she wanted this to happen. Did she?
“Good luck with that, bro,” Bo counters, a sad smile on his face. He turns toward us, his eyes reddened and watery with unshed tears. “Daisy’s always done what she wants to do. You of all people know that. It doesn’t matter what we say or what we want. She’s going to do whatever the hell she wants.” Luke nodsas his brother speaks. His grip tightening on my hand to a painful level.
“Luke?” My voice is so soft I’m not sure he heard me. I don’t know what to do in this situation. I feel like I need to give them their privacy, but he’s holding onto me so tightly I couldn’t get away if I wanted. His eyes meet mine. The instant they meet, I see the moisture forming in his eyes. The hold he has on my hand is unwavering. He tugs at me, pulling me toward him. I know he’s wanting me in his arms. I go to him without reservation, sinking onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. I hold him to my chest, pressing a kiss into his hair. His arms are around my torso, squeezing until I’m not sure I can breathe any longer. Yet I hold onto him. He trembles in my arms, and my heart breaks for this larger-than-life man who’s been reduced to tears over his sister. He holds me for a long time. His head on my chest and my head resting on his. My hand stroking his back. I wish I knew what to say or do to help. Eventually he lifts his head. I peer over at him but see no wetness on his face. He’s somehow managed to keep his tears at bay.
“Are you okay?” I ask quietly. He nods and lets out a shuddering breath. “What can I do?” I want so badly to do something, to help him in some way. The look he gives me as the words leave my mouth has me breaking out in gooseflesh. It’s a look of adoration that takes me by surprise.
“Just you being here is helping,” he answers, causing my pulse to pound once more. He leans toward me, placing a gentle kiss to my lips. I pull him to me again, wanting to give him whatever comfort I can. He sighs heavily. “It doesn’t get easier. No matter how many times they come here to deliver bad news. Every time my heart stops, fearing this is time they tell me she’ll never be coming home.” His voice cracks, this time, as a single tear escapes the corner of his left eye. I lean in to kiss it away. He leans his head into my touch, and I let my lips linger on his skin. I give him the time he needs to get himself better under control.
“Tell me about her.” I shift on his lap so my head is on his shoulder. He leans his head against mine before he begins to tell me about his little sister.
“Daisy is a force to be reckoned with.” Luke chuckles as he commences his tale, “She always has been since we were little kids. I’m only eleven months older than her. Most people thought we were twins growing up because we were so close. She made every step I did. She was a tomboy from the beginning, but I suppose she didn’t have any other option growing up with all us boys. Mom was out chasing the next man to warm her bed for a few days while we were left to fend for ourselves.”
“Oh God, Luke!” I exclaim in shock. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard that was for you. We didn’t have much, but mom was always there for me, at least until I was grown.” I stroke my hand over his chest in a soothing gesture. “She swore off men after my dad.” His arms tighten around me briefly before he continues.
“Daisy is crazy intelligent,” Luke proclaims proudly. “She is the smart one out of our bunch. You’d think she was adopted when you compare her to the rest of us.” Bo snorts. Luke glares over at him. “You know it’s true,” he says to Bo, who only nods with a grin.
“Yeah,” Bo concedes. “She definitely has the book smarts, but common sense…not so much.” Enos chortles as he comes closer to us. Luke begins to roll us deeper into the living room so his brothers can take a seat while we talk. I want to get up. He doesn’t need to be pushing around my weight, but I don’t get the opportunity.
“Dear sis is clueless when it comes to personal safety.” Enos joins the conversation. “That’s for sure. I swear you’d think the Navy would have kicked her out by now as often as she’s been on medical leave.” He pauses thoughtfully. “Do you think she puts herself in harm’s way on purpose?” His eyes fall on Luke. I raise up to look at the man myself to see his answer. Luke’s face is a stoic mask, hiding whatever he’s thinking inside. It takes severalminutes before he answers. I can see how much his answer hurts him to say.
“Yes.” He lifts his eyes to his brother. “She thinks she doesn’t deserve the life she has, that she has to make atonement for what happened to me all those years ago. Nothing I’ve said has ever mattered to her. Nothing seems to get through.” He shudders before pulling himself together again for his brothers’ sakes. “I don’t know what to do to help her.”
“There’s nothing any of us can do,” Bo comments solemnly. “She has to have something to fight for, to live for, and unfortunately we aren’t it.” The room becomes uncomfortably silent. I again feel like I should leave them to their family grief, but Luke’s arms prevent me from leaving. After several long minutes, he looks over at me.
“I should get you back to bed.” I swallow hard at the images those words bring to mind. He doesn’t mean them like my dirty mind has taken them, though. I manage to nod as I get up from my comfortable seat. Luke leads me through the house. His brothers on our heels. They peel off for the stairs as Luke and I approach the lift. He seems to want me to stay with him, so I follow him onto it.
Once the gate is closed and it begins to rise, he turns to me. “Marley, would you mind…never mind. I shouldn’t ask,” Luke whispers to himself.
“What were you going to ask, Luke? I coax. “You can ask me anything.” He looks at me for a long moment. I’m beginning to think he isn’t going to answer, but as we reach the second floor, he starts again to ask his question.
“Marley, would you…I was wondering if,”–he pauses as if he’s warring with what he wants to ask. “Would you mind to stay with me, in my room, just for the rest of the night?” He rushes to finish. “I just don’t want to be alone with my thoughts right now.”
“Of course, I’ll stay with you, Luke,” I reply without any hesitation. I’m happy to be here for him when he needs me. He’s doneso much for me already. I could never deny him anything he needs. Exiting the lift, we turn and head toward his room. His brothers are already entering their rooms and don’t seem to notice I’m following Luke down the hall. We enter his magnificent room. I follow him over to the huge bed. I’m fascinated as I watch him maneuver himself from his chair to the bed. Feeling a little awkward, I’m not sure what to do with myself. Should I grab a chair to sit next to his side of the bed?