Protecting Cheyenne (SEAL of Protection Book 5) (14 page)

When Cheyenne didn’t say anything Caroline continued. “Oh, Shy. What happened?”

“I…don’t…I can’t…”

“Okay, you don’t have to tell me. But please, let Faulkner know where you are. He’s probably worried sick about you. It’s how they are. Do you want me to call him?”

“No, I’ll do it. I just needed…a pep talk I guess.”

“I’m so glad you called me. Seriously. Call me anytime you need to. I can’t promise to be able to explain half the things these guys do, but we can at least put our heads together and try to figure it out. And just so you know, when the guys get sent out on a mission, we all get together and get completely drunk the first night. It’s our own brand of a support group.”

Cheyenne giggled, as she supposed Caroline meant for her to.

“And we’re still going shopping one of these days. I promise to get the girls together sooner rather than later. Okay? You’ll come with us?”

“Yeah, I think I’d like that. Thanks.”

“Okay. Cheyenne? Call Faulkner and let him know where you are. Trust him to take care of you. It sounds like you already trust him to do so at home…”

Cheyenne knew what Caroline was getting at, and blushed.

“Trust him in the light of day too. He needs that from you.”

“Okay. Thanks, Caroline.”

“Anytime. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Okay, Bye.”

“Bye.”

Cheyenne clicked the end button and stared down at her phone. The message waiting icon mocked her. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t listen to Faulkner’s message right now.

Arguing with herself for a good five minutes, Cheyenne finally bit her lip and opened the text app. She needed to at least text him.

Hey. Sry I didn’t call

The response was almost immediate.

Where are you?

I’m ok.

Shy, where are u? I’m worried about u.

Cheyenne looked at the latest message from Faulkner. He’d used shorthand. He
never
used text language before. Was he really that stressed out?

I’m at S Mission beach. I’m ok. There r a gazillon people around. Was about to head back.

Stay put. I’m on my way.

Plse don’t be mad.

I’m not mad.

I shld hve waited 4 u 2 go 2 lunch with me.

It’s okay. I’m not mad.

Promise? I can’t deal with mad right now.

Shy, I’m not mad. I’m worried as hell. I just want to get to you.

Ok. Drive safe. I’m ok.

I’ll be there as soon as I can.

Cheyenne took a deep breath. Just connecting with Faulkner via text was enough to make her feel a bit better. She looked down at her phone and contemplated listening to the message he’d left. Nope, she couldn’t do it yet. She’d wait until she felt better. Stronger. She curled her arms around her drawn up legs again, her favorite position lately, and waited for Faulkner to come to her.

Dude’s hands shook as he drove toward South Mission Beach. Cheyenne was right, it wasn’t secluded, there probably
were
a gazillion people around, but he still worried about her. He’d been upset when she hadn’t called after her lunch should’ve been over, but that only lasted about five minutes. It wasn’t like Cheyenne to let him worry or to not contact him. Concern had taken over the anger quickly.

Obviously the lunch with her family hadn’t gone well. Dammit. Dude had a lot more experience in dealing with disappointed parents than Cheyenne did. He’d wanted to be there to be a buffer, to make sure they didn’t say anything cutting. His instincts had obviously been right on. Something had happened.

Now Dude only wanted to get to Cheyenne and comfort her. Whatever it took. He’d been so relieved when Caroline had called him and told him she’d just talked to Shy and that she was okay. She’d told him briefly about how Shy had wanted to call him, but had waited, then the longer she waited the more she thought he’d get angrier and angrier. The thought saddened Dude. It was obvious they needed to have a talk.

Cheyenne’s need to please ran deep, but Dude didn’t want her afraid to talk to him for any reason. And he certainly didn’t want her to be scared of him, of how he’d react to anything she’d tell him.

After the longest thirty minutes of his life, Dude pulled into the parking lot at South Mission Beach. It wasn’t as crowded as he’d seen it in the past, which he was thankful for. It meant he could easily find a place to park. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Cheyenne.

I’m in the parking lot. Where are you?

Her answer came immediately.

left dwn the beach.

Dude pocketed his phone and started walking. He found Cheyenne not too far down from the parking lot. She was sitting forlornly in the sand, watching the ocean, not looking for his arrival.

Not bothering to take off his combat boots, Dude trekked out to where his woman sat sadly in the sand. He stopped behind her and eased himself to the sand. He bracketed her body with his, knees on either side of her, and wrapped his arms around her. He rested his head on her shoulder and waited.

Cheyenne felt cocooned in Faulkner’s arms. He sat still and quiet behind her as he took her into his arms. She felt warm for the first time since she’d left the coffee shop that afternoon. She sighed. She needed this, she needed Faulkner.

“Hey,” she said softly.

“Hey.”

“I should’ve called. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Shy.”

“No, it’s really not. I’m sorry if I worried you. I just…I thought you’d be mad. You asked me to call you and I didn’t. Then it all just snowballed in my head. The longer I went without calling you, the madder I thought you’d get.”

Her voice fell enough that Dude had to lean forward and turn his head to hear her.

“I don’t like it when you’re mad at me. Even though you haven’t really even
been
mad at me yet, I can’t stand the
thought
of you being mad at me. I think that’s what it was. I want to make you happy.”

“Shy…”

Cheyenne interrupted him. “And now, I’ve disappointed you. I don’t know which is worse really. Fuck, I’m not like this. I’m not a wuss. The only thing I can say in my defense is that I’ve had a bad day.”

Dude had enough of this. He scooted himself around until he was sitting at Cheyenne’s side. “Stop, Shy. I’m not mad and you didn’t disappoint me. You worried me. There’s a huge difference.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I know. But we need to talk about this. We should’ve talked before now and that’s on me. You aren’t used to this. I love how we are. I love how you do what I tell you in our bed. I can’t tell you what it means to me. I crave that. I need that. But outside the bedroom? No. I love the contradiction that is you. You’re not afraid to call out my friends when they say dumb shit. You’re brave enough to take on an entire police department when you have a bomb strapped to your chest. You’re compassionate enough to allow assholes to strap said bomb to your chest, just so two other people don’t have to go through that.”

He kissed the top of her head and continued. “I’m going to get mad, Shy. I’m probably going to yell at some point. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Don’t be afraid of me. Don’t be scared to tell me to fuck off. If I overwhelm you, tell me. Remember when I told you we don’t need safe words? It still holds, Shy. If you need me to back off, just say the word and I will.”

“You love me?”

“Yes. I know it’s soon, and crazy and I’m not even sure how it happened. I’ve waited for you my whole life. Not someone
like
you, but
you
. I know you don’t have the experience to realize this, but what we have in the bedroom is unique. Unique and special. It’s something I’ve never had with anyone else, ever. And it’s not just about the sex. It’s about who you are as a person. We’ve gotten to know each other over the last month and I
like
you Cheyenne.” Dude’s voice dropped. “I’m sorry your family disappointed you.”

Cheyenne’s eyes immediately filled with tears. “I should’ve known better, Faulkner. They’ve been like that my entire life. But when Karen told me she felt bad for those guys’ families, I lost it. I couldn’t believe she had more empathy for them than me.
Me
! Her flesh and blood. And Mom didn’t say a word in my defense.” After a beat Cheyenne said sadly, “I think I disowned them today.”

“Good.”

At Faulkner’s heartfelt comment, Cheyenne peered up at him.

Dude repeated himself. “Good. You don’t need that shit in your life. I’m your family now. Me and the guys. And of course their women.”

He paused. As much as Dude wanted to demand she return the words to him, he moved on. She’d say them when she was ready.

“We have to talk about today a bit more, Shy.”

“I won’t do it again, I swear. I know I have this need to please you, but hearing you remind me it’s okay to say no to you makes me feel better.”

“Did you listen to the message I left you?”

Cheyenne was quiet for a moment. Then she shook her head.

Dude tsked at her. “Listen to it.”

“I will.”

“Now.”

“I said I’d listen to it later, Faulkner.”

“Give me your phone.” Dude knew he was pushing it. Hell, he’d just told her that if he pushed her too hard or if she didn’t want to do something all she had to do was let him know and he’d back off. But he couldn’t back off of this.

Sighing, Cheyenne handed it over. She watched as Faulkner pushed some icons on the screen then turned the microphone toward them. He’d pushed play on the message and put it on speaker.

Cheyenne tensed. Oh shit, she didn’t want to listen to what he had to say when Faulkner was right there…

Hey Shy. I’m worried about you. I’m sure something happened at lunch with your family. Will you please call or text me? If you need space, no problem, but I just need to know you’re safe. Hope to hear from you soon.

The message ended and Cheyenne swallowed. “You weren’t mad.” Cheyenne looked up at the man sitting beside her. She’d been so afraid he’d yell at her, she’d totally underestimated him.

“No Shy, I wasn’t mad. I told you, I was worried.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No more apologies. We’re still learning about each other. We’re still getting to know each other and figuring out the dynamics of our relationship. As I said, I’m sure there’ll be times I’ll be mad, just as there’ll be times you’ll be pissed at me. It’s called a relationship, Shy. It’s normal and healthy. If you need space, just let me know, I’ll give it to you, but only if I know you’re safe while you have it. Deal?”

“Deal. Thank you, Faulkner.”

“You’re welcome, Shy. Now, can we please go home?”

“Yeah. We can go home.”

Dude stood up and held out his hand to Cheyenne. She grabbed it and he helped her stand up. His eyes glittered as he looked at her.

“What flavor today?” Dude leaned in and took her lips in a quick hard kiss. He ran his tongue over her lips as he pulled back. “Grape. Yum.”

Cheyenne just shook her head at Faulkner and licked her lips, trying to get her equilibrium back.

Dude took her hand and towed her back to the parking lot. “As much as I’d like to refuse to let you drive, I think you’d probably get irritated with me if I demanded that, wouldn’t you?”

Cheyenne simply nodded. “I’m okay to drive, Faulkner.”

“Okay. I’ll see you at home?”

“Yeah, home.”

They smiled at each other and Dude gave her one last kiss before making sure she was buckled up in the seat. He shut the door behind her and turned around to head to his truck. He couldn’t wait to show her how much she meant to him tonight. Cheyenne might not have said the words, but she showed him with her actions every day that he meant something to her. Dude would be patient. At least he’d
try
to be patient.

Cheyenne giggled at Summer and Alabama. Caroline had called Cheyenne that morning and told her they were all going out. It was about a month after the horrendous lunch with her family and Cheyenne had blossomed under Faulkner’s affection.

Their love life continued to be scorching hot and Cheyenne loved every second of it. There was something so freeing about being able to let go and have Faulkner make all the decisions. And it was something he excelled at. He knew exactly what to say and do to maximize her pleasure. Cheyenne knew she’d never get enough of him.

She hadn’t yet told him she loved him. She had no idea why, just that she was waiting for the perfect time. Cheyenne wanted it to be romantic and meaningful. Saying it in the middle of sex didn’t seem right, but right afterwards wasn’t either. Faulkner wasn’t the “go out to a fancy restaurant” type of guy, so that was out. So Cheyenne was struggling. She knew it was dumb, she should just say it, but so far she hadn’t. The longer she waited the more the pressure to come up with the perfect time overwhelmed her.

Caroline had made it a point to include Cheyenne in their “girl’s night out” festivities ever since Cheyenne had called her from the beach. The other women were hysterical. Cheyenne’s respect for them had risen. She’d heard all of their stories over the last month at one time or another. Cheyenne couldn’t believe what they’d all lived through, but when she’d tried to tell them that, they’d just laughed and said what
she’d
been through was just as impressive.

So now that Cheyenne had gotten over her nervousness, she loved hanging out with them. Sometimes she’d have lunch or dinner with just one of the girls, and other times it was all of them.

Cheyenne had slowly gotten to know the other guys on Faulkner’s team as well. Caroline was right, on the outside they were all growly and gruff, but deep down, they
were
teddy bears.

It took an interaction between Hunter and Fiona for Cheyenne to finally “get” what Faulkner had tried to tell her that day on the beach.

Fiona and Cheyenne had gone out for lunch and made an impromptu decision to watch an afternoon movie. Not even thinking, they’d muted their phones and enjoyed the flick. After it was over Fiona looked at her phone and said, “Uh oh.”

“What?”

“I was supposed to call Hunter after we were done with lunch so he could pick me up. He hasn’t been able to get in touch with me, or you.” She giggled. Actually giggled.

“Isn’t he going to be pissed?”

Fiona had looked Cheyenne in the eye and said, “No. He’ll be upset with me. He might yell, but I know deep down it’s all stemmed in worry
for
me. There’s a big difference between anger that is straight up anger, and anger that comes as a result of love.”

It had clicked for Cheyenne. When Hunter had arrived at the theater to pick up Fiona, she watched as Hunter ranted and raved at Fiona. He’d lambasted her for being inconsiderate and selfish. Fiona had taken it in stride and apologized over and over. Hunter’s anger blew itself out quickly and he took Fiona in his arms and held her tight.

It all made sense after seeing Hunter’s reaction. Cheyenne hadn’t brought it up with Faulkner yet, but she would. She knew he’d been extra careful lately not to upset her, and Cheyenne knew it had to stop. He was a SEAL, and more of a man than anyone she’d ever met. He had to let his feelings out. Cheyenne knew she had to convince Faulkner she wouldn’t freak out if he did let them out on her now.

So tonight Caroline had called and informed her that they were all going out. Since Cheyenne wasn’t working, she’d readily agreed.

Now they were sitting in
Aces
, their favorite bar, drinking amaretto and midori sours and doing the occasional shot. Summer and Alabama had challenged each other to see who could do a shot with no hands, drinking from the far side of the glass. It was obvious they’d fail, but it was hysterical to see them trying to strategize.

Cheyenne looked over at Mozart. He was sitting on the other side of the room pretending not to watch them. The guys had said the girls could go out all they wanted, as long as one of them was there to watch over them.

The guys pretended to be disgruntled about it, but Caroline had told her they all secretly loved it. She’d further informed Cheyenne that the girls only went out because of the incredible sex that followed when they arrived back home. She’d explained how their men loved doing them while they were drunk, so they encouraged the behavior by going out at least once a month.

Cheyenne giggled remembering how Caroline had told her about one episode with Matthew one month. She couldn’t resist leaning in and whispering to Caroline that Faulkner had tied her up like that just last night. The look on Caroline’s face was priceless. Cheyenne couldn’t wait to see how Faulkner “did her drunk.” If it was better than how he was giving it to her now, she was in serious trouble.

A pretty waitress, with short black hair and a tired look on her face, had been serving them. The other women seemed to know her as they called her by name, Jess, and joked with her as if she was one of the group.

Cheyenne told her friends that she felt bad that Jess kept walking back and forth from their table to the bar because she had a limp, and offered to go to the bar to get the drinks herself. The women had told her that it would embarrass Jess and not to worry about it. So Cheyenne had dropped it and after another shot or two stopped thinking of their waitress as handicapped, and instead as more of a savior from above who delivered drinks just as they needed them.

Cheyenne watched as Fiona counted to three and Summer and Alabama leaned over and grabbed the shot glass with their mouths and teeth. As they tried to grab the glass with their teeth and lean backward to try to down the shot, more liquid spilled down their chests than went into their mouths, soaking the front of each of their shirts in the process.

Laughing uncontrollably, Caroline, Fiona, and Cheyenne could only watch as the two women tried desperately to sop up the liquid before it ran all the way down their chests to their pants.

“So who won?” Summer asked with a crooked grin.

Cheyenne just shook her head. “You guys are such dorks. I think you both lost. Okay, let’s go get you cleaned up.” Cheyenne stepped between them and the three ladies made their way wobbling to the restroom at the bar. Stopping by Mozart, Summer kissed him long and hard. Sick of waiting, Alabama grabbed her arm and pulled.

“Come on, girl. You can do that later. It’s girl’s night out, not date night. You have to wait just like the rest of us have to.”

Summer pulled herself out of her man’s arms. Before continuing to the restroom, Summer leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Cheyenne watched as he smiled lazily and nodded, obviously pleased at whatever naughty thing Summer had told him.

The trio continued to the bathroom and they all piled inside. For a small bar, the restroom was surprisingly spacious. It was also very clean, which was one of the reasons the group always chose to come to
Aces
. There was nothing worse than having to pee while drunk in a filthy bathroom…at least that was what Caroline said.

Since Cheyenne hadn’t ever tried to pee while drunk in a dirty bathroom, she couldn’t argue one way or another, but she did appreciate not having to hover over a dirty toilet seat. It was much nicer to be able to sit on the seat, knowing it was clean.

“Boys are so lucky!” Cheyenne called out while relieving herself.

“What the hell are you babbling about, Cheyenne?” Alabama called out from the next stall over.

“Boys. They can stand up and pee. They don’t have to worry about dirty bathrooms or filthy toilet seats.”

“Lucky shits!” Summer screeched from the other side of Cheyenne.

The girls giggled and finished their business and were washing their hands, laughing about the trials and tribulations of women having to pee in public restrooms, when the door opened and a woman walked in. She had long brown hair and was wearing a pair of black jeans and a black long sleeved T-shirt.

“Hey!” she said cheerfully. Looking at Cheyenne she said, “I know you, you’re that woman who was on the news a while back right? You were at that store when those men were shot weren’t you?”

Cheyenne froze. She hadn’t ever been recognized before, and there was something about the way they woman had asked about her, that sounded wrong.

Before she could affirm or deny the woman’s words, Summer spoke up for her. “Hell yeah, she kicked
ass
! Those assholes didn’t have a shot in hell at getting out of there. Our Cheyenne was too smart for them.” She turned to Alabama and gave her a high five.

Cheyenne didn’t take her eyes off the stranger. Her buzz was quickly fading. The woman didn’t look happy. In fact she looked pissed.

“One of those assholes was my brother,” she said in a low voice as she pulled out a pistol.

“Oh, Fuck,” Alabama said quietly.

“Okay, look, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.” Summer tried to back pedal and apologize.

“Too late, bitch. You can’t say something like that then in the next breath say you didn’t mean it. You meant it. Just for that, you’re coming with me too.”

“Coming with you?”

“Yeah, we’re all going for a ride.”

Cheyenne tried to think fast. “Look, it’s me you’re pissed at…not them. They weren’t there. I can tell you anything you want to know. I can tell you the last thing your brother said. Let them stay, just take me.”

“Fuck that. The second we leave, they’ll be on the phone calling in your military friends. No way in hell. You all have to come with me.”

“How are you going to get us all to go with you?” Alabama asked steadily, as if she wasn’t falling down drunk a minute ago.

The woman moved quickly and grabbed Summer’s arm. She pulled her off balance and into her. The woman snagged her around the neck and tightened her hold, while also holding her pistol to the side of Summer’s head. “If you don’t come with me, I’ll kill her. Right here in front of you. I’ll blow her fucking brains out. What’s it going to be?”

The woman was obviously stronger than she appeared, either that, or she was under the influence of some sort of drug. Summer struggled briefly, but wasn’t able to break the woman’s hold.

Cheyenne and Alabama watched helplessly as Summer struggled to breathe. It was an easy decision.

“Okay, we’re coming. Don’t hurt her. Please.”

The woman eased up on Summer’s throat a bit. “Don’t try anything. I know one of your military friends is out there. We’re going out the back door. Act normal or I’ll fucking shoot her. I don’t have anything to lose. After Hank was killed, my world went to shit anyway.”

Cheyenne believed this woman would kill Summer if either of them made any wrong moves. Cheyenne’s eyes filled with tears. Dammit. She didn’t want to put her friends in danger. Summer had already been kidnapped once, she didn’t need this. Cheyenne knew she had to get her new friends out of this somehow.

It wouldn’t be long until Sam realized they’d been gone too long, especially with Summer being his. He’d come and look for them and when he couldn’t find them, surely he’d know something was wrong.

Cheyenne and Alabama preceded the crazy woman out of the restroom and toward the back door.

It was almost scary how easy it was for her to kidnap them right out of
Aces
. There was an SUV idling in the alley. A large man was sitting behind the wheel of the car and he glared at all of them as they exited the bar.

“What the hell, Alicia? I thought you were just going to get the store bitch? Who the hell are these other bitches?”

“I couldn’t leave them all in there, Javier! Jesus! The second I left with her, the others would’ve been on the phone getting the military guys after us! Shit. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Cheyenne tried one more time. “Please, don’t take them, leave them here, they won’t call anyone. I swear.”

“Hell no, get in the car, bitch. Remember what I said. I’ll kill your friends if you even
look
like you’re planning something. I don’t give a fuck about them, so you know I’m not lying.”

“I’ll do whatever you want. I promise. Just don’t hurt them.”

Cheyenne watched as an evil smile slid across Javier’s face. “I see what you mean, Alicia. Good going. She’ll be good as gold to keep her friends safe…won’t you, sweetheart?”

Cheyenne swallowed the bile that crept up her throat. Shit. They were in serious trouble.

* * *

Mozart shifted on his seat. He couldn’t wait to take Summer home and show her how much he loved “girls night out.” She’d whispered in his ear that tonight was the night she was going to allow him to restrain her. They’d been working up to it. She still had nightmares about Ben Hurst and when she was restrained and helpless in his clutches. They both knew he wasn’t Hurst, but sometimes the heart and the head differed in opinion.

He loved seeing the women drunk. They were cute and actually hilarious. Mozart only wished he could’ve filmed Summer and Alabama trying to down that shot without using their hands. Abe would’ve gotten a kick out of it.