Unconventional Beginnings Read online

  “Neat for both of us.”

  Katlin startled to find her uncle standing next to her.

  As she poured one finger into each glass, he suggested, “Better add a second.”

  Holding the bottle poised to pour again, her gaze met her Uncle Francis’s. Something was wrong. A flash of pain speared her heart, followed by a cold wave of fear. “Daniel?” she managed to choke out.

  “No, sweetheart.” Her uncle took the bottle and poured more into each glass before twisting the top back on and returning it to its place in the bar. “He’s fine, as far as we know.”

  Relief washed through Katlin. She loved her brother even though he was nearly eight years older and they hadn’t really grown up together. She had lived in embassies all over the world with her parents while Daniel attended school in the United States, living with their grandparents. He’d visit on holidays and school breaks, and they’d travel to the U.S.A. for summers, but their relationship was unusual to say the least.

  If it isn’t Daniel, then what is wrong?

  Facing the situation head on, as she had done all her life, she looked from her father to her uncle who sat down on the opposite end of the couch. “I’m really glad you’re both here…but why are you here?” It was the middle of a work day. If not for the operation last night, she’d be in training rather than home.

  The general gave a side glance to his brother-in-law, his eyes begging for help.

  This can’t be good. Has the project been scrubbed? She’d worked so hard to help the other women through the long days, and all too-short nights, to prove that she and other women could be as good in combat as Ty. As good as Alejandro. As good as any trained special operator.

  Her father took one of the glasses from her and sipped before taking her hand and pulling her down beside him. He took her glass of untouched imported whisky and set both on the coffee table.

  Taking both her hands in his, he turned to face her. “Kat.” The restraint in her father’s voice spoke volumes. “I wanted to be the one to come here and tell you—” was all he got out.

  “Ty is dead, isn’t he?” Her gaze darted to her uncle’s eyes where she saw the same remorse as that in her father’s.

  In priest mode, he nodded slowly. “We wanted to be the ones to inform you.”

  Katlin was numb.

  Her father squeezed her hands. “I couldn’t let some Navy lieutenant commander who didn’t know you coldly stride in here and tell you your husband was gone.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.” She leaned into him. He engulfed her in loving arms. The smell of his aftershave was more comforting than she would imagine. Not because she’d lost her husband, but just from being in the secure arms of her father. She felt safe with him, able to remove the pressure of her world knowing he’d handle anything that came her way…including the death of her husband.

  Katlin knew what she was supposed to feel, but none of the soul-wrenching despair was there. As she searched her emotions, she found nothing for the man she’d dated since high school, married right out of college, and loved for more than ten years.

  She was empty…and had been since the night he’d left on his last mission.

  Sucking in a slow, deep breath, she refocused dazed eyes and leaned back to look at her father. “What do I need to do?”

  Mentally shifting into operational mode, she stood and walked to the antique desk her grandmother had left to her, the one Ty hated because it was old. Reaching into the drawer, her hand stopped.

  A thick sheaf of legal papers lay unfolded on top.

  Katlin stared at the long formal sheets, covered in scribbles, that were now useless.

  Inhaling slowly, completely filling her lungs, she dug down in the stack and withdrew the copies of their wills. She selected Ty’s and returned to the couch.

  “He wanted to be buried in Arlington.” She was surprised at how matter-of-fact her voice sounded. Like all married military couples should, she and Ty had discussed what each should do when the other died. It had always been a when, never an if. With both of them on active duty, the reality was always there.

  “I can make that happen,” her Uncle Francis offered. “What about his parents? Any chance they’ll want him buried in Miami?”

  “None.” One side of Katlin’s mouth kicked up. “Momma Malone will insist her baby boy be buried in Arlington, not that she has any control over it. I am still his wife and next of kin.” At least she thought so.

  Katlin considered for a long minute. Hell, what if she wasn’t. “He may have changed his will on the ship to the Middle East. Can you check on that, please?” Since her uncle was a Navy captain, and a senior chaplain, the legal officer aboard the ship would take his call immediately.

  “I’ll check on it.” Uncle Francis sipped the dark amber liquid and stared at the glass. “I know things were often rough between the two of you lately. A marriage of two military officers isn’t easy, especially with Ty being a SEAL, often called away at the last minute.” He looked her in the eyes. “But I know you loved Tyler.”

  “I did.” She’d loved the man with all her heart for many years, even though he regularly stretched the limits of their relationship.

  “We don’t always understand the Lord’s plan for us,” her uncle preached. “But He has something very special ahead for you. You were the miracle child for my sister and your dad. You’ve been through more than most hardened military men. You’re a fighter, Katlin. You’ll pull through this with the grace of royalty, I know that for a fact.”

  Her father grasped her hand and wove his fingers between hers. “I thank God every day for you and your brother and know your mother is watching over you both from heaven.”

  Katlin watched the strongest man she knew fight back tears over his recent loss. “I miss her, too, Daddy.”

  “And you’ll miss your husband the same way,” her uncle attempted to console.

  Katlin went cold. No. She’d loved her mother soul deep. Ty had ripped out her heart and broken it into a million pieces just before he left on that last mission. She wasn’t sure she would ever forgive him.

  She’d now never have the chance.

  A knock at the door was immediately followed by, “Katlin, may I come in?”

  Relieved for the interruption, Katlin leaped from couch. “Thank you for coming, Uncle Tom.”

  He pulled her into a strong hug and whispered in her ear, “You’ll be all right.”

  “I am.” The truth in her words was a revelation. She was all right, and would be once she got through the next few days. She stepped back. “Come on in. Daddy and Uncle Francis are in the living room. I think I’ll throw together some lunch.”

  As he entered the living room, she noticed his expectant gaze.

  Who else was coming? Then it hit her, lots of people would invade her home before it was over. She needed her team at her side. In the privacy of her kitchen, she typed a group text to Grace, Lei Lu, Nita and Tori: Ty was KIA. Come when you can.

  She stared at the words on the screen, thumb hovering over the send icon.

  Killed in Action. He was, wasn’t he? No one had told her how he died, just that he was gone. Where was his body? Where was the CACO to guide her through the next several days and all the paperwork? Surely the Navy didn’t expect her father or Uncle Francis to do that job. Someone from SEAL Team 4 would eventually show up as the Casualty Assistance Call Officer.

  She’d ask in a minute. Food first.

  While the men spoke in low tones in the other room, Katlin took comfort in her kitchen, cooking for her favorite men.

  She’d just placed the largest pot she owned—filled with salted water and a splash of olive oil—onto the stove when the doorbell rang.

  Her Uncle Tom stuck his head into the kitchen. “I’ll get that, Little One.” How endearing, he’d used her family’s nickname for her.

  “Ava, nice of you to come.” At her uncle’s words, Katlin cringed.

  Great! Of course the stars wou
ld show up. The other three senior female officers will be here soon.

  Katlin painted on a smile and stepped into the foyer. “Brigadier General Standish,” Katlin held out her hand, but the woman pulled her into a surprising hug.

  “Oh, Katlin, to hell with protocol. I’ve known you all your life.” Her family’s friend glanced up at Uncle Tom. “You’re like a niece to me.”

  “Please don’t remind me you changed my diapers.” For many years, Katlin had called her Aunt Ava. The highest ranking woman in the Marine Corps had once been a midshipman in the company her father had commanded at the Naval Academy and occasionally babysat for her parents.

  When they stepped back, Ava continued to hold Katlin’s shoulders. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m fine.” The rote response popped out.

  Dropping her hands, Ava wandered over to the stove under the watchful eyes of Uncle Tom. “What are you making?” She lifted the lid.

  “Spaghetti.” Katlin turned to the freezer and extracted several containers of homemade sauce and popped them into the microwave.

  “What can I do to help?” Ava volunteered.

  Katlin glanced around her kitchen and saw the tea jug sitting in the sink. “Why don’t you get the doors for me?”

  Before she could take a step, Uncle Tom had the glass container out of the sink. He dropped the tea bags in and tightly screwed on the top. “Why don’t you help me take this out, Ava?”

  Katlin smiled. Even though they tried to hide their relationship, they made a good pair.

  3

  Ava cut through the laundry room off Katlin’s kitchen then held the door open to the patio for Tom. As he walked toward the table, she couldn’t help but notice his tight butt. For a man in his early-fifties, he maintained a great body. In his position as the Director of Operations for the CIA, he literally bore the weight of the world. Working out was one of his favorite stress relievers.

  She much preferred his other tension reliever, sex with her.

  Tom placed the sun tea container on the pretty wrought iron and glass table, covertly glancing around. Although most Marines were at work, several wives were enjoying the day on their patios in the tightly knit neighborhood. With Ava in uniform, which hadn’t gone unnoticed, there would be no hugging or kissing. Damn it.

  She couldn’t wait another second to ask, “How is Katlin really doing?”

  “She has always held in her emotions to portray what’s expected of her.” Tom faced Ava. “She’ll do what is needed to bury her husband then return to work. Katlin has a unique sense of life and death. She’s a devout Catholic but, as you know, willing to send someone to meet their maker. Her relationship with Tyler had hit a rocky patch.”

  Ava agreed. “More like a field of boulders and I’m not sure she was willing to climb over them for him. I think her career meant more to her than he did, especially after being selected for the project.”

  “I completely agree.” Tom placed his warm hand on the small of Ava’s back to guide her back into the house.

  Tingles ran up her spine and the heat of his hand radiated through her entire body.

  “You sound positive she’ll return to her training.” Ava glanced over her shoulder hoping to see something more than his concern for his niece. A small smile just for her. Any indication to his thoughts toward her.

  She never knew where she stood with Tom. He was an attentive lover and they had promised each other to be exclusive for as long as their relationship lasted. She enjoyed their time together, in bed and out. He seemed to hold back so much, as though they were nothing more than long-time friends who occasionally hooked up…several times a week lately.

  Rudely, he stepped in front of her as they reentered the house through the small laundry room. In three strides, he closed the door to the kitchen as she pulled the outside door shut, securing their privacy.

  He yanked her to him and crashed his mouth to hers.

  He held her so tight, his strength surprised her. Tom had never been like this before. He’d always been so gentle, careful with her. The intensity of his lips on hers, forcing her mouth to open and yield to his invasion, was exciting to her core. She liked this side of him.

  Tom breathed rapidly when he broke the kiss and just held her. “Christ, I missed you last night. I’m sorry I had to work late. Everything in Syria is falling to shit.”

  “I wouldn’t have been able to meet you anyway.” She inhaled the spicy scent of his shampoo and body wash. “I watched our girls kick TBS ass.”

  He chuckled and loosened his grip, dropping his hands to her hips. “Thanks for coming over today. Can I see you tonight?”

  Hell, yes. “Come to my house when you leave here…unless you’re expected back at work.” Ava was well aware of Tom’s ever-changing schedule. Disturbing news anywhere in the world could take him away from her for hours or even days.

  “My office knows we’ve had a death in the family and will only call if absolutely necessary.” He gave her a pensive smile. “It’s about time my deputy stepped up. With the new administration appointing a whole new regime, I may have the opportunity to move up.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Ava exclaimed. Tom would have even more control over the next phase of training for the young women in the program. Maybe he could even keep them working for him rather than sending them to Homeland Security and under Jack’s control.

  They heard voices in the kitchen.

  “That might be the Casualty Assistance Call Officer,” Tom suggested.

  “That means the Navy is here.” Although Ava was originally a naval officer, she’d chosen to join the Marine Corps after the Academy. Curious, she moved toward the kitchen door.

  Tom caught her hand. “Tonight, then?”

  Inside, Ava happy danced. Outside, she maintained her composure. “Definitely.” She stepped back and kissed him quickly before twisting the knob.

  As she opened the door, she faced a solid, uniformed body. “Major General Callahan.”

  Katlin’s father stepped into the crowded space, closing the door behind him. “I fucking hate this for Little One.”

  Ava understood. Both of them had been in this situation many times before but never with a beloved daughter and family friend. “We all do.” No officer ever enjoyed making casualty calls but they were the responsibility of every senior officer.

  “The CACO will be here soon.” The general said. “Did I tell you this was the SEAL Team 4 commander’s first combat command and he lost every member of a platoon. He was more than glad to relinquish the dreaded duty to me, but his people are on their way up from Little Creek.”

  “Do you know what happened yet?” Tom asked his brother-in-law.

  The Marine General rubbed his eyes. “The mission was a cluster fuck from the beginning. Ty’s team of Navy SEALs and Alejandro’s Special Operations company were to enter under the cover of night and a barrage of air fire. They were ordered to reconnaissance the area out to two miles, secure the perimeter and set up a position to call in air support for the attack which was to begin at dawn.”

  “Sounds like someone knew they were coming,” Ava offered.

  “With so many entities involved, leaks are always possible.” Tom had told Ava about trying to catch a mole in the CIA, so he was very familiar with loose lips endangering lives.

  “I’ll know more after I talk with Alejandro.” Mike Callahan smiled. “From what I can tell, his men more than accomplished their job. They attacked with vengeance and cleared the area. Not a single Taliban was left breathing.”

  “So there’s no one to interrogate?” Ava wondered out loud.

  “Just Alejandro, and I intend to ask those questions personally.” Mike looked at his watch.

  Ava smiled. “You might have to fight Rear Admiral Nancy Burkhoff for that privilege.”

  “He’s a Marine.” The general grinned back. “He’s all mine.”

  “We want to keep Captain Lobo away from Katlin,” Ava mentioned. />
  The two men in the tiny room exchanged a look over her head.

  She quickly added, “We’re afraid he’d influence her decision about returning to the program.”

  “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.” Mike sounded so confident.

  “Why?” Ava needed reassurance.

  “Since her mother’s death, we’ve become very close. We talk at least twice a week.” Mike looked away for a few long seconds then back. “Even as a teenager in Miami, too many times I had heard Katlin cry in her mother’s arms when Ty had dumped her again, cheated on her with another girl, or just been an asshole teenage boy.”

  He took a deep breath then continued. “For some unfathomable reason though, my daughter loved Tyler Malone, and I will do anything to make Katlin happy. I’d hoped once they were married, knowing the eyes of my Naval Academy classmates would be watching, he’d stop his wandering ways and make a good life with Katlin. That obviously didn’t happen. One of my friends told me Ty was living up to the old Navy adage, a girl in every port. Another informed me Ty claimed to have a mutual agreement with his wife that they both had a fifty mile limit on their wedding rings.”

  Ava’s jaw dropped. “Her husband actually said that?”

  “Yes. Unfortunately. And he believed it.” The silver hair on the general’s temples flashed white when he shook his head. “Katlin was faithful to Ty. I know it in my heart. But I think she’d had enough of his infidelity. I also know she’d seriously thought about a divorce.”

  Female voices filled the adjoining kitchen. Katlin’s team members had just arrived. Ava felt reassured that her friends would help her through this time of need. From a professional standpoint, this tragedy would increase the strength of the team. It might also give them a reality check. Her girls would soon face death on every mission.

  Ava shuddered.

  “Are you all right, sweetheart?” Tom Gillpatrick asked.

  She quickly glanced to Mike Callahan to see if he’d caught the endearment. A twitch at the corner of his mouth was his only reaction.