Maddie shivered. Some high-ranking Naval officer had sent Braden’s friend and the SEALs after the secret. What did they do with these men now, and could they prevent whoever had sent them from sending others?
“You two both have expertise, training, and experience that could make all the difference.”
Maddie looked at her dad. He met her gaze, his own blue eyes full of love and acceptance. Maybe he didn’t know everything, but he knew she’d been through hard things and he loved her no matter what.
“Thank you, Dad,” she said softly, not a trace of sarcasm in her voice.
“I love you,” he said back.
Her mom kissed her cheek and then she and her dad fell into step behind them Maddie and Braden. Braden took her hand as they walked up the sloping lawn. He squeezed it and leaned in close. “I can’t wait to hear your story.”
“I can’t wait to hear yours.”
“I can’t wait to kiss you without an audience.”
“Your mouth is probably raw.”
“I don’t care.”
“Maybe you’ll taste like a skinned frog to me since they ripped your skin off and you are basically a frog man.”
“I promise you I’ll taste delicious.”
She laughed. She could bet he would. “You’re more delicious than Thomas’s cake.”
“Would you two stop?” her dad begged. She’d almost forgotten her parents were walking behind them.
“I apologize, sir,” Braden said.
Her dad slapped him on the shoulder and escorted her mom past them into the house. “I’m just giving you a hard time. It’s hard for me to watch my little girl fawn over a man, but I think it’s you who’s brought the light back into her eyes and helped my beautiful Maddie find her inner happiness again.”
They disappeared into Papa’s back door.
Braden turned to her. Most of the family was inside now. “Do I make you happy?”
“Happier than a tornado in a trailer park.”
Braden laughed and pulled her close. “And you’re not going to slug me if I kiss you?”
“You brave enough to try?” She batted her eyelashes.
“Brave or stupid, but what’s the difference?” He kissed her long and slow. They didn’t stop until Papa sent Thor after them. He had white pancake batter on his black shirt and started teasing them immediately. Maddie didn’t care. Braden was here and loved her. Heaven above and her family loved and accepted her. That was all she needed.
ChapterSixteen
The next few hours were intense and crazy. Braden wanted to get Maddie alone and hear her story. She looked all lit up, and he felt hopeful that she was at peace and had turned her heart back to the Savior and felt how much He loved her.
He needed to hear what had happened from her beautiful lips, then kiss her for a long, long time. His lips and cheeks were feeling better from the stupid duct tape. He didn’t blame Zander for keeping him bound and was only grateful his longtime friend had listened to him and that all these men were willing to disobey orders. It revealed how uneasy the political and military climate was, and how much they admired and trusted Admiral Delta for seasoned special ops guys to not only question but refuse to complete a direct mission assignment.
Zander admitted that their official orders came from the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gusbane. That was … not great news. It was worrisome who knew about and wanted the Delta weapon. Was it a race to see who could secure it first, or did only a few still know about it? Braden was relieved nobody could point a finger at Admiral Seamons. Admiral Gusbane’s name was also on the list on the zip drive Seamons had given them, and he’d been at Olivet’s party with King Frederick. It all made him even more suspicious. Dang. He had a lot of power and clout. What if he kept sending elite SEAL teams after the weapon?
The interesting turn of events happened as they talked in the conference room and Thor and Emery kept bringing them food and drinks. Each of the SEALs who’d accompanied Zander decided their place was here, guarding the secret, until King Frederick was defeated.
The family was noticeably moved by the show of support. Admiral Delta explained they could still fly back and report that there was no weapon and see what the response was. It would be a lot easier than choosing to join the Deltas. They would have to declare them dead or missing in action. Unless they could find a way to inform their families without risking the secret, their loved ones wouldn’t know what had happened to them until it was resolved.
They were each adamant. Their place was here. They would help protect the Deltas and the weapon and they would turn to Papa as their new commanding officer.
Braden could relate to how hard the choice was, because he was going to make it himself. He’d have to be declared MIA as well because he wasn’t leaving the Deltas and especially Maddie. He hoped Admiral Delta would allow him to get a message to his family. They’d proven the past couple of days they could keep the secret of his supposed death.