Page 38 of Twisted Surrender

I’m drawn back to the present, with her on my lap, and all the other women on their men’s laps. There’s a baby announcement, because with all these couples there is never not a baby coming.

But what catches my ear is when Tom clears his throat and begins to speak.

“I need everyone to listen because I can only say this once. I’m not sure how to explain it, so I’m just going to say it.” Clearing his throat yet again, I see Cash get up and move around to sit in the chair next to Tom.

And I know what’s coming. These two have some kind of bond. I saw it once Cash was able to break through to him. It made me feel good to see the two of them together. Tom was finally letting someone in. And he was breaking down walls that he and Farrah had built.

“Cash and I have a person in common. His cousin and I served together years ago.” I watch him intently as he keeps his eyes focused on the fire in front of him, no doubt falling back into remembering the night that changed his life. I hear a laugh bubble from Tom, and I hear Cash chuckle beside me. He speaks of Cash’s cousin, JT Tomlin, who served under Tom in the US Marine Corps.

He died on Tom’s watch.

I understand that pain. Of losing someone you thought you’d grow old with. Watching Tom and Cash choke back tears and sobs while speaking of someone they both love has me holding my girl even tighter.

“For whatever reason,” Tom says exaggeratedly and rolls his eyes, “JT thinks we need each other, so he brought Cash to me. And all of us, actually.”

“Maybe we’re here to give Chief Hunter a hard time. You know, I can’t let him think he’s the top dog around here for long.” Cash barks out.

“Someone’s gotta keep an eye on him and Daisy!” Billy says.

That fucking guy.

“William! Do I need to break out the mugshot?” I raise a brow and give him a stern voice. And in true Billy fashion, he breaks out his phone, scrolls around for a second and pulls up a picture. Flashing it around the group, it’s his mugshot from years ago.

“Jesus Christ, Bill, that’s nothing to be proud of.”

He shrugs. “Not proud, just a reminder of where I came from.”

Adley leans into him and I notice everyone here does the same with their significant others.

Isn’t that something? Nothing like a reminder of the bad shit to show you how you’ve grown. And the good that’s waiting for you, if you’ll accept it.

I whisper into her ear. “Thank you for coming tonight.”

She settles into my lap and I have to be very careful of my thoughts right now. I want to play with and tease her, but this would not be the place.

And when Tom lets out that he put in his retirement papers for the military and is in love with Farrah, I feel I’ve come full circle.

It makes perfect sense that I’m here with the family who kick-started a new life for me years ago, and I’m here again now with them, ready for the next part of my life to start with my girl.

* * *

We’ve come back to my house tonight. We had some drinks each, and not that I’m far from the Casanovas house, but I’m the Chief and need to practice what I preach. I left my truck and Daisy and I walked the two blocks back to my home. The beautiful night mixed with the Christmas feeling was everything. I’m not that guy who falls in love with a holiday, but I am that guy who’s in love with being with my girl on a holiday.

We enter my house, the only light being from the Christmas tree I left lit. I pull her to the couch and we both sit close together. I need to tell her how I feel. She deserves to know and hear the words. And I need to speak it out loud, for us.

I also want her to seriously think about giving up that house.

I kiss her lightly and run my hands through her hair.

“Tonight was fun. The wives weren’t too much for you, were they?”

She laughs. “Not at all. They’re great. I really like them. And they’re quite fond of you, too.”

I close my eyes. “I hope you didn’t give them any details. There are no secrets between them and their husbands. I need to know what I’m in for tomorrow at the station.”

“I only told them the good stuff, Chief.” She winks and strokes me through my jeans.

Groaning at her touch, the words I always speak fall from my mouth. “Stay with me.”