Elias kept his eyes on the road ahead. ‘Well, she was particularly beautiful.’Callie’s lips twitched, her tone laced with feigned indifference. ‘Of course, she must have been.’Elias’s eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘And smart. Very smart.’Callie raised an eyebrow, her playful façade cracking slightly. ‘Naturally. What else?’‘Considerate. She had a big heart.’Callie huffed softly, crossing her arms. ‘Sounds like quite the catch.’Elias’s grin widened. ‘You could say that.’Callie’s curiosity gave way to a touch of irritation.She uncrossed her arms and looked at Elias pointedly. ‘Are you being honest with me?’Elias nodded. ‘Of course. I wouldn’t lie to you.’Callie let out a small sigh, her emotions swirling within her.She pouted slightly, her eyes narrowing. ‘Well, isn’t that just great? Your first love sounds like she was perfect.’Elias nodded again. ‘She was. Still is.’Callie said grumpily, ‘You could have lied a little.’‘You deserve the truth.’Callie looked away, unsure if
Elias eased back, his fingers lingering on her cheek as he caressed it gently. ‘Don’t worry, Bunny. The honeymoon’s just beginning. We’ve arrived.’Callie blinked, peering through the rain-streaked glass.The downpour had turned everything into a blurry landscape.‘Where are we?’ she asked, trying hard to make out her surroundings.‘Wingston Outpost. It used to be a military outpost built over a hundred years ago, hence the name, but now it’s turned into a small tourist town and known simply as Wingston.’Callie squinted hard and gradually discerned where they’d stopped—it seemed like a yard, perhaps a car park, and in the distance, a building beckoned through the curtain of rain.Elias’s warm hand closed around hers. ‘Shall we?’She nodded.With a purposeful grip, he led her out of the jeep, their footsteps splashing in puddles as they sprinted through the downpour.‘Come on, Bunny!’ Elias called over the sound of the rain, his voice holding a hint of exhilaration.Their laughter int
Callie gaped at Elias as he settled into the tub.His dark hair was damp, droplets of water trickling down his broad shoulders.He scooted closer to her until their sides brushed against each other.‘Get out of your wet clothes, he said. Enjoy a peaceful bath, he said,’ Callie muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.Elias laughed heartily, the sound echoing off the tiled walls. ‘Well, I don’t know about you, but I find this bath far more entertaining now.’With a theatrical sigh, Callie leaned back against the edge of the tub, her lips curving into a small smile. ‘Oh, really? And what exactly makes this bath so... entertaining?’Elias’s grin turned wicked as he reached out and gently tugged at one of her loose curls. ‘Well, for starters, the company is much better than any scented candle.’Her cheeks flushed, but she refused to let him see how his words affected her.Instead, she shot back, ‘You know, I was actually enjoying a peaceful moment until someone decided to crash my bub
The menu at the restaurant was a symphony of flavours, paying tribute to the diverse culinary preferences of soldiers hailing from around the world.The dishes ranged from familiar comfort foods to exotic delights.‘Soldier’s Stew’ promised a hearty blend of meats and vegetables, evoking memories of rations shared during campaigns.‘Sergeant’s Surf & Turf’ boasted succulent cuts of meat and fresh seafood.The lighting, subdued yet warm, cast a gentle glow reminiscent of soldiers finding solace around a flickering campfire after a long day.Soft chatter and laughter intertwined with the subtle background music, creating an ambience that resonated with both camaraderie and romance.‘It almost feels like I’m back at the academy,’ Callie said. ‘But with better-smelling food.’The waitstaff, dressed in uniforms that mirrored military attire from various eras, moved with disciplined grace.Their attentive service echoed the dedication and precision that defined soldiers in the field.Each d
Callie and Elias approached the stand and examined the array of pottery on display.Callie’s fingers trailed over the delicate edges of a vase, her touch as gentle as a whisper. ‘These pieces are so unique. Each one tells a story.’Elias nodded in agreement. ‘Yeah, they have a certain charm to them.’As Callie explored the different items, Elias’s phone buzzed in his pocket.He pulled it out to see it was a text message.[Harriet Daniels]: Just finished a mission. Got promoted to lieutenant colonel. Have a holiday coming up. Will come look for you at Valour Ridge.Elias’s brows furrowed slightly as he read the message.He didn’t reply, instead tucking the phone back into his pocket.Callie returned to his side, carrying a small handmade pottery piece shaped like a bunny and another shaped like a wolf.She held them up for him to see, her eyes dancing with mischief. ‘Look, Elias! A bunny and a wolf. Don’t they remind you of us?’Elias chuckled, his gaze moving from the pottery to Calli
‘I’m not on campus right now,’ Elias said.‘Oh. Too bad.’ Harriet shrugged off the disappointing news. ‘Never mind then. Is Lemuel on campus?’‘You’ll have to ask him. It’s a holiday, and most folks have cleared out.’‘I’ll call him, then.’Before Elias could respond, the line went dead, leaving him holding the phone to his ear.He shook his head with an amused smile and slid his phone back into his pocket.Harriet was as impulsive as ever, always charging ahead with a fire in her heart that few could match.General McCullough’s niece was a whirlwind of energy and spontaneity.Elias had lived with Harriet and Hershel for a while after his parents died.She was like a sister to him, which made the prospect of Hershel’s matchmaking all the more absurd.With Callie on his mind, Elias quickened his pace.The lift whisked him up to the suite.Callie greeted him with a sheepish smile.She was fully dressed now and no longer clad in the delicate lingerie that had set his libido in overdrive.
Elias yanked up the blanket to cover himself and gnashed his teeth in mock exasperation. ‘Just wait till your Aunt Flo leaves, let’s see if you’ll still be able to laugh then.’Callie stuck out her tongue. ‘Relax. It’s perfectly normal for a man to—’In a swift move that was all Elias, he caught her shoulders and pulled her down, their lips meeting in a passionate, searing kiss that left her breathless.Callie waved the white flag before things got out of control.After washing up, they went downstairs for breakfast.‘Where are we going?’ Callie asked as she climbed into the jeep.‘A little place I know,’ he said cryptically.The morning sun painted the town in warm hues as they drove out of the carpark.The scent of fresh dew hung in the air, mingling with the promise of the day ahead.As they drove on, the town of Wingston gradually faded in the rearview mirror, replaced by the embrace of nature’s splendour.A short while later, Elias parked the car at the edge of a gravel path, lea
Once inside The Sands Bunker, Harriet was greeted by a warm, dimly lit interior that exuded a sense of rugged elegance.The rich aroma of aged wood mingled with the tantalising scents of hearty meals and well-aged spirits.The main bar, an imposing structure hewn from dark oak, stretched along the length of the room, offering patrons a place to lean, to linger, and to trade war stories.The atmosphere was alive with camaraderie, and her eyes swept over the small group of cadets huddled together.Heads turned in her direction.Harriet was glad she wore civilian clothes, since most soldiers shied away once they realised who she was.One of them, a young man with sandy hair and a nervous smile, cleared his throat and offered her a seat. ‘Hey, welcome! You’re new around here?’Harriet’s lips curved into a confident grin, her voice light as she played along. ‘Just passing through, thought I’d join in on the fun.’‘Let me buy you a drink. What’s your poison?’***While Harriet was drinking
Callie, weakened but resilient, looked up as Elias entered the ward.A soft smile played on her lips despite the pain that lingered in her eyes. ‘I was wondering where you disappeared off to.’Elias took a moment to absorb the sight of her, the woman he loved, fighting her way back to health.The bandages on her abdomen marked the physical toll of the recent events, but the warmth in her eyes brought a sense of calm to Elias’s troubled soul.‘Hey, Bunny,’ Elias greeted, his smile genuine as he approached her bedside.He gently took her hand, mindful of her injuries. ‘How are you feeling?’Callie’s eyes sparkled with gratitude. ‘Getting there. The doctors say I’ll make a full recovery with time.’Elias nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of recent events. ‘There’s something I need to tell you.’As Elias shared the shocking truth about General Conway’s betrayal and the revelation about his parents’ deaths, Callie’s expression shifted from concern to disbelief and, ultimately, sorrow
Callie felt herself falling into his trap, struggling to maintain a hardened heart as his doting gaze softened her resolve.‘Callie, you’re my wife. We are supposed to share a bed,’ his voice, deep and intoxicating, whispered in her ear.He embraced her tightly, a possessive need evident in his hold.‘Callie, I want you to love me like before. I lied to protect you. But now I realise I was wrong. I promise, no more lies. Please, at least don’t ignore me. It breaks me...’ His eyes, full of affection, revealed vulnerability.Elias, usually so strong, trembled in his plea.His voice carried a hint of regret. ‘I messed up, and damn it, I know it. Are you willing to forgive me?’Callie sighed. ‘Elias, just promise not to pull something like this again.’‘I won’t hurt you with lies anymore,’ he vowed.‘No more lies, Elias. Not even one,’ she declared.‘I swear.’ To seal his promise, he planted kisses on her forehead, eyes, and nose, soothing her turmoil.Dylan’s knock shattered Elias’s plan
Callie drifted in and out of a dream-laden slumber, the ebb and flow of consciousness gently pulling her into the waking world.The enticing fragrance of chicken soup teased her senses, coaxing her from the depths of sleep.Elias had returned, a culinary saviour armed with a thermos of steaming chicken soup. ‘I used the mess hall kitchen to make this for you,’ he announced with a quiet pride.Drawing in a deep breath, Callie’s stomach couldn’t contain its eagerness, emitting a low growl that echoed through the room.‘Callie, tell me, what’s that sound?’ His question, though not a direct accusation, draped her in a blanket of embarrassment.‘Ahem!’ Callie, determined to maintain her composure, responded with a feigned nonchalance.‘I didn’t hear any sound,’ she declared, though the rumblings from her stomach suggested otherwise.She fought to suppress the impending growl, hoping Elias wouldn’t witness this audible betrayal.‘No sound?’ Elias’s raised brow and assertive tone exposed her
Elias’s eyes snapped open the moment he heard someone coughing.He sat bolt upright in the chair and turned towards Callie.Her eyes were open.‘Callie! You are awake!’In a haze, Callie recognised Elias’s voice.Struggling, she forced her eyes open, greeted by the familiar sight of a white ceiling—a hospital room.Elias’s hand held hers, his calloused palm brushing against her skin.‘Elias,’ she whispered weakly, her eyes glistening with tears.Her voice, frail, held a hint of disbelief. ‘Am I still dreaming?’The last she knew, Elias was in custody.The Elias before her now felt like a dream, and she doubted her reality.Elias, red-eyed and exhausted, held her hands tightly, reassuring her, ‘Bunny, what are you talking about? Of course I’m real.’Callie sighed. ‘Good…’Relieved, she closed her eyes, slipping back into sleep.‘Callie!’ Elias’s heart skipped a beat, fear gnawing at him.He rushed outside, calling for Jamison and the medical team. ‘Quick, take a look at her. She woke u
The puzzle of Mindy’s escape persisted, leaving Dylan in the dark, grappling with the mystery that allowed her to slip away undetected.A knock came on the door.‘Come in.’Dwight entered, settling gracefully into a chair opposite Dylan.He produced a pack of cigarettes, extending it toward Dylan.Dylan accepted it, extracting a cigarette, igniting it with a flick of his lighter, and indulging in the smoke that soon enveloped the room.Dwight, sensing Dylan’s foul mood, asked, ‘General Sheppard, not in the best spirits today?’Dylan retorted, ‘Aren’t you in the same boat?’A subtle smile played on Dwight’s lips as he selected a cigarette from the pack.His slender fingers expertly lit it, the room filling with the fragrance of tobacco and a haze of smoke.‘Any updates on Mindy?’‘Not yet,’ Dylan replied after a brief pause. ‘Which is a problem for you. That woman is more cunning than her father. I think she’s the one behind your assassination plot, not Carl. By the way, when do you pl
‘I planned everything single-handedly. This has nothing to do with my daughter Mindy,’ Carl pleaded. ‘I only had her run a few errands for me. She didn’t know what she was doing.’‘Do you think your excuse is convincing?’ Dwight retorted. ‘Mindy isn’t seven years old. She’s twenty-seven, an adult fully responsible for her own actions.’Dylan, acting on Dwight’s orders, directed his subordinates to arrest Mindy and release Elias.Carl, comprehending the depth of his miscalculations, lashed out at Dylan.He felt betrayed by the very person he trusted.‘Dylan, you ungrateful scoundrel! I trusted you so much, yet you did this to me! You even took advantage of my daughter. You are going to hell for this!’ Carl screamed, blaming Dylan for their downfall.Dylan was unfazed.Nothing Carl said mattered, not any more.Dylan exchanged a look with Dwight; there would be time to celebrate later.However, their joy was short-lived.About twenty minutes later, a soldier returned, reporting that they
Inga was supposed to be dead, but Dylan assured him that he’d killed her, even brought back her charred corpse.And the witness secured by Mindy couldn’t be Inga.Dylan must have made the switch.Carl was right to suspect him; his protégé had betrayed him.Carl glared resentfully at Dylan, at the culprit who crushed his dream of presidency.Dylan leaned against the wall, hands in pockets, unfazed.‘Dylan!’ Carl bellowed.The general seemed to have aged in a matter of minutes.Dylan gave him a mischievous smile. ‘Did I do something wrong, General Conway?’‘You—’ Carl yelled, ready to tear into Dylan for the betrayal.But glancing around the room, he halted.Others were present—Harriet, Dwight, and the three cabinet ministers.To reprimand Dylan would be akin to admitting to his own crimes.Fury painted his face as he contemplated his next move.Dwight glanced at Carl.The situation resembled a chess game, with Carl in the inferior position.He should sense his disadvantage, understandi
Carl waited in his office, too worked up to sit still.A knock on the door, and then Mindy entered. ‘Dad, it’s done. We have the witness and evidence. Everything will unfold just as you want.’Joy sparkled in Carl’s eyes, grateful for his daughter’s assistance. ‘Good, Mindy. Get Dylan here immediately. I want Elias’s trial to begin ASAP.’Mindy nodded, a wicked smile on her face, and left to find Dylan.She brought Natee along, with the woman’s face veiled to conceal her identity.Meeting Dylan, Mindy relayed Carl’s instructions.Dylan’s eyes lingered on her earlobes, adorned with the pink pearl earrings. ‘You did an excellent job. Your dad is right to be proud of you. I am, too.’Mindy shrugged. ‘It was easy.’Dylan shifted his focus to Natee. ‘Mindy, go get changed. I’ll handle your witness. We’ll gather everyone in half an hour.’‘Alright!’ Mindy nodded.***The Kurtazagg border weather was frigid, and the air threatened to freeze.Dwight, draped in a wool coat, moved towards the m
But Dylan’s eyes remained ice-cold as he swiftly secured the earrings onto her earlobes. ‘Done.’Standing on her tiptoes, Mindy gave him a quick kiss on the lips. ‘Thank you.’Dylan didn’t reciprocate the kiss.He just looked at her with a smile, concealing the disgust he felt.Duty called, and Dylan left the dorm shortly after.Usually, Mindy would have been disappointed.But tonight, she had other plans—meeting the leader of Kurtazagg’s largest militant group and collecting the evidence framing Elias.Once the trial was over, Elias’s fate would be sealed, and her father would be one step closer to the presidency.Mindy shed her luxurious coat for a sleek black suit and donned a plain black mask.She examined her reflection in the mirror and noticed that the pink pearl earrings seemed a bit conspicuous.About to take them off, she remembered Dylan’s words and kept them on.These were Dylan’s gifts, and she’d wear them always.Ready, she stepped out of the dorm and found two men in bl