Elias knew there were two things his superior officer and adoptive father hated the most—betrayal and disobedience.He was about to say something to Harriet when Lemuel, his trusty aide, jogged past and pulled up short at the sight of him.‘Good to see you back, sir!’ Lemuel quipped.Elias nodded.The smile on Lemuel’s face evaporated when he recognised Harriet.‘Ah, Hasty Harry,’ he muttered, half to himself.The air force pilot’s presence here could only mean one thing—a storm was about to sweep through their training routines.Harriet crossed her arms. ‘Why, Lemuel, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.’Lemuel winced. ‘Not a ghost, just a woman who once broke two of my ribs.’A smirk tugged at Harriet’s lips. ‘Ah, those were the days. You always put up a good fight.’‘Good fight?’ Lemuel’s voice took on an incredulous note. ‘You wiped the floor with me, Harriet.’Harriet chuckled, her gaze flickering between Elias and Lemuel. ‘I do aim for perfection.’Elias checked his watch. ‘It’s
Wendy reached into the bag of sweets. ‘Tell me about the proposal. I want all the juicy details.’Callie’s voice turned tender as she recounted the memory. ‘Under a maple tree, the leaves painted in shades of autumn. He got down on one knee and asked me to be his forever.’Wendy’s mouth formed a perfect letter ‘O’. ‘That’s so romantic! I’m excited and envious all at once.’Callie’s curiosity shifted to her friend. ‘What about you?’‘What about me what?’‘You know, you and the dashing Captain Santana.’Wendy shrugged. ‘We’ve had a date or two. Lemuel’s a cautious one, takes things slow. We’ll see where it goes. No hurry.’Without Angelia there to rain on their parade, the two friends continued chatting well into the night after lights out.***At the crack of dawn, the sound of the army reveille sliced through the air, rousing Callie and Wendy from their slumber.Callie’s eyes snapped open, embracing the familiar rhythm of the academy’s routine.She rose from her bed, ready to greet th
Harriet sized up the small mountain of a man and nodded. ‘Bring it on.’‘Another bet?’ Elias said.Lemuel quickly shook his head. ‘No, sir.’Harriet faced off against the hulking, brawny sergeant, her body coiled like a spring ready to pounce.After making sure Sergeant Beard’s stance was ready, she launched forward in a blur of motion, her fist a bullet aimed straight at her opponent’s midsection.Beard’s instinctual parry deflected the blow, but he felt his bones rattle from the impact.Undeterred, Harriet followed with a swift leg sweep, aiming to unbalance her foe.But he sidestepped, avoiding the sweep with a deft shuffle that showed surprising agility for his size.The dust beneath their feet was kicked up in a frenzy of movement.Seizing the opportunity, Harriet surged into a series of rapid punches, each jab a calculated strike that sought out openings in her opponent’s defences.Beard countered with sheer power, his meaty fists blurring in the air as they repelled her assault
Callie carefully manipulated Hoover’s arm into position, the splint offering the necessary support to promote healing.‘Thanks, Doc,’ Hoover muttered as he observed Callie’s skilful ministrations.‘Don’t thank me yet,’ Callie quipped. ‘We’ve got a bit of a road ahead, soldier.’With the splint securely in place, Callie’s gaze lifted to meet Hoover’s eyes. ‘You’ll need to take it easy for a while. No strenuous activity until the fracture heals.’‘For how long?’‘For the next week. Then come back for a check-up and we’ll take it from there.’‘Got it, Doc.’As she finished up her work, she asked Lemuel, ‘Where’s the other one?’‘What other one?’‘The other soldier who needs medical attention.’‘Which soldier?’ Lemuel scratched his head.‘I watched the fights earlier,’ Callie said by way of explanation.‘Oh. I didn’t see you there.’‘You were standing with your back to me. From what I saw, the second soldier got pretty dinged up, too.’‘Nah, Sergeant Beard said he’s fine, just a few minor
Callie chuckled. ‘Yeah, people often mistake me for being in my early twenties. But, uh, no, I’m already twenty-five.’‘Wow. And you’re wearing a doctor’s coat,’ Harriet mused.Callie nodded, her smile warm. ‘What can I do for you, Lieutenant Colonel? Are you here for a check-up?’‘No, not for myself.’ Harriet’s demeanour shifted, her tone becoming more serious. ‘I wanted to ask about PFC Hoover. How’s he holding up after our little scuffle?’Callie’s professional instincts kicked in, and she relayed the information. ‘He’s got a midshaft humerus fracture. It’s a clean break, and he’ll recover well as long as he rests properly and follows the doctor’s advice.’Harriet’s expression softened, relief evident in her eyes. ‘Good to hear. Can I see him?’‘Sure.’The common ward was a mix of hushed conversations and the soft beeping of medical equipment.Following Callie, Harriet walked down the neat rows of beds.She spotted PFC Hoover, evidently surprised as he saw her approach.‘Mind if I
Elias hadn’t shown romantic interest in Harriet, nor had he seemed taken by another woman.So, no matter how you sliced it, Harriet concluded that Elias might just be... cold in more ways than one.‘Got it,’ Callie responded, her tone contemplative. ‘Sounds like he’s got a case of “the chill.”’If Callie had known the man in Harriet’s narrative was Elias, she’d have fiercely defended him.After all, beneath his suave exterior and commanding presence, Elias was a force to be reckoned with in more ways than one.His presence alone could set hearts racing and cheeks aflame.Harriet turned her attention to Callie. ‘What about you? Got a special someone in your life?’Caught off guard, Callie’s face lit up with a radiant smile. ‘My husband.’‘Married, huh?’ Harriet’s surprise shifted to a chuckle. ‘Must be nice. Your partner’s got to be quite the lucky one. With your sweet and gentle demeanour, anyone would fall for you. As for me...’ She shrugged. ‘Well, even my uncle jests that if my, um
As evening approached, Callie said goodbye to Wendy, then made her way to Elias’s dormitory.She unlocked the door with the key Elias gave her.She’d barely managed to slip off her shoes before Elias’s grasp found her wrist, tugging her into a fervent embrace that pressed her body against his firm chest.Slightly dizzy, Callie succumbed to a kiss that Elias had longed for all day.Urgently, he trapped Callie between him and the door, fingers intertwining as he savoured the sweetness of her mouth, a balm to his yearning.The kiss left Elias breathless and wanting more.He drew back, his eyes—long and narrow and darkened with desire —fixing on her. ‘Has your Aunt Flo left?’‘No,’ Callie panted. ‘We’ll still need to wait... another day or two.’Elias rested his head on her shoulder and let out a frustrated grunt.Callie giggled. ‘Elias, how did you manage before me?’‘I didn’t have this problem before you,’ he replied, his fingers threading through her hair.A flicker of restraint shimme
Cory’s voice interrupted, ‘General McCullough, an urgent strategy meeting has been called. It starts in ten minutes. Your presence is required.’‘Uncle Hershel, I heard your aide,’ Harriet said, relieved. ‘You should go. I know how busy you are.’Hershel sighed. ‘All right. I’ll call you another time, then.’As the call ended, Harriet stared at her phone thoughtfully.When she was five, her parents were both killed on the battlefield.Uncle Hershel took her in and raised her as his own.He was never married and didn’t have any kids.Harriet called him Uncle, but saw him as a father figure.The bond between them eclipsed that of mere blood ties.She’d never questioned his guidance.Yet, should she follow Uncle Hershel’s advice unquestioningly?Elias was a good man, and she knew he respected Uncle Hershel as much as she did.But was that enough to make him a good husband for her?Harriet wrestled with the thought, then eventually drifted off to sleep.***On day two of special training,
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