AN: Typical I don't own SEAL Team disclaimer.
Chapter 1 – Ambush
Brock's Home
"Coffee?" Megan held out a warm mug.
"Thanks." Stella accepted the drink and settled back into the overstuffed chair.
Meg lowered to the couch and sipped her coffee. When Stella appeared on her doorstep, Meg sensed something was wrong. Not having heard any news from the guys, she could only wait and see what bugged Stella.
"I broke up with Clay," Stella admitted after a long, drawn-out silence.
Brows furrowed, Meg started at Stella. She thought the couple was doing well. Brock kept telling her Stella was the best thing for Clay. Her husband thought they would end up marrying and starting a family together. "I'm sorry to hear that, Stella."
"I just didn't think I could do it anymore, wondering when I'm going to have Jason knock on the door and tell me Clay is gone. That the man I love is no more and instead of returning Clay to me I only get a flag-draped, pine box." Stella couldn't stop the tears which streamed down her face.
Setting her coffee on the low table, Meg moved to Stella's side and gathered her in a hug. After several minutes, Meg drew in a breath and pulled back slightly. "Was it Mumbai?"
Stella met Meg's gaze and nodded. "He could have died."
"But he didn't."
"I don't even know what really happened other than Clay took a round to the chest and Adam came back in a box." Stella swiped at the tears on her cheek. "He's got this massive bruise on his chest that still hasn't gone away. Just thinking about what could have happened if he wasn't wearing his body armor …"
"Stella, you can't live in the land of 'What if?'."
"I just … I love him so damn much!"
Meg nodded her head, understanding exactly what Stella was feeling. Moving back to her seat she lifted her coffee mug before meeting Stella's gaze. "About a year before Clay joined Bravo, they had one hell of a mission. Several of the guys came back with injuries, but Brock and Cerb were the worst off. They were on foot when an IED went off. Brock was closest and despite Cerb's warning, they couldn't get far enough away to not suffer injuries.
"Cerberus saved all of Bravo's life that day, but the cuts, bruises, and Brock's broken arm shook me to my core. Knowing they almost didn't come home to me … It's not a feeling I wish on anyone."
"How do you do it?"
"It's not easy, that's for sure. You just have to decide which is worse. Living with the knowledge he may come home hurt or living without him entirely. I, for one, know my life would only be a shell of what it is now if I wasn't with Brock. If we were to separate, I would still worry about him. Wonder how his missions are going, if he's hurt or injured, I'd wonder about Cerberus. But I would never know because if I leave him, I won't ever get confirmation that he is alive and well. I wouldn't be able to comfort him when he loses a friend, or nurse him back to health when he is injured. Living with the knowledge he is in constant danger is difficult, but I can't live without Brock."
"I can't stop thinking about Clay since they left." Stella wrapped both hands around her coffee mug and stared at the dark liquid inside. "I know I hurt him. I could see it in his eyes." Swallowing hard, Stella met Meg's gaze. "I couldn't stand it if he were hurt because he was pre-occupied with our breakup and not focused on what he's doing.
"Clay wants to change the world. He told my parents he doesn't want to be on the teams forever. Maybe someday run for office. Told them that he goes over there to fight so that those of us here don't have to see some of the things he sees." Stella shared.
"It sounds to me like Clay knows what he wants. He wants a safer world. He wants to make a change, even if only a small ripple in the water. But I also know he loves you and wants a life with you."
"You and Naima make it seem so easy."
"Oh, honey." Meg laughed. "Life with a SEAL is anything but easy. However, I know Brock is a frog man through and through. He would do anything for his brothers. Saying goodbye to the team, well, I might as well say goodbye to the man I love if he leaves Bravo. Those men are his family too, I can't bear to ask him to leave them just so I can sleep easier at night."
"What do you do? When the nights are long, the house is empty, and you're worried about him?"
"I trust Bravo Team. I believe in Jason, that he has their best interest in mind and will do whatever he can to protect them." Meg grinned. "Jason is the best leader the Teams have seen in decades. There is no one I would rather my husband follow into battle than big bad Jason Hayes."
"He is pretty intimidating." Stella chuckled.
"For sure."
Silence reigned as the women enjoyed their drink.
After several minutes Meg looked to Stella. "So, what do you think? Can you live without Clay?"
"If the last few weeks have taught me anything, the answer is no. I can't live never knowing another thing about him." Stella sighed. "I need Clay. I'll call him when I get home and talk to him if he'll let me."
Meg beamed, Stella only needed someone in the same boat to talk things through with. Stella's decision solidified in her own mind the woman was a keeper. "Hey, I think Naima is alone this week. The kids went to stay with her parents. What do you say we head over to her place and do pizza, wine, and a movie?"
"I think not being alone tonight is a wonderful idea."
"I'll call and let her know we're on our way."
Stella drew in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. Already she could feel her heart mending, but at the same time dread seeped in. What if Clay doesn't want to talk to me? Or if he's decided he's done and won't give me another chance? Deciding those thoughts were not helpful in the least, Stella carried the now empty coffee mugs to the kitchen and rinsed them before heading out the door with Meg to spend time with Naima, and hopefully forget the fact their men were once again in harm's way.
Ixtapaluca Slums, Mexico
"RPG!" Clay yelled as he threw the door open and launched himself out. The fireball which erupted behind him threw him to the ground as the heat from the blast bore down on him. His head cracked the hard surface and blackness surrounded him.
Brock groaned as the heat radiated from the van. His head hitting the concrete left him dazed as he lay still on the sidewalk. His eyes remained open but unfocused.
Sonny coughed as he lifted onto one elbow, peering at the fireball behind him. He reached for his comm as he coughed. "Bravo Three to Bravo One."
"Three, what happened?" Jason's voice held concern for his men.
"RPG. You gotta get off the street!"
"Copy."
"There is a church, just there." Martinez gestured to a building to their left.
"Three, grab Bravos Five and Six. Meet us in the church on the left." Jason ordered as he reached for the door handle.
"Copy."
Sonny pushed himself to all fours and peered around. He noted Jason, Ray, Martinez, and Trent firing in all directions as they made their way to the front of the church. Three steps from the van and Martinez hit the ground, clearly hit.
Gazing the other direction, Sonny failed to spot Clay or Brock. His gut clenched as the thought they didn't make it out of the van in time flitted through his mind. Crouching close to the ground he made his way around the van in time to see four men dragging Clay and Brock away. He immediately opened fire.
"Bravo One! They're taking Five and Six!" Sonny yelled into the comms.
Jason cursed as he turned down the street and began firing off shots, careful to avoid hitting any of his men. Although three hostiles went down in the hail of bullets, Clay and Brock were tossed into the back of a truck which sped off.
"Three, come to us. We'll cover you!" Jason ordered as he and Trent lay down cover fire and Sonny bolted down the street.
When Sonny entered the building, Jason slammed the door shut and Trent pushed a pew in front of the door.
"Bravo One to HAVOC. They took Bravos Five and Six. I repeat, two eagles taken. We are under heavy fire." Jason let off a couple of rounds through the window.
"Copy, Bravo One. QRT is ten mikes out."
"We may not have that long," Jason muttered under his breath. To Eric, he answered, "Copy. Hunkering down until backup arrives. The two were taken in a white pickup truck. Can you follow?"
"Doing our best, Bravo One." Eric resisted the urge to punch the table. The last thing they needed was for two of his men to be taken captive by one of the most ruthless men in South America.
Cerberus' whines from his crate echoed down the hall as if the canine understood Brock was in danger. Lisa ignored the dread which settled in her stomach as she worked every avenue to get eyes on the truck bearing Clay and Brock.
Unknown Location
Brock began to come to as they bounced along the road. His head hitting the floor of the truck repeatedly doing nothing to end the pounding in his head. As he blinked, his vision cleared and he spied Clay in front of him. Both lay with hands bound behind them, and their feet tied together to prevent escape.
Carefully looking Clay over, Brock felt a bit of relief that there were no apparent injuries save a small cut on the kid's forehead, most likely from his head hitting the ground. He suspected Clay's chest would be protesting the impact from the blast as well as the extremely uncomfortable ride in the truck.
When the vehicle pulled into a parking garage, Brock suppressed a groan. Davis may be good, but he doubted they would be able to keep track of them if they left the building. He silently observed as the truck drove to the third floor and parked beside an SUV.
Clay groaned when they lifted him from the bed of the truck and tossed him into the back of the other vehicle, but the kid's eyes never opened. When they came for him, Brock became dead weight, not wanting to make their job any easier. He landed almost on top of Clay before the back door was slammed shut, their captors climbed in, and the engine revved to life.
The vehicle sat and idled, for how long, Brock had no clue. The windows were tinted so dark that when they did finally leave the parking garage, Brock could see only faint shadows on the other side of the glass. Despite his best efforts, Brock lost track of time and direction. The only thing he did know was he and Clay were screwed, and he hoped HAVOC and Jason would find them before it would be too late.
Inside Church
Trent knelt beside Martinez and put a pressure bandage in place to staunch the blood flowing from the man's wound in his left bicep. "You'll be alright."
"Thank you." Martinez breathed a sigh of relief. When the first van blew he didn't think they would make it out of the alley alive. Even now they might not all walk away alive.
"Ray, go high. Everyone conserve your ammo. We've gotta hang on until QRT arrives."
Ray nodded to Jason before heading up the stairs to the balcony to take up residence by the high window. Below the rest of Bravo checked ammo, gathered grenades, flashbangs, and smoke for easy use, and dug in to hold their ground until help arrived.
Bullets impacted the building and Bravo began to return fire. Being careful to make their shots count.
"I'm out!" Jason called.
"Here ya go boss." Sonny tossed Jason a clip. "Last one."
Increased weapon fire from outside brought a smile to Ray's face. "Backup is here!"
Moments later Lopez entered with his men.
"Thanks for coming to get us." Jason grasped the man's hand as he blew out a long breath. "HAVOC, Bravo One."
"Go ahead, Bravo One."
"QRT has arrived. We are RTB."
"Solid copy."
"Any updated on Five and Six?" Jason followed Lopez out the door as the other man gave the order to move out.
"Negative. We followed the truck but lost it when it entered a parking garage. We haven't been able to pick up their trail yet."
Jason growled. "Copy."
"No sign of them?" Sonny's worry increased with each moment Brock and Clay were separated from them.
"No." Jason's single word answer conveying every single ounce of frustration and worry those that knew him. "Let's get back to base, regroup, and hopefully by then we will have a direction to go."
Unknown Location
The vehicle screeched to a halt and Brock resisted the urge to peer over the seats. Glancing at Clay, his concern ratcheted up. The kid had yet to regain consciousness which could indicate a more severe injury than first suspected.
The back door opened, and six men stood outside. Several weapons were pointed at them as one gestured for him to get out. He slid down to the tailgate where two men grabbed his arms and dragged him inside.
Once indoors he was brought into a large, damp room with four cages. Two men held him as his shirt, boots, and socks were stripped off. They then cuffed each wrist with a heavy manacle on a long chain which fed through the back of one of the cages. He was then forced into the cage when they pulled the chains and secured them out the other end. Once inside they cuffed each ankle with matching manacles, shut the door, and locked it with a heavy padlock.
Brock curled into the back of the cage, unable to sit fully upright, and watched as Clay was brought in and received the same treatment. Clay was shoved into the cage a few feet away from his own and the door securely shut and locked. Their captors then exited the room and the door slammed shut, leaving them alone with one another.
Recognizing their captors may not yet know their names, Brock desired to keep it that way. "Six. Come on, Six. Wake up."
Clay groaned as metal bars pressed into his side. His chest ached with each breath, and his head throbbed with the beat of his heart. As sound drifted in, he recognized Brock's voice and chanced opening his eyes. Blinking several times, his surroundings slowly came into focus.
Brock sighed in relief at the sight of Clay's eyes opening. "Six, good to see you awake." He stressed the name Six, praying Clay would catch the hint.
Recognizing Brock used his Bravo call sign, he understood the necessity to respond in kind. "Where are we, Five?"
"Unknown."
"Do we know if Three made it?" Clay pushed himself up on one arm, his other hand pressed to the bruise on his chest which ached.
"Yes. He was mobile." Brock rubbed his temple. "I think I spotted the rest too."
"Think they'll find us soon?"
"I hope so."
Some time passed with each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Clay decided to confide in Brock.
"I wanted to ask you something."
"What's on your mind, Kid?" Brock shifted and faced Clay.
"How do you and handle work and home life? You and Two make it seem so easy. I mean, it's like a miracle." Clay glanced up from his clasped hands.
"You two not doing so great?"
"This freaked her out." Clay rubbed his chest, the memory of Stella rubbing ointment into the bruise, her hands on his bare flesh, fresh in his mind.
"I'm sure it did. You explain what happened?"
"No. Can't, can I?"
"Not all the details, but you can share how you received it, protecting the rest of us."
"Don't know if that will help. She says …" Clay took a moment to consider his words, needing the conversation to remain confusing to listening ears. "Says fallen eagle is an eventuality. Can't sit around waiting for it to happen."
"Let me guess. Not sleeping at night. Worrying every moment you're gone. Cringing at every phone call and door knock."
"Pretty much. I don't know what to do." Clay looked away. "Told Two I thought I could have both if I tried. Appears that was only wishful thinking. If it wasn't already ended, I'd have to choose. Still feel as though I do."
"Love?"
"With every fiber of my being. Thought it went both ways." Clay's gaze met Brock's. "And before you tell me I can have it, just maybe with someone else, Two beat you to it and I don't want to hear it again."
"I was going to say that if it was meant to be, and true love is there, it will work itself out. Could be only time is needed. If you really want it, don't write her off just yet."
"You think she might come around?"
"I think one should never give up hope."
The door swinging open stopped their conversation. Two people wearing dark hoods were brought in and deposited into the remaining crates across the room. Their wrists were cuffed together with manacles on a short chain, cages were secured closed, and the hoods removed, before their captors once again left the room.
Mandy's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Brock and Clay across the room from herself and Rita. When they were taken from Carla Reyes' apartment, she never suspected to meet up with anyone from Bravo. Their surprised gazes confirmed they didn't anticipate running into her here either.
Before anyone could speak a word, the door opened and El Lazo entered with several men, four of which carried baseball bats. They ignored the women and strode across the room to the guys. Brock and Clay sat as much as they could in their tiny cells and peered warily at the bats in the hands of their captors.
"When I get a new dog, I first teach it who is the boss." Lazo sneered at the two men. "I am the one who now holds your lives in my hands. You will learn to fear me."
Nodding once several men approached the cages, grasped the chains, and pulled them taught. This forced Brock and Clay to their backs and stretched as much as possible in their cramped spaces. Then the bats began to be thrust with force through the bars, neither could curl up to protect themselves.
By the time the beating was finished several minutes later, Clay gasped for breath. The men noted the large bruise on his chest and repeatedly aimed for the same area. Severely aggravating his already aching chest. Brock curled on his side and peered at Spenser, noting the pain lines on the younger man's face. Their eyes met and although neither said a word both knew what the other was thinking.
We are totally screwed.
AN: I hope you liked the first chapter of this. My muse just wouldn't leave me alone after the last episode. Anyway, reviews are always welcome :)
If you like my writing, check out my new novel. Now available on Amazon, just search "Martha Pruett" or "Clubs: Heart of a Hero" and you'll find it.
Clubs: Heart Of A Hero (Book 1 in the Slater's Deck Series)
How far will heroes go to protect the ones they love? Drew Slater, a dedicated Marine, husband, and father must endure constant separation from his family to keep them safe. For three years, he and his Special Forces unit have endeavored to locate and stop the efforts of those who threaten his family.
Roxy Carter-Slater, Baltimore SWAT officer, devoted wife, and mother wants nothing more than her husband to return home to her and their daughter, Ava. She understands the sacrifices all three are making to safeguard Ava, but her heart still yearns for them to be together.
When the life of an innocent is at stake, Drew, Roxy, and their teams must make difficult choices in the face of the enemy. Will one of them be called to make the ultimate hero's sacrifice for a child? Will Drew find the peace he so desperately seeks?
