Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45135 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Sure thing.”
Following the COB, she paused outside the room he ducked in. When he came back out, he handed her a packet.
“I didn’t want to tell you but the CO decided we had to keep you in the loop on this. We have already punished the ones responsible for doing this.” He sighed and crossed his arms.
She opened the file and about hurled. Porn images that had her face plastered on top of the woman in the still. Biting on the inside of her lip, she flipped through them. Christ, how many of these are there?
“Thank you,” she muttered, handing the file back. Not wanting to touch or view them any longer.
“We don’t think you are in any danger but for a while it may be wise not to be walking alone.”
Anger spiked and she lifted her chin. “No sir.”
“I’m sorry?” His eyebrows rose.
“No sir. I’m not taking that excuse. I should be safe if I walk alone, I’m on a military institution and shouldn’t fear for my safety unless you are saying that you do not think the men, and I use that term lightly, who did this will listen and find it in them to treat me and other women with respect?”
He ran a hand over his dark face. “That’s not what I’m saying at all and I get it, I do. You should be safe here but I can’t guarantee it.”
“So they can continue to download shots like this, print them off and slap my image overtop of them to fulfill some sick fantasy they have, and I have to change my life by walking with others? What changes do they have to make? In fact, who are they? I want to know who they are.”
COB looked decidedly uncomfortable and she didn’t give a damn. She was pissed off now. These men while maybe not her friends should at least be better than this.
When he didn’t speak, she walked away, counting in her head to stay calm. The sailors who looked at her had her wondering if they weren’t part of all this.
The following day when she got off, she walked up the pier alone, even though she knew COB was behind her, almost like he wanted to protect her. She was meeting Sandy for breakfast and as she sat at the table outside waiting, she smiled as she saw Davin coming up the sidewalk across the street.
Her smile vanished like a flash when she watched a tall leggy brunette call his name.
“Davin.”
He turned and caught her when she jumped in his embrace, her lips covering his.
And just like that, her world fell apart. Pain unlike anything she could recall moved through her and she blinked back tears of betrayal. Turning from the couple, she stared at her drink until Sugar showed up and sat across from her.
“What gives, boo?” He took her hand in his and squeezed. “You look like someone just walked over your grave?”
In a manner of speaking, they had.
* * *
αβ
* * *
Davin set the woman away from him and fought his need to wipe off his mouth. “Adele. What the fuck are you doing here?”
Where is Tavin? I may need him to keep me from doing this woman bodily harm. He and his brother were supposed to meet around here and grab something to eat. Because the man couldn’t make up his mind what he wanted, Davin suggest they meet and then decide.
She gave a small high pitched laugh. One he used to find cute, in a way. Now, not at all.
“I’m here to see you, silly.” Adele smacked him on the arm playfully and he narrowed his eyes once more.
“What the fuck would possess you to do that?”
“I missed you of course.”
“You cheated on me and left. Did one hell of a fucking number on me and you think I want a goddamn thing to do with you?”
Her light blue eyes widened as she blinked them rapidly. He saw them coming, the crocodile tears and he wanted to tell her to fuck off once more. He hated how she used to get him to do things by conjuring up the tears that as soon as he agreed to what she wanted would dry up.
“I was younger and stupid. I made a mistake.” The first tear rolled down and she gave an award winning sniff. “I didn’t want to cry in front of you. I thought you’d be happier to see me.”
“Davin!” He turned and saw his twin running up. “What the fuck man,” he bit off as he recognized Adele.
The woman there offered up a large smile, showing off her perfect white teeth that worked well with her salon tan. “Hello Tavin.”
His twin looked at his ex then ignored her and focused on him. “I thought you didn’t answer your phone because you were with Neha.”