“Please tell me you’ll be careful,” Lace implored Vince as he prepared to leave.
The sun was just rising, Vince had downed his coffee, and he was on his way out the front door to meet his brothers and SWAT at the docks. TheWater Wrestlerwould be theirs for this operation, and Vince’s blood was humming in his veins.
He missed doing this kind of stuff; swooping in like the superhero to whom Lace had likened him.
Sure, he’d been in charge of the rescue operation, but that had beenwaytoo personal.
Today, he was back to that exhilarating feeling of taking down bad guys.
Being out on the ocean was a happy place for Vince, and theWater Wrestlerwas a well-equipped and tidy craft that would no doubt perform admirably for what they needed. Who knew what would happen to the vessel after this? Depending on Captain Macleen’s trial, it might get impounded by the state, never to be used again.
Such a shame.
The man in question, Otis Macleen, was currently a guest of the local jail; having been booked on attempted murder charges, and deemed a flight risk because of his sea-faring connections.
He was already spilling his guts in anticipation of going before a high court early next week. In that regard, Vincehad let the captain’s defense attorney know that the manhadcooperated with names and places. Not that it excused his crimes, but maybe he’d end up getting a lighter sentence.
The rest of his crew had already seen a judge, and had been placed on probation and hit with some heavy fines.
With the exception of Zach and Ryan.
Zach was spared the worst because Lace had stepped up and vouched for him. Which was only right.He’dbeen the one to toss her the life ring,andthe person who’d contacted the Coast Guard. Without Zach having the courage to go against the rest of the crew, the outcome would have, most assuredly, been a lot different.
The judge had agreed.
And so had Guy Sothard.
After hearing Zach’s story, and how he was caring for his mother and sister after his father’s death, Vince’s dad had stepped up and offered the young man a position at the mill. There’d be a decent sized paycheck for him, benefits, and a path to advancement that could set Zach up with skills he’d be able to use for rest of his life.
Zach had accepted the job with an eagerness that had let Lace and Vince know he was going to do just fine.
Ryan was a different story.
Although complicit in all the black-market skullduggery, hehadn’twanted anything bad to happen to Lace. As it turned out, he wasn’t the one who’d informed the captain that Lace knew what they were up to. Another crew member had overheard and tattled.
Ryan had therefore appealed to the judge, telling him that in lieu of the punishment being meted out, he would like instead to join the Navy.
That decision had been made after Vince had gone to visit the young man at Lace’s behest, leaning on Ryan to see theerror of his current ways. Which included how the kid was being manipulated by his girlfriend, who was using him as a walking, talking paycheck.
Ryan had listened earnestly, and once Vince had regaled him with a few wild military stories, and a cleaned-up version of what being a SEAL really meant, Ryan had been all in. That very day he’d broken up with the shrew—who’d subsequently gone on a rampage to destroy their apartment before taking off—knowing he was much better off without her.
Vince had walked Ryan to the nearest recruitment office, remembering his own, initial enlistment, and felt some of his bitterness toward his rogue captain, subside. Yes, the man was still a self-serving prick. But young enthusiasm like Ryan’s was what the armed services were all about. Vince enjoyed a renewed taste of that special sauce, watching the kid sign paperwork. The process reminded Vince that he’d had years in, and in most cases, everything had been great. Especially the comradery he’d enjoyed with his team.
Eventually, he believed, that captain would get his comeuppance.
Vince had sincerely wished Ryan all the luck in the world; wishing for him to find that place of belonging.
And now…
Vince turned in the doorway and faced Lace.
“I’ll promise I’ll be careful,” Vince told her, hooking an arm around her waist and swinging her against him until every inch of them touched. “After all, I have someone special to come home for. I love you, Lace.”
Vince leaned down and planted a quick kiss on her lips before pulling up.
Apparently, that withdrawal was a “hell, no”.
Lace grabbed the back of his head and dragged him down for another mouth-lock.