25. John

CHAPTER 25

JOHN

As we taxied to the gate, Brent's mood became more solemn. I reached for his hand and laced our fingers together, letting him know I had his back. Like some people, he dealt with difficult situations with humor.

When the plane came to a stop, both of our phones buzzed with a text from Daredevil that we'd been waiting for.

Dare: We got him. Portland PD has him in custody.

A sense of relief and calm settled over me, knowing the motherfucker had been caught.

Brent: Anyone we know?

The dots bounced as Dare typed away.

Dare: Calvin Turner. Clay's younger brother.

Me: We just landed. We'll call soon.

Dare: Sounds good.

Dare: By the way, the plane is going to return to Portland and will come back to get you. Don't book commercial flights.

Brent: Thanks Dare.

I blew out a heavy breath. "Now the police can handle it from here."

"Should have known it would have something to do with that homophobic asshole. I hope they can prove he was in on it."

Brent stood but was a little wobbly on his feet. I reached out to steady him.

"Attempted murder and conspiracy come with hefty consequences. If he was involved, they'll find it."

He nodded and took a deep breath.

"How's your head?"

"It hurts a little, but I'll be fine. We better go so they can head back."

Picking up our bags, I slung them both over my shoulder as we headed for the door.

Sandra reached out to hug Brent. "I'm sorry for your loss. We'll be back to pick you up when you're ready to come home."

Brent smiled. "Thank you. Do you have kids?"

She laughed. "Lord yes. Three of them."

"I'm sure you're a good mama."

She grinned and patted his face lightly. "You're a sweet talker, aren't you?"

"More like a shit-talker," I mumbled, making him laugh.

"He's right. But thank you for your hospitality. I see why Greer loves you so much."

"I just call them like I see them," she said. "We'll see you again soon."

"Thank you," he replied. He reached for his aviator sunglasses as we walked in the morning light toward the terminal.

After we picked out our rental, I slid into the driver's seat after stowing our bags in the back. Brent entered the address on the GPS as I pulled out of the parking space.

When we'd finally gotten on the road, it occurred to me that we hadn't arranged accommodations.

"Where are we staying? With your mother or a hotel? I don't have to stay with you if it makes it easier for you."

I saw him do his patented slow pan out of the corner of my eye. "I'm staying with you wherever that may be. We'll see what happens when we get there. But if you want to find us a place to stay as a backup, that might be good."

I smiled and held my hand out to him. "That will give me something to do."

We talked about what it was like growing up here and some of his favorite places to hang out. He held my hand as I drove to his childhood home in a suburban neighborhood in Colorado Springs. The closer we got, the more rigid he became. And when I pulled up in front of the ranch-style house, he didn't get out of the car.

"Are you ready to go in?" I asked, holding onto his hand.

"No, but I don't have a choice. So let's go."

"Wait," I said, "who am I to you? Are we playing the friend card? We don't have rings, so they'd never know if you don't want them to."

He laughed. "Fuck that. I am who I am. And I am married to you. I have the Santa photo to prove it."

My heart nearly exploded right there, and I had to kiss him. So I twisted in my seat to face him as I reached over, tucked my index finger into the collarof his shirt, and pulled him to me.

"I love you, Dreamboat. Don't forget that."

He smiled and kissed me. "And I love you, Commander. Don't you forget that."

I wouldn't. I couldn't.

When we got out of the car, I put on my aviators that allowed me to do surveillance with no one knowing… I met him behind the car and walked by his side to the front door.

He rang the bell as a dog barked from inside the house.

"You don't have a key?"

"I do, but I don't want to scare her. And that's Winston." He smiled as the dog began to whine.

The door swung open as a woman who looked as if she'd had no sleep stood before us. The dog came bounding out as the woman turned and walked back into the house.

"Hey buddy," he said, squatting down to pet the dog. "I told you I'd be back."

Brent stood and looked up to where his mother had been standing. Raising his brows, he let out a weighted sigh as we entered the house.

Winston followed as we walked toward the woman sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands. Brent went over and sat down beside her.

"Mom, how are you?" he asked quietly.

She looked up at him, void of expression, then over to me. "Terrible." She looked at the bandage covering his stitches and the bruising under his eyes. "What happened to you? And who's this?"

Before he could say anything, I stepped forward and offered my hand. "I'm Commander John Langdon, ma'am. We spoke on the phone earlier this morning. I'm sorry for your loss."

She blinked at me. "You work with him?"

"I do." Fine choice of words, as Brent smiled at me. I raised a brow as I took a seat.

"Mom, John is my husband."

Her face crumpled and her eyes furrowed. "Husband? What are you talking about?"

"We got married last New Year's Eve in Vegas before John's last deployment."

She wiped the hair out of her eyes. "Why did you marry a man? Is this a joke, because it's not funny. Your father would…" she trailed off as the realization that he was gone set in.

Brent reached out to wrap his arms around her while she cried into her hands. "Can I get you anything? Do you want something to drink?"

"No, I just want your father back," she cried.

"I know," he whispered to her. "Me too."

I looked around and found a box of tissues on an end table. Pulling out two, I handed them to Brent for her. She took them and dried her face, but didn't return his hug, but patted his leg. My heart broke for him.

"Have you eaten, Mrs. Trainor? I can go get you something if you'd like."

She shook her head no as I glanced at Brent.

"Have you slept? We can handle things if you want to go lay down, Mom."

"I have to go to the funeral home when your uncle gets here. We have to make the arrangements."

"Okay, we can go with you," he offered.

The door opened quietly as a man and woman walked in carrying two small suitcases. Mrs. Trainor looked up, then got off the sofa. I watched in disbelief as she walked over and hugged the man, then the woman. Standing, I moved over beside Brent as he stood from the sofa.

The man walked over and Brent stepped forward. "Hey Uncle Pete. It's good to see you." The man reached out and pulled my husband into a hug.

"Hey, Brent," he said, pulling back to look at his bandaged forehead. "Sorry about your dad. What happened to your head?"

He reached up and touched the bandage. "Work accident."

I wanted to correct him, but he turned to me and held out his hand for me to walk into his outstretched arm. "Uncle Pete, this is my husband, Commander John Langdon. John, this is my mom's brother."

He graciously held out his hand to shake as the man smiled at me. "Pete Wallace. Nice to meet you, John. Welcome to the family. Sorry, it's under these circumstances."

"Nice to meet you, sir."

He turned back to Brent. "Are you coming with us to make the arrangements?"

"I need him to stay here in case anyone stops by," his mother said from across the room. "Someone needs to be here."

"I'll be happy to stay if Brent wants to go," the lady replied.

But his mother cut her off. "It needs to be him, but thank you, Jean. Brent will be happy to stay here, won't you son?"

I cleared my throat, trying to hold my tongue when Brent put his hand on my back. "Sure, Mom. No problem."

She nodded as Pete looked apologetically at Brent. "We'll be back soon."

He curled his lips in, then squeezed his nephew's shoulder. Turning, he walked over to his sister and opened the door for her and his wife. When they were gone, my husband looked at me.

"Book us a place to stay. Somewhere we can relax and accept dogs."

Winston barked and came to stand by Brent's side.