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“Brothers in arms. Soldiers. Cowboys and Marines. We were called so many things,” Hawk said quietly as he lifted his glass.
“Heroes. Monsters. Sinners and saints. And God knows what else,” Vader said.
I studied the liquid in my glass, taking a gulp of bourbon before joining the others in what they felt was an obligatory toast. I thought about what they’d said, realizing that everything we’d been through would forever change our behavior and our decisions.
Above all we’d been men honoring our country even while our pasts continued to haunt us. This was supposed to be a celebration of life and love, friendship and renewal, but a weight continued to remain like a tight vise. “To Justin Ramirez, a decorated Marine. A fighter. A hero.”
“We honor his life and his legacy,” Reaper added.
“I also want to make a toast to Corporal Ricardo Garcia, a true hero,” Mustang said quietly.
“Absolutely,” Scorpion muttered as he smiled, turning his head in my direction.
“I’m no hero,” I told all of them. I was still shaken from the events, furious with myself that I hadn’t figured it out sooner. As least Rollington had kept her in a cage instead of torturing her like before.
“You saved your lady’s life.”
I glanced at Hawk, nodding only once. “I did what any man here would do for the lady of his life.” At least I was able to smile even if the next couple of days would be rough.
“How’s she doing?” Vader inched closer.
“She’s doing well. I don’t know how after what she’d been through.” It had been a week since rescuing her. While she’d been quiet, needing time to herself, she’d remained strong, refusing to cry. That had started to worry me. The last tears she’d shed had been at the cabin. My cabin. The fucker had drilled down into my life, trying to destroy something he had no understanding of. In turn, I’d ended his life and I would do it again without reservation.
“She loves you,” Mustang said, his eyes twinkling in the dim light.
“That’s what she said when I rescued her.” I would never forget hearing her words, the strange combination of joy and sadness driving a stake right through my heart. She’d believed she might die on that horrible night and wanted me to know how she’d felt. “I don’t know why.” I grinned.
“True,” Hawk added, laughing. “Because you fit perfectly together.”
She had no idea how anxious I’d been, the anger almost keeping me from doing my job of protecting her. Thank God for Maverick. He’d made certain he had my back.
“And the asshole?” Hawk piped in.
“He won’t be bothering anyone any longer.” While he hadn’t died on the mountain from the four bullet wounds, he’d done so shortly thereafter, but not before issuing the same words to the love of my life he’d done before. He really thought they were meant to be together.
Reaper sighed. “A sad situation if you really think about it.”
“The asshole was like that before he joined the Marines. You know it,” Vader cautioned.
I nodded, learning more about his stellar record. He’d fooled everyone, including his family. From what I was told, his twin brother had opened up about just how evil and conniving Lance had been his entire life. The only reason he’d joined the military was because of a threat from his father. And yes, the situation was terrible. “He got what he deserved and won’t be gaslighting anyone else.”
“You’re a hero,” Mustang said with total conviction. “But don’t let it go to your head.”
Everyone laughed and I glowered at him. “I’m nobody’s hero, but I will die to protect those I care about.”
“Yes, you will,” Reaper stated as he stared into my eyes. “You were always that way.”
Maybe I was, even if I hadn’t been able to save Belle or the mystery girl from Kandahar. At least I’d tried.
“And how’s Apollo?” I could tell Hawk wasn’t certain he wanted to know the answer.
“He’s going to be just fine. Superficial wounds, thank God. I don’t know what I’d do without him.” I’d still thought about handing him over to Mustang, but Chasity had convinced me otherwise.
It seemed the other men breathed a sigh of relief.
Then a quiet settled between us. It was difficult to find the words to say in honor of another fallen Marine.
“The funeral is day after tomorrow,” Hawk said. “I’m going.”
