Page 140 of Zorro

He gave her a pitying look. “Oh, querida…not only has it happened before. It’s going to happen again. I’m just waiting for the day it’s Joker.”

She buried her face against his chest, breathless. “I can just imagine it. Some poor BOPE guy coming home, still recovering…”

Zorro sighed dramatically, then grinned. “You asked for this.”

She snuggled closer. “Don’t stop now.”

He slipped into character, voice lowering into a spot-on Brazilian husband impression.

“Honey, I’m home,” Eduardo called as he kicked off his boots by the door.

“Dinner’s almost ready!” his wife called from the kitchen. “How was training?”

He dropped his bag with a heavy sigh, rolled his neck like it still carried trauma. “Brutal. But one of the Americans saved the day. Full-tilt sprint across the compound. Buck naked. I mean towel gone, cheeks to the wind, hands scrambling for dignity.”

Everly was already shaking with silent laughter.

Zorro continued. “Then his teammate, massive dude, comes charging after him with a rope. Like an actual cowboy lasso. Took him down mid-sprint. Naked man hit the dirt like a sack of flour. Game over.”

Everly was wheezing. “She didn’t believe him, did she?”

Zorro switched to her voice. “You made that up.”

Back to Eduardo. “Nope.” He took a solemn sip of water. “Yes…he saved Franco and the chicos.”

Everly dissolved completely against his chest in helpless laughter.

She finally lifted her head, grinning. “Os Americanos.”

“Os Americanos,” Zorro agreed solemnly, and took a long drink.

“I asked for chaos,” she murmured. “I stayed for Frank and the boys.”

That was when Zorro stilled.

Her heart stuttered as he rolled to his side, eyes dark and steady.

Softly, quietly, in the hush of their little tent, he said, “How about a lifetime of chaos with me and the boys…? Marry me.”

Everly froze.

He didn’t move. Didn’t rush. Just laid it out like a battlefield truth.

“I’ve known since Niamey,” he said. “I wanted you as my wife. You stitched me up that day, and you ruined me for anyone else. I’ve never stopped wanting that with you.”

Before she could answer, a soft shuffle sounded at the tent flap.

They turned their heads in unison.

Every single member of SEAL Team Alpha, and their wives, were crowded shoulder to shoulder outside the tent, faces jammed into the opening like emotionally stunted deer in camo.

“Seriously?” Zorro groaned. “You vultures.” He turned back to her, ignoring the peanut gallery. “You patched us up in Niger,” he said gently. “You kissed me in the Philippines. You saved us in Rio. You’re already one of us, Doc.” He pulled the ring from around his dog tags and held it out. “Might as well make it official in front of this motley crew.”

D-Day stage-whispered, “Give her the ring, you idiot.”

Buck said, “Jesus. Do we have to do everything for you?”

Blitz added, “Don’t say no and break our hearts.”

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