Page 128 of Luck Be Mine
Cait stood transfixed inside the sixth-floor landing. Her pulse thudded. It was time for her to dress, but she stood a minute in the glow of the twinkling lights. Tonight, they’d do what they hadn’t been able to do the first time.
They’d marry with the ones they loved most watching.
The elevator hum announced the arrival of their first guests. She went to the stairs, ready to retreat to her office, step into her dress, and let Adele, Jackie, and Bets fuss before meeting Hunt.
Tonight wasn’t only a wedding. It was a promise kept.
§§§§§§§§§§
◊ Brotherhood ◊
Hunt stood in Mackey’s office with his brothers – military and civilian alike. The small conference area held enough chairs for all six of his teammates and Harrison.
Mackey had yet to don his black suit jacket, and he leaned back in his office chair with a tumbler of whiskey.
Quaid’s black tuxedo sat squared perfectly on his shoulders and offset the team’s whites. The man stood with his back to the room and stared out the window.
“What’s her name?” Mackey’s innocent drawl caused a ripple of laughs.
Quaid’s jaw tightened, and he glared at his partner. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re distracted. That usually means a woman.”
“Not this time. My grandfather had planned to be here, but he’s delayed.”
Hunt declined Harrison’s offer of a drink, sticking to water. “We have yet to meet him, Quaid. He’s done so much for us. Cait wants to thank him personally.”
“I’m aware, but I ceased trying to keep him on a schedule a long time ago. The only one who can do it is Elizabeth, and she has more important things to do today.”
Hunt looked from one man to the other. “I’d like to say something to both of you.”
“Are you going to get sappy?” Mackey’s face soured, and he took another sip of his drink.
“Yes, I am. Therapy works wonders.”
Brennan snorted, but kept a straight face.
Hunt eyed him but continued. “When Quaid came and asked Cait to be a part of this, I was against it. She wasn’t strong enough yet, and I was worried about a relapse. But she proved me wrong, and you two have kept her close every step of the way.”
Mackey grinned, a gleam in his eyes. “You’re welcome.”
Hunt pointed a finger at him. “I will not thank you for teaching Cait to punch people, but everything else, you’ve carried her when I couldn’t. You carried me, too.”
Mackey stayed silent but tipped his glass Hunt’s direction.
Quaid shifted to face the room and leaned against the windowsill. “She’s our friend, our family. It’s been an honor to back you and to have her in our midst.”
“Dang, y’all gonna make me cry,” Tommy whined. “I remember the first time I saw you, Daniels. I thought you looked like a tadpole failing in BUD/S and hadn’t mucked up your uniform.”
A burst of laughter from the others acknowledged the memory.
Quaid chuckled. “I recall that, too. I got handed the fucking uniform thirty minutes before I met you.”
Tommy winked at him. “Glad to say I was wrong.”
Senior Chief rose. “We’re going to get out of here and find our seats. See you out there?”
“Yeah.” Hunt shook his offered hand.
