Page 42 of Delta Mission
Grinning, Talon shook my hand. “So, you and Makenna are together again, huh? I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Yeah, we are. And neither were we, but it’s good.”
“Is it serious?”
“We’ve moved into an apartment together. Over in East Arlington.”
“Wow. That is serious.” Talon whistled. “Then it's not me you need to worry about, it’s Aunt Betty.”
I groaned. “I’m not looking forward to discussing Makenna with her either.”
“You know what you should do? Bring Makenna to dinner tonight. Aunt Betty won’t make a scene over Sunday roast.”
I huffed. I didn’t have the same confidence as Talon.
But at the same time, I didn’t want to delay my announcement that we were back together any longer.
Makenna had asked me to wait until we’d settled into our apartment before we told my family. We’d moved in together last week, so it was time.
I needed Aunt Betty to see how happy we were, and that we’d forgiven each other. Just like she should. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”
Talon slugged my shoulder. “I promise not to make things awkward.”
I thumped him back. “That would be a change.”
CHAPTER 12
Makenna
In the aftermathof the drug lab discovery in Afghanistan, Channing and I had spent days apart. I had led the team in dismantling the drug lab at Amir Momahhadakan village, and Channing had helped Blade, Ghost, and the rest of those amazing Aussie soldiers ferry the twenty-seven bodies of the men who’d attacked us, from the ravine to a secret location for identification.
My operation netted twenty tons of drugs, estimated to be worth sixty million dollars, confirming that Jabeen’s tip-off resulted in one of the biggest seizures of Taliban drugs to date.
In addition, four bodies recovered from the ravine were identified as key figures in the Taliban drug trafficking network, and their deaths were hailed as a significant win for America and the rest of the world.
Thankfully, I’d managed to keep my name out of the media spotlight. I did, however, ensure Lyle and Trent were recognized as heroes who had died while working to keep our nation and our people safe, and at their funerals, I personally told their loved ones how brave they were.
For the first time since I’d completed my training at Quantico, I was treating myself to a vacation, and since ourfeet had touched down on US soil, Channing and I had spent a lot of time together. But while Channing had been busy working through the never-ending reports that came with the aftermath of a military operation, I’d been busy making our little apartment in East Arlington into a home.
I never knew buying knickknacks could be so fun, or that choosing bed sheets for a partner could be so stressful.
Not as stressful as the family dinner Channing had invited me to half an hour ago. ‘Get ready for Sunday dinner’, he’d said like it was something we did every week.
This would be the first time I’d seen his family in nine years.
To say I was terrified was an understatement.
I adjusted my hairstyle four times before I decided on the style I wore nearly every day, a high ponytail. And for the umpteenth time, I contemplated whether the floral cocktail dress I’d chosen was too sexy for a family dinner.
Maybe I should wear something more demure?
“I’m home.” Channing’s voice echoed down the hallway.
My heart skipped as I walked out of the bedroom. Channing’s broad frame nearly filled the kitchen doorway.
I strode to him. “How did it go with Talon?”
His gaze whipped up my body, and his smile lit up his face. “Wow, babe. You look incredible. Are you ready?”
