Melting Ice(16)

A few seconds after the door slammed shut, the helo lifted, hovering as it turned direction then shot off into the sun. She watched as the grey speck got smaller and smaller before staggering over to the Jeep to collapse in the driver’s seat. Dropping her face into her hands, she gave in to the emotions ripping her apart and had a good, long cry.

Various personnel moved around the runway performing their duties. Thankfully, they let her suffer without interruption.

****

“Let me go. You sorry bastards. I’ll kill all y’all.” Obscenities rolled off his tongue. Ice fought with everything he had, but they outnumbered him five to one. He didn’t stand a chance against team Arapahoe.

His stomach turned to stone in his abdomen as he took in the tears streaking down Syn’s cheeks. He heard only a few of her shouted words. Of course, he didn’t need to hear them. He’d realized they were coming. Coward that he was, he’d hoped the rush to reach NAS wouldn’t leave any chance for them to talk. He should probably thank the team for their intervention, but Ice wasn’t feeling particularly friendly.

Christ, her tears tore his heart out. And like a dumbass, he’d blurted out a marriage proposal knowing full well she couldn’t hear him.

The guys shoved him into a seat, five sets hands holding him down while Trip zipcuffed his wrists and buckled him in tight.

“What the fuck,” he roared. “Cut me loose or so help me God, you’re all going down when I get my rifle in my hands.”

His head snapped back from the solid fist that slammed into his jaw, stunning him and making his head swim drunkenly. Trip slapped a headset over his ears, making communicating in the loud craft possible.

“Shut the fuck up, Westervelt. Not another word. Threatening your own team won’t just get you a dishonorable discharge. It will land your ass in Leavenworth.” Zeus got right up in his face. “I will knock you out and gag you myself before I’ll let that shit go down. So here’s what just went down. With the considerable noise of the helo, nobody clearly heard what you said.” A muscle in Zeus’ jaw ticked. “But keep it up and I won’t be able to save you.”

“Fucking moron,” Jagger piped in. “We were extricating you for your own good. Every one of us reads lips well enough to know what was going down.”

Yeah, he got that the whole damn team knew she’d been trying to blow him off, and he’d tossed out a lame ass proposal.

“Get your head out of your ass, and we’ll remove the restraints before we land.” Trip shot him an evil grin, enjoying the moment a little too much.

The team watched him warily. He kept his teeth clamped tight through the endless trip while working out what to say to Syn. Eventually, he decided to keep it short and sweet, hopefully limiting any misunderstanding. Ice wanted his intentions to be crystal clear.

Dagger leaned over, slid a hand in his boot, and came out with one of his favorite blades. Damn thing was ten inches of curved, serrated steel with a wickedly honed edge. Trusting the other man, Ice held out his arms. The knife slid between his wrists, slicing the plastic cleanly in half.

He immediately reached into his pocket and grabbed the phone.

ICE: Hey

Less than a minute later, his phone pinged.

SYN: Hey

ICE: U ok?

SYN: I guess but we have to talk.

Knowing damn well what she wanted to say his thumbs flew over the keys, tapping out his own message before she could cut him off at the knees.

ICE: Need you to hold on, babe. 4 more months will be at my 20 years.

SYN: I can’t keep doing this.

ICE: STOP. Don’t say anything else. Not one word.

He raked a hand though his hair, took a deep breath, and typed in the most frightening words he’d ever say. Well, write, but same difference.

ICE: Taking retirement. Want to set down roots, start a real life. Get a dog. A house. Have a few kids.

SYN: Sounds nice. U going to get married or have bastards?

“That shit’s not funny.” So much for being clear. Syn had a way of muddling his thoughts.

ICE: No, we’ll get married b4 kids.

She didn’t respond, and after several long minutes, he got worried. His heart thrummed against his ribs, and he broke out in a cold sweat. When the phone finally pinged again, he was afraid to look at her response.

SYN: U SOB! Did you just propose in a text message?

Uh…yeah. What other options did he have while being carried away on a freakin’ helo? The phone pinged again, and he glanced down.

SYN: Dumbass! At least I was waiting to see u in person to break it off.

“Oh, fuck no!”

ICE: Not happening. U R mine!!! U said so.

Zeus edged closer. “Have you lost your mind, Ice. Don’t make me taser your ass.”