Under Fire: The Admiral by Beyond the Page Publishing

Author:Beyond the Page Publishing
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, suspense, navy seals, contemporary romance, actionadventure, coast guard, military romance

Chapter 10

Washington, D.C.

Gemma glanced across Arlington’s rows of stone to the capitol dome and the memorial obelisk glistening in a brilliant cloudless sky. The clack of horses’ hooves pulling Lieutenant David “Vegas” Mercer’s caisson over Arlington’s narrow lanes echoed against stark silence. Nearby the flag on the Marine Corps Memorial flicked its tribute. Gemma snapped to attention as the caisson stopped.

“Present arms,” the office in charge called. All in uniform saluted. Ben came to stand beside her as she brought her gloved hand up in this expression of respect.

Military funerals were always the same. Men and women in perfect uniforms executing precise moves in prescribed order. A flag-draped casket carried by uniformed body bearers to the grave. Their slow moves guided by soft-spoken commands. At the grave, an officer carefully inspects the casket, insuring perfect placement of the flag. The chaplain begins the graveside service. “There is no good way to die,” he says to the uniformed men and women standing in neat lines listening, some giving up tears. “But when a man dies putting his country and those he loves first, he dies with honor.”

A jarring rifle volley.

Taps. The soulful notes floating out over rows of stone announcing a new arrival.

And finally, the flag draping the casket folded perfectly by six sailors, handed to an officer who solemnly delivers it to family members with hushed words of comfort. Today for Lieutenant Mercer’s father, sister and fiancée. And it was done. Today there was another step. Lieutenant Mercer’s teammates removed their gold SEAL tridents, placing them on top of the casket, and with their fists hammered the pins into the polished wood. She’d heard when a man completed SEAL training and earned the badge depicting an eagle clutching a Navy anchor, trident and pistol it was pinned on their chest very much the same way.

Gemma had no doubt the ceremony was calculated to hit every raw, painful emotion. To draw tears from the fallen’s family and friends. To rip a mourning heart from the chest, take out a chunk and cram it back in place, forcing a soul to grieve in order to move on.

Today family and friends would say good-bye to the lieutenant and his spirit would mingle with countless other heroes who’d made the final sacrifice for their country. Tomorrow those family and friends would go on living their best lives to honor his memory.

The family stood. The senior Mercer greeted mourners. The woman, the lieutenant’s fiancée, who clutched the flag just taken from the casket, looked dazed. Hunter stood protectively at her side.

“Are you going over to talk?” Ben said.

“No. They’re already overwhelmed and my rank can be off-putting to the others in uniform.” She turned to look at him and wished she hadn’t. He was damned handsome in a perfectly tailored black suit. The white shirt set off his dark complexion and hair. Damn it. Seeing him, hearing his voice . . . Despite her preparation, it was still unnerving. She reminded herself of his age, of her age.

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