Baby Seal_A Navy Seal Romance Read online

  It was from her mother, with a note inside the box. Faith picked up the note, putting the box aside.

  ‘Hey baby,

  We were cleaning the attic. Thought you might want to keep this.

  Love,

  Mom and dad.

  P.S.: Call now and then.’

  Faith rolled her eyes, missing her parents and decided to call them before sleeping. She rummaged through the box and found some of her old possessions, like her photo album from high school and her yearbook.

  It all felt like something from a different life altogether. Faith was grown up now, facing adult problems and dilemmas. She went through her yearbook, trying to find her picture. The Faith smiling at the camera in the picture was young and ambitious. However, the Faith sitting on the sofa, was grown up and knew life was unexpected. There wasn’t a fixed plan or any end goal. The only goal was to face each day as it came, without expectations and only with fervor and determination.

  She put the yearbook down on the shelf before going to the kitchen to fix herself a quick dinner. Tired from her day, Faith made a sandwich and ate it, before heading up to bed.

  Once, Faith had thought life would be an adventure every day. She knew now the real adventure was the simple things in life and experiencing them, fervently.

  Chapter 2

  He lay in bed, struggling to remain asleep as a haunting nightmare welcomed him once again. The gunshots, the men falling and the screams. It was always the screams that got to him.

  His eyes snapped open as the sound of a blast pervaded his eardrums, from his memory.

  Landon rolled around, turning to face his latest conquest. She remained fast asleep, unaware and oblivious to his conflict. Landon wondered just how he would tell her their encounter was only a one time thing and decided he would deal with it in the morning. He got out of bed, rubbing his tired eyes and headed to hotel room balcony to smoke. He picked up his box of cigarettes and his lighter from the dressing table. He lit the cigarette, inhaling the smoke and immediately calming down.

  He looked out at the city in front of him, realizing how loud it was even at such a late hour. He was in Beaufort right now with the rest of his platoon of men, back from Iraq. His men were being honored across all of America, from wherever they hailed from for their bravery and dedication to the protection of the country.

  Soon, Landon would go to Charleston with his team and there they would be honored in a ceremony hosted by his family and the South Carolina government. Landon had been very pleased when his parents shared their idea with him, to build the historical houses and present them to the veteran heroes returning from Iraq with him.

  Landon remembered one such ceremony being held when he was a child. He had felt so proud to be in the presence of individuals who put their life at stake to protect him and their country. It had ignited in him the desire to do the same. Hence, three years after graduating from college, he had enlisted himself to undergo training to become a Navy SEAL. He was devoted to the job, having learned a lot from it and become who he was.

  After joining the division, Landon had been out of the country for a long time, visiting only when it was possible and not for too long. After five years, Landon was coming back home for more than a few weeks. He was going to spend his summer in Charleston with his family and help them raise funds to donate to families who had lost their kin in war.

  His last round in Iraq had been one of the worst experiences of his life. All the men falling, the chaos and the bloodshed had definitely taken its toll on Landon. He tried to downplay it but his trauma stressed him and held him down. He truly hoped this vacation would help him soothe his mind before he had to return.

  Landon knew he could drop out at any time, no one would hold it against him after all he had already accomplished. Yet, something inside Landon made him want to go back to Iraq, almost as if it was his addiction. He knew that he could stay in Charleston and take over the family business, something his father would be proud of.

  But, Landon didn’t want to. He was running, from what he didn’t know. His mother had pointed out his failed marriage as a probable cause. Landon however disagreed with her, lying to her and himself. Landon tried very hard not to think about his marriage or his ex-wife Amelia. Instead, he focused on a string of one night flings and his own work.

  His marriage with Amelia was a very short-lived one, having occurred when they were fresh graduates from college. However, as they grew up, in the second year of their marriage, both realized they were very different people. Landon had been quite hurt to find out there wasn’t anything to salvage between them, she was already sleeping with another man by then. He had acted as if it didn’t affect him and they had ended the marriage, the divorce paper the last straw in their relationship.

  Since then, Landon was on the run, trying to hide from the haunting thoughts that made him feel he wasn’t a good enough man to win a woman’s heart and make her happy. His shifting tours of duties allowed him the freedom to be away from reminders of his past, for nothing made him want to stay in Charleston. He did miss his parents but they were busy in their own lives, with no time to tend to their grown up son.

  Landon did not want to stay in Charleston and remember the time when he and Amelia lived there. She was in Virginia now, with the man she had left Landon for, happily married with children. Landon was happy for her, though it did not mean he didn’t resent her.

  Nevertheless, that life was behind him. He had moved on into a new chapter.

  He turned out the cigarette and headed back in to the hotel room just as his date, Ava, rolled around to face him.

  “Up already?” Landon asked, cocking his eyebrow teasingly.

  “I had a dream…” Ava whispered, invitingly.

  “Tell me all about it…” Landon said, joining her on the bed, getting on top of her.

  He forgot all about his worries, not allowing his mind to remain on the topic. Landon had no high expectations from the summer, only focused on spending time honoring those who deserved the praise and then heading back to his tour of duty.

  Having been born and raised in Charleston, the town did not excite Landon anymore the way it used to when he was a child. He didn’t expect it too this time around either. He only hoped his mother wouldn’t force him to meet women, as was her habit. He didn’t think he could deal with a relationship again, having no desire for one anymore. He was sure he wouldn’t be drawn to a woman again, not by emotion at least.

  ***

  In the morning, Landon woke to the sound of a knock on his hotel room door.

  “Brown, open up!” Landon heard his friend and troop member, Roger Calhoun, call out, banging his fist on the door.

  He got up, groaning as Ava began to wake, and headed to answer the door.

  “Yo, man. We’re about to head out in an hour. Why aren’t you dressed?” Roger asked, walking in casually.

  He turned and saw Ava rising from the bed, and faced Landon.

  “Right…” Roger said, rolling his eyes.

  “I’ll be ready in a second.” Landon said, chuckling.

  “Knowing you, I doubt it.” Roger sighed leaving the hotel room and making Landon laugh harder.

  Roger was perhaps Landon’s oldest friend. They both lived in Charleston before enlisting in the Navy and had been the best of friends. The whole of Charleston was well acquainted with their mischievous stories. Even though Roger had never shown interest in the Navy or armed forces, when he heard Landon was enlisting, he went and signed up too.

  Since then, the two had been in situations they had never imagined to ever find themselves in. From midnight operations to training drills that drained them, made them want to leave, broke their resolve. To the blasting sound of the guns, to watching their men fall. And each time hoping they wouldn’t have to see each other fall. To nights when they slept in their bunks, away from home but having each other to remember home. To each and every time when one pa
tted the others back and reassured him that they were going to survive.

  After his parents, Roger was the only one Landon would trust with his life. He was his best friend and his partner in crime. The only one who had been there for Landon through every stage of life.

  Landon took out his uniform, laying it on the bed as Ava came to wrap her arms around his waist. The worst and most awkward part about one night stands was the inevitable goodbye and letting the girl know that they wouldn’t be meeting again.

  “Will I see you again?” Ava asked, moving away and putting on her jacket.

  “I don’t know. I’m out of Beaufort tonight.” Landon said, calmly.

  “Hmm, okay. Here’s my number.” Ava said, handing him a contact card.

  “Thanks.” Landon said, awkwardly.

  Landon breathed a sigh of relief as she exit the hotel room with her bag, leaving him alone. He rushed to his bathroom to take a quick shower and dressed, hoping he wasn’t too late. The admiral Landon had served under, Admiral McRaven, was a genuine and wholehearted man but also one who could be brutal if you upset him.

  Landon was grateful for serving under him, as he was somewhat of a war hero. It was McRaven alone who had driven Landon to perform well and now, Landon was going to be honored for saving his troop from a night attack.

  One night as his team rest in their bunks, blissfully unaware of the fact the enemy were waiting outside to strike, Landon went for a stroll. He had fortunately seen them on time and had jogged back to inform McRaven. They had alerted the men and gone onto attack the enemy from behind. The troop had suffered many casualties that night, having not been prepared too well. Seeing his men fall, Landon had been determined to save as many as he could. Single handedly, he had carried multiple SEALs on his back and taken them to the medic.

  Landon did not think much of it, knowing it was his duty to save his men and protect them. Yet, McRaven had been quite pleased. He had sent word to the headquarters and they had decided to honor Landon in a ceremony in his hometown, along with his other team members.

  His parents, upon hearing this, had immediately decided to do something from their side too. They had contacted the architectural firm, McKenzie, and come up with the plan to redesign the historical houses that had been abandoned after the civil war, because of destruction. Landon knew most of the men on his team, unlike him, did not come from a wealthy background. They were simple men, working hard to provide for their families. Some saved money to send to their old parents, other saved it to send to their children and wife.

  Landon wanted to do as much as he could to help them out but knew they wouldn’t accept his charity, even though he offered it as a friend. The scheme his parents had come up with was the perfect way to help them out alongside congratulating them and thanking them for their service.

  He picked up his bag from the corner of the room, scanning his surroundings one last time to make sure he wasn’t leaving anything behind. They would head to the exhibition right now and go straight to the airport to fly to Myrtle Beach. They were maintaining one day in each city, wanting to tour the whole of South Carolina before the summer ended. Landon knew all of them wanted to spend time with their family more than going to exhibitions and events. Hence, they followed their schedule strictly so the men could spend time with their families.

  Landon headed out of the hotel room, towards the elevator and down to the lobby. He cringed internally as he saw the others already waiting at the entrance. He knew McRaven would give him hell for keeping everyone waiting.

  “Decided to join us, Brown?” McRaven barked in his formal, crisp tone.

  “Apologies, Sir. I overslept.” Landon said, maintaining eye contact.

  Landon had learned many things in the Navy, about posture and tone. He knew maintaining eye contact meant the person was not lying nor feel anxious.

  “You’ve been busy in other things.” McRaven said, rolling his eyes as the others chuckled.

  “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.” Landon said, smirking.

  “Get in line.” McRaven said, tossing his bag at Landon who caught it in time.

  He chuckled and went to stand next to Roger, who looked highly amused.

  “About time someone calls you out on whoring around.” Roger smirked, pleased with himself.

  “Envy is not a good emotion to feel.” Landon said, elbowing him on the stomach.

  “Enough.” McRaven stated, sighing as he faced them all. “I hope I don’t have to repeat myself again. Smile, wave, and be nice. Don’t lose your calm if anyone says anything you don’t agree with.”

  “Yes, Sir!” The men answered together.

  “Good, pick up your luggage and head to the car.” McRaven said, turning to shake hands with the hotel manager waiting behind him.

  Landon and the others got into the limousine waiting for them outside the hotel, courtesy of the sponsors behind the exhibitions.

  The exhibitions did sometimes irritate and infuriate Landon and his teammates, for people would always ask questions about certain things they did not want to recall. Hence the reason McRaven had warned them to remain calm and not lash out.

  Landon hoped this would all be over soon and he could simply relax and spend time with his parents. He understood the love the citizens had for them and even appreciated it, however, it did not mean that they understood the trauma Landon had gone through.

  The whole point of Landon wanting to take a break, possibly even consider not heading back for a while was so that he could realign his thoughts and relax, worry about minute things rather than the battlefield.

  He didn’t have much planned for the summers, except to reconnect with his roots and have fun, without worrying about waking up the next morning and finding himself in the middle of a war. He was looking forward to simply waking up and jogging at the pier, fishing for crabs, cooking and working out.

  The limousine drove out of the hotel driveway onto the main road and towards the hall where the exhibition was being held. The exhibition would be followed by a dinner hosted by the mayor at his house, with other associates and dignitaries.

  Landon wondered if he would meet another girl tonight but knew nothing could happen since they would drive straight to the airport after the dinner ended. Landon had to admit that his uniform was possibly the main cause for the amount of women that approached him, wherever they were. Landon was handsome, which was something he did not boast about of course. With a good height, blonde hair and green eyes, Landon was the replica image of his father.

  Many people often said his father used to look exactly the same as Landon when he was young. Landon did look up to his father a lot and growing up, being told about their uncanny resemblance made him feel quite happy. His father was a self-made man and the biggest tycoon in all of South Carolina.

  He owned and led the biggest brokerage firm in South Carolina, trusted by all the clients. Landon, as a child had thought about joining the same field and wanting to make his parents proud. However, they had never pushed him to do so, simply stating they would be proud of whatever he did as long as he was happy in his profession.

  When he had told his mother about his decision to join the Navy, she had been very distressed, trying to talk him out of it. His father had been the one to convince her, reminding her of the promise they had made to Landon when he was a young boy that they would support him in whatever decision he made.

  Landon missed his parents the most whenever he was away, worrying incessantly about their health and generally. He couldn’t wait to head back home and be with them again.

  ***

  Landon groaned internally as the mayor slapped him on his back, laughing at a joke he had shared. Landon smiled out of politeness, not finding racial jokes funny at all. He had half a mind to notify the mayor of the hurtful background of his harmless joke, but decided otherwise when McRaven passed him a warning look.

  He sighed, wanting to get fresh ai
r and be away from the gathering.

  “Excuse me, Sir.” Landon said, pulling himself away from the conversation and heading to the balcony where he saw Roger puffing a cigarette.

  “Some dinner, huh?” Roger remarked, shaking his head.

  “Beats me how they can say they understand.” Landon said, lighting his cigarette.

  “I suppose they think they owe it to us, to say they understand.” Roger said, tiredly.

  “The world would be a better place if the notion of owing was diminished, boys.” McRaven said from behind, entering the balcony.

  “The world would be a better place if there wasn’t a need for war.” Landon said, sourly.

  “Brown, are you under the impression that this world owes you their gratitude?” McRaven asked, haughtily.

  “No, sir.” Landon said, regretting saying something so foolish.

  “Good. Now pass me a cigarette.” McRaven said, “Calhoun, get me drink.”

  “Yes, sir.” Roger said, walking away.

  McRaven lit his cigarette, inhaling the smoke deeply before turning to face a quiet Landon.

  “What are you aiming to accomplish this summer?” McRaven asked.

  “Nothing as of yet, Sir.” Landon said, lost in his own thoughts.

  “Your family is decent for doing what they are.” McRaven said, sincerely.

  “It’s the least we can do, Sir.” Landon said, fervently.

  “That and put your life at stake for our nation.” McRaven joked.

  “That seems about right.” Landon chuckled as Roger returned, handing the drink to McRaven.

  “Gather everyone so we can get out of here.” McRaven said, downing the drink in one sip.

  “Yes, sir.” Roger and Landon said, wanting the same thing.

  Chapter 3

  “Faith? Where the hell are you?” Naomi barked the moment Faith answered her call.

  “I’m at the south site. What’s up?” Faith asked, baffled by her tone.