Camo Secrets: Camo Series, #2

By Cassandra Kirkpatrick

Guilt. Devastation. Fatigue. Determination.
They've returned from hell with their demons in tow, bringing old memories to the surface from where they were once locked securely away from the rest of the world. Their mission may be over, but now the real struggles begin. Who will be stronger? The infamous war heroes or the demons that haunt them?
The duct tape and honey crew is once again tested when a new mission lands in their laps. A news reporter, notorious for getting herself into places she doesn't belong, gets caught on the wrong side of the fence... again. They must join forces with an old ally and her sniper team to rescue Calista before she meets her demise.
But she doesn't just want to be saved, she wants more.
She's not the only one... 


Note to readers
Not intended for readers under the age of 18. Not intended for readers sensitive to violence, strong language, triggers, or mature situations. 
As this is the second in the series, it is best to read after Camo Angel. 
Thanks for taking a chance on the Duct Tape and Honey crew!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cassandra Kirkpatrick
• Release date: Jul 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781535193412

Cassandra Kirkpatrick

I am first and foremost a mother of three amazing little girls—Cadence, Cailee, and Corissa. I am happily married to my camo nuisance, err angel. Our little farm in South Dakota is where we call home. Writing is my way to escape all that is wrong in this world, and has been a godsend throughout my life. I love to entice the imagination of other people with my words and allow them to escape as I do. When I'm not writing, working, or herding animals and children, I help out in my community. Although my life hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows, I have always been a very generous and nurturing person. I enjoy giving back where I can. I learned early on that it's not about what you've been through, but where you are going. Don't focus on the past, but never forget what you've learned from it. My scars are my memories. I am: "Scarred but Stronger."

Book preview

Chapter 1

ELI

We finally found Abby!

Not just the coordinates for the expansive Colombian estate, we knew exactly where she was being held. The only problem was we were still on the outside while she was inside.

Before we muscled our way into the house of one of the top ten most dangerous men, Collins called for immediate air support, only to get rejected. Knowing our team as well as he did, he didn't stop until a MEDEVAC was waiting for the safe zone landing coordinates and the projected possibilities of injuries. With birds waiting in the wings, we busted down the doors.

Knock, Knock, Motherfuckers.

With Collins covering my back, we made our way towards Ryland's temporary prison. Ryland and Jaime heard the ruckus our team of badasses was causing and met us in the hall. Jaime led the way down the rickety stairs to where the fight awaited. We made quick work of the bags of shit trying to stand in our way.

I had to get my trembling hands to cooperate as I struggled to unlock the series of locks on the door keeping my heart from me. All the while I talked to her and begged she would be all right. My breath rushed out of me when I found her in a discarded heap, left for dead. I've never seen anything so still, so lifeless. Never had I felt so helpless. I couldn't just stand there with my thumb up my ass, so I tore off through the house seeking revenge. I didn't just want to kill Juan, I wanted to rip these motherfuckers from limb to limb. Each and every one of them that touched my wife would suffer.

The team ensured me the building was secured; it was time to move into evacuation mode. We can't keep this place locked down forever. Besides, we have a bird en route and the MEDEVAC waits for no one, Carl growled. I used my adrenaline-infused rage to power a few throwing knives deep into the soon to be corpses of Juan Ramirez and a couple of his henchmen before returning to the despicable hole in the ground where Abby was. 

Kneeling down beside her, my hands trembled as I reached out to touch her. Tears filled my eyes as I stared down at her lifeless body waiting, watching, for even the slightest movement. I begged and pleaded. I promised any and everything I could, even willing to make deals with the devil's advocate. My heart was laid open on the table. I swore to the heavens that I would change my ways and fix the wrongs I've done; they were my fails, my wrongs, she shouldn't have to pay for my mistakes. Dear God, let me have my girl back; I can't survive without her.

Baby, please, don’t leave me. I won’t last without you. I love you. You are my forever, I whispered.

A burst of reality hit me like a ton of bricks when Trevor growled between his teeth, Eli! Back the fuck up! Let me do my job. I moved quickly so he could set off to work. She has a very weak, thready pulse, but it’s there. Help me get this damn IV started. Someone get me some fucking light over here. Orders continued to spew from his mouth.

Jaime turned the flashlight, aiming the beam directly over her arm, while muttering words under his breath. From where I was crouched, I couldn't tell if he was praying or giving her her last rites. When his eyes met mine, I noticed tears falling down his cheeks. The pain in his face said it all, I knew that MEDEVAC better be close. Once Trevor got Abby’s IV started, he looked at Collins. He didn’t need to say anything; he knew we needed to get her moved. Trevor returned his focus to Abby, and gave her two injections.

Someone pick her up and get her out of here. We have to shut this place down, Collins stated.

I looked expectantly at the other guys, waiting for one of them to volunteer to carry her. I was too afraid to hurt her any more than she already was. The guys looked at each other, afraid to step forward.

We can't secure this place forever, let's go!

Ryland finally stepped forward. He looked at me, his eyes asking silent permission. I nodded and stepped back as he picked her up. She’s going to make it.  She’s not made of glass! Damn it! I was unsure if he was trying to convince himself or me.

Words wouldn’t come. I watched silently as he picked her up and hauled her up the stairs.  Carl asked, What about your arm, dumbass?

It's merely a flesh wound, besides the morphine is working, Ryland chuckled. I got my ass beat trying to save her. Now get the fuck out of my way. I'm finishing what I came in here to do. 

As we got up to the front door, Christian stood there smiling weakly at us. What are the odds they left keys in those trucks for us. We need a ride, and I'm sure a couple of us are capable of hotwiring them. I'm going to need a couple people to stay behind with me and help torch this place. We will only be a couple minutes behind you guys. We'll catch up at rendezvous Alpha.

Bo nodded and volunteered, I will stay, it's been a few days since I blew something up.

Ryland walked out the door and headed to the back of a SUV holding Abby as close to him as possible to keep her from being jostled. I climbed in behind them, running my fingers up and down her arm. Touching her was all I could do, it was my way to reassure her there was someone wanting her back, a reason for her to keep fighting. Collins jumped in the driver seat as Jaime took up the passenger seat. Before we took off, Trevor slid into the back with us. Jaime's eyes stayed glued to Abby; his mouth continued to pour out prayers. Adams, Bo, Carl, and Dirk stayed back with Christian to finish burning the house to the ground.

We need to get to safety to call for a nine-line MEDEVAC.

Way ahead of you. I called for air support on the way in. We are getting a landing zone in a place away from this hot spot. The Blackhawk is just waiting for the landing zone coords. They will get us to the airport. From there, we will climb aboard a C-17 fully equipped with a surgery staff waiting for her, and Ryland if he wants to risk it, Collins explained the plan. It was supposed to fly back to the states, but will wait for us if we need it. They heard the call so they may or may not be expecting it to be one of us on his death bed.

Ryland and I refused to take our eyes from Abby even as I was calling off the coordinates to the location I retreated to on the first day for safety. I already knew it would be a safe LZ for the bird. Using our manpack, our long range portable receiver/transmitting radio, Trevor called in the coords for the LZ. Finally finding the balls to hold her, I pulled her into my lap. Ryland hooked the IV bag up to the hook above the door as he asked Trevor if there was anything we could do for her.

Trevor gave her an injection of something; but I was too focused on the situation to try to guess what it was. Ry, grab a shirt out of my bag. This wool shit is scratchy as fuck. What’d you give her inside? What’d you just give her now? I blurted out as I watched Ryland dig around in my bag.

Two of my favorite drugs—sedate and alleviate. I have a thermal blanket, use it instead, help her keep her body heat.  Trevor dug a shiny silver sheet out, handing it to me. Still put your t-shirt by her head, let her smell you. As much as you smell, she needs something that is familiar to her, some way to know she is not in the enemies’ arms any longer.

He continued to talk, but my thoughts drowned out his voice. I continued to beg and pray that she would be okay. Words spewed out of my mouth as I talked to her and begged her to hold on. She didn’t move, didn’t make a sound, but I kept a couple fingers on one of her pulse points feeling a feeble pulse. It gave me a smidgen of hope. That was all I needed.

Trev, I need you to wrap my arm and call it a scratch. I don’t trust those fuckers waiting for us on the plane to remove a splinter. Ryland looked from Abby over to Trevor.

I wouldn’t let them dig your bullet out. I get the honor of digging around in there causing as much pain as possible; maybe I will even let Woman help me out. Trevor smiled. When we get back; I’ll have a couple beers, then I will work on you.

I need a phone. Mine died, I stated as I looked at each of the guys. Please, tell me one of you have a working phone?

Collins handed his phone to me. Use mine.

I entered Liz’s number as quickly as I could with trembling fingers, and tried to keep my legs from bouncing. The last thing Abby needed was my leg jostling her and hurting her even more than she’s already hurt.

Hello? I heard Liz’s nervous voice.

We found her. With a sigh, I let go of the breath I was holding. Holding the phone between my ear and shoulder, I swiped a tear that snuck out of my eye. By telling her the news, it seemed my brain finally allowed it to sink in that we actually did find her; we were bringing her home.

Is she okay? Where was she? Is the baby okay? How long until you are back in New York? Her questions kept pouring out.

She’s barely alive, Liz. We found her in a hellhole in Colombia; her body is covered in bruises, cuts, and filth. She looks like she has been chewed up and spit out. Right now, we are heading to the bird, then back to New York. I continued to trail my fingers over Abby’s limp body as I told her what I knew.

Wes will be there waiting. Be advised, he went into silent mode. Lee and I will leave first thing in the morning. I will let the family know, Liz informed me. Tell her I love her. No, wait! Put the phone by her ear, I want to tell her myself.

I held the phone close to Abby’s ear, silently listening in as Liz begged her to get better quick. She told her over and over she loved her and would see her first thing in the morning. When she finished talking, I hung up the phone and handed it back to Collins.

We heard the whir of the landing Blackhawk as we were pulling to a stop. Perfect timing. We made quick work of transferring from the SUV to the Blackhawk and back in the air. The team secured her to a backboard and gurney before we took off. To keep my mind off of everything going on, I decided to talk to the guys about what Liz told me.

We will be met at the airport by one of Abby’s pissed off brothers. I don’t know what’s going through his head, but I was warned he went into silent mode, I told the others.

Great, a family reunion, just what we fucking need, Ryland huffed as Trevor patted his bandaged arm.

Wes taught her to swim, to let the pool soak up her troubles. She went on to surpass his records. From what I heard expect an ass chewing, maybe even a few punches thrown. Wes doesn’t do silent; he does deadly, I stated as I touched Abby’s skin. He cares very much about Abby. Girls never met his mom; they met Abby.  She decided who he could or couldn’t be with.

Trevor smirked and responded, That girl has a hold on everybody, huh?

I didn’t even try to pretend otherwise, I only nodded. They all knew the truth. I continued to ramble on as a way to keep my nerves in check.

The Blackhawk crew took us quickly from the LZ to the waiting C17. We waited until she was moved from one bird to the next before we climbed out. We were met by a new team of medics trying to get information. One asked us to stay back and let them take care of her. We are trained and prepared for this, let us get to work. We will take it from here.

That didn’t sit well with Trevor, so he burst onto the plane carrying his backpack. We followed closely behind him.

Step back and stay out of the way, sir. She is in good hands, the flight medic stated as they were addressing which wounds would need to be taken care of first.

That is one of my team members. I will not step back and have you telling me that I am not qualified to take care of her. I’m a fucking field trained trauma surgeon and the medic of my unit. Trevor was pissed.

This is not your bird, so you will stand down. Major Ellington came into view. What all have you done for her? How much do you know?

Sedate and Alleviate. Two bags of fluids and something for pain. She was pregnant as of a week ago. However, we do not know the extent of the injuries. Massive bleeding in and around the abdomen, weak and thready pulse, apparent rib damage, possible head trauma. I recommend placing her on a ventilator and putting her in a medically induced coma until we know just how extensive her injuries are, Trevor explained himself. I could hear how much he cared about her as he told them.

We can keep her as comfortable as possible, put a pressure wrap around her ribs. I will have the nurses rinse her off, and we will take into account any and all scratches, bruises, and bumps. Since we have the equipment on board to know whether or not she is still pregnant, we will run some tests and take action accordingly, Dr. Ellington responded. What happened to him? He pointed to where Ryland was finding a makeshift seat to crash into.

He’s just being a pansy ass, got a scratch. I will take care of him. Trevor smirked. 

I stepped up behind Trevor and asked, Can I hold her hand?  She’s my wife. I felt so small in the crowded room.

Until the plane takes off, you can touch her, but as soon as we get into the air, we are going to be moving around her a lot more. We will continue working around you until then. We will need you out of our way as much as you can be. You look like you could use a little rest yourself. A nurse named Alice told me.

I nodded.

~ ~

Chapter 2

BO

We have to get a move on; they are waiting for us. She needs some real help, more than what those guys on the plane can give her. I was willing to put all my chips in and bet Trevor was not going to be happy about being told to let them do their job as soon as they got to the plane.

They were busy putting all the hostages on the main floor, while I reiterated to them we needed to hurry even though it was something they already knew. It felt pointless, but necessary, to repeat it to them.

Our group was a close knit group, so seeing Abby’s lifeless body being carried out of this place only sparked our fire for revenge even hotter. Gone was our exhaustion, in its place a need for vengeance and retaliation. Fuck with one of ours, we'll destroy you and all of yours. She is one of our own. We swore to Micah she would be safe until our last breaths. Not even six months went by before we lost her. We failed them both. When our team lost Micah, we made the oath and put it in that freshly dug grave.

This is a day I’ve never wanted to see; I never wanted to bury my own brother. I never wanted to watch people fall to pieces and break down, I admitted to the rest of the guys standing around me. Yet here I am to show respect for a fallen brother and his family. This is by far the toughest mission.

He was her protector, we promised to take care of her for the rest of her life. I guess it’s time we step up and do our part. Carl placed his hand on Eli’s shoulder. Let us know what we need to do to help you out, man.

Wake me up from this nightmare, Eli requested.

I wish I could. Are you sure you want to be the one giving her the flag? One of us could step forward and do it, Dirk offered.

He was my best friend; that’s my girl out there. I have to do it. Eli wiped at the tears streaming down his cheeks. I was feeling like shit, and I only knew the man a handful of years; I couldn’t imagine how it would feel if I knew him all my life.

We gave each other awkward bro hugs and whispered some encouragement. This is for Micah, one of the greatest battle buddies God could ever let us borrow. May he find his peace as we find ours. Micah may be gone but will never be forgotten.

It is on my honor that I swear to protect Abigail from the evils of the world. I swear to protect her, keep her happy and remind her she is loved, I whispered the oath as I dropped the paper into the fresh grave. A kissed unit coin followed shortly after.

It was a day that will be forever ingrained in my head. Just like today will too. I repeated the oath as I assisted the boys in moving the rest of the evilness onto the main floor.

Today we will burn down this place that has caused us nothing but grief, it felt like a weight off my shoulders. But we couldn’t burn it down yet. Before we could, we had to find some justice. This wasn’t going to be a quick death for these fuckers, they would burn alive. Let them scream the way they made Abby scream over and over. Make them feel a fraction of the pain they made us feel.

Once we had all the men on the main floor with their hands and legs zip tied, we grabbed a can of lighter fluid and doused the men. Stopping near Juan, I tore the blades out of his legs, let that fucker suffer a little more.

This everyone? I asked one last time as I counted them in my head.

Jaime took a head count and nodded to me. Christian headed out the door to the SUV to wait for the fire to burst the windows. We added extra lighter fluid around the inside walls; I nodded to Carl. I think it’s time for a smoke; what do you say?

He nodded as a smile beamed across his face, taking out a pack of smokes and a lighter. As soon as we hit the front porch, we each lit up a cigarette. We weren’t smokers, but this drew out the suspense, let them suffer a little longer. Give them a chance to pray for miracles and think of everything they did to deserve what was coming. They were waiting to burn to death; we were enjoying a nice smoke and chat. As the cigarettes lit, we checked to make sure all our boys were outside.

Adams, Christian, Dirk, are you guys outside? I asked over the headset.

Yep, it’s a go, Christian responded.

Nodding to Carl, we flicked our lit cigarettes into the house and stepped away from the porch. May God have no mercy on your souls. He had spat towards the house before we hit the SUV. 

We waited in the vehicle until the smoke was billowing out all the windows. The flames lit up the darkening sky. We better get to the plane. Get a picture quick. Someone let them know we are on our way.  Christian peeled out of the drive; he was an unleashed bat out of hell. I laid my head back against the seat and closed my eyes. Home couldn't be here soon enough. 

This is one mission that will fuck with me for a while. My psychiatrist will have a field day with me.

I was eight. Daddy lit cigarette after cigarette. No one ever saw him without a cigarette in his mouth or hand. I wanted to be just like him—a hard worker and even harder smoker. Most young boys wanted to be business people or mechanics, pilots or doctors, but I wanted to smoke and work to please my daddy. So one day, I tried it. I grabbed one of Daddy’s cigarettes from his pack in the living room and lit it up just like I saw him do all the time. The taste made me almost puke, so I threw it across the room and ran to the spot I always went to when I got in trouble, my closet.

The smell of smoke traveled the living room, and down the hall to my room. Someone later told me it was an electrical outlet that sparked the curtains on fire, but I knew it was all my fault. I was a bad boy.

I saw flames coming closer and called for Daddy. The smoke detectors were screaming and making me shake as I tried to hide deeper in my closet. I heard the front door open as Daddy called my name, but I was way too scared to answer him. The flames burned down my bedroom door; I saw the ashes and more red and yellow blaze.

My father burst through the flames, into my room, calling out my name. He sounded scared as he finally found me. His body scorched with burns. By then, the flames had reached me. I screamed and hollered, flailed around as he held on to me. My window shattered, sending glass flying everywhere. Daddy tried to push me through the open space as he broke out into a coughing fit. He stopped coughing as he got me through the window. The skin on my back and legs pulled cries from deep inside of me. By the time the ambulance arrived, Daddy made it out; he had looked like a burnt hot dog. I crawled closer to Daddy, but I was afraid to touch him.

The paramedics quickly loaded him in one of the ambulances as someone put a mask over my face and told me to calm down. I was too scared to calm down. The burns started to hurt, making me cry like the scared little boy I was.

When we finally got to the hospital, we stopped in Daddy’s room. They raised my bed so I could see him. Machines were going off all around us as I timidly reached for his hand. I watched his face and felt his last breath leave his mouth. More beeping and alarms went off, so they quickly moved me away from him as I screamed to let me see Daddy again.

I was a bad boy. Daddy died trying to save me. If I had been a good boy, none of this would’ve happened.

I deserved all the burning and pain. This is what happened when I was bad. My daddy died. It was all my fault. A social worker came to see me, I had no family left. Her name was Miss Helen. She told me as soon as I got all fixed up, I would have a new family. I didn’t want a new family, I wanted my daddy back.

The doctors, nurses, and the social worker talked about me like I wasn’t in the room. I heard words like lucky, over 50% third-degree burn, 10% second-degree, bandage changes, skin grafts, and silver dime-some cream to make me feel better.

Each day, they asked me how my pain was before they put more sleepy-take-the-pain-away-drugs. They changed my bandages a couple times a day, each time they took a layer of skin with it. It made me scream in agony, it's what I deserve for killing my own daddy.

One day, the social worker brought a man and woman with her. Introductions were made, but I didn't really listen or even care. Miss Helen told me as soon as I was allowed to leave, these people would be my new parents. I cried and cried. Not just because of the pain, but the thought of having a new family made it worse.

What if I was a bad boy with them? Would I get them mad? Would I get in trouble all the time? Did it mean I was letting Daddy down? Did I deserve another chance?

After a month in the hospital, they released me to my new family. June was the mom’s name, Bill was the dad, they had two other children at home. They were two shy girls: Beth Ann and Jezebel, they were about my age. And we lived happily ever after. June and Bill adopted me as soon as the state said they could.

June and Bill were the best parents a child could have. They taught me love and understanding. They also taught me discipline. Beth Ann graduated the year before me, and Jezebel graduated the year after me.  While they went to college, I joined the Army. Every week I got a letter or two from home and frequent phone calls.

I’d heard Ryland’s treatment in the foster care system and felt sorry for him. They shuffled him through homes more frequently than a deck of cards in Vegas. I asked June and the girls to write him occasionally. He needed support more than I did. He needed to feel like someone cared about him. As battle buddies, we took care of each other physically, but we still needed emotional support.

I knew when the letters started to arrive in Ryland’s mail because his face lit up like a Christmas tree. He flipped the envelope over and over in his hands, checking and rechecking it was for him. Each letter he got, he seemed to let go of a little hatred.

At first I was afraid when he found out it was me asking my adopted family to share some love with him. When I told him, he hugged me tighter. Thank you, was all he said before opening another letter from home. That was the first time I’d seen him smile and lighter on his feet. It was then when I realized he needed a brother as much as I did.

I truly believe in karma. To this day I was scared shitless of fire. That’s why I live the way I do. Karma was going to bite me in the ass sooner or later. I tried to be a better man, abide by the rules and pray it was enough to keep karma at bay, let me live another day. Help others, keep the blame for the fire on me. Protect the ones I love. Protect those who need protecting. The scars left behind were memories; reminding me I was not invincible. But still I could hope karma would one day forget that I existed, or at least take a day off.

~ ~

Chapter 3

RYLAND

The pain was immense. So this is what hell felt like? I would’ve thought nothing could hurt me worse than being ten and living on the streets. I wasn’t talking about the physical shit. Maybe I did have a heart if I am able to feel this much emotional pain. What the fuck? Suddenly my emotions turned on after all these years? Was this a late stage of puberty? Were my balls rescinding?

All that shit I went through to save someone I didn’t really know was worth it. Abby was worth it. Just seeing Eli’s face when we found her, I knew what love was. It was something even stronger than our brotherhood. I felt it through my pain when I saw his face. It wasn’t just relief, fear, or even grief. I saw it in the way he exhaled painfully as he found out she had a weak pulse. Relief, grief, and hope all crossed his face simultaneously.

Eli had his forever, I however only had myself. Maybe one day I would have a girl I could love the