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𝙁𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝘼 𝙃𝘼𝙇𝙁 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎 𝘼𝙂𝙊

1300 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗦, 𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗦

"We're moving to California!" The guys cheered as me and the guys walked from the Admiral's office with our new orders

Before Dinah had gotten sick and I gave her the keys to go home so she could rest she was all smiles listening to the new orders. I already knew it was her cycle that made her so sick suddenly, therefore, I was going to stop by the store to pick her up some things before I went back home.

This move meant everything to her and I could understand why, she had a month left in her contract and she was excited for us to start our life together.

I just felt so bad I couldn't seem to bring up much about my Father and ex. Listening to her plead to me as a wife wanting to know something she should know already made me feel less than a coward.

Yeah, the crazy bastard abused me and my Mom almost every day. But the things I had to watch him do to my Mother so that in his book I could become a "man" would never be easy to admit out loud.

But I had made my mind up that I was going to tell her tonight.

"You okay, pretty boy?" Franks asked causing me to laugh as I replied, "Of course."

"The man ran off and eloped, he better be happy!" Banks said while laughing causing me to smile

"Yeah, and all of us as your brothers aka men you've known for about 11 years want to all say your wife is fine as hell." Ross then said while patting my shoulder as the rest of them nodded their head and said, "Yeah." in agreement

"Yeah, well, keep your statements about my wife at a minimum" I replied as they laughed

"Someone's jealous." Houston then said with a smirk

"Why would I be jealous when she's in my arms every night?" I rebutted slipping on my sunglasses

"All jokes aside. What type of magic did she put on you? You're smiling more, you're not nearly as sarcastic and somehow you're into the Bible now." Boone said with a smile

"She's a black woman. Ain't nothing in the world like it and I suggest the rest of you unmarried men find you one." Franks said causing me to nod in agreement

"And you know what Franks, Houston, and Banks, I'm beyond pissed with you three for two reasons." I said causing them to laugh and ask, "Why?"

"You two didn't tell me how life-changing dating and marrying a black woman is! I can't get my mind off of her." I replied causing them to laugh

"But I'm not married." Banks then said causing me to rebut quickly, "Yeah, but your entire family is beautiful and black."

"Yeah, when I tell Grams you got married she's going to be sad. You know she was saying you were her husband ever since I invited you to that cookout." Banks said causing me to laugh

"Yeah, I'm sorry but as much as I love your Grandma she is not gonna get me in trouble with my wife," I replied causing him to laugh

"Wait! What's the second reason you're pissed with us?" Franks then asked causing me to stop by Houston's car and say, "You motherfuckers never told me how funny Martin was, Dinah put me on and y'all were supposed to be my boys!"

Hearing my statement only made them laugh as Franks wrapped his arm around my neck and said, "Mans is officially a victim of the swirl."

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"Dinah likes flowers?" Houston asked as he parked in the parking lot of the grocery store

I had brought her a pretty pricey flower arrangement that had to be shipped to the flower shop since it wasn't blossom season and I finally got to pick it up today.

"Yeah, she has a back tattoo that covers more than half of her back of a blossom tree," I replied as we began walking into the store

"Women love to act like they don't understand how sexy that is to a man." He rebutted causing me to nod

"Yeah, when I first saw it I only had one thing on my mind." I joked causing him to laugh as I picked up her favorite chocolate putting it in the shopping basket I was holding

"You know all of us knew when you and her started dating." He replied causing me to laugh

"Yeah, right," I replied picking up ingredients so I could cook for tonight

"Colton, as much of a womanizer you are you were mean as hell to her for a year straight which already told all of us you felt something for her you weren't ready to admit to yourself. Then you invited her to stay with you which you've never offered any of the past women after demon Barbie. Then that third tour with her you were more than protective of her. And on top of that, that night when we got Ross to flirt with her just to see what you'd do, you were pissed." He said as I gathered different things I needed for what I was cooking as well as snacks Dinah loved

"It didn't even bother me when he was complimenting her but when he moved his face to hers like he was about to kiss her that's when I was going to have to kick my brother's ass out of love," I said while laughing

"Dinah was in on it too you know? We just wanted to see what you'd do." He replied causing me to smile

"That explains why she was so defensive of him."

"Someone had to be, you were ready to fight." He said causing me to laugh as we made our way to the self-checkout

"Yeah, I'm going to ask her about this too," I said with a smile while ringing the groceries up

"I'm just glad you finally found the one. I haven't seen you this happy ever." He said as I paid for everything

"Thank you, man," I replied looking over at him

"It's all good, you know we're locked in for life." He replied lifting his hand up for me to shake, which I did before pulling him into a hug

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"Dinah, baby, I'm home and we have company!" I announced as me and Houston walked through the front door with groceries and the flowers I had gotten her

"She must be sleeping," I said lowly before looking on the floor and seeing her military ID and wallet were on the floor

I then had that feeling that I only received when I was in the field. Something wasn't right. Max would've been sprinting to the front door by now to come and greet me.

I then pulled my gun causing Houston to do the same as we carefully made our way through the loft before I heard Max crying causing rage to run aimlessly throughout me.

I then turned the corner seeing Dinah sitting on the floor crying silently with Max laying his head in her lap as my Father pointed a gun toward her as he sat on the couch.

"What are you doing in my house?" I sneered keeping my gun directed at him

"Hello to you too son." He replied

"Put the gun down," I demanded as Houston quietly made his way to a corner where he could make a clear shot if need-be

"You first, Commander." He said teasing at the fact my rank was now higher than his

"This isn't a game. You're pointing a gun at the right person you can killed because of." I promised as I made my way closer to where he sat

"My boy has been a Navy Seal for too long I see. You must think you're such a big man now. You're nothing." He said as my nose flared in anger

I wasn't angry with the name calling, I was used to it. But the fact the love of my life was sitting on the floor in tears and I couldn't get to her without neutralizing this situation first had me beyond the point of hostility.

"You married this chic?" He then asked with a chuckle

"Put the gun down!" I then yelled

He then stood up and put the gun onto the coffee table and said, "This ones more like your Mother, definitely fought a little more though"

I then put my gun on the kitchen counter and charged toward him quickly slamming him to the floor before punching him in the face repeatedly as hard as I could.

"Colton!" Dinah and Houston began to call as I blacked out

I was never going to get this image out of my head. Him holding her at gunpoint as she cried silently most likely fearing for her life.

"I should fucking kill you!" I yelled grabbing my gun and pointing it to his head as he did my wife

Houston then pulled me off of him as I tried to charge for him again before Dinah called my name one last time causing me to walk toward her handing Houston the gun before I wrapped my arms around her tightly.

"Houston, call the police please," I asked him as he nodded and ran outside to get his phone which he left in his car

"I guess that rank-up didn't mean anything. They're going to kick your stupid ass out now." My Father said as he coughed up blood

"Fuck you and the Military!" I rebutted angrily meaning every word

The Military didn't mean nearly as much as she does to me and if I did have to choose between the two It'd be her.

"Baby, are you okay?!" I then asked causing her to nod as she said, "Yes. I'm just pretty sure he broke Max's leg so we have to get him checked out."

My jaw did nothing but tighten when she told me that. That alone let me know Max was trying to protect her.

I then wiped her eyes and pulled her back into my arms as I began breaking down, "I'm so sorry Dinah. This is all my fault..." I cried

"No, it isn't. It's fine. I'm fine." She replied pulling away slightly to look me in the eyes

"I'm so sorry," I said again kissing her forehead

She then placed her hands on my cheeks and wiped my eyes as she said, "It's okay, baby, I promise."

I couldn't bring myself to contest the matter anymore but instead, hold her close.

"I love you." She then said as she leaned against my chest

"I love you," I replied kissing her head

"They're on their way!" Houston said

"Thank you, man," I replied causing him to nod

"You good, Dinah?" He then asked her

"Yes, thank you too." She said with a small smile

Max then began crying again as we both began to walk over to him. I then sat next to him and gently rubbed his back, "Thank you, buddy, I appreciate you."

"Me too. I love you cutie, I promise we are gonna get your arm better." Dinah then said before she kissed his head

A/N: This chapter was intense. Started super sweet too but if you've read any of my other books you know I'm known for this. 😂

How'd you all like it? How did you all like the guys' conversation about Colton's happiness? What about the prank the guys and Dinah pulled on him that he's just finding out about? 😂🤣 Also, Colton trying to make Dinah's day after she got sick😩🤧 And his Father? Do you all think there's something Dinah will reveal when she tells the full story that will hurt Colton more? Remember to vote, comment, share and add to your library!! Love yaaa🖤🖤🖤

Oh yeah and here's a inspo pic of Dinah's back tattoo. Only thing difference is hers has words in Japanese on the right shoulder. 😊