in Afghanistan and thousands of miles away from her. His leave was up and Dex was leaving frustrated and still single. He hadn’t been able to convince Elena to get married on Saturday and her parents had supported that decision. He also hadn’t gotten her to open up and tell him what was wrong so his tortured mind continued to come up with horrific possibilities.
When it was time to leave, she accompanied him to the airport with her parents. At boarding time, they stepped away and gave them privacy to say their goodbyes.
“Your outpatient therapy starts tomorrow. If you won’t talk to me or your folks, open up to your therapist. Whatever is bothering you, they can help. “
“I will, Dex.”
“Promise me, Elena.”
“I promis e mi am o .”
He pulled her close and whispered into her fragrant hair. “ Te amo , my beautiful slave.” He didn’t see how those words, which had previously warmed her heart as a sign of his affection, now haunted her in Luis’ voice. “I love you so much, Elena. Promise me you won’t do anything to harm yourself, ever again. I couldn’t stand it.”
“I promise, Sir. I know that isn’t the answer.”
“Good. I hate leaving you, but three months will fly by till I’m home again for the wedding. Only ten months until I’ll be home for good and we can start our life together.” A tear rolled down her cheek and he kissed it away.
“That sounds like a dream, Dex.”
“A dream come true, little light. Now, I expect you to email and text me every day. And, I will call or Skype every day I am able to.”
His flight was called again and he had to go. Reluctant to let her go, he captured her mouth in a deep, scorching kiss. He finally pulled away and guided her back to her parents who stood nearby. He shook Hector’s hand and gave Maria a big bear hug. With a parting “take care of my girl,” he was off to the passenger-restricted area. Before turning the last corner, he turned to look at her again. She waved at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Never one to put much credence into premonitions or portents of doom, he had to acknowledge the foreboding chill that crept up his spine.
When Dex returned to Afghanistan and re-joined his team, he was in a foul mood and his teammates gave him a wide berth. Before transferring to the military plane for the last leg of his journey, he had checked his email. In his inbox was a message from Elena.
Dear Dex,
I’m sorry I was too much of a coward to tell you to your face, but I can’t do this anymore. I am moving to California. I have taken a job as a back-up singer and the tour starts in four weeks.
I can’t let you sacrifice for me. I love you but I’m totally messed up. I promise I will stay in therapy and I promise I’ll never attempt to take my life again. I love you enough to let you go. Please find someone emotionally healthy. You deserve that.
I didn’t lie when I said I love you. I always will. I’m just not good enough for you.
Please be happy.
Elena
Chapter Five
Two years later
Elena waited patiently for Master Sean to meet her in the lounge. She had an audition scheduled and she and her band mates had been set up and waiting for at least thirty minutes. Suddenly, the double doors leading backstage and to the administrative areas swung open and Sean O’Brien came striding out.
He was tall, muscular and handsome beyond words, just like all the other team members. Elena often wondered what it was about the Special Forces that seemed to attract the most striking men. Men like Dex and Master Sean.
“Well, well, well… Elena Lopez. I haven’t seen you in years; how long has it been?” His eyes swept over her and she knew she was barely recognizable from the woman in his memories. She had cut her long dark hair into a short style and dyed it jet-black. The Goth stage makeup she wore was
When it was time to leave, she accompanied him to the airport with her parents. At boarding time, they stepped away and gave them privacy to say their goodbyes.
“Your outpatient therapy starts tomorrow. If you won’t talk to me or your folks, open up to your therapist. Whatever is bothering you, they can help. “
“I will, Dex.”
“Promise me, Elena.”
“I promis e mi am o .”
He pulled her close and whispered into her fragrant hair. “ Te amo , my beautiful slave.” He didn’t see how those words, which had previously warmed her heart as a sign of his affection, now haunted her in Luis’ voice. “I love you so much, Elena. Promise me you won’t do anything to harm yourself, ever again. I couldn’t stand it.”
“I promise, Sir. I know that isn’t the answer.”
“Good. I hate leaving you, but three months will fly by till I’m home again for the wedding. Only ten months until I’ll be home for good and we can start our life together.” A tear rolled down her cheek and he kissed it away.
“That sounds like a dream, Dex.”
“A dream come true, little light. Now, I expect you to email and text me every day. And, I will call or Skype every day I am able to.”
His flight was called again and he had to go. Reluctant to let her go, he captured her mouth in a deep, scorching kiss. He finally pulled away and guided her back to her parents who stood nearby. He shook Hector’s hand and gave Maria a big bear hug. With a parting “take care of my girl,” he was off to the passenger-restricted area. Before turning the last corner, he turned to look at her again. She waved at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Never one to put much credence into premonitions or portents of doom, he had to acknowledge the foreboding chill that crept up his spine.
When Dex returned to Afghanistan and re-joined his team, he was in a foul mood and his teammates gave him a wide berth. Before transferring to the military plane for the last leg of his journey, he had checked his email. In his inbox was a message from Elena.
Dear Dex,
I’m sorry I was too much of a coward to tell you to your face, but I can’t do this anymore. I am moving to California. I have taken a job as a back-up singer and the tour starts in four weeks.
I can’t let you sacrifice for me. I love you but I’m totally messed up. I promise I will stay in therapy and I promise I’ll never attempt to take my life again. I love you enough to let you go. Please find someone emotionally healthy. You deserve that.
I didn’t lie when I said I love you. I always will. I’m just not good enough for you.
Please be happy.
Elena
Chapter Five
Two years later
Elena waited patiently for Master Sean to meet her in the lounge. She had an audition scheduled and she and her band mates had been set up and waiting for at least thirty minutes. Suddenly, the double doors leading backstage and to the administrative areas swung open and Sean O’Brien came striding out.
He was tall, muscular and handsome beyond words, just like all the other team members. Elena often wondered what it was about the Special Forces that seemed to attract the most striking men. Men like Dex and Master Sean.
“Well, well, well… Elena Lopez. I haven’t seen you in years; how long has it been?” His eyes swept over her and she knew she was barely recognizable from the woman in his memories. She had cut her long dark hair into a short style and dyed it jet-black. The Goth stage makeup she wore was
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