Compromising Read online

  The door opened, and Mitchell came walking in. “Yes, First Sergeant.”

  “I need you in here.” He stepped over to his desk, then pulled out a couple of papers. “Sergeant Cruz, you are being charged with fraternization and assault. You have the right to remain silent. Any statement you make may be used as evidence against you in a trial by court-martial. You have the right to consult with legal counsel. This legal counsel may be a civilian lawyer retained by you at your own expense, a military lawyer appointed to act as your counsel without cost to you, or both. Do you understand these charges and your rights?”

  “Yes, First Sergeant.” The low rumble of my voice shook my core. Anger brewed with every passing second.

  “Here is your formal charge sheet, laying out the charges against you and stating that you have been informed and that you understand. I’ll need you to sign here.” He laid the paper down on the desk and sat his name engraved pen down next to it.

  A firestorm grew inside of me. I knew what I was getting myself into when I embarked on my pursuit of Cassie, but now that shit was hitting the fan, and O’Hara—a man who I’d previously held so much respect for—had turned into such a supreme jackass. I signed the document, then angrily dropped the pen, and stepped back.

  “You will be held on barracks restriction pending court-martial where you will be watched over and escorted by a Staff NCO at all times. I can’t trust the NCOs because it seems you have their blind allegiance to you. Do you see what you have done to my company?”

  I didn’t respond. There was nothing else for me to say.

  “You will report to Gunny Chavez once you are done with legal. You will no longer be used in an instructor billet, and you are to stay away from Pfc. Bennett. Do you understand that?”

  I nodded my head, leaving out the courtesy of a verbal answer.

  “Now get the fuck out of my office. Staff Sergeant Mitchell will escort you to legal where your counsel will instruct you on what is next for you.”

  He turned and walked back to his desk, plopping down in the chair and picking up the phone. I turned and walked out, with Mitchell by my side. He looked me over, his eyebrows furrowed and his mouth pulled into a tight line, no doubt wondering how I was able to remain so calm after the ass chewing that I had just received, but I walked to the car and waited for him to get in and take me over to base legal. O’Hara, whether he’d wanted to admit to it or not, knew he couldn’t intimidate me. I could tell that I had him rattled with my admission about Cassie, and to see the shock spread across his face put a level of satisfaction inside of me that had me feeling triumphant.

  A quick drive across the base and we were in front of the base legal office. Mitchell got out of the car with me and walked me into the office, almost like a child being dropped off at school. This part of my punishment was beginning to piss me off.

  “Staff Sergeant Mitchell, I’m not going anywhere. You don’t need to walk me everywhere I have to go.”

  “I know, Sergeant, but I’m under orders.”

  “Orders,” I grumbled, then removed my cover and walked into the building. The office was quiet; only a few Marines and their wives were inside awaiting the processing of their Power of Attorney papers. A red-headed Lance Corporal stood at the front desk, signing everyone in as they entered the building. I signed in then took a seat, looking around at everyone and picturing me and Cassie in here one day for the same thing.

  “Sergeant Cruz,” the Lance Corporal called out, waking me from my thoughts.

  “Right here.”

  Mitchell stayed put in his seat, thankfully. I was beginning to worry that the guy would follow me to take a piss.

  “I’m Lance Corporal Nelson. I just need you to fill out these forms, and then Captain Hedlund will be out shortly to take you.”

  She slid a clipboard in front of me. I signed the forms then slid it back to her, and without saying another word, she took the forms and walked to the back offices. If I could get out of here and into a work environment, that would be the best thing for me. I didn’t want to go over every detail of my charges. I just wanted my mind occupied to keep it from wandering back to Cassie and settling on the worst.

  “Sergeant Cruz, I’m Captain Hedlund. Come on back.”

  I turned at the sound of his voice, then followed the short man back to his office. It was decked out in Marine Corps paraphernalia, his college degrees, and what looked like college football pictures.

  “So, you understand why you are here today?” he asked, taking his seat.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Since you are being charged with assault and fraternizing, my job is simply to minimize the damage and save your career. The fraternizing, from what I have been briefed on, is out in the open and confirmed by you. The assault…well, there are a few ways we can handle that.”

  “Sir, as I told First Sergeant O’Hara this morning, I’m not afraid of what will become of me and the fraternizing charge. She wasn’t just some student who I slept with. I love her, so the assault charge is stemming from that.”

  He stared at me then swallowed hard. I guess I had placed him in a pickle, but it worked because he dropped the formalities and sat back in his chair.

  “The rules are the rules, Sergeant. We all know them, and it is our duty to follow them. Now, with that being said, the fact that you and Pfc. Bennett have something more, could work in your favor. It could play on the judge’s human side, even for a second, and I fully intend to use that. I will tell you this, though. First Sergeant O’Hara is out for blood. He is a scorned man, and he wants the gauntlet dropped on you. Major Godinez will be trying your case, and he has a ninety-two percent success rate. I’m going to need everything I can get to try and combat that.”

  I wasn’t sure what he wanted—the deed had been done, and the dirty laundry had been aired. It was unclear how he would fight for me because a blind man could see I was guilty of what they were charging me with, but nonetheless, I listened to what he had to say.

  “When did you first come into contact with Pfc. Bennett?”

  “It was at a bar on the Friday before I picked up my new class.”

  “So you did not know that she was to be a student of yours?”

  “No, sir.”

  “What happened between you two that night?”

  “We danced for a while, that dance turned into a kiss, and probably would have turned into more if I hadn’t had to leave.”

  He studied me for a minute. “So, just to be clear, have you actually slept with Pfc. Bennett?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And when did that first occur?”

  “It was once she was my student.”

  He blew out a breath. It wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but I wasn’t about to lie about it. There was no need.

  “And this was a consenting encounter?”

  “Yes, sir, and I think you should know that Cassie is now my fiancé. Like I said, this isn’t some fly by night sexual encounter because I just wanted to sleep with a student. This girl is going to be my wife.”

  Captain Hedlund seemed placated by my words, nodding his head, putting me at ease. “Okay. I’m going to ask that the no contact order be lifted. I see no need in banning you since you are not the predator that First Sergeant O’Hara has painted you to be.”

  There was that word again… predator. It burned my ears just listening to it. I hated the fact that, with one little word, my entire being was set ablaze. It was a derogatory word if I’d ever heard one, and it certainly didn’t fucking fit me.

  “I’d appreciate that, sir. Can you tell me how she’s doing?”

  “I understand she’ll be released from the hospital within the next couple of days. She is still attached to the schoolhouse, awaiting orders to a unit here on this base. She’s needed for the investigation into the assault against her.”

  I nodded my head, feeling so much better after hearing that she was okay.

  “I’m going to try and salvage as m
uch of your career as I possibly can. From everything I’ve seen in your records, you are an exemplary Marine, and I am going to do my best at keeping it that way.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “You can head into work now. I’ll call you if there is anything I need to discuss with you.”

  “You’ll have to call the duty, sir. I don’t have my phone.”

  “Where is your phone?”

  “It was taken away from me.”

  “Hmm…All right, I’ll contact the duty if I need to speak to you this evening.”

  I stood and shook his hand, then turned and walked out of his office to my awaiting babysitter.

  ++++

  Staff Sergeant Mitchell took me to the schoolhouse, where a sudden rush of unease washed over me. The fact that First Sergeant O’Hara, a man I found to be pathetic in his own right, would be lurking around, was unsettling. I also didn’t feel like answering the shit ton of questions that I was sure would be heaved at me. This was probably the last place that I wanted to be.

  I walked into the instructor lounge and found Gunny Chavez inside. He looked up from his morning coffee and newspaper reading, and motioned for me to come and take a seat with him.

  “Good morning, Sergeant Cruz. How are you this morning?”

  “I’m all right, Gunny.”

  “Good to hear. I don’t think this comes as any surprise to you, but you will no longer be instructing. First Sergeant O’Hara had you removed from my instructor docket, so I will be placing you in Admin until all of this is settled.”

  I couldn’t have been more pissed. A desk bitch? Gunny Chavez always seemed so level-headed, so unless this assignment was coming from O’Hara, Gunny Chavez was about to be categorized right along with him. “Was this your decision, Gunny?”

  “No, I take my orders from First Sergeant.”

  I sat quietly, stewing on the inside. It seemed every which way that I turned First Sergeant O’Hara was doing something to make my life a living fucking nightmare.

  “Look, Alex. Fraternizing, as you already know, carries a heavy burden. I don’t pretend to know what I would do if I were in your shoes, but First Sergeant is pissed. And if anything, I would try and lay low, do what’s asked of you, and ride it out. I’ll do whatever I can to try and help you.”

  “I always do what’s asked of me, Gunny, and I’m ready to take my consequences. So whatever happens, happens.”

  He rubbed his hand over his mouth, looking over to me like I had somehow lost my fucking mind with no way of getting it back. “All right. Well, you’re to report to Admin. Stay out of trouble and ride it out.”

  “You’ve got my word.”

  I tapped the table then stood and walked out of the building. My heart stopped as I looked down the corridor and watched as the influx of students stood outside with the instructors, practicing for graduation. As much as I had gained by winning over Cassie, this part of my life was a painful loss. Not being able to see my class through to the end was a slap in the fucking face—one that stung badly.

  “Hey, Alex, I heard about Pfc. Bennett. Glad to hear she’s okay.”

  I was ambushed by Castillo as I was about to enter the Admin office. Not only was pushing papers not up my alley, but working in close proximity to her was just another reason to hate life at the moment. I couldn’t be sure that she wasn’t the loose lips who’d spilled the beans to O’Hara.

  “Pfc. Bennett is just fine.”

  I grabbed the door handle and turned, but she stepped closer and placed her hand on the door. “I know shit went down with us, Alex, but I’m not cold hearted. I was mortified when I heard what had happened to her, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

  “Well, thank you, but like I said, she’s fine.”

  “And what about you? You can’t be fine with all of this.”

  I turned and looked at her, ready to tell her to piss off, but once again finding the strength to refrain. “I’m just fine, Leti. I knew what was at stake, and I carried through. Now I’m dealing with the fallout, and I’m okay with that. If you’d excuse me, I need to check in so that I can get to work.”

  She placed her hand on my arm, keeping me from making my way inside. “I’m worried about you, Alex. First Sergeant O’Hara pressed us hard when he questioned us. I don’t think he’s going to let up on you.”

  “Leti, let me explain one thing to you. The only thing that matters right now is Cassie and her well-being. As long as she is doing better, I don’t really see a reason to worry about the negatives. Now if you’d excuse me, I have a fucking boring, paper-pushing work day to get started on.”

  I removed her hand from my arm, then opened the door and made my way inside. The Admin Chief greeted me, then took me to a filing area where a mountain of files were waiting to be filed away. “Have at it, Sergeant. Holler if you need me,” Gunny Rawls said before leaving me to the most boring thing that they could have assigned me to.

  This was worse than sitting in my barracks room—my prison cell. At least there I didn’t have watchful, prying eyes, looking and judging. And I knew that some stupid motherfucker was just waiting for the opportunity to ask me questions that were sure to set me off. No one was genuinely concerned about Cassie; they just wanted in on the breaking scandal that was unfolding before their eyes. I needed to get lost in this idiot’s job and keep to myself. Making my way back to Cassie was the only thing on my mind, and if I had to avoid other living souls to make sure that happened, I was hell bent on doing it.

  Chapter 2

  Cassie

  Getting out of the hospital had become my focal point. I hated the constant back and forth from the nursing staff, the vital checks, and the horrendous food. But most of all, two things bothered me most: my mother’s impromptu visit and missing Alex.

  It felt surreal to know that with one word I had forever changed my life with Alex. But that change was certainly for the better. Six weeks before, I would never have imagined that my life would have shifted so drastically, but it had, and I couldn’t be more thankful. But, of course, his ongoing problems with the Marine Corps weighed heavily on me.

  Was it honorable that Alex had basically given everything up for me?

  Absolutely.

  But on the same token, I didn’t take what he had done and what he had given up for me lightly. This was six years, a promotion, and a career down the tubes because of our attraction.

  It was undeniable and fierce.

  It was painful at times and pleasurable at others.

  It was everything that I had always wanted and then some. Alex Cruz was more than a lover. He was a protector, a friend, a confidant, and soon he would be my husband.

  But before we could get to our happily ever after, we had some murky waters to wade through, and the first order of business was my mother. I was at a complete loss as to why she had come to my side, only to berate me and try to make me feel like a piece of shit. Prior to joining the Corps, and certainly before Alex, her words would have worked on me. I would have caved under the pressure of her venomous tongue, and either allowed her to tear me down, or fought back.

  Now, all I wanted was for her to just leave me alone. I didn’t want to entertain her. I didn’t want to have anything to do with her. And I made my wishes known shortly after Alex was led out by Gunny Chavez and Gunny Bokowski.

  ++++

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to focus through tear streaked eyes.

  My mother turned her hateful gaze on me, smiling as she took in my anguish.

  “I told you. The hospital called. I knew whatever it was, it was something you had done, and whether you meant for it to happen or not, I had to come.”

  “Excuse me? You didn’t know whether I meant for it to happen? You can’t decide if I wanted an angry, hateful guy to beat my ass and come close to raping me? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  “Cassie, you and I both know that you like to play the victim card. And by the looks of things, i
t seems you’ve already gotten your boyfriend hook, line, and sinker. The way he looked at me with such contempt in his eyes tells me that you’ve laid it on thick where I’m concerned.” She plopped down in a chair. “I don’t really give a rat’s ass. I think the predicament that you’ve found yourself in speaks for itself.”

  “You are a piece of work. You spent six hours on the road for what? To come here and try and tear me down. Well, you’ve wasted your time. Why don’t you go and find a liquor store and wash down your pharmacy of pills? I’m surprised you aren’t shaking from withdrawals right now.”

  Her hatred flared up in her eyes again, and she was just about to say something else when there was a knock on the door.

  “Hey! How are you doing?” Dalton cheerfully asked, before noticing my expression and dropping his own smile. “Did I come at a bad time?”

  I rolled my eyes. “No, you came at just the right time. Emmalyn was just leaving.”

  “Does your boyfriend know about this one? Are you opening your legs for him too?”

  “Whoa! Who are you?”

  “This is my sorry excuse for a mother, and she was just about to walk her ass right back out of my life.”

  “Emmalyn Bennett,” she said, reaching her hand out for his. Dalton’s eyes drifted down to her hand, but he never reached his out to meet her. “Please tell me you aren’t fucking my daughter too? I’d like to think that I raised her with some sort of decency.”

  “You didn’t fucking raise me. I raised myself. A doped up mom can’t raise anything or anyone.”

  “Okay, It’s best for you to leave,” Dalton said. His skin flushed crimson red as his eyes angrily pinned her down.

  My mom took a long look at him, then over to me. She let out a sinister laugh. “I’ll be staying at the Best Western right off base. I’ll see you when they finally let you out of here.” She brushed past Dalton, then turned around. “It’s hard to be sympathetic when you just can’t seem to learn from your mistakes, Cassie Lynn.”