“That was bullshit. I’m fine.”
“Bullshitting a superior officer is grounds for dismissal.”
Hud scrubbed a hand down his face, caught in his own trap.
“You have a perfect record, Hudson. Your bravery in combat has been noted time and again. Your ability to survive in extreme circumstances and to defeat our enemies is part of what makes you an exemplary SEAL. I’m willing to overlook your involvement with Ms. Anwar, because your feelings toward her seem genuine, and I want to keep you on Team Twelve. I need more men like you, to be honest.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You’re not off the hook yet. You need to take some time off to recover. Get a full physical with a psych eval. If you’re cleared, you can go back to Armenia and visit this girl. Make sure you’re making the right decision.”
Hud rose to his feet. “I’ll get a physical right away.”
“I’m grounding you for three weeks. No travel.”
Hud nodded and thanked him again. He could handle a few weeks of rest, and he knew he’d ace his physical. He’d never felt better. Doheny wasn’t going to punish him for a minor violation, because Hud had taken out a very high profile target. This was a huge score for the SEALs. Sometimes results mattered more than methods.
The biggest challenge now was convincing Layah to marry him.
Chapter 22
Layah did her best to settle into a quiet life in Armenia.
Her parents lived in Verin Dvin, a small community on the outskirts of Yerevan. It boasted about three thousand residents, the majority of whom were Assyrian. The schools taught lessons in Assyrian, Armenian and English. Ashur fit right in, to Layah’s relief.
He’d been a good student in Syria. He had an ear for languages, like his father. After his parents died, Ashur had lost interest in school. He’d often refused to go to class when it was in session. The lack of resources and general instability in Iraq had chipped away at his desire to learn. Layah had given up on making him attend regularly.
In Verin Dvin, there was a real schoolhouse, a nice brick building surrounded by green football fields. The playground was full of noisy children. There were books and desks and even a gymnasium. When she brought Ashur to the office for registration, the headmaster was thrilled by his fluency in English. He’d asked if Ashur wanted to get started right away. He’d shrugged an agreement, and that was that. He’d fallen in with a group of rowdy boys who lived in her parents’ neighborhood. They created mischief, but it was tolerable mischief.
Aram found work on a farm, and Oshana was serving drinks at a local pub. He didn’t approve of her job, so there was tension between them. They argued passionately and made up on a daily basis. Layah predicted a child in their immediate future.
Sadly, there was no child in hers. She’d hoped there would be, despite the timing, but her monthly cycle came as expected.
Yusef and Nina had stayed in Yerevan. Layah would have to return to the city at some point to inquire about her career options. There were online records of her transcripts from Damascus University. She didn’t know if the units were transferrable, or if she had any hope of securing a position at a local hospital. Not being fluent in Armenian was a major obstacle. It would be easier to complete her residency in the United States. Medical professionals with her language skills were in high demand there, and she could apply for student loans for any additional schooling. Here, she was at a disadvantage.
On Sunday, nearly a month after they’d arrived, her parents hosted a picnic lunch in the park. Yusef and Nina came in from Yerevan. Layah and Ashur had been staying in her parents’ cottage, along with Aram and Oshana. There weren’t enough rooms for everyone, but they made it work.
Layah sat on the blanket she’d brought and watched Aram play football with Ashur. For all Aram’s faults, he was a natural father figure. Ashur needed someone like him to wrestle around with. She felt a pang of sorrow for Hasan, who would never see his son grow up. Ashur was adjusting to their new home better than she’d expected. Now that Al-Bayat was dead, the boy’s need for vengeance had faded.
They didn’t speak of Hudson. Layah was afraid to say his name, for fear that her own longing would swallow her whole.
She’d prayed that her feelings for him would ebb away. She’d hoped for a swift recovery from heartbreak. She’d achieved her goal of escaping Iraq and finding a better place. She’d worked so hard to get here. But she couldn’t enjoy her accomplishment. She’d been as listless as a lovesick schoolgirl, daydreaming about a romantic reunion.
She hadn’t heard from him since they parted ways. She’d wanted a clean break, but it still hurt. He’d claimed to love her. He’d sworn to come back to her. He’d said he’d do anything for her.
She rested on the blanket and closed her eyes, wishing she’d been wrong about him. Wishing she didn’t care.
A shadow fell over her, blocking out the sun. She squinted up at a man with broad shoulders standing next to her blanket. He was holding a bouquet of flowers. She straightened abruptly, her lips parted in shock.
“William.”
He knelt beside her, handing her the flowers. Fresh tulips. Her heart lodged in her throat as she accepted the bouquet. She wanted to throw her arms around him and never let go, but she restrained herself. What if he’d come to say goodbye? His face was tense, and he wasn’t smiling. “Layah.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to visit.”
“You didn’t call.”
“You told me not to.”
She stared at the colorful bouquet, blinking tears from her eyes. She’d told him not to make promises he couldn’t keep. She hadn’t wanted him to string her
