Once Upon a Snowball Fight Book 2
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Arri Stone
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202K
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36
Chapter 1
CHARLOTTE
Book 2: Distant Hearts
I was leaving my parentsā home for the first time, and I found myself longing to go back. My mom, usually so tough, had shown a softer side. I could sense she was carrying a lot of pain from her past that she hadnāt shared with me.
My dad suggested giving her time. The journey back to the city took me five hours, longer than usual due to the snow. Tired and weary, I finally arrived at Claireās place, where I had planned to stay temporarily.
Claire, who worked at a reception desk, had kindly offered me a place to stay until I found something more permanent. I lugged my suitcase, still wrapped with the two bungee cords from Jackson, and two bags through Claireās front door.
āThank you so much, Claire. Iām sorry it was so last minute.ā
āIām sorry too. I thought Scott was a good guy?ā
I had only given Claire a brief rundown of why I left Scott and my urgent need for a place to stay.
āHeās not what he seems. Heās all about appearances. Heās in so much debt, I donāt know how heās managing his current living situation,ā I said, catching my breath as I sat down.
Claire chewed her bottom lip, looking uncomfortable. āI heard he asked Tamzin to move in with him in the new year,ā she said, looking down.
I was taken aback. āWell, that was fast. He was sleeping with her behind my back,ā I said, shaking my head.
Claire looked shocked. āOh my god, thatās terrible. Iām so sorry, I had no idea,ā she said, covering her mouth.
āYeah, Scott has a knack for getting what he wants, no matter how unethical,ā I said.
I filled Claire in on everything that had happened over the Christmas holiday, including my relationship with Jackson. I told her how amazing it felt to be with him and how deeply I had fallen for him.
The thought of him brought tears to my eyes. He had called me briefly before leaving for his mission. When I mentioned the marines and their specialized group, The Recons, Claireās eyes lit up with interest.
She opened a bottle of wine, eager to hear more. I had forgotten how much of a man-eater Claire was, with her seductive charm and insatiable appetite.
JACKSON
The anticipation was building as I strapped on my parachute, ready to jump out of the plane with my team. We only found out our destination when a mission was called.
This time, we were tasked with extracting a corporal who had been caught trying to cross the Peruvian borders. Our intel confirmed he was being held near the coastline, along the Laramarca river near Chimbote.
I touched the necklace and ring Charlotte had given me, tucked under my uniform. I closed my eyes and pictured her face. My partnerās voice snapped me back to reality.
āJackson, are you ready?ā
Six of us were going in. Under the moonlight, we embarked on our covert mission. After I nodded, the plane doors opened, and we all jumped.
With night vision goggles, we landed together near the river, a clear area where we could regroup. We carefully collected all the parachutes and packed them away, leaving no trace.
If possible, we planned to retrieve them on our way out. Corporal Steve Walker instructed us to stick to the riverās edge. We communicated solely through hand signals, moving silently.
Walker and I were leading the team. I noticed movement ahead and signaled everyone to stop. I gestured for them to crouch down and hide in the bushes.
We held our breath as we heard footsteps approaching. Only our eyes were visible in the moonlight as we waited. I had a feeling we were getting close.
As two men passed by, Walker and I sprang into action. We covered their mouths and stabbed them in the neck, ensuring they made no sound.
We dragged their bodies to the side and checked them for radios or keys. Walker signaled for us to move further up, staying close to the river.
We were nearing the bunkers where the corporal was being held. Three guards were outside. There were no bushes near the bunker doors to provide cover. The darkness was our only shield.
The team took a wide angle, coming from behind to take out the three guards in a swift, calculated move. Not knowing what awaited us inside the bunker, I drew my gun and took a deep breath.
I slowly turned the door handle, cracking the door open just enough to peek inside. The passage was dimly lit, with stairs leading down to a larger corridor.
Walker and two others followed me down, while the remaining two stayed above. The corridor split in two directions. I listened down one corridor, then shook my head.
Walker did the same down the other corridor. Hearing faint voices, he cupped his ear and pointed down the corridor. We made our way to an open doorway, pressing our backs against the walls.
Walker held up his hand to signal us to wait as he used a mirror to see around the corner. He held up two fingers to indicate two men, then pointed to another closed door.
We prepared ourselves. Walker held up three fingers, counting down. On one, we moved. Walker and I took out the two men as the others followed, ready for anyone else who might come through the door.
We slit their throats before they could sound any alarms. Still in stealth mode, Walker listened at the next door. Hearing nothing, he tried the door handle.
His heart pounded like a drum as he eased the door open. It revealed a room beyond. Bullets whizzed past his head, causing us all to press ourselves against the walls.
Walker swung the door wide open, and a barrage of bullets flew our way before the door slammed shut again. Damn, weād just broadcasted our location.
Walker and I took positions on either side of the door, ready for the next move. I dropped to the floor, bracing myself as Walker prepared to swing the door open again.
This was no time to let panic set in or to let thoughts of Charlotte cloud my mind, but damn, her face kept flashing before my eyes. I had made her a promiseāI would return.
As the gunfire erupted once more, I pulled out my small mirror to get a count. By my estimate, there were at least three guys in the room, all armed and ready to take us down.
Walker continued to return fire down the corridor. I finally spotted the three men and held up my fingers to signal their number. Using the mirror, I was able to pinpoint their positions.
Walker and I had been in this situation many times before, and we knew each otherās signals like the back of our hands.
With lightning speed, we neutralized the trio and quickly moved down the corridor. The rough, uneven surface stretched out before us, forming a stark, jagged passage. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air as we approached another door.
A sense of dread washed over me as I opened it to nothing but silence. As we stepped into the room, the air thickened with an ominous vibe.
We were met with the sight of the corporal, lifeless. I couldnāt tell if he was dead or just barely hanging on.
Time was running out, and we knew we had to get out of there before it was too late.
