Chapter 202

Chapter 202
Claire's POV

Six Months Later

I pulled my car into the Seattle University visitor parking lot, checking my watch. Daniel had missed our lunch date, and he wasn't answering his phone. Three calls, straight to voicemail. This wasn't like him. Daniel was never late, and he always picked up my calls, even if it was just to say he couldn't talk.

I walked toward the Military Research Center, a gray concrete building with the American flag flying high above it. The parking lot was half-empty, but two armed guards stood at the entrance, looking serious in their dark uniforms.

"Excuse me," I said, approaching the checkpoint. "I'm looking for Daniel Brown. He's a doctoral student here."

The guard eyed me suspiciously, taking in my Burberry suit and heels. "Do you have an appointment, ma'am?"

"No, but I'm his wife."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. No one enters without proper clearance or an escort," the guard replied firmly.

I sighed, feeling frustration build in my chest. "Could you at least check if he's inside? His name is Daniel Brown. He works with Professor Colton Briggs."

At the mention of Colton's name, the guard's expression changed slightly. He picked up a phone, spoke quietly, then turned back to me.

"Professor Briggs is actually on his way out. You can wait here if you'd like to speak with him."

I nodded, stepping back to wait. A few minutes later, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair pushed through the glass doors. He wore khaki pants and a navy blazer with elbow patches—the quintessential professor look.

"You asked for me?" he said, approaching with a curious expression.

"Professor Briggs? I'm Claire. I'm looking for Daniel Brown."

His eyebrows shot up in recognition. "Ah, Daniel's wife. He's mentioned you." He glanced at his watch. "He's currently involved in a tactical exercise with the graduate team. Should be wrapping up soon. Would you like me to take you to him?"

"Yes, please," I replied, straightening my jacket. "I'd appreciate that."

Colton signed me in as his guest, and we walked through the security checkpoint. The hallways inside were lined with photos of military operations and framed quotes about honor and service. A large banner hung in the main corridor reading "Honor, Courage, Commitment" in bold letters.

We pushed through a set of double doors leading outside to a large field. Two teams in combat gear—one with red armbands, the other with blue—were engaged in what looked like a simulated battle exercise.

"That's quite an outfit for visiting our little combat zone," Colton said with amusement, nodding at my heels sinking into the grass.

I smiled tightly. "I wasn't planning on a detour to a battlefield today."

"It's not easy, you know, building a life with someone from his background. Different worlds entirely."

I turned to face him directly. "Are you warning me away from him, Professor?"

He laughed. "Not at all. Just curious if you can adapt to his world as much as he's trying to adapt to yours."

"I've found that with enough determination, there's nothing I can't adapt to."

Colton nodded thoughtfully. "I believe Daniel said something similar about you once."

Before I could ask what else Daniel had said, Colton pointed to the field. "Red team's about to execute their final maneuver. Daniel's their leader today."

I scanned the figures moving across the field. Even in identical gear, I spotted Daniel immediately. His movements were fluid and precise, completely different from the gentle way he touched me. Here, he moved like a predator—swift, calculating, almost ruthless.

"Red team will win," I said confidently.

Colton raised an eyebrow. "What makes you so sure?"

"Because Daniel's leading them," I replied simply.

Colton smiled. "I need to head back inside. You can watch from here if you like. They'll finish soon."

Left alone, I watched Daniel direct his team with hand signals I didn't understand. They moved in perfect coordination, like a deadly dance. Within minutes, the blue team's flag was captured, and whistles blew to signal the end of the exercise.

The teams gathered at the edge of the field, removing helmets and gear. Daniel's face was flushed, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. He looked different here—harder, more intense. This was a Daniel I rarely saw.

A woman with a short blonde ponytail approached him, handing him a water bottle. She was pretty in a natural way, wearing a medical insignia on her uniform. She stood too close to Daniel, her hand lingering on his arm as she spoke. My jaw clenched involuntarily.

"Great job today!" she said loudly enough for me to hear. "That final maneuver was brilliant."

"Thanks, Megan," Daniel replied, taking a long drink.

"We're heading to Emerald Pulse tonight to celebrate," a burly man announced to the group. "Megan, you should come too."

Megan smiled brightly. "I'd love to." She turned to Daniel. "Will you be there?"

Daniel shook his head. "Can't tonight. I have—" He froze mid-sentence, his eyes locking with mine across the field. Surprise, then warmth flooded his face.

I smiled and gave a small wave, enjoying the stunned expressions of his teammates as they followed his gaze.

Daniel jogged over to me, his team trailing behind curiously.

"Claire," he said, his voice a mix of confusion and pleasure. "What are you doing here?"

"You missed lunch," I replied. "And weren't answering your phone."

"Shit, I'm sorry. We've been in this exercise since morning. No phones allowed." He turned to his team. "Everyone, this is Claire Stanton, my wife."

The blonde doctor's—Megan's—smile froze.

"Your wife?" one of the men repeated. "Since when?"

"Nice to meet you all," I said, stepping forward and slipping my hand into Daniel's. His palm was rough and warm.

"You never mentioned you were dating someone," Megan said, her voice slightly higher than before.

Daniel squeezed my hand. "Didn't come up."

"You should both join us tonight," the burly man suggested. "Emerald Pulse at eight."

"That's sweet of you to include me," I said smoothly, "but I wouldn't want to intrude on your team time."

"It's no intrusion," Megan insisted, though her eyes said otherwise.

Daniel looked at me, then back at his team. "Rain check, guys. I owe Claire dinner first."

"I'd love to see more of the center before we go," I added, pressing closer to Daniel. "If you don't mind giving me a tour?"

"Sure," Daniel nodded, his arm wrapping around my waist.

As we walked away, I heard one of the men whistle softly. "Damn, Brown. How'd you land someone like that?"

I glanced back over my shoulder to see Megan watching us, her lips pressed into a thin line. I turned back to Daniel with a smile, feeling a rush of satisfaction.

"So," I said quietly, "Megan seems nice."

Daniel's arm tightened around me. "She's just a teammate."

"Mmhmm," I hummed, not believing him for a second.

"I meant to call you about lunch," he said, changing the subject. "Colton asked me last minute to be assistant instructor for the tactical course. It's a big opportunity."

I leaned into him, inhaling his scent—sweat and something distinctly Daniel. "It's fine. I got to see you in action instead. It was... educational."

He looked down at me, his eyes darkening. "Educational?"

"Very." I smiled up at him. "I had no idea you were so... commanding."

The corner of his mouth twitched. "There's a lot about me you haven't seen yet."