Chapter 1 - The Combat Entrance
I walked into my fourteen-year-old brother’s custody hearing wearing full Navy SEAL combat gear—and my own parents looked at me like I was a disgrace. Their expensive attorney laughed at my uniform, stepped into my face, and sneered, “Take off the costume, little girl.” Then he put his hands on me, and years of elite training reacted before I could even think.
The massive oak doors of the Cook County family courtroom swung open, and every head turned toward me. My combat boots struck the marble floor with sharp, heavy echoes as I marched down the aisle, still covered in dust from an assignment I had barely returned from.
I’m Lieutenant Commander Maya Sterling, and I hadn’t been given so much as five minutes to change.
I was still wearing desert digital camouflage, a heavy Kevlar chest rig, and my ballistic helmet. Secured across my chest was my M210 sniper rifle, cleared and marked with a bright orange safety flag, but judging by the expressions around the room, nobody cared about the distinction.
My father was seated at the front table. The instant he saw me, a smug little grin appeared on his face.
My mother’s reaction hurt more.
She covered her face with both hands and sighed as if my very existence embarrassed her. To them, I was still the rebellious daughter who had rejected their money, their expectations, and the privileged life they had planned for me.
But I wasn’t there for them.
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I was there for Toby.
My parents had spent months fighting over custody of my little brother, but I knew exactly what this battle was really about. Toby had inherited a multimillion-dollar trust fund, and whoever controlled his life could gain enormous influence over that money.
