He stopped a mere two feet in front of me.

Then, in full view of my corrupt father, my cruel sister, and two hundred of the most powerful people on the eastern seaboard, Admiral Reed drew his shoulders back, raised his right hand, and executed a flawless, knife-edge salute.

“Captain Harrington,” Admiral Reed barked, his voice echoing like cannon fire.

“Welcome home.”

The ballroom went completely, terrifyingly dead quiet.

Celeste’s triumphant smile vanished instantly, replaced by a slack-jawed mask of total incomprehension.