Instantly, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Something didn’t feel right. There was a tension in the coolish spring air, and he looked around. There was nothing amiss that he could see. Everything was where it belonged, and there was nothing there that he hadn’t seen before. The paranoia from Mexico must still be in his system. But he knew how to fix that. Anya.
He went to her back door and rapped on it gently, waited for a few minutes, then knocked again. Finally, Anya’s sleepy but nervous voice came through from the other side. “Who is it?”
“Anya, it’s me. Stryker. I know it’s early, but I couldn’t wait any longer to see you.”
He could envision her on the other side of the door, chewing on her lower lip, trying to decide what to do. Then, he heard the lock being released, and she was there, wearing an adorable pajama set, her hair tousled from sleep. With the light of her room beaming from behind her, he had a hard time seeing the gold flecks he knew were in her eyes. Then she motioned for him to come inside, and that was when he saw the handgun she held.
“Anya! What are you doing with a gun? Do you even know how to use it?”
She frowned, uncocked it smoothly, and slipped the safety back on. “I’ve lived with guns my entire life. Did you forget I grew up on a ranch?”
“Shooting a coyote or a rattlesnake is very different from having to use one to defend yourself from a person.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience,” Anya said softly, as she walked over to the side of her bed and opened her nightstand drawer, placing the gun inside.
“Anya, we have a lot to talk about.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “That might be the understatement of the year. I’ve missed you so very much. But I’m also terribly confused. Who sent me those awful photographs? And how are you mixed up in all of it? I’ve known all along you haven’t told me everything about your past. I never imagined it could involve something this horrific, though.”
“I just need you to listen. That’s all I’m asking of you. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, Anya, and I want to make up for those.”
Anya ran a hand through her hair and drew in a shaky breath. “Stryker…I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to believe. I want to trust you—I’ve always felt safe with you. But after this—”
He took a step toward her and grabbed one of her hands in his. “I’m a very private man. You know that about me. Talking about my past…about who I really am…it doesn’t come easy for me. Trust is a luxury I can rarely afford. But I want to trust you. I just…I just haven’t told you everything about my team and what we do.”
“What we do? So you are former DEA as well?” She didn’t sound terribly shocked.
“No. I’m… It’s very complicated. I don’t even know how to tell you everything. But you need to know the truth.”
Anya squeezed his hand and moved a step closer to him. “You can trust me, Stryker. There is nothing I want more than to know you. The real you.”
Stryker reached for her and pushed a piece of her wayward hair behind her ear. “All I’ve been able to think about is holding you again. I couldn’t wait to touch you again. It’s what’s gotten me through the last two weeks.”
“Stryker,” she whispered, her voice hoarse, and suddenly she had wrapped her arms around him, and he was burying his face against her neck, inhaling her sweet, intoxicating scent. He had dreamed of her, but his dreams couldn’t even come close to this.
She pulled back, her eyes searching his face as his thumb rubbed over her cheek. “I want to know you, Stryker. Everything. The good with the bad. I won’t judge you.”
His ex-wife had wanted to know everything too. And they had shared everything in the beginning. They had been lost in young love and had plunged forward without a care in the world. But he hadn’t realized he already had a first love, and that was the Navy SEALs. Soon his missions kept him away from home, and he poured his heart and soul into his work. And soon, young love wasn’t enough to hold them together anymore.
But Anya wanted to know everything. And she committed to him that she wasn’t going to judge him. If only she knew…
“I had to get clearance to be able to have this conversation with you. There are rules I have to follow in a situation like this.”
She looked at him with wide eyes. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m a Navy SEAL, Anya. My entire team is composed of Navy SEALs. We were handpicked to come undercover here in Hebbronville to try and take down some forces in Mexico and Central and South America that are threatening us here in the U.S. Our mission is to integrate into the community so we’ll be among the first to hear about anything brewing. Hebbronville is ideal because we’re close to Laredo and the border, and the chance of information passing through the surrounding communities is high. It is dangerous. And it’s dangerous for you to know about us. But you need to know, since someone is obviously reaching out to you too.” He stared at her intently, wanting her to understand the gravity of what he was saying.
Anya was staring at him with a mixture of confusion and anxiety. “Is that where you’ve been? You’ve been on a-a mission?”
“Yes,” he answered bluntly, watching her expression closely.
“Could you have been killed?” There was a slight tremor to her voice.
“Yes. But my team is really, really good. I never feel safer than when I’m working with them.” He gave her a slight smile, hoping to relieve some of her anxiety.
“Are all the missions like that? Where you could die?”
“We all take calculated risks with every assignment or mission. But we’re careful, Anya. And like I said, the team is good. We’re all trained by the best.” He brushed her hair back from her face again.
“Do you…do you kill other people?” She looked nervous and worried at the same time.
Stryker’s mind flashed to the bloodbath they had left in Mexico. Killing other people was putting it lightly. “Only when necessary,” he said softly. “It isn’t something I’m proud of, but sometimes we have no choice.”
“I could have lost you. Just like that.”
“You can’t think about it that way. This team is made up of some of the most highly trained Navy SEALs America has.”
She drew in a shaky breath. “Those pictures that were sent to me—is that what you were doing? Were you going after whoever had done those horrific things?”
Her eyes searched his face intently. She was smart, but then, he already knew that. “Yes.”
“Did you catch them?”
Stryker hesitated. They were all dead except for Jefe. “Most of them,” he said reluctantly. “There is more to be done, but for now our mission is complete.”
She swallowed hard and laid her head against his chest. He smoothed her long hair. This was what he had needed. This is where he had needed to be, with this woman in his arms.
“We stop the bad guys, Anya. That’s what our job is.”
“Why couldn’t you tell me before now? Why did you keep it secret?”
“I had to get approval from my commanding officer to tell you about everything. We’re undercover out here, and have to be very selective about who we bring into our circle. But the situation has changed with you being pulled into it. And I trust you. Because I want to have you in my life, and I know I can’t if I don’t share everything with you.” He looked down into her eyes, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“I have so many questions. And I have to admit I’m scared.”
“Why, bella? What are you scared of?”
“I’m scared for you and your men. But I’d be proud to serve my country backing up a man who’s doing what you do. I’d be proud to back you up as a rancher. I don’t care. I’m just proud of the man you are.”
Stryker felt lighter than he had since he’d seen her last. His hea
rt halted, then lurched forward. He needed her in his life, and she had just made it clear she wanted to be a part of it.
He turned her face up to his and dropped his head, molding his lips to hers. The taste of her was so incredibly sweet, and he finally felt like he was officially home. His kiss was soft and gentle until her tongue licked his lower lip and she moaned lightly.
He angled his mouth over hers and drew a gasp from her as he pulled her body tight against his body. His tongue swept into her mouth and tangled with hers, gliding back and forth, in and out, mimicking what he craved for their bodies to be doing. Her arms slid around his neck and up into his short hair, her fingernails digging into his skin.
It was his turn to moan, and he pulled her closer to him, allowing her to feel exactly what she was doing to him. He had never craved a woman as deeply as he craved Anya at that very moment. But it wasn’t fair to her. She needed her sleep, and he had to help Buzz and Phantom put together the debrief to be sent off immediately.
She deserved to be made love to slowly and passionately, to be treasured as the amazing woman she was. He pulled back from her gently, feathering kisses on her cheeks, then her nose, then each eyelid. “What does your day look like?” His voice was husky, showing the desire that raged within his body.
She sighed heavily. “Busy. I need to make my rounds to the ranches today. Then this afternoon is booked with appointments.”
“Can I come see you for lunch?”
She gave him an almost shy smile. “Yes. I would like that very much.”
“I have to get back to the ranch and finish drafting our debrief that goes to the admiral today. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t be able to get me to leave your side.”
“What makes you think I would want to?”
He groaned and placed a quick, fierce kiss on her lips. “I’ll be here around 11:30 to take you to lunch. Does that work?”
“Yes,” she whispered breathlessly.
“Good.” He smiled, then pressed one more kiss to her lips. “Now go back to bed and get some sleep. I’ll see you soon.”
As he was climbing back into his truck, the same icy feeling slipped down his spine and a chill spread over him. His eyes scanned the area thoroughly, but there was nothing. He was still on an adrenaline high from their mission. It would pass soon enough.
* * *
It was early—very early—in the morning, when there was a banging on her back door. Very few people knew that it was the entrance to her private quarters. She had thought only Stryker knew, but after Snap’s visit, she realized he also knew where her private quarters were located.
Fear jolted her wide awake. Who would be trying to get her attention this early in the morning? The next thought that crossed her mind brought on an even more intense fear. What if something had happened to Stryker? What if they needed to let her know, or if there was some way possible for her to help him?
Then her heart leapt for another reason altogether. What if it was Stryker? What if he’d changed his mind and had come back to spend the rest of the morning with her? Both joy and apprehension made her palms sweat and caused a fine tremor to set in her hands. She rolled over quickly and pulled her gun out of her nightstand drawer and flipped the safety off. She was shaking so hard, she nearly dropped the gun when another loud knock sounded at the door.
Her feet hit the cool tile of the floor as she shoved out of the bed quickly, holding the gun down at her side. She came to the door and paused, her grip tightening on the gun. “Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Anya. I’m sorry it’s so early, but I need to talk to you.”
She didn’t recognize the voice. Then again, it was so early in the morning, and she didn’t know very well what some of the men from Stryker’s ranch would sound like at this time of the day. Still, something pulled at her, warning her not to open the door.
“Come back in the morning. During office hours. Now is not the time to talk.” She wished her voice sounded firmer than it did. If it was one of Stryker’s men, there was nothing for her to fear. But if it wasn’t…
“It can’t wait that long. It’s important, Anya. It’s about Stryker.”
Anya’s hands began to shake harder. Stryker. He had just come back into her life. If anything had happened to him… She struggled with her conscience only a few moments longer before she unlocked the door. Before she could open it, the door slammed open against her, sending her staggering backwards.
A man she had never seen before strode toward her. Terror seemed to grip Anya, and she felt as if she were watching herself from a distance as she raised the gun with both hands and pulled the trigger. The smell of smoke and gunpowder surrounded her, filling her nostrils, and the man fell to the ground, grunting as the bullet struck him.
Anya’s shakes became so violent, she could barely hold the gun. I just shot a man! The man lay still on the floor, and her heart pounded in her ears. If she didn’t do something soon, he could very well die. She couldn’t be a murderer. She wouldn’t be a murderer.
She needed her phone. She needed to call the sheriff as quickly as possible. Turning, she began to race toward her nightstand for her phone, only to cry out in surprise when an arm stretched out and looped around her leg, yanking her to the ground.
Her knees hit the tile first, and then she pitched forward. She used her hands to break her fall, while one thing repeated in her head over and over. Don’t let go of the gun. Don’t let go of the gun! Somehow she was able to maintain control of the gun. She whirled around, aiming the gun again, but the man had raised himself to his knees, and with one hard strike with the back of his fist, he knocked the gun from her hands.
He’s going to kill me. Icy fingers slid down her back. This couldn’t be happening to her. I have to fight back. I can’t give up!
With a feral cry in the back of her throat, she lunged at him and scraped her nails down his face. He growled in fury and in pain and drew back his arm. She threw her arms up to protect herself and heard a harsh sound. Suddenly she realized it was the man’s laughter. But it didn’t last long. She heard the man get up, heard him swearing fluently in Spanish.
When she opened her eyes again, he stood above her, pointing her gun at her. There was an odd grin on his face. “You’re like a doctor, right?” he asked, his accent thick. How had she not noticed that when he’d spoken through the door? Had he disguised his voice to fool her? That seemed to be the only logical answer. Either that or she was losing her mind.
“I’m a veterinarian,” she answered, and damned her voice for trembling.
“Good. Then you can treat the wound you just gave me.” He reached down, and she flinched away from him. He chuckled, a sound that made Anya think of a horror film. He grabbed her by her arm and forced her to her feet. Anya did her best not to cry out, though she couldn’t prevent the grimace of pain on her face. It felt as if he were going to pull her arm from its socket.
When he had her on her feet, he pulled her close to him. “Now, you’re going to fix my wound, and you’re going to be a good girl the entire time, aren’t you?”
She glared at him. “I’m not a girl,” she spat, looking at him with disgust.
His hand tightened around her arm, and he sneered at her. “You’re my girl right now. And you’ll do as I say. Do you understand me?”
She was silent until he shook her. “Yes, I understand,” she growled.
A slow smile spread across his face. “I can see why he likes you. Your personality is very…appealing.”
Anya wanted to spit on him. If it weren’t for the ugly sneer on his face, the man might be thought of as attractive. With the fine features of his Spanish ancestry and a well-built body that he obviously worked hard to maintain, he could be considered quite the catch by many women. But his light hazel eyes were soulless, only revealing a deep-seated cruelty that made Anya’s stomach cramp in fear.
“I need to grab my supplies,” she said, attempting to turn from him, but his tight grip on her arm stopped her from moving. She looked back at him with exasperation. “I need to—”
“I’ll go with you,” he said firmly. “Lead the way, Anya.”
She hated the sound of her name on his lips. But with no other choice, she turned slowly and led him into her clinic, where she gathered gauze and a needle and thread and antiseptic. She hesitated for a few moments. “Did the bullet go all the way through?”
“Fortunately for you, yes. So you won’t need to dig around to try and find it. I’m sure you were looking forward to stabbing me with the instrument.”
The thought had crossed her mind. How could he have known? She swallowed hard and tried to gain control over her tremors. She needed to think. She had to get away from him, but she didn’t know how. At the moment, he held the upper hand. But maybe she could change that. She needed to change that. Because she had to warn Stryker there was a madman in town.
Chapter 25
She moved toward another drawer where she kept her sedatives and anesthesia. Just a small dose of horse sedative would be enough to knock him down. And then she would race to the only place she knew was safe: Stryker’s ranch.
He yanked on her arm, pulling her away from the drawer. “What are you getting?”
“Local anesthesia,” she lied. “It will numb the area that I’m going to need to treat.”
“Cute. Nice try, but I don’t think so, Doctor. I don’t need you sticking any needles in me.”
“It’s going to be incredibly painful.”
“Ah, sympathy from the bitch comes a little late. You already shot me, don’t you remember? If you were worried about me being in pain, you should have thought of that sooner.” He pulled her back toward her private quarters. She’d missed her chance.
He sat sideways on the bed and eyed her from her sleep-mussed hair to her bright pink toenails, and a slight smile curled his lips. Anya thought she was going to be sick.
A SEAL Never Quits Page 22