Elise

by Angela Rush

  “I was stopped at the light when I was hit from behind. I assumed it was someone texting, you know?” Elise sighed. “I got out of my car and started to walk toward them, but when I saw the driver…I knew it wasn’t an accident.” Elise shudders as she remembers looking into his evil eyes. She had almost fainted as she thought she had seen a ghost. “He looked so much like him, like Hussan. I was so shocked. I thought I was seeing a ghost. My feet wouldn’t move at first. They were frozen to the ground. By the time I tried to run, they had taken me and one of the men was getting into my car.” Elise turns to face Warren then. “I’m so sorry I froze. I should have run back to my car and drove away before they could take me.”

  “Sweetheart, this is not your fault.” Warren cups her face with his hands. He doesn’t care that he is in front of his team and the SEAL team. “You did everything right. You kept your head and did what you had to do to survive until we could come for you.” Warren placed a soft kiss on her lips and then pulled her into his chest. Elise melts into him for a moment.

  “How did you all get here so quickly? You were gone on a mission.” Elise looks around the room at all the men gathered sitting around the table.

  “I had just gotten home, when Hawk called me to tell me you had been taken.” Warren informs her. “You parents called him in a panic when they couldn’t find you.” Warren chuckled sarcastically. “Your parents may not like me, but they knew we could find you and bring you home again.”

  “Oh, Warren you must be so tired. When have you slept?” Elise’s eyes are full of concern and worry. That was just like his woman to be worried about him instead of herself. She was the one that had been kidnapped, dragged across the country, and been witness to the death of her captors. The men in the room chuckled at her questions. She glared at them which only made them laugh harder. “This is not funny.” Elise spits with fire in her voice. That just sends the men over the edge. The raucous male laughter fills the room. Even Commander Hurt joins in their mirth. Elise continues to frown at Warren and his friends which makes it harder for Warren to get himself under control.

  “I’m sorry, Sweetheart.” Deadeye tries to speak around his laughter. “You are worried about me, when you were the one kidnapped. You should be hysterical and freaked out by what happened, not worrying about me.”

  “I was freaked out. I’m not going to lie about that.” Elise whispers like it’s a big secret. “I couldn’t believe that this shit had happened to me again, but now…I have no reason to be freaked out. You came for me just like I knew you would. So now I can be worried about you and your lack of sleep.” Warren can’t help himself. He pulls her into his arms again and kisses her long and deep. Only Commander Hurt’s demand brings him out of his lust.

  “Could we finish this up?” Commander Hurt smirks at Deadeye when he breaks the kiss to look at him. “I’m sure we all have better things to be doing.”

  “I’m sorry.” Elise blushes profusely. “Um…where was I?” She pauses as she tries to recall what she had already told them. “Oh yes, I was thrown into the back of their SUV. They drove for a while before stopping at a warehouse. They left me in the SUV while we were there. I’m not sure what they were doing. Anyway, after a while they got back in and drove us to the airport. They pulled up to a hanger. A plane was waiting just outside. They drug me onto the plane. When we got here, they put me in another vehicle. They never really spoke to me. Once we got to the cabin, they let me have something to drink, but still wouldn’t talk to me. I did overhear them talking once. The man I thought was Hussan is his brother. He was very angry that his brother had been killed. He was going to finish what his brother had started.” Elise paused and shivered. “They were planning on taking me to Mexico where they had some allies. Thankfully you found me before they made their next move. They had planned to stay in the cabin a few days to weeks. I heard them say they wanted to let the heat of my kidnapping calm down before they tried to cross the border. They heard a noise outside and one of the men took me into the bedroom and tied me to the bed. He left and few moments later I heard a couple of loud bangs. Then the pop, pop of gunfire. Then you were there, Warren. Saving me again from terrorists.” Elise huffs out the breath she had been holding.

  “Thank you, Elise. I think that’s enough for now.” Commander Hurt announces to the room. “How about you go and get something to drink, while we finish up in here.” He was dismissing her so she wouldn’t have to listen to the accounts of how the men were eliminated. Elise didn’t want to leave Warren for even a minute, but she knew the fastest way to be with Warren was to comply. She rose to leave the room, when Warren gripped her hand.

  “It won’t take us long, sweetheart. I’ll be out as soon as I can.” Elise nods at him and turns to head for the door. Commander Hurt walks her to the door. He leads her out and down the hall to another room. When they enter the room, several women are sitting in the room. Commander Hurt immediately makes the introductions.

  “Elise Sommers. I would like you to meet some of the wives of my SEAL team. Caroline is Wolf’s wife.” A very pretty woman with brown hair rose and came to give her a hug. “This is Summer, Mozart’s wife.” A beautiful blonde came up next and gave her a hug. “And this is Cheyanne, Dude’s wife.” An equally beautiful woman as the rest with dark long hair came to give her a hug. “Ladies I’ll leave you to tend to Elise until we are finished with the briefing. Thanks for coming.” Commander Hurt then turned and left the women alone.

  “Oh, Elise! Are you ok?” Caroline asks as soon as the Commander had left the room. The women had gathered around her with concern in their eyes. “Wolf didn’t tell us what was happening, just that there would be a woman that would need a friend.” The women were smiling at her.

  “I’m alright.” Elise tries to assure the women. “I was kidnapped for the second time and the men came and saved me, again.” At the raised eyebrows Elise decides she needs to give a little more explanation. “I was taken while working for the Red Cross at a refugee camp near Syria. Warren and his team saved me and brought me home. Then while Warren was on a mission, I was taken a second time by the brother of my first kidnapper.” Elise huffs at the memories. She feels the tears welling in her eyes. She doesn’t want to cry. She had promised herself she wouldn’t break down over this. She was safe. Warren was here. Everything was going to be fine, so why did she suddenly feel so weak and weepy? The concern and knowing looks from the women in the room weren’t helping her keep her emotions under control.

  “Who’s Warren?” Cheyenne asks. Elise frowns at her, then realizes she must only know him by his nickname.

  “He goes by Deadeye to his team.” Elise explains as the women all nod their understanding.

  “Honey, listen. We have all been in your situation or at least something similar. It’s ok to be a little shaken up.” Summer informs her. “Don’t try to hold it in. It will only drive you crazy.”

  “So, you’re with Warren?” Caroline smiles at her knowingly. Elise blushes but nods in agreement. “We met him and the rest of the team a year or so ago when Hawk rescued and fell in love with Charlotte. How are their twins?” Elise knew Caroline was trying to get her mind off her ordeal and she was thankful.

  “They are adorable. I love going over to their place and spending the day with Charlotte and the boys.” Elise beams as she recalls her visits with them. “Charlotte is expecting again. Did you know?” The women shake their heads to the negative. “Yeah they are expecting a girl this time. They are so excited, but Charlotte gets tired easily. I didn’t have anything else to do while Warren was training and working so I would go over several days a week. I have gotten so attached to the boys.”

  The women settle into chairs and sip on coffee while they chat. Elise is surprised at how comfortable she is around these women. They share bits of their histories with her about how they met their men. Elise is suddenly feeling inadequate next to these women. Cheyenne had met Dude when a bomb had been strapped to her not once, but twice
. Summer had been kidnapped by a serial killer and had to watch as he tortured another woman. Caroline had saved a plane of innocent people because she smelled something wrong with the ice in their drinks. Elise was amazed at how bravely these women had been when faced with adversity. She knew she wasn’t in league with them. She had been frightened out of her mind the whole time. Her musing is interrupted when the men from both teams enter the room.

  Warren immediately takes her into his arms when he enters the room. Elise buries her face into his chest and inhales his unique scent. He runs his hand down the back of her hair in soothing motions. “You alright, sweetheart?” Elise nods and raises up to look at him. He places a quick kiss on her lips before turning to the women that had been keeping her company. The women were standing nearby with their men’s arms around them.

  “Thanks for coming to keep Elise company while we did the debrief.” Warren says to the women.

  “No need to thank us, Warren.” Caroline says with a smirk.Deadeye’s eyes widen in surprise. Apparently, the men preferred to go by their nickname, not their given name. “Elise is a lovely woman and is welcome here anytime. We all know what she has been through. We just wanted to help any way we could.” Caroline smiles at Elise.

  “Thanks, Caroline. I really appreciate you, Cheyenne, and Summer being here for me. I would have been a wreck waiting all alone for them to finish up.” Elise shares a warm smile with the women. Wolf and Hawk have been talking quietly while the exchange was going on. When they turn back to the group, they let everyone else in on their conversation.

  “How about everyone comes to our house for a meal before you guys head back to North Carolina?” Wolf asks the room. Many of the men nod in agreement. They all begin to move toward the doors. Warren stops Hawk before he can get out the door.

  “Elise needs to call her parents and let them know she’s alright. We’ll be down in a minute ok?” Hawk nods in agreement. Warren pulls his cell phone out of his pocket and pulls up Elise’s father’s number. After clicking on the number, he holds the phone to his ear listening to it ring. Her father picks up on the second ring.

  “Mr. Sommers, Elise is safe.” Warren pauses as he listens. “She’s right here, sir. I’ll let you talk to her.” Warren hands Elise the phone.

  “Hi, Dad.” Elise speaks into the phone. “I’m alright. No, they didn’t hurt me, thankfully. Warren and his team got to me in time.” Elise pauses as she listens to her father. “Dad tell Mom I’m fine. I can hear her freaking out in the background.” Elise sighs as she waits for her Dad to relate the message. “Listen Dad, I need to go. I’ll let you know when we are headed back to North Carolina.” Another long pause. “I’m going to Warren’s. You are welcome to come visit, but I’m not going home with you. I need to be with him. Bye Dad I love you, tell Mom the same please.” Elise ends the call and hands the phone back to Warren with a chuckle. “That went better than I expected.”

  Warren pulls her into his warm embrace. Elise relaxes against his warm, strong body. She wants to be in his arms forever. She hopes he feels the same. It would devastate her if he ever decided he didn’t want to be with such a young, inexperienced woman.

  “Come on, sweetheart.” Warren says. He takes Elise’s hand and interlocks their fingers. He leads her out of the building and into a waiting SUV. After the meal at Wolf’s the team heads to a hotel for the night to wait for their flight home in the morning.

  Deadeye leads Elise into their room. “Go into the bathroom and get ready for bed, sweetheart.” Warren whispers to Elise as they enter the room. Elise gives him a kiss on the cheek before heading into the bathroom to get ready. When she emerges, Warren heads into the bathroom and returns in a few moments. Deadeye joins Elise on the bed. They climb in under the covers.

  Warren knows it might be too soon, but he feels a deep need to let Elise know how much she means to him.

  “Elise, sweetheart?” Warren asks into the quiet of the night.

  “Yeah, Warren?” Elise raises her head to look into his eyes. He leans over and places a kiss on her lips.

  “I love you.” Warren lets his words sink in for a moment before he continues. “I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. I’ve never told a woman that I love her.”

  “Warren, I love you too. I know this is happening fast, but I have never felt this strongly about anyone in my life.” Elise raises up to kiss Warren again. She climbs on top of his body, straddling his waist. They kiss and savor each other for a long time. Finally, Warren breaks their kiss and looks into her eyes.

  “You have made me look toward the future. One that I didn’t realize I was missing, until I found you, Sweetheart. I never expected to fall in love, but I think I’ve been in love with you since the first moment I saw your picture in our briefing. Now that I have spent time with you and had my cock buried deep inside your sweet, hot pussy, I know that I will never be the same.” Warren kisses her again. “We are moving fast. I never believed in love at first sight, until I saw it with Hawk and Charlotte. I never thought it could happen to me, but here we are. I love you, Elise. I want to spend the rest of our lives making love every night and seeing your smiling face every morning.”

  Warren’s declaration has warmed Elise from the inside out. She knows that heart to heart talks is not something that Warren does easily, but here he is pouring his heart out to her. Elise’s love grows even more for this man. He is willing to bear himself to her. This hardened, badass Marine has opened his heart and left himself vulnerable.

  “Warren, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, too. I would be so honored to wake with you every morning.” Elise lowers her mouth to his.

  “Elise, will you marry me?” Warren looks deeply into her eyes. “I should have waited and planned out a sweet romantic proposal, but after nearly losing you, I couldn’t wait any longer.”

  “Yes! Yes of course I’ll marry you!” Elise exclaims and throws her arms around him and kisses him deeply. After they share some more kisses, Elise lays her head down onto Warren’s chest. She falls asleep straddling his body with her head on his shoulder.

  Chapter 23

  Two months have passed since Elise was rescued from her kidnappers. Her parents had made a visit and were actually civil to Warren and his teammates. Elise has been happily spending her days with Charlotte and her nights in Warren’s arms. They haven’t disclosed their engagement just yet. They decided to wait until her brother is here so they can make the announcement to the whole family together. Edward is to arrive later this week. He is returning Stateside and has a couple of weeks leave before he is sent to his new base, Fort Hood, Texas.

  Deadeye has been busy during this time. He and Elise have been house shopping. She fell in love with a beautiful one-story house with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. It had a large backyard that was already fenced in and had a large firepit and patio. It was in a nice neighborhood close to Hawk and Charlotte. The price had been more than their budget. Deadeye wanted to get the house for her despite to high cost, but Elise refused. She didn’t want them to be in a financial bind to start their life together. She insisted they keep looking. Deadeye knew she was disappointed, so he called the realtor and made an offer even though is was less than the asking price. A few days later he got the call that the sellers accepted the offer. Deadeye has been getting everything done and in place. He is planning to surprise Elise with it at Edward’s welcome home party.

  A few days ago, Hawk called Deadeye with the information he had been hoping to get for months. The siblings of Lakia had been located in the refugee camp. The children were about to be sent to an orphanage, because their elderly grandmother that had been caring for them had passed away from complications of pneumonia. Deadeye had petitioned to adopt the two small children. He had gotten word just today that his petition had been approved. The children would be ready for them to pick up in a couple of weeks. Deadeye couldn’t wait to surprise Elise with the house, ring, and their children.

  Deadeye has go
tten a ring and with Charlotte and Hawk’s help he has planned an engagement party at the new house. Elise thinks they are having a gathering for everyone to welcome Edward at Hawk and Charlotte’s house. Their parents are coming, and Hawk has made sure the whole team will be there as well. Elise is so excited to see Edward again. Deadeye knows how important this is to her. He wants everything to be perfect.

  Elise’s parents arrive today, and Deadeye is going to pick them up. He has something he wants to discuss with them. Elise wanted to pick them up, but he insisted he be the one to pick them up. He arrives early. It’s important to him to give a good impression to her parents.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Sommers. It’s good to see you. I hope you had a good flight.” Deadeye greets the couple as they disembark from the plane. They both look up and to his surprise give him a little smile. Mr. Sommers extends his hand to shake it. Deadeye shakes his hand firmly. Mrs. Sommers gives Deadeye a hug after the men have shaken hands. He is surprised, but pleased. Perhaps this conversation will go better than he had expected. Once they have gathered their bags, Deadeye leads them to where he has parked his truck. He places their bags on one side of the backseat while Mr. Sommers assists Ellen into the other side. Deadeye gets into the driver’s seat as Mr. Sommers climbs into the passenger seat.

  When they pull out of the airport and enter the busy city traffic, Mr. Sommer’s surprises Deadeye again by launching into conversation.

  “Warren, I need to apologize to you for my behavior when you first brought Elise home to us.” Mr. Sommers holds his hand up when Deadeye starts to protest. “I was out of line. My only defense is that we were overwhelmed with worry and emotions after what had happened to Elise. I am not trying to justify it, but let you know where we were coming from. We came off as pretentious asses. I’m sorry about that. We aren’t the type of people to judge someone based on their income or background. We were wrong about you. You are a good man. You saved Elise not once, but twice. Ellen and I can see how happy she has been since being with you. We thank you for making her happy and for treating her well.”