“I’ll go first.” Joe went in front, checking the hallway outside of the apartment before allowing Connie to leave. He was thorough, just as Madison recalled from her childhood. Only now that thoroughness was altogether more poignant. He was protecting his mate.
“I had no idea,” Madison said to Rob. “I lived under the same roof as them for years and I had no idea Joe was in love with my mom.”
“He hid it because he didn’t want to hurt your mom or push her into choosing between you and your dad or him.” Rob’s gentle understanding helped Madison to appreciate Joe’s actions.
“How could he live like that?” Madison turned to Rob, they had dropped further back from Joe and Connie, who were waiting for the elevator. Madison was aware Joe could hear what she said if she didn’t keep her voice low. “I thought the need to be with your mate was overwhelming?”
“It is.” Rob brushed her hair back from her face, his eyes filled with sympathy. “But if Joe believed he would hurt your mom and you more by admitting his feelings, he would keep them to himself. The last thing he would do was hurt your mom. She is the most important thing in his life.” Rob lowered his head and kissed her lips. “Just as you are the most important thing in my life.”
She leaned her head into his shoulder, and he wrapped one arm around her. “Would you stay if I asked you to?”
“Are you asking me to?” Rob guided her toward the elevator. The doors were opening, and Joe was checking inside before he ushered Connie in. They worked as a team, the transitions between rooms and corridors seamless.
“No.” She drew in a deep, shaky breath. “But I wish I could.”
He gave a small laugh, but there was no humor in it. “I wish I didn’t have to go. I wish none of this had happened and that Colm was at home with Ray. But it has happened…”
“And we have to do the best with what we’re given.” Connie’s expression mirrored her own as Madison entered the elevator. “Rob and Joe both have a lot at stake. They have us, their mates, waiting for them back home, and that is what will spur them on to get back in one piece.”
Madison mulled that over for a moment. “You’re right.” She placed her hand on Rob’s chest. “If anything happens to you it will hurt me. And you don’t want to hurt me.”
“I will come back.” He shook his head with a smile. “Because I don’t ever want to hurt you.”
Madison let her act drop away as she said in a serious tone. “Listen, you do whatever it takes to bring Colm home if he’s alive. Or even if he’s dead and you can retrieve his body. At least that way your sister will have closure.”
“I will do whatever it takes,” Rob agreed. “But I won’t put my life or Joe’s in needless danger. Ray has lost a husband, she doesn’t need to lose her brother, too.”
“Do you have her contact details?” Madison asked. “I could call her.”
Rob took his smartphone from his pocket and texted Madison Ray’s details. “Only call her when we know something. I don’t want her to worry.”
“I understand.” Madison put her phone in her purse as the elevator doors opened. Joe and Rob left first, then Madison and her mom followed once they knew it was safe. Madison had forgotten just how intense it was being around her mom. Rob had done a good job protecting her, but Joe took his role to a whole new level, even checking their car for any hidden devices before they drove to the airport.
Within the hour they were on a plane, having been ushered through airport security via a VIP entrance. The flight took an hour, and when they landed, they were no longer in civilian territory. As they disembarked, it was obvious they were on a military base.
“Rob, this is Captain Taggart. He will take you through debriefing and explain what will happen. Madison, we will go and wait in the communications room that monitors the mission.” Connie nodded at Joe. “Take care. And I’ll see you both when you return.”
With that, Connie turned and walked away from the man who was her mate. Madison stared at Rob for one long moment. He stared right back, a small smile on his lips. “See you when you get back.”
“You can count on it.” He nodded and watched her as she turned around and followed her mom inside the base.
“Your relationship is still a secret.” Madison ran a couple of steps to catch up with her mom.
“It is. We discussed it and decided it was safer for both of us if we maintain some distance. Questions would be raised about Joe’s suitability to protect me if people knew he was in love with me.” Connie used her security clearance to get inside the base. The officer on duty saluted her as a sign of respect as he opened the door. “Thank you.”
They entered the building and were instantly met by a man in uniform with a row of medals on his chest. “Ambassador Singer. We weren’t expecting you.”
“Thank you for receiving me on such short notice. And thank you for allowing my people to join this mission. It’s good to get feedback on how the food and medicines we provide are received.” Madison was proud of her mom, she was smooth at bending the truth.
“Your people will be satisfied, I’m sure.” The officer looked a little flustered. Despite his obvious experience in combat, he was wary of Ambassador Singer. Her reputation at getting things done and weeding out those who were not on her side had obviously preceded her.
“I’m sure I will.” She kept her expression neutral, which kept the officer on edge.
“This way to the command room. We only have a skeleton staff in today, these missions are routine and are rarely met with any resistance.” He hesitated. “But if they were, I can assure you we would have the full team assembled and at their desks within the hour.”
“I am absolutely confident in your abilities, Captain Grant. I can assure you that your team is not being questioned or assessed in any way. This is about conditions at the drop sites.” Madison’s mom glanced sideways at her daughter. “Perhaps some coffee would do us all good. Settle our nerves.”
Madison let out the breath she’d been holding ever since they landed. Or so it felt. She was incredibly nervous, not just for Rob and Joe, but because it felt as if they might be caught in their half-truth at any moment. Her mom was putting her career and reputation on the line for Colm and his family.
“Coffee. Of course.” He looked around for a moment, his eyes landing on a female officer who was trying to attract his attention as she sat at a desk monitoring something. Madison had no clue as to what, or whether it was connected to the humanitarian mission.
“You need to breathe, Madison. You look as if you’re about to pass out,” her mom said quietly. “If you don’t think you can handle being in the control room, I could ask if there is somewhere else you can wait.”
“No, I’m fine,” Madison insisted.
“I won’t think any less of you if you do choose to wait elsewhere.” Connie approached a desk in the center of the room and set her briefcase down before taking a seat. She looked as if she belonged and Madison experienced an unexpected surge of pride.
“You’re good at this, aren’t you?” Madison asked as she sat down next to her mom.
“Good? There are plenty of people who would disagree with you.” Connie smiled as a young man in uniform brought two coffees and set them down on the desk.
“I wasn’t sure if you liked cream or sugar.” He looked nervous.
“Cream is just fine.” Connie raised an eyebrow at Madison. “Do you take sugar and cream?” She gave a sad smile. “I suppose it’s one of many things I don’t know about you.”
“Just cream, thank you.” Madison waited for the young recruit to leave before she said, “There is plenty we don’t know about each other. But I am happy you and Joe are mates.”
Connie took in a big breath and let it out slowly. “I love him. Which surprised me, since I never allowed myself to love anyone before. Not with the whole of my heart and without reservation.”
Madison let that admission sit with her for a while. Then she reached across the ta
ble and took her mom’s hand. “Don’t hide your love from the world. Joe deserves better than that.”
Connie gave a short laugh. “Joe deserves a lot better than me full stop. But it appears that shifters, along with beggars, cannot be choosers.”
Chapter Twenty-Two – Rob
Rob’s stomach lurched as the plane took off. He could sense Madison below, getting further and further away. The mating bond might be new, but it was strong and intense, and it screamed at him not to leave her behind. But he had to. He had to do this, for Colm, for Ray, and for the children.
“Let it go.” Joe’s calm voice came from his right where he was strapped into his seat as the plane banked to the left.
“Is it easy for you to let it go?” Rob asked.
Joe chuckled. “Hell, no. I never take my own advice.”
Rob grinned as he rested his head back against the headrest and let the vibration of the plane engines rattle his body. This was no airline passenger jet, they were not going to a hot, sunny vacation destination. This was a humanitarian mission that might mean the difference between life and death for the people they were taking the food and medicines to.
It might also mean the difference between life and death for Colm. And Ray.
He clenched his teeth together, wishing he could tell his sister there was hope. But that hope would be too cruel if they couldn’t find Colm. Rob wasn’t sure she was strong enough to go through the pain of losing him all over again. No, it was better this way.
Rob closed his eyes and lost himself in thoughts of Madison. She was his life, his future, but what that future was neither of them were certain. Her career meant a lot to her and he would support and encourage her in everything she wanted to achieve. In her own way, she was an ambassador just like her mom.
“You’re a lucky man.” Joe’s voice jolted Rob out of his daydream.
“You mean Madison?” Rob glanced down at his watch. They were half an hour away from their destination.
“Yes. I’ve known her most of her life. She had a tough time growing up, but I’m incredibly proud of what she’s accomplished. As much as I love Connie, she was never the most supportive of parents.” Joe smiled apologetically. “I’m not making excuses for her, but Connie has her demons and I believe they greatly affected her ability to love anyone, even her own child.”
“I’m happy they took a step forward in that respect,” Rob glanced out of the window, they were over land and beginning their slow descent.
“I aim to encourage them to repair their relationship as much as possible. It will never be fully healed, but I do hope when you and Madison have children that Connie will be a part of their lives.” He leaned closer to Rob. “Connie is retiring. Between you and me. So I hope to come visit your Bear Creek and spend some time wandering over the mountains.”
“Retiring? Does Madison know?” Rob asked in surprise.
“Connie plans to tell her while we’re away.” Joe pressed his lips together, his expression clouded in concern. “She’s doing it for me, so we can finally admit to the world that we are in a relationship. But that worries me, too. What if it’s the wrong thing for her?”
Rob patted Joe on the shoulder. “I think she might like a change of pace. From what Madison says she’s lived her job for years, that must be exhausting. She might like letting her hair down and shaking it loose.”
Joe laughed, a real belly laugh. “I don’t know how much liquor Connie would have to consume to shake it all loose.” He sighed and gazed off into the distance. “But I sure would like to see her try.”
“Buckle up,” a voice came over the radio. “We’re going in to land. We might have a bumpy ride.”
“Last time I checked, the airstrip here had a few potholes in it. Connie’s been trying to get them to repair it now that the conflict has started to cool down. She’s hoping the stability of this region will be her legacy. And believe me, you do not want to argue with Connie. If they mess it up, she’ll be straight out of retirement.” Joe grinned and held onto the shoulder straps of his harness as the plane began its steep descent.
Joe was right, the runway was rough, but Rob had experienced worse. He managed to hold on to the harness and his breath as the plane bounced along the airstrip. The pilot was good and brought the plane under control, quickly slowing it, so the potholes didn’t damage the plane.
“If we’d hit one of those at high speed, we might be hitching a ride back home,” Joe remarked. “I’ll make sure to put that in my report.” He winked at Rob, who gave a small smile. That was the reason they were here, at least that was the reason Connie had given. Joe and Rob were here to assess the drop, not to look for a fallen soldier who may or may not be alive.
And may or may not be a dove, his bear reminded him.
Yeah, that might make for some awkward questions, Rob replied. Very awkward.
The plane slowed to a halt and the sound of voices calling out alerted them to the presence of the local people who had come to help unload the plane and distribute the food and medicines. As the back of the cargo plane opened, the bright sun nearly blinded Rob after the dark cool of the belly of the plane.
In seconds, his training kicked in and he was alert, helping to unload the sacks full of grain and rice. As he ran down the ramp leading out of the plane with Joe beside him, he dumped the sacks on a flatbed truck and then put his hand up to shield his eyes.
“Here, you should have brought some sunglasses.” Joe handed him a spare pair and he put them on. “Better?”
“Much.” He continued to survey the area, then checked his compass. “We have to go that way. That’s where the explosion happened.”
Joe looked around and then approached a man standing to the side of the plane. He held a clipboard in his hand and looked as if he might have some authority. “Brendon Tippard?”
Rob frowned as he stood next to Joe, who put his hand in the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small clip of notes wrapped in a piece of white paper. Everyone was open to bribes if the price was right.
“Joe.” Brandon held out his hand and took the money. “This way. I have what you need. It’s all gassed up and ready to go. Which is not easy. The insurgents cut off the fuel supply to this area when they were pushed back.”
Rob reevaluated his opinion of Brendon when he led them to an off-road vehicle complete with a driver.
“We don’t have much time. How long will it take us to get there and back again?” Joe asked.
Brandon indicated the plane. “They are leaving in a couple of hours. It’s a scheduled flight and is never late. You have to be back here by then.”
“Understood.” Joe hauled himself into the vehicle and shook hands with the driver, who only spoke in his native language, which Joe seemed to understand.
Rob had only just gotten his butt in the passenger seat when Joe gave the signal to the driver, who sped off away from the airfield at a fast speed. Dust and sand sprayed up behind them, but he kept his foot to the floor.
They bumped along a rough dirt road for a couple of miles. Rob held onto the side of the vehicle and hoped they would survive the ride. “Have the roads been cleared of IEDs?” he asked Joe.
Joe relayed the question to the driver. “He said yes. Most of the roads are clear.”
“Does he know where the incident happened?” Rob asked.
“He does, Rob. Relax. We should be there in ten minutes.” Joe patted Rob on the shoulder and the two men looked out at the scenery around them. Sand, dirt, and rocks. It was one of the most inhospitable places on the planet, particularly when the sun rose high in the sky and beat down on the hard-baked ground.
Rob longed to be back in Bear Creek, to feel the cool mountain air on his face and drink from the cool mountain streams. He didn’t miss being deployed to different parts of the world, but he did miss the knowledge that he was helping people.
“Here.” Joe pointed to an area of scrubby bushes on the side of the road.
As
the vehicle came to a halt, Joe and Rob got out. “There, I can still see parts of the wreckage.”
Although most of the vehicle parts had been picked up by the local people to use as scrap, which would be converted into tools or anything else they could make from the twisted metal and rubber the military hadn’t collected, there were still small fragments buried in the sand.
Rob wasn’t sure what he’d expected. Or what he’d hoped to find here. Perhaps he’d thought Colm would be sitting in a tree, just waiting to be rescued. If he had, he was wrong. There was no sign of any living creature, let alone a small white dove.
Disappointment raged through him. “It would have been too easy to find him here.”
Joe patted his shoulder. “Come on, let’s take a good look around.”
“Do you think if he’d died here, his skeleton would still be here?” Rob asked in frustration as they walked the area, their heads down as they sifted through the debris. “I guess a dove’s carcass would go unnoticed.”
Their guide watched with interest, before asking Joe a question, to which Joe replied. Their driver frowned and then repeated part of what Joe had said. Joe stopped walking and turned his full attention to the young man who had brought them here.
“What is he saying?” Rob asked. Joe held his hand up to Rob and carried on a rapid-fire conversation with the driver. Several times Joe repeated a question, using his hands to reinforce the meaning of his words.
“He says there have been sightings of a white dove in the area. The people here think it is a bringer of peace and feed it grain when they can spare it.” Joe looked at Rob with renewed hope. “We don’t have enough time to go to every town. Not if we intend to get back on the flight.”
“What if we don’t get back on the flight?” Rob asked. “Or what if you do and I don’t?”
“You want me to leave you behind?” Joe didn’t sound surprised. “I agree one of us should stay, but I think it should be me.”
“No,” Rob said adamantly. “Colm knows me, and Connie and Madison waiting back home both know you.”
Savior Bear (Bear Creek Protectors Book 5) Page 15