by N. A. Alcorn
And Sloan is left lying in the hospital bed with another ridiculous grin on her face.
AFTER A LONG-WINDED LECTURE from her nurse regarding the importance of rest, Sloan finally manages to leave her hospital bed and make her way to Alejandra’s room. Nix told her that she was in the same hospital, only one floor above hers. After checking her emails and seeing a response from Chief Dubois, verifying that all of her demands—including granting Alejandra citizenship—had been met, she was desperate to visit her friend. Because that’s what Alejandra is to her. They both endured so much together inside the Arturo compound, and that created a bond neither could deny.
Sloan slowly makes her way up to Alejandra’s room after ensuring that no ass cheeks were being revealed behind her hospital gown.
“Hi,” she greets as she walks through the doorway to her friend’s room. “How are you?” she questions with a heart full of concern. This is the first time these two women have seen each other since being held hostage by Arturo’s clan.
A sweet, relieved smile reaches both corners of Alejandra’s mouth. “I thought I’d never see you again,” she answers with a raspy tone. Tears fill her eyes as she stares at Sloan with a look of relief.
Sloan strides towards her bed. And in a matter of seconds, she is sitting beside her, pulling Alejandra into her grateful arms. “I know,” she agrees. “I was so worried about you.”
Both women stay clutched in each other’s embrace, savoring the fact that they are both okay, and more importantly, they are both alive. Tears of relief and sadness and overwhelming pain pass between them as memories of the wretched experience they lived through hover over them.
“I’m so sorry about everything, Alejandra. I’m sorry that I couldn’t tell you the truth. I’m sorry that you got wrapped in your brother’s games. I’m so sorry for everything.” The guilt of the entire ordeal weighs heavily on Sloan’s heart. She can’t help but wonder if things would have been different for this woman had it not been for the fact that Alejandra sought Sloan out that day at San Salvador Hospital.
“Don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong. You saved me from a life under Hector’s thumb. You saved me from being stuck in a loveless, abusive marriage with Nico. If it weren’t for you, I would still be scared, miserable, and downright terrified of what the future had in store for me,” she declares adamantly, her Spanish accent prominent in each syllable. “If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me apologizing to you. My family, my flesh and blood, did unspeakable things to you. You’re lucky to be alive and it is no thanks to me. I have no idea how I’ll repay you for everything you’ve done for me…” She stops, not able to continue any further.
The overwhelming emotions coursing through her veins are making it impossible for her to speak another word. Alejandra’s face is red with tears as she stares into the eyes of Sloan—a woman who saved her. No, she wasn’t the handsome SEAL with the piercing, green eyes who refused to leave her inside that compound, but Sloan was the one person who gave her the strength—who gave her hope—to try to escape from the strangling control that La Familia Arturo had over her.
Sloan clutches Alejandra’s hands together with hers in perfect unison, the affectionate display symbolizing endless friendship and strength.
Then Sloan smiles through her tears, mirroring her friend’s watery gaze. “I know exactly how you can repay me.”
“How?”
“Come with me to San Diego. I’ll help you get on your feet and start a new life. I know there are plenty of schools in the area that would love to have a teacher fluent in Spanish,” she voices with determination.
“What?” Alejandra questions in pure disbelief. “I can’t stay in America… It would take me months, maybe even a year, to receive a visa. I highly doubt I’ll ever get citizenship.”
Sloan nods and her smile gets bigger. “You’re American citizenship is already being processed and should be granted in the next few weeks.”
“I-I don’t understand,” the Mexican beauty stammers, at a complete loss for words.
“Just trust me, okay? Let’s just say I’ve got connections and I know how to use them wisely,” Sloan assures her.
“Why are you doing this for me?”
“Because I’m your friend and this is what friends do for each other,” Sloan responds with a soft smile and warmth radiating from her eyes.
“You don’t even really know me.” Alejandra shakes her head, visibly taken back by what Sloan just said.
“Yes, I do. What we’ve been through together? There is no doubt in my mind that I know you. You’re kind and sweet and your heart is so big. You remind me a lot of myself, actually,” she remarks with a small laugh. “You’re a fighter. You’re stubborn and feisty, and somehow, you fought your way out of a life you refused to live. You’re a good person and you deserve this.”
Alejandra’s smile is blinding.
The happiness and relief filling her eyes is one of the most beautiful things Sloan has ever witnessed.
Alejandra pulls Sloan into a tight hug, embracing her fiercely as if her life depends on it, and she giggles the sweetest laugh. “Oh my god! Thank you! I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this, Felicia!” she exclaims.
Sloan chuckles at the overzealous reaction, so very thankful to be able to give her friend this gift. She hugs Alejandra back just as fiercely. “I need to tell you one thing before we get out of here.”
Alejandra pulls back and stares at her questioningly.
“My name isn’t actually Felicia. It’s Sloan. And my life wasn’t exactly as it seemed. Yes, I’m a surgeon, but that wasn’t my real job. At least not then…” she trails off, realizing that she’s not sure what her real job is now. “It’s a long story, but all I’ll say is that your brother was on the right path with his suspicions. There was a reason they took me hostage.”
“Really?” she asks with a surprised tone.
Sloan nods with a knowing smirk.
“Well, Sloan, it’s great to meet you. Maybe one day, when you feel like remembering, you can tell me all about it.” She stops for a moment, staring at Sloan with a friendly smile. “And please, call me Aly.”
“Okay, Aly. That sounds like a good plan to me,” she agrees. “All right. On to the next order of business. We’re getting out of here…today. So just be prepared, okay?” Sloan begins to update her on the top-secret mission that is Operation Blow This Joint while Aly takes it all in with amusement.
The two girls spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out, watching trashy reality television, and binge-eating snacks from the hospital vending machines.
No longer is her present consumed with flying under the radar and being introverted from a normal life, Sloan is now beginning a life that has a future with endless possibilities.
Real friendships.
A best friend, a lover, and a soul mate all wrapped up inside one deliciously handsome package.
And the irreplaceable chance at really living.
Maybe those daydreams that were filled with long, white veils, white picket fences, and beautiful blue-eyed babies aren’t a thing of the past. Maybe they’re actually her future….
SLOAN AND ALY SIT COMFORTABLY in Sloan’s room, both women sharing the small hospital bed. The sheets are littered with various junk food wrappers as they entertain themselves with a Golden Girls marathon. Aly bursts into a fit of laughter every time Sophia unleashes her witty, lightning-quick, smart mouth.
“I can’t believe you’ve never seen the Golden Girls! How have you gotten this far in life without these ladies?!” Sloan exclaims as she pops another peanut butter M&M into her mouth.
Aly glances at Sloan out of her periphery. “I have no idea!” she answers in amused disbelief. “I want Sophia to be my grandma. That woman is hilarious!” she responds through another burst of giggles.
“You have to watch every episode once we get to San Diego,” Sloan demands with hilarity in her voice. “Seriously, you have to. No exce
ptions.”
They continue to laugh and keep their eyes fixated on the small plasma television that hangs on the opposite wall until a husky, male voice clears his throat, gaining their attention.
Both women glance towards the doorway.
Two masculine forms in white lab coats are staring back at them with tricky, “we’re-up-to-something” smiles.
A surprised laugh escapes Sloan’s lips as she finds Nix and Julian dressed in navy scrubs accessorized with name badges displaying photo IDs on their left breast pockets.
“You have got to be kidding me,” she proclaims in incredulity.
Nix’s cerulean eyes dance with amusement as he rolls a wheelchair into the room. “Nope. No jokes allowed on this mission. We’re one hundred percent business. We’re a go for Operation Blow This Joint. You ready, Sloan?”
She laughs and nods her head.
“Sloan.” Julian pronounces her name with an odd tone. “That name is going to take some getting used to,” he declares with amusement.
“Well, get used to it, because I’m not going anywhere,” Sloan declares while flashing a knowing smile in Nix’s direction.
“All right! Well, grab your shit, pretty ladies. It’s time to roll,” Julian demands, his piercing, emerald eyes fixated on Alejandra. He slides the other wheelchair into the room and pats the seat with a smirk. “Come on, Alejandra. This seat has your name all over it. I will have the pleasure of being your escort for this evening’s festivities.” His words ooze double meaning as he takes in her long, toned legs striding in his direction. Even in a hospital gown, she is the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on, which is saying a lot considering Julian’s favorite pastime has been women for as long as he can remember.
Alejandra stops directly in front of him, eyeing him with stark scrutiny. “Well”—she pauses as her gaze takes in every inch of his tall, well-built form—“I guess you’ll do.” She feigns an irritated expression as she releases an unamused sigh from her pouty lips.
Julian motions towards the seat, his face flashing a pointed look in her direction. “Just sit your ass down and stop complaining,” he responds to her sarcastic mouth.
She sits.
Her delicious smell assaults his nostrils, making it nearly impossible to stifle the desperate groan that wants to escape his chest. This woman drives him crazy. He barely knows her, but he’s just drawn to her. From the moment he found her inside of the Arturo compound, he hasn’t stopped thinking about her. She awakens every nerve ending, every miniscule, microscopic cell inside his body, pulling his awareness and demanding his attention.
Once she’s seated comfortably on the wheelchair, he leans in and whispers in her ear, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you love the ride.”
His warm breath brushing against her neck does strange things to her—things she would never admit to the obviously horny American soldier. Yes, she owes him a lot considering he refused to leave the Arturo compound without her, but that doesn’t mean she has to accept his wildly flirtatious behavior.
There’s no denying his sexual attraction, but looks aren’t everything. Nico was good-looking—downright gorgeous, in fact—and look where that got her. She glances over her shoulder, her brown eyes making eye contact with him.
“You know what would make this ride even better?” she asks sweetly.
“Name it and I’ll do it,” Julian answers without a second thought.
“You keeping that ridiculous mouth of yours shut,” she retorts before unleashing a sharp glare.
Her heavy Spanish accent has his dick practically jumping out of his pants.
Damn, she’s feisty.
He suppresses the intrigued smirk that wants to encompass his entire face.
Sloan and Nix watch the interaction between the two with curiosity. The sexual tension that courses between Julian and Alejandra is nearly palpable in the tight quarters of the hospital room.
Sloan glances up at Nix from her cozy spot in the wheelchair, her finger motioning for him to lean down so she can whisper in his ear. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” she asks.
He nods with a knowing grin on his face. “Yeah, baby, I am. It’s like a wilder, hornier version of us, isn’t it?” he softly responds in a low voice.
Sloan laughs. “You got that right,” she agrees a little too loudly.
“What did he get right?” Julian questions with confusion.
“No time for chitchat, sweetheart,” Nix interjects towards him. “I know how much you love girl talk and gossip, but we’re a go, Nancy,” he chides as his hands grip the wheelchair, turning it towards the door. Nix glances over his shoulder and adds, “And seriously, tighten your fuckin’ towel, bro.”
Julian’s only response is the middle finger thrown in Nix’s direction.
“You have some sort of diversion, right?” Sloan whispers towards him as they are exiting the room.
“Of course, sweetheart. Slade is keeping the lovely nurses busy with his charming personality while we make our way to the elevators. The route has been mapped, the diversion set in place, and the escape vehicle is ready and waiting.” He grins down at the thrilled expression she flashes over her shoulder.
“You’re ridiculous, but I’m seriously digging this mission right now,” Sloan quickly says before gluing her eyes to the floor and sealing her lips shut as they swiftly roll past the nurses’ station.
Slade’s deep, baritone voice echoes in the hallways as they make their way towards the elevators. The nurses are too enthralled with his charming good looks to notice that two of their female patients are making a run for it.
Both patients and their escorts make it inside the elevators, the doors closing with a successful bang. Nix and Julian high-five while Sloan and Alejandra remain in the wheelchairs, their facial expressions proving that they are more than thrilled to be getting out of medical captivity.
They continue the swift escape route through the lobby doors, where Andrew waits for them patiently inside the rental SUV with the Mission Impossible theme song blaring from the speakers. The girls hop out of the wheelchairs and slide into the back seat while Nix and Julian motion for an extremely happy Slade to get his ass moving.
“Dude, you think you could have toned it down with the music?” Julian questions with a chuckle as he slides into the passenger’s seat.
“Ah, come on! I thought it was fucking clutch to have that blasting when y’all came rolling out of those lobby doors,” Andrew exclaims.
Once everyone is seat-belted and ready to go, Andrew peels out of the parking lot. The screeching tires leave track marks right in front of Galveston Memorial Hospital’s doors.
Nix shakes his head in amusement as he wraps his arm around Sloan’s shoulder in the back seat of the SUV. “I’d say Operation Blow This Joint was a motherfucking success!” he hoots loudly for everyone to hear.
“Hell yeah!” Julian shouts as he turns in his seat to glance back at Aly, who is sitting directly behind him.
Aly laughs as Julian forces her to give him a fist-bump, shaking her head as their knuckles tap against each other.
Nix and Sloan cuddle up with each other, enjoying this moment with their friends. His hand cups her face as he whispers quietly into her ear, “I’m going to save this lab coat for when we get back to the hotel. I know how you have a thing for role-playing.”
She peers up at him, taking in his sexy smirk and the wicked gleam in his eyes.
“Before we start role-playing, I think we should do a little fore-playing…make out in the back seat with me like old times?” he asks as he bites his bottom lip and raises his eyebrows suggestively.
She shakes her head at his ridiculousness before putting her game face on, fully prepared to give him a taste of his own medicine. She tilts her chin up and whispers softly, her tongue licking along his earlobe, “I’m not really in a playful mood, Nix. I’m in the mood for something a little more…hard and deep. Something life affirming. I need your cock buried
deep inside me for hours…days, even.”
He grips her neck in a possessive display of affection as he brings them nose to nose.
He kisses her soundly on the mouth. His teeth bite her bottom lip, spurring a moan from her. His lips move to her neck before kissing a path to her ear. “Operation Blow Sloan’s Mind will begin promptly at twenty-two hundred hours,” he whispers seductively as his lips brush across her neck.
Sloan glances at the clock on the dashboard. Nine forty-five p.m. Fifteen minutes and she’ll have a deliciously naked Nix ready and willing to meet her every need and desire.
Hell yes.
Operation Blow This Joint was a success.
Next stop, Operation Blow Sloan’s Mind.
SLOAN AND ALEJANDRA MANAGED TO change out of the hospital gowns and into much more comfortable attire—sweatpants and T-shirts—while they were en route to the hotel. The endeavor took a little creativity considering the combination of the confined space inside the SUV, Sloan’s still smarting injuries, and Julian’s appreciative glances in Aly’s direction. But all was a success and they made it safely to their hotel a few minutes before ten p.m.
Since the guys already checked in prior to their down-and-dirty escape mission, it was a smooth entrance into the hotel, bypassing the lobby and heading straight for the elevator. The goal was set on getting a good night’s rest in Galveston before their flight out of Texas in the morning.
Next stop, San Diego—home sweet home.
The elevator ride up to their floor is long and nearly agonizing as sexual tension pulses between Sloan and Nix. They stand inside the small cart, crowded in with Julian, Slade, Andrew, and Alejandra. The guys reserved three rooms once Operation Blow This Joint was put into action. Nix and Sloan will be together, one room will be shared with the other three guys of Black Mamba, and Aly will enjoy a room to herself.