by Dale Mayer
The men gave several exclamations as they worked out the angles on the kidnapping and who could be responsible.
Shadow reached over and grabbed her hand. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“I know you will.” She reached up to stroke his face. “I just hate the thought that even though I’ll be home in a few days, this nightmare might not be over. I really need it to be over.”
“It will be,” Swede said from the side. He moved a small swing table across her lap. “But before any of this can be over, we need food. So let’s take a look at what we’ve got.”
“I’m so hungry. That chocolate bar was a long time ago.”
“Did you get anything since?” Swede asked her in shock. “Hell, you’re skinny enough without losing more meals.” He opened the takeout bag and proceeded to unload enough food for a dozen people. Or maybe a half dozen SEALs.
*
Shadow hadn’t realized how acceptance, approval, had such an impact on someone. Arianna blossomed with the men. They were all friendly and joking, gently teasing, but he knew the atmosphere, their actions for what it was. They all approved. Of her. For him.
How sappy. But it made him feel great. She was something. Not unlike the other women the men had paired up with. And yet, different. She was herself. Was he being foolish thinking that maybe they could try for a relationship? He didn’t have anything good to say about the highbrow females he’d met in the past, and Arianna was definitely one of them.
But she was also herself. And very down to earth.
She had a lot of processing to do now though and not the least was the death of her father. He had died, but had she been told? Everyone had tried to prepare her and she understood he’d had little chance of surviving, but that wasn’t the same thing as hearing the definitive statement. He’d noticed that no one had brought it up, including Arianna herself. As if she knew but couldn’t stand to have the truth voiced because then she’d be forced to deal with the emotional onslaught of grief.
And who was he to judge her for that? He locked everything inside. She let it all pour out. In public…that wasn’t much fun. She’d try to wait for a private time to release all that pain.
That her own family might have had a hand in this nightmare was not hard to believe. He’d seen too much of the world to be surprised any more. Not to mention there was the stepmom in there too. If she lived through the trauma then she was the one who inherited it all. And that made their current theory implausible. But she’d still have to be careful. As in more than careful. At least until this mess was over.
With a full plate in his hand, he glanced around at the hospital room and smiled. His brothers in arms were men he could trust with anyone, but especially with Arianna. They’d bend over backwards to make her happy as Shadow had done for each of their partners.
Content, he picked up his fork. And stared at what was on the end of it. He was a meat and potatoes guy. Most of the men were. But this time they’d let Swede shop. And that was always a mistake. That man could eat. Like seriously eat. And never had a problem trying new foods. Often bought meals the guys didn’t recognize. And while all SEALs ate healthy, Swede started at one end and ate his way through to the other end of his plate then started working on anything else close by. So Shadow had to make up his mind quickly if he wanted second servings – or it would be too late.
While the others wrangled gently there was a hard knock on the door and an older lady walked in.
“Excuse me. Are you supposed to be here?” she asked in a voice laced with the potential to breathe fire on their heads if they gave the wrong answer.
Shadow had had a teacher like her in school. With just one look you were cringing in your shoes.
They had the right to be here – sometime. He just didn’t know when and from the look on Arianna’s face, she didn’t want them to go anywhere anytime soon.
Shadow stood and straightened his shoulders, and in a low lethal level voice, he said, “Yes, and do you?”
She glared at him, but he refused to back down. Arianna had been through enough, and if she needed him to defend her from one more assault then he was prepared to do so.
“I’m the trauma counselor,” she snapped, her nose in the air and not backing down either. “I need to speak with her, assess her state of mind.”
No one could miss Arianna’s squeak of horror.
“I’m fine,” she rushed to say. “These men are the ones who rescued me.”
“That might be but after the trauma you’ve been through the last thing you need is a reminder of those events by having the same men surround you. They need to disappear and now.” She waved her hand at them.
“No, you don’t understand,” Arianna said, her voice slightly stronger. “I feel better with them around.”
“No. And no, and no. You don’t. You are looking at these soldiers in the wrong light. They are not your friends. They were doing a job. It’s over. Now your job is to heal and move past these events. You can’t look at these men as your personal heroes forever.”
Shadow opened his mouth to blast her.
Mason spun and glared at her.
Swede slowly straightened to his full height.
And not one of them got a chance to say anything as Arianna’s voice cut through the tension into his room.
“I’m sorry, you appear to have been given the wrong information. I don’t need trauma counseling. I’m fine. Also, I don’t need to forget that these are my friends because you are wrong, they are my friends, and I’m proud to call them friend in return.” Her voice rose as she fired the next volley at the woman standing frozen. “And don’t you ever… And I mean ever insult these heroes in such a way again. They are heroes. To me. And my country.”
Arianna’s chest heaved as she now stood at the side of her bed, and taking several hobbling steps, stood in front of Shadow. “No one insults my friends while I am still standing. So take that attitude and your counseling skills back out that door. You are not wanted here.”
And if that wasn’t going to get the job done, Shadow had no idea what it would take. The poor woman almost ran from the room.
Shadow grinned down at the injured sprite who’d taken on the dragon lady to defend her warriors. She’d love that imagery. And he was such a sap. He put down his plate of food, snagged her up in his arms and laid her back down in the bed. He kissed her hard.
When she opened her mouth to snap at him, he popped the mystery meat into her mouth.
“Chew on that and not on me.”
She chewed but still glared. He added for all the men to hear, “And thanks for the defense, sweetheart. But you didn’t have to. We have thick skins.”
“You might, but I don’t when it comes to others. So remember that.” She narrowed her gaze and finally managed to swallow. “No one insults you while I’m here. Got that?”
Hiding grins of their own, they all nodded obediently. And Shadow realized something else. He was really hooked. He sat back down and picked up his plate and proceeded to eat, waiting for her to calm down. But he knew she’d be the talk of the trip home now. She’d defended all of them. Stood up and blasted back at some poor woman who’d insulted them.
Except the men had been okay with the insult. They’d heard worse. Arianna had been the one to take umbrage. Protective. Caring. The same as she was with her brother.
There was a commotion outside and they all looked at each other. Now came the big guns.
Instead it was the doctor. He walked in and smiled. “You are the heroes, I presume.”
They all nodded, sheepish grins on their faces.
“Nice to meet you,” the doctor said in an amiable, let’s–all–get–along voice. “Now we do have a problem though. I’d suggested Miss Stephenson take some time to work with the trauma counselor—”
“And your advice was taken into consideration, and I’ve decided to refuse it,” Arianna said coolly from her bed. “I do understand that I’ll need to speak with someone. I’m
sure my doctor at home has someone he can recommend.”
The doctor studied her for a long moment then nodded. “As long as you do, my dear. It’s important to keep it all in perspective so you can move forward with your life.”
“No problem,” she said, beaming at him. “I’m feeling wonderful.”
“And you do look much better.” He smiled. “So maybe reconnecting with your friends is the first step.”
She nodded. “Thanks for caring.”
He motioned to the plates of food. “I gather you won’t be needing dinner either?” he asked in a dry voice. “You appear to have enough here for the entire hospital.”
“Just Swede,” she said with a straight face, pointing to Swede. “He’s a hard man to fill.” Swede once again stood up and dwarfed the doctor who laughed and shook his head.
“Sounds like you’re in good hands.” With a smile, he added, “I’ll take my leave.”
Mason hopped to his feet and handed his empty plate to Cooper. “If I could have a word with you, Doctor…”
Surprised, the doctor who already stood in the open doorway, said, “Of course.”
Mason stepped outside the room and the door was shut, leaving the rest of them to stare and wonder at what Mason was up too.
Shadow hoped he knew, but knowing Mason as he did…it could be anything.
Still he caught Arianna biting her bottom lip in worry as she stared at the closed door. “Sunshine and rainbows, remember?”
With a confused look, she stared at him. Then a slow understanding dawned in her eyes. “Right. And don’t forget the unicorns.”
He laughed. The others looked at the two of them in confusion then shook their heads.
Shadow studied the containers of food stacked beside Swede and asked, “Any leftovers?”
“Nope.” But Swede’s grin was a mile wide.
“You couldn’t have eaten all that already? Aren’t you on a diet?”
At Swede’s look of horror the others burst out laughing. Hawk reached for the closest stack of containers and passed them to Shadow. “Help yourself. You know he’ll finish all of it no matter how much there is, so get yours first.”
On that note, Shadow refilled Arianna’s and his plates. Then handed the leftovers back to the big man who stared at the almost empty container like a puppy who hadn’t eaten in days.
“You can have mine,” Arianna offered with a big smile, handing her plate to Swede.
He gently pushed it back. “No way. You need to eat. There’s more.”
Happy and content for the first time in his memory, Shadow watched the rest of his team wrangle in fun over the food.
Chapter 20
They were all little boys. Arianna watched the fun and games as the men ploughed through what was left to eat. Mason still hadn’t come back. It was worrisome. Was it about her? What else could it be about? It wasn’t like Mason knew the doctor. Then again, maybe he had medical questions. She couldn’t second-guess this one.
When the door opened up to let Mason back in, they all stopped and waited.
“And…” Hawk asked. “What’s the latest?”
“We’re flying commercial all the way. If we can switch out in Seattle to a military flight then we will.”
“Good stuff.” Dane stood up and collected the dirty paper dishes in a big stack. He quickly bagged the empty containers next. “When?”
“Flight leaves in three hours. We need to return the truck at the airport.”
Cooper hopped to his feet. “That means leaving now.”
“Pretty much. We have just one more thing to do.”
Arianna’s heart sank. Her stomach wanted to revolt. In fact, she wanted to curl up alone under the covers and cry. Time for that in a little bit apparently. They’d be gone in minutes. Damn. She’d been hoping.
“What else is there to do?” Hawk asked impatiently when Mason didn’t answer.
She glanced over at Mason, realizing they were all looking at him for that answer. She studied the twinkle in his eyes. And hope surged inside. “Me? Are you waiting for me?”
He nodded. “The doctor is going to put a thicker bandage on that leg so you can travel easier and the agreement is you’re to check in at a clinic tomorrow morning. If you agree to those terms, you can fly home with us.”
“Yes,” she shouted. “Yes.”
The men grinned.
“Good. In that case, I suggest we clear out so the doctor can do his thing. Then we have a plane to catch.”
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” she chanted as the men gathered up their coats and slowly walked out to wait in the hallway.
Shadow was the last to leave. She beamed up at him. Then her face fell. “Mason won’t get in trouble, will he?”
“No. You were right earlier. All those reasons are valid for bringing you home with us. You are going to have to speak with the investigators when you get there though.”
She nodded. “I know. That’s no problem. I’d have to explain to someone. Several someone’s most likely. You guys killed everyone else…”
“Not the one man. We never saw him again.”
Right. That brought her up short. “Not a good reminder.”
“No, but something we have to keep in mind.”
The doctor walked in just then. Shadow leaned over and kissed her. “I’ll wait outside.”
And he left too.
The doctor smiled at her. “So that’s the way of it.”
She nodded. “I sure hope it is.”
He laughed, pulled the sheet back and said, “Now let’s take a look.”
And take a look he did. After the check–up, he quickly bound her leg. “I’m not sure if your pants are here…”
“They should be around,” she said, hating to think she might not be able to leave because she didn’t have clothes. “I was actually wearing a spare pair of pants from one of the men.”
He nodded. “I’ll send one of the nurses in with your belongings.”
He disappeared and a nurse reappeared with a paper bag and her pack. “Here’s what we had for you.”
Arianna opened the paper bag and pulled out the same black pants she’d been wearing. She had her spare jeans in her pack but the reasons for wearing Shadow’s pants still held. She’d thought they were sweatpants but instead now that she had a chance to examine them she could see they were an underlay for the cold. No wonder she’d never felt the chill in the air when she’d been outside. These things were wonderful. With the nurse’s help, she dressed in the same pants but with a clean shirt and her vest she had in the pack. She wished she had managed a shower but given the choices she’d forgo that for a ride home. She’d be able to sleep in her own bed tonight. And could shower in her own shower. Just the sound of that made her grin.
That was so worth being dirty for a little while longer. By the time she was dressed, her hair brushed and twisted into a knot and secured at the back of her head and her pack slung over her shoulder, she took a last look around the small room and gave a happy sigh. She was going home.
Picking up her bouquet of flowers and with a big grin, she walked out to the hallway and her new friends.
Cooper said, “You look great.”
She beamed. “I feel great. Dressed again, a full tummy and now on my way home. Yay me.”
They laughed and said, “Paperwork then we’re on our way.”
The paperwork was just a few signatures then they led her, using crutches Shadow had found for her, outside to the truck.
*
It bothered Shadow that there were doubts about who was behind the kidnapping. Could the kidnapper he’d talked to been serious? He’d sounded it. But that meant that someone who wanted the senator and his daughter dead, got wind of the kidnapping and might have made their own deal. Was that possible? Sure, but how probable was it? There were a lot of assholes out there but most people went through their entire life never brushing up against the seriously bad ones.
He could
see setting it up so that the kidnapping was intended to go wrong and have the two – or more die. But never Kevin. If the entire family was wiped out, the money would not go to the right person. That was key. And narrowed the field.
The investigators needed to check out the senator’s aide. And anyone else close enough to know the details of the will. Like the lawyers and the witnesses to the will. Not to mention, did anyone know who those people were?
“Arianna, have you seen your father’s will?”
She shook her head. Not even the return to an unpleasant subject seemed to dull her good humor. She’d been smiling nonstop since they boarded the flight. The first one was taking them into Seattle direct, and they’d be home a second flight later. But he wouldn’t be leaving her alone until she was safe and tucked up in her own bed.
“No. I haven’t and he’s never spoken to me about it.” Pulling her attention from the window she turned to look at him. “Why?”
“Just wondering how many people know the details.”
She wrinkled up her face. “No idea. No one has ever contacted me.”
“And…” he hated to ask this, as it made him sound crass, “If you die, who does your estate go to?”
“Kevin,” she said promptly. “There are other family members around but I don’t know them. If I die then he’s the one who needs the money the most.”
Mason, sitting across from them, asked, “Can you give us a list of anyone in your family who might be in line to inherit?”
“Sure.”
Shadow handed her a small pad of paper and a pen. She stared at the blank page for a long moment as if collecting her thoughts. Then the names showed up. Two then a third. She drew a line underneath and started writing other names down.
“I think we should look at the stepmom,” Swede said from beside Mason. “It’s usually someone who will inherit and she’s the surviving spouse and will have her son’s money to look after.”
Dane agreed. He leaned across the aisle adding, “She didn’t want to go supposedly, so just the right amount of reluctance. She was hurt but not badly. Her son was never hurt, which is what she’d want, and she gets rid of an aging domineering husband leaving her in the honey seat.”