“I do.” He offered an open palm. “Let’s talk, shall we?”
Cindy slid her hand into his.
“You’re shaking like a leaf.” Hank sandwiched her hand between his and rubbed warmth into her skin. “Edward said he discussed his plan to catch Eric with you and Dex on the way over here. Are you nervous about it?”
“A little.” A blink squeezed a tear onto her cheek. “But, I’m more nervous about not knowing where I stand with you. I haven’t heard from you since Monday, and I’d almost given up hope that you’d ever want to see me again.”
“I’m sorry I put you through that stress, and I think I owe you an explanation for keeping you waiting.” He hoped his smile would alleviate some of her tension.
Cindy took an uneven breath and brushed the tear from her cheek with a knuckle.
“Shortly before we met, I started having symptoms of survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress from the RPG attack in Afghanistan. Nightmares. Daytime triggers that brought flashbacks. Heavy stuff. You were going through so much that I didn’t want to burden you with my problems.”
“Oh, Hank.” Cindy stroked his bearded cheek. “I’m sorry.”
“When I finally realized how broken I was, I sought help from a friend who I knew would understand what I was going through. I spent last weekend with Marcus at his house in Virginia. You remember him, don’t you? The unit’s medic. He was at my parents’ the day you came to find Edward.”
“Yes, I remember. He baptized you and Edward. Very nice guy.”
“That he is.” Nice didn’t come close to describing Marcus. “His guidance and prayers gave me the tools I needed to start the mental healing process. After you came to see me, I decided to spend a few days alone to gather my thoughts and seek God. I didn’t want to offer you anything less than a whole man.”
Tears trickled down Cindy’s face.
“I realize now that I should have shared my trials and pain with you. Should have solicited your prayers and accepted what comfort you could give instead of making myself an island.” His own tears came close to the surface. He gulped to squelch them. “I love you, Sassy, and I want you in my life always, no matter what.”
Cindy threw her arms around his neck and burst into tears. “I love you back.”
Cocooned tightly in his arms, Cindy’s heart beat close to his, where it belonged. She was entirely his, and Eric would never get the chance to hurt her again.
* * * *
Hank shaved quickly, put in his glass eye, and hurried to the living room to join the others.
Cindy smiled and looped her arm around the crook of his elbow. “You look nice. Smell good too.”
“Thanks.” He turned toward Edward. “Why don’t you go over the plan one last time before Cindy and I head on out?”
Edward gave a decisive nod and looked at Cindy. “Hank called your friend Pete Vargas and got him involved. Pete liked the idea of drawing Eric to a remote place where the likelihood of anyone getting hurt was slim if Eric got violent. He’s on his way over here now.”
“Speaking of Vargas,” Hank said, getting Cindy’s attention. “When I talked to him a little while ago he told me he squeezed Plunkett hard enough to get him to admit that Eric forced him to hire and fire you. The nasty caller was one of Eric’s bootlicking buddies.”
Shaking her head, Cindy said, “No surprises there, right?”
“None whatsoever. Sorry, Eddie. Go on with what you were saying.”
“Dex,” Edward said. “You and I will back Vargas up if he needs it. Otherwise, we stand down and let him take care of Eric. An official arrest by a cop is better than a takedown by a couple of vigilantes.”
Dexter nodded. “Understood.”
“Cindy, Hank will drive you back to Walmart, you’ll pick up your car, and he’ll follow you to your apartment.”
Cindy raised a hand. “What about Dexter’s car?”
“It’s a twenty-four-hour Walmart. Nobody will notice or care, even if it stays there overnight.”
“You’re right. Sorry, go on. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Don’t be sorry. If you have any questions, now’s the time to ask.” Edward patted Cindy’s shoulder. “Remember, once you and Hank are inside your apartment you have to assume Eric is listening in. Everything you say, every sound you make, has to be part of a deliberate attempt to make him jealous enough to want to do something about it. Your goal is to make him think you’re giving Hank the physical intimacy you’ve denied him.”
Cindy’s face flushed. “How embarrassing.”
“Don’t worry, Eddie.” Hank slipped his arm around Cindy’s shoulder. “We’ll set Eric’s ears on fire.”
Dexter laughed.
“Quiet down.” Edward shook his head. “Another thing you’ve got to remember is Eric doesn’t know where Hank lives, so you’re going to have to give him some directions without sounding like you’re feeding him information.”
Cindy flapped her hand to fan herself. “Hank and I already have a plan for that.”
“That’s right,” Hank said. “And on our way out of here, I’ll stop and hang the reflectors on the trees at the head of the driveway like I do when Mom comes over. Make it easier for Eric to find the place.”
“Good. Looks like we’re all set then. Worst-case scenario is Eric doesn’t take the bait and doesn’t show up. We’ll reevaluate our strategy if that happens. You two better get going.”
Hank walked to the door, opened it and let Cindy pass. He turned and gripped Edward’s hand. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to her.” He’d stake his life on it.
* * * *
Cindy’s heart thumped harder as she turned her car onto the lot in front of the duplex. If not for the Jeep and its driver in the rearview mirror, she’d be a total wreck. Without Hank beside her, there was no way she’d step foot in her creepy apartment.
She parked the car and sat with her hands gripping the wheel at ten and two.
Hank opened her car door and smiled. “You’re staring at the house like there’s an ogre inside. Relax.” He took her hand from the steering wheel, guided her out of the car and gathered her against him in a warm hug.
She didn’t want him to let go.
“Let’s go inside,” he whispered in her ear. “Remember, once we’re in there, we’ve got to make this sound good for Eric. You can slap me later if I say something obscene.”
“Okay.” Cindy couldn’t imagine Hank ever saying anything indecent.
The wall socket by the couch drew her attention as soon as she stepped into the house. If Dexter hadn’t said something about the scratch on the faceplate screw, she’d have never noticed. Now, it wouldn’t stick out more even if it had a flashing neon arrow pointing to it.
As if sensing her apprehension, Hank brandished a comforting smile and motioned with both hands for her to come closer.
She slipped easily into his arms.
Hank’s purposely loud kisses explored her neck. “Mmm. You’re so beautiful. I love being with you, touching you, kissing you.” His sultry tone turned her internal thermometer up a few degrees. If she wasn’t careful, it would be easy to forget they were putting on a ruse to bring Eric to a boiling point.
Hank arched backward, looked her in the eye, and mouthed, “Say something.” He gave a sideways nod toward the wall outlet.
“I love you, Hank. Heart, soul, mind and body. All of me loves you.” The act was easier to put on than she’d thought.
“Body? Mmm, that sounds interesting.” He breathed a small, sexy laugh then led her by the hand to the bedroom. At the bedside, he lifted her straight off her feet, put a knee on the bed and fell sideways onto the mattress with her. The bedsprings squeaked under their weight.
Hank lay next to her, smiled, and pointed to the lamp on the nightstand not far from their heads where Dexter had said a device lay hidden. He grabbed her hand, kissed her palm with noisy smacks, and adde
d moans to go with it.
She almost laughed. Instead, she added groans and moans of her own and wiggled around, making the bedsprings squeak more.
Minutes later, Hank stopped, slipped a hand around her waist, pulled her close and sweetly kissed her lips. “I’ve waited a long time to sleep with you. I wouldn’t mind waking up next to you every day of my life.” The expression on his face couldn’t look more sincere.
“I want that too.” Cindy pecked his lips. “But not here, Hank. The walls are thin, and I don’t want Mrs. Baker to hear us.”
“No problem. I understand.” Hank got up and pulled Cindy to her feet. “Pack enough stuff for a long weekend, and we’ll jump in the Jeep and go to my house.”
“That sounds good, except I need to take my car too. I’ve got a job interview early Monday morning.” She grabbed her overnight bag, opened and closed dresser drawers louder than she normally would, and threw stuff into the bag.
“I could bring you back home in time. It wouldn’t be a problem.”
Cindy shook her head. “No, it’ll be too early. I’d rather say good-bye and let you sleep in.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Just go over the directions to your place in case we get separated. I’ve only been there once and don’t want to miss a turn. I should have put it into my GPS but forgot.”
“You can always call me.”
She laughed. “And say what? ‘I’m on a long stretch of roadway surrounded by trees. Which way should I go?’ Just refresh my memory while I finish packing, okay?”
Hank gave directions, repeating things when she asked for more detail for Eric’s benefit.
“Great.” Cindy picked up her bag. “Everything’s packed and I’m ready to go.” She gave Hank a smacking kiss.
* * * *
Hank closed Cindy’s car door and leaned on the doorframe when she lowered the driver’s side window. “I’ll be behind you all the way. Don’t worry if we get separated by a couple of cars here and there. Keep your eyes on the road and don’t constantly check your rearview mirror for my headlights. I might hang back some now and then, but I’ll always be watching your six. Just keep on going, and get to my house as quickly as you can without speeding. I’ll call Eddie and let him know we’re on our way. I love you.”
“Love you too.” Cindy’s eyes sparkled with adoration, emphasizing her declaration of affection.
He stuck his head further into the car, gave her a final, lingering kiss, and got into the Jeep.
“We’re leaving Cindy’s place now.” Hank ended the brief call to Edward and followed Cindy out of the neighborhood, through town, and onto the westbound highway as planned.
Twenty minutes into the trip, Cindy called. “Hey. You still behind me? I can’t tell.”
“Baby, I’ve got my eyes glued on your rear end.”
“Hey, now.” Cindy giggled. “Guys get their faces slapped for saying things like that to a lady, you know.” She laughed again.
“Figured that’d get a rise out of you.” Hank could imagine her silly smile. “Now quit checking the mirror and watch the road. I already told you I had your back.”
“Okeydokey. See you at the house. Bye.”
Fifteen more minutes passed. Cindy put on her blinker, and Hank trailed behind as she exited the four-lane. He followed her through several turns. Trees, rocks, and hills replaced houses and businesses. Another couple of miles, and they’d make their final turn onto Moss Road.
Hank opened the front windows a few inches and let the cool night air invigorate him.
Oncoming headlights illuminated a white pickup following less than a quarter mile in Hank’s rearview mirror. Light glinted off a silver roll bar that spanned the width of the roof between the cab and truck bed. Same truck he’d seen traveling a few car lengths behind him when he’d merged onto the main highway just south of Cindy’s town. It was too much of a coincidence for it to turn up behind him now. Hank slowed from sixty to fifty-five, adding distance between the Jeep and Cindy’s car. The white truck gained on him, then dropped back as if keeping pace.
Hank dropped his speed by another five miles. Cindy’s taillights shrank to dots and disappeared around a curve.
The pickup came up fast behind him, its engine roaring. It drove alongside the Jeep and matched Hank’s speed. Eric looked over from the driver’s seat, his lips drawn back in a snarl. He jerked the wheel. Metal collided against metal.
The Jeep swerved. Its backend fishtailed once, then again. Hank held on tight. The tires gripped the road and regained traction. He pulled hard and rammed the truck near its rear wheel.
Eric countered, pushed the Jeep onto the grassy shoulder, and screeched to a stop with the truck angled at Hank’s driver-side bumper.
Hank released his seatbelt, grasped the hunting knife he kept wedged between the seat and console, and threw open his door.
Footfalls padded quickly around the bed of the truck. “Get out of the vehicle, and let me see your hands!” Eric approached with a handgun pointing at Hank.
“All right, I’m coming out.” Hank unfolded slowly from the Jeep, one hand extended, fingers splayed.
“I told you I was going to kill you.” Eric snickered. He took a step off the hard top and onto the grass. His ankle turned slightly on uneven ground. The gun barrel wavered for a split second.
Hank lunged, latched on to Eric’s wrist, and slashed his forearm with the knife. The gun dropped to the ground. Hank sidestepped, brought a knee up hard into Eric’s solar plexus and forced a whoosh of air and a raspy moan out of him.
Eric fell forward on hands and knees.
With a shove of his boot, Hank rolled Eric over onto his back, then squatted beside him and lifted his chin with the point of his knife. “And I told you, I don’t kill easy.”
Chapter 36
Hank drove the Jeep down the Ho Chi Minh Trail and into the clearing by his house.
Vargas jogged over to him as he turned off the ignition. “Hurry, take Cindy into the house and let’s get set up. Edward and Dexter are in the woods keeping watch.”
Cindy hurried toward him. “What took you so long?”
“I was busy, taking care of business. I brought you a present.” He opened the back door, grabbed Eric by his hog-tied feet and pulled him out of the car.
Eric moaned through his duct-taped mouth as his belly hit the ground.
Vargas palmed his radio. “Hey, guys, change of plans. Come on down. We’ve got him.”
Edward and Dexter started coming out of the woods, rifles in hand.
Hank stepped over Eric and left Vargas to deal with him. He stood toe to toe with Cindy. “Now that we’ve got this little problem solved, how ’bout we quit all this play-dating, go for the gold, and get married?”
“I would like that.” She slipped her arms around his neck. “And we’ll have pancakes together every morning for the rest of our lives.”
Be sure not to miss Book 3 in Irene Onorato’s A Veteran’s Heart series
A Soldier’s Song
Sergeant Jason Dexter goes home to New York to attend a friend’s wedding and meets Aria Greco, the beautiful and talented pianist daughter of his commanding officer. He never expects that she might be the key to restoring his faith and mending his broken relationship with his father.
A Lyrical Shine novel on sale February 2018
Learn more about Irene at
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/31788
Chapter 1
“I can’t do it, Mom. I know you want me to stay, but there’s just no way.” Sergeant Jason Dexter tossed his bag onto the back seat of his rental car, laid the garment bag containing his tux across it, and closed the door. “I should’ve known nothing would change between me and Dad.”
“Jason, please don’t leave.” His mother’s tears broke his heart.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I hate that it has to be this way, but there’s only so much I can take o
f Dad’s uppity, condescending remarks about my job” Remarks that had begun not more than an hour after he walked through the front door of his parents’ house. “I’m a Spec Ops soldier. It’s what I do. And I’m damn good at it. If he can’t accept that, so be it.”
“Please reconsider. This friction between you and your father has to stop.”
“I’m not the one who’s throwing gas on the fire with inflammatory digs and jabs.” He kissed his mother’s cheek and gave her a hug. “I called Pop. He said I was more than welcome to stay with him for the next few days while I’m in town for Hank and Cindy’s wedding. I’ll go over there tonight, after the reception.”
“All right, then.” Mom’s warm hand stroked his wind-chilled cheek. “Tell your grandfather I said hello. I love you, son.”
“Love you too. You’d better go inside. It’s too cold to be out here without your coat.”
“Bye, sweetheart.” Eyes brimming with tears, she smiled sadly and hurried into the house.
Jason got in the car, drove around the circular driveway, and pulled out onto the road. The guys would be at the church in half an hour to hang out for a while before the ceremony. All of them soldiers, except for Hank who’d been medically discharged, their camaraderie would soothe the mental wounds his father inflicted. He passed through Poughkeepsie, crossed over the river on the Mid-Hudson Bridge to the east side, and headed their way.
Just once in his life, he’d like to hear his dad say he was proud of him. Pfft. Fat chance of that ever happening.
He turned on the radio and cranked up the volume. Tonight he’d enjoy his buddy’s wedding, find a pretty girl or two to dance with, and have fun.
* * * *
Aria Greco put on her blinker, passed a rusty old beater, and merged back into the right-hand lane. The GPS on the dash estimated her arrival at the wedding chapel in twenty-two minutes. The speedometer edged toward the right, reflecting her excitement. She slowed to the speed limit.
More Than a Soldier Page 29