The American Soldier Collection 9: Password to Her Heart (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “Belt,” she whispered as tears rolled from her big ocean-blue eyes.

  Lee pulled the jacket snugger against her. Stitch noticed that her hands were really shaking and he covered them with his own.

  “You’re safe now. You’re shaking because of the shock of it all. It will probably get a little worse until the doctors give you something to help calm you down.”

  “I killed him.” She lowered her eyes.

  Stitch looked at Lee and then glanced at the others, who all looked exactly like he felt. Sick and angry.

  “Who?” Mercury asked her.

  She looked at him and sniffled. “Cuadrone. The man who did all this to me.”

  Stitch swallowed hard. She was a fighter. She would survive all of this, and each of them would make sure of that. A protective feeling consumed him immediately. Shawna was part of their family now. They would always protect her.

  “Good, then he can never hurt you again,” Lee whispered to her. She turned her face toward Lee’s chest and snuggled into his hold. Stitch reached up and caressed her hair. “We’re almost there, Shawna. Everything is going to be okay now.”

  Chapter 6

  “How is Shawna doing today?” Mercury asked Tiek as he walked into her room. She was sleeping, just as she had been for the last three days. She would come in and out of consciousness and moan in pain. The tests the doctors ran showed she had some internal bleeding and they were monitoring it and debating whether surgery was necessary. But keeping her resting seemed to be helping the process. She was strong and doing well. Unlike Keith, who was touch and go after three consecutive surgeries.

  “They’re going to bring her down in an hour to do more tests to make sure that the bleeding has stopped.” Tiek looked at his watch. “She woke up a few times calling Keith’s name. She’s going to want to see him.”

  “I know. As soon as the testing is done, and she’s in the clear, we can see about getting her down there to ICU. Tex got the stuff moved from her apartment. She didn’t have much. Plus it appeared to me that the place was ransacked. Not sure if it was done prior to her being taken or what. Calico has men on it,” Mercury said as he walked closer to the bed. He reached out and touched her hair. “The bruises are healing.”

  “What was her place like? Any info on her and the kind of person she is?”

  Mercury took a deep breath and released it. “She’s in college. Almost finished. She worked at a bar, but they already hired a new bartender. The guy Mike, who reported her missing, has been asking about her. He’s coming by today.” Mercury felt his gut clench. He had this feeling that Shawna was becoming so much to them. His men were constantly figuring out a schedule to stay here with her, and were setting up a bedroom for her to stay in as soon as she was discharged, which would be way before Keith was.

  “Who is this guy? You checked him out? Is he her boyfriend?” Tiek asked in his very deep voice. Mercury signaled for him to lower his voice and Tiek stood up and paced the room.

  “She needs us. She needs men who understand how to deal with the consequences of war, of being prisoners, of surviving something like what she went through.”

  “Tiek, she’ll need professional counseling. I already spoke to Spocko, and he can see her at the house as soon as she’s up to it. Keith is going to need a lot of rehab when all is done, and if he pulls through, he’s got a long fight ahead of him. I’m certain that Shawna will want to be here with him.”

  “We’ll work it out,” Tiek stated and then walked back closer to the bed.

  Shawna began to moan and then blink open her eyes. She jerked and gasped. Both Mercury and Tiek placed hands on her shoulders and spoke softly to her.

  “You’re safe, sweetheart. You’re still in the hospital,” Mercury told her. He looked her over as she glanced at Tiek and then at him then closed her eyes and took a deep, unsteady breath before releasing it. He could tell even in the hospital gown that Shawna was well endowed. The feel of her muscular shoulders and arms beneath his hold caused an immediate attraction to her. It was crazy, but no woman seemed to affect him just by her eyes alone. Shawna did, as her blue eyes locked on his and she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth then cringed. They were still swollen.

  “Do you need a sip of water?” Tiek asked, moving toward the cup and straw. She nodded her head. As she tried to sit up, she closed her eyes and Mercury helped her.

  “Bruised ribs can be just as sore as broken ones. But they’ll heal fast,” he told her.

  Tiek held the cup as she took a sip and she locked gazes with him. He held her gaze and Mercury realized that Tiek was probably feeling that attraction and possessive feeling, too. He would need to talk to them when they had the chance to see how the others felt. A lot of their friends shared women and were in ménage relationships. It wasn’t uncommon around where they lived. In fact, the thought crossed their minds many times, especially over some beers and feeling like life finally had some normalcy. But Shawna had been through something really traumatic. Although, thank God, the doctors confirmed she hadn’t been sexually assaulted despite the bruising around her groin. She may have some lasting effects that perhaps may make her fearful of men. The best thing they could do was make her feel safe and comfortable with them.

  “How is Keith? When can I see him?” she asked in a shaky voice.

  “The last surgery appears to have gone well. The doctors said he needs lots of rest, but I think after you get your tests done today, and the doctor gives the all clear, we can wheel you down to see him,” Tiek told her.

  “How long do I have to stay here?” she asked.

  “As long as the doctors say,” Mercury replied. She looked at him and then swallowed hard.

  “You don’t need to stay here all the time. I’m sure you have jobs and things to do. I’ll be okay alone,” she said.

  “Shawna, we’re all here to watch over you and take care of you now,” Mercury stated.

  “I’ll be fine alone. I just want Keith to be okay. There seems like so much to figure out. I have to contact work. I have to take care of the rent for my apartment, and the medical bills here.”

  Mercury covered her hand and held her gaze. “We got it covered. We moved your things out of the apartment and into the house on the ranch. We spoke to your boss at work and told him that you won’t be coming back.”

  “What? Why would you do that?” She swallowed hard.

  “Shawna, Keith had a plan in mind, no matter what the outcome of the incident in Mexico,” Tiek told her. “We’re to protect you, take care of you now so that you no longer have any worries. So don’t fret about the bills. They’re covered.”

  “I still need to work. I’m trying to finish college.”

  “Honey, you will be able to finish college. You can grab a job if need be in town where we live. It’s a beautiful ranch in the country. We even have a place set up for Keith when he’s all better. But all you need to concentrate on right now is getting better.”

  Mercury could tell that she was getting emotional. Her blue eyes glazed over with unshed tears.

  The door to the room opened and a nurse and the doctor were there. The doctor, Lawrence Fisher, smiled wide. “How wonderful. You’re sitting up. That’s a good sign.” He walked closer to the bed. Mercury stepped away, but still remained close by, as did Tiek.

  He checked her pulse and then pressed his hand over her forehead. “No fever. How do you feel today?” he asked her.

  “Better.”

  “Good.”

  “I want to see my brother.”

  The doctor nodded.

  “How about we go downstairs and run those last tests to be sure that you’re in tip-top shape? Then we’ll see about visiting Keith.”

  She nodded.

  “One of you can accompany her downstairs if you like,” the doctor stated.

  Mercury looked at Tiek.

  “You go, Commander. I’ll go call Lee and Tex.” Tiek walked over to Shawna and clasped her hand. “You do what
the doctor says and just relax. I’m sure you’ll get the all clear so you can go see Keith.” He winked at her and she smiled.

  “Thank you, Tiek. And thank you for staying here and watching over me.”

  “Always, darling,” he said then walked from the room.

  * * * *

  Shawna was feeling overwhelmed with emotions. She was supposed to be strong, independent, and self-sufficient, yet these men, her brother’s team of soldiers, were making her feel special. She couldn’t help the attraction she felt to each of them. It was so crazy, but since Lee arrived with Tiek at the compound to save her and Keith’s lives, she hadn’t been then same. She thought of herself as pretty damn smart. She knew from experience the many times that Keith visited her when he was going through post-traumatic stress disorder. She recognized the signs, knew he needed reassurance, and she was certain to make lots of noise and never approach him while he was sleeping in fear that he could hurt her or worse.

  Right now she was feeling pretty on edge and just wanted to be out of the hospital and safe in her apartment. But even when she thought of that, she knew it wasn’t a safe neighborhood and she would more than likely end up in a psych ward if she isolated herself from society. The best thing to do now was to focus on Keith and getting him better. She’d survive her own fears and misery someday, but Keith was most important to her.

  “Are you up to sitting in a wheelchair?” the nurse asked. Shawna nodded her head. After she moved her legs over the side of the bed, the nurse assisted her into the wheelchair.

  Mercury remained by her side the entire way. He was quiet but his presence and demeanor drew the attention of just about everyone. He was very tall, like Tiek, maybe six feet three. He looked older, if the lines by his eyes and over his forehead were any indication of his age. But he was handsome in a very stern, mature way. He seemed experienced and tough as nails. She swallowed hard. All five of the men in Keith’s team were intimidating. But she felt safe with them nearby. Thinking about leaving them and going back to her lonely life brought on an instant feeling of anxiety. She needed to get a grip.

  She felt the hand on her shoulder as the nurse indicated that she was to get up onto the bed in the exam room. Before she could get up, Mercury lifted her gently in his arms and placed her down onto the long, narrow bed. She locked gazes with him. The feel of hard muscles beneath her palms elicited something in her that she was beginning to feel whenever one of the men were near her or touched her. She looked above her at all the elaborate devices and machinery. The large machine above would come down and determine whether or not she was still bleeding internally.

  She clasped onto Mercury, relieved that he was here with her, and obviously affected by his move of compassion.

  “Thank you, Mercury. I’m okay.”

  He stared at her as if he weren’t too sure that she was telling the truth, or perhaps he read through her tough exterior. Either way, this was who she was. She didn’t back down from anything. In fact, after surviving what she did, life couldn’t throw her into anything more dangerous or scary than what she’d gone through.

  “You are one lucky lady to have five military men caring for you. I’m jealous,” the nurse said.

  Shawna felt her cheeks warm. At the same time the nurse said that, Shawna had felt the loss of Mercury’s presence so close to her. Was she becoming attached to the five men? Did the nurse think that Shawna was involved romantically with all five of them?

  As she lay back and closed her eyes, trying to relax while they prepared her for the exam, she thought about her five rescuers. They were definitely an attractive bunch. They were raw, hardcore men. Their good looks and calm demeanors would attract any woman around them, but it was that same raw, hard appearance that ran deep within their veins and made them so intimidating, lethal, and unpredictable. These men went through war, killed people so they themselves could survive. Anyone, especially a woman like her who just survived such an ordeal, would latch onto them, and imagine feeling an attraction they wouldn’t reciprocate. They knew pain, they knew taking things to the limit, and they didn’t do vulnerable or trust. The trust they shared was between their team members only. Just as her trust lay within her brother and no other person on this earth. It was how she conditioned herself to be. Guarded, untouched by a man so intimately in body and in soul.

  She took a deep breath as the testing began and hoped that she was well enough to see her brother. She had heard the doctors and even the men talking when they thought she was asleep. Keith’s injuries were life threatening, even now after three surgeries. He might not recover.

  The tears filled her eyes as she thought about life without Keith. How would she survive? These men, his team, couldn’t take care of her forever. She didn’t even know them. As she thought about that, Shawna realized something. She may not know them, but she felt safe and comfortable with them. Maybe because Keith had talked about his team like they were his family and he trusted them with the password. They represented everything a family should be or could be in a perfect world. They supported one another, they risked their lives for one another, and their trust and bond ran deep. Deeper than her own bond with Keith.

  The tear rolled down her cheek and her heart ached. She took the time to pray that Keith survived, and that life would get better now for both of them. But something tugged at her heart. A fear, an inkling of a sensation that told her it wouldn’t. She would always be afraid to open up her heart, and to trust anyone but Keith. She couldn’t hold on to an attraction to five men just because they were compassionate and cared for her while Keith was trying to fight for his life. They were doing their job. They were protecting their own. As always it was time to suck up the pain and the fear she had and take care of herself. No one was reliable or trustworthy. Her life had changed in a matter of two weeks. Now, she was more alone and scared than ever before. Fear was a very powerful thing.

  Chapter 7

  Tiek was relieved that Shawna was healing well and there was no more concern over internal bleeding. In fact, the doctor said she could be discharged tomorrow. There was a lot for them to discuss with her to make her feel comfortable. As he slowly pushed the wheelchair through the ICU, they came upon Keith’s room where Tex and Lee stood outside, and Mercury was in there. He took a deep breath, knowing how difficult it was for himself to have seen Keith hooked up to so many wires and looking pale and weak. He couldn’t imagine Shawna’s reaction.

  He locked gazes with Lee and Tex, who went from appearing sad and stern to smiling softly as their eyes lit up at the sight of Shawna. Both men bent down next to the wheelchair and said hello.

  Lee touched her chin and smiled softly. “You look better. How are the ribs?” he asked.

  “Good.” She tried looking past him toward the room.

  “How did the tests go? No more bleeding?” Tex asked. She nodded.

  “Everything is great. The doctor said she will probably be discharged tomorrow and placed in our care. We’ll talk about it later.”

  “I want to see him. How is he? What have the doctors told you?” she asked Lee.

  Lee and Tex stood back up and Tex looked away. Lee held her gaze.

  “It’s touch and go, Shawna. They don’t know how his body will take to the surgery he had this morning. They’re monitoring him and say all we can do now is let him rest and heal.”

  * * * *

  Shawna nodded and felt the tears reach her eyes. She wouldn’t cry though. Keith needed her to be strong, and she needed to be strong, especially in front of these men who had taken over a caregiving role. She had to place some space between them so she could pull off independent and strong despite the desperate feeling to be close to them. She was becoming attached and that wasn’t healthy.

  She spotted Mercury by Keith’s bedside and immediately saw the sadness in his eyes. He heard the sound of the wheelchair and turned to look at her. She felt her chest tighten as his eyes seemed to light up from seeing her. Maybe it was wishful thinkin
g or her subconscious trying to make her believe it was all right to feel attached to these men. But it wasn’t. They were strangers, too. Their commitment and dedication was to Keith and she was just extra they were forced to care for.

  She placed her hands on the arms of the wheelchair and went to stand up when Mercury reached for her.

  “Whoa, honey, you shouldn’t be standing. You’re ribs are still healing.”

  “I want to see my brother,” she whispered, her eyes focused on Keith and all the tubes and wires. The sounds of beeping filtered loudly through all her senses. That scent of hospital and antiseptic after someone had surgery filled her nostrils. There was a large bandage over his shoulder. She immediately noticed the blackness under his eyes and his lips where a tube was taped to and going into his mouth. She grabbed onto the bed rail as Mercury’s large, hard hands gripped her hip bones to steady her.

  She stared at her brother and felt deep concern. He didn’t look well at all. In fact, he looked like he was dead. But to the left she saw the monitors and the breathing tube that kept him alive. She knew he wasn’t dead, just resting and hopefully healing. The tears rolled down her cheeks as she reached up and caressed his cheek. “I love you, Keith. I’m here with you. I need you. I don’t have anyone but you. Please, Keith, please fight to stay alive.”

  She sobbed softly and felt as if she would pass out when Mercury lifted her up into his arms. She heard the others by the doorway gasp, and she fought to be strong.

  “Put me down,” she said to Mercury while trying to make her eyes focus clearly. She was so overcome with emotions and fear. It consumed her and took all the strength out of her. Lee was there with the wheelchair, but Mercury held her in his arms. His stern expression, his firm lips, and piercing blue eyes held her gaze. His older, more mature and experienced demeanor was comforting, and she fought to not give in to the need to be held and hugged, consumed by the security he and his arms could provide. She cried. “Put me down. I don’t need coddling.” His expression changed to something other than upset, but then it went blank and she couldn’t read him as he slowly set her down in the chair. Lee was starting to push her from the room.