by Susan Stoker
“I agree. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious,” Sean warned.
“Which is why we’re staying inside tonight, and why me and Sadie will stay at Fletch’s house rather than in the apartment over his garage,” Chase shot back. “When it comes to Jonathan, there’s safety in numbers.”
With what sounded like respect, Sean said, “Right. I’ll see you first thing tomorrow then. Tell Sadie her aunt and I love her.”
“Will do.”
“Later.”
“Bye.”
Chase clicked off his phone, closed his eyes, and rested his head on the headrest.
“Sean Taggart is coming down?” Ghost asked.
“And his brother, Ian,” Chase told him.
Ghost grinned. “I’ve always wanted to work with those guys.”
Chase huffed out a laugh but didn’t open his eyes. Leave it to Ghost to get excited about working with some of the most notorious badasses in the country. He wouldn’t be surprised if the Taggarts tried to recruit members of the Delta Force team at some point in the future.
Opening his eyes when he felt the vehicle slow, Chase saw that they were pulling into Fletch’s driveway. The Highlander Fletch drove the women home in was nowhere to be seen, but Chase wasn’t worried. He knew he and Ghost would’ve been notified if something went wrong with the trip home.
Ghost pulled up next to the garage, turned off the engine, and got out. Chase followed suit.
They were walking toward the house when the front door flew open.
Sadie ran out of the house, and Chase frowned. He didn’t like that she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings. He did like that he seemed to be the object of her attention at the moment, but he needed her to be more self-aware. Jonathan would wait for a moment just like this one to strike.
He opened his mouth to tell her to get back inside when she stopped in her tracks. They were about ten feet apart and she stood stock still, her mouth open, her face paling.
It wasn’t until she swayed on her feet that Chase realized something was wrong. He rushed toward her and heard her say, “Your arm,” before her eyes rolled back in her head and she passed out, falling to the ground in a heap before Chase could get to her.
Chapter Seven
Sadie shifted on the bed, not understanding why her mattress was so lumpy. She opened her eyes and winced at the bright light. She turned her head to the side—and froze.
Chase was sitting next to her, looking down at her in concern.
She wrinkled her brow. “What are you doing in my bedroom?”
If anything, her question made him look even more concerned. “We’re at Fletch’s house, Sparky. Not your bedroom.”
It all came back to her in a rush then. She sat up, nearly whacking Chase in the head in the process. “Your arm! Are you okay? Oh my God, I had no idea he’d hit you!”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” Sadie insisted. “You’re bleeding! Your shirt was soaked with it. Did you go to the hospital? How long have I been sleeping?”
“First of all, you weren’t sleeping. You passed out. You fell right to the ground before I could get to you. Second, I didn’t go to the hospital because there was no need. I knew Fletch would sew me up if I needed it. Third, you’ve been in here about an hour. I wouldn’t let anyone disturb you.”
Sadie’s eyes went to his sleeve. He was wearing a different shirt than he’d had on earlier. This one was a short-sleeve gray Army PT shirt. She knew because the guys at McKay-Taggart wore them all the time. There was a white bandage over his left biceps. Without thought, her fingers moved to it. “Can I see?”
Chase put his hand over hers, halting her movements. “I’m fine,” he repeated.
“Let me see.” It wasn’t a question that time.
Sighing, as if he knew she wouldn’t stop asking until he gave in, Chase turned so she had better access to his wound and let her do what she wanted.
Sadie pulled the tape off of the gauze and peeled it down. There was a definite gouge in the flesh of his upper arm. The bullet had taken a chunk of skin, but it didn’t look like it had done too much damage…even though it had bled a lot. Pressing the tape back into place, Sadie said, “I’m usually not so squeamish. I’ve seen my share of blood and gunshots, but it’s just that…it was you. And you were shot because of me.”
“Sparky,” Chase warned.
“It was Jonathan,” Sadie blurted before Chase could say anything else.
“I heard you warn me a second before he shot. I wasn’t sure if you had actually seen him or not,” Chase said.
“I saw him. He was crouched behind a car.”
“You got a good look at him?” Chase asked.
“Oh yeah. He looked right at me,” Sadie said. “I’m sorry, Chase. I’m so sorry!”
“Shut up,” he told her in a gentle tone. “This isn’t your fault. I’m just glad it was me and not you.”
“Don’t say that!” she exclaimed. “Don’t fucking say that. How would you feel if our positions were reversed? Do you think it would make you feel better if I was shot instead of you?”
“Fuck no,” he bit out.
“Right. So don’t think that it makes me feel any better.”
They stared at each other for a long moment before Chase reached for her. He pulled her into his arms and said, “I’m sorry. You’re right. Nothing about this situation is cool.”
They sat there together for a long moment before Chase drew back and informed her, “Sean and Ian are coming down tomorrow.”
Sadie sighed. “I’d prefer they weren’t involved.”
“There’s no way they’re staying away.”
“I know that too. But them coming down makes it more real for me.”
“Makes what more real, Sparky?” Chase asked.
“The threat. I could tell myself that it wasn’t that big of a deal when it was just you watching me. I could tell myself that Jonathan had left the state and all this craziness was for naught. But I know my uncles. If they’re on their way, they’re worried, and they’ll keep me locked up until they find Jonathan.”
“They love you.”
“And I love them. But I hate this. Hate.”
“Think of it this way,” Chase said. “If Jonathan hadn’t made a move, we might not’ve known he was here already. We might’ve gotten even more complacent and he might’ve had a chance to snatch you right out from under my nose. So Sean and Ian coming down here means that this will end sooner rather than later. I have no doubt they’ll be a huge help in capturing that asshole.”
“Yeah.”
“They will.”
“I know.”
“Why don’t you sound happy about that?” Chase asked.
Sadie bit her lip as she looked into Chase’s brown eyes. He’d been hurt because of her. Because of what she’d done. Oh, she knew Jonathan had been the one to pull the trigger today, but he was there because of her actions. He was determined to punish her for tricking him when they were in that bedroom at Bexar.
If Jonathan got his hands on her again, she knew he’d kill her.
Her feelings for Chase were complicated, but no matter how many times they butted heads, she respected him…liked him. More than liked him. Wanted him.
Taking a deep breath and trying to be brave, she said, “Because once Jonathan is captured, I’ll have to go back to Dallas. Back to my life.”
Chase slowly moved his hand and speared his fingers into her hair until he was palming her head. He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “If you think I’m going to let you go home and not see you again, you’re wrong.”
Sadie blinked. She knew she was leaning into his hand but couldn’t stop herself. “Really?”
“Really. You heard me when I told you that you’re mine, didn’t you?”
Her hopes rose and she nodded. “I thought maybe you were just caught up in the moment or something.” Then she held her breath as Chase leaned toward her. She k
ept her eyes on his, not willing to close them and miss a second of her first kiss with the man she was falling in love with.
She licked her lips in anticipation of his kiss…
But before their lips met, the door opened. “Is she awake yet— Oh…sorry,” Rayne said, not sounding sorry at all. “We’re downstairs waiting on you guys. Annie’s about to burst with curiosity. She wants to examine your wound, Chase. Just a friendly warning. And Sadie, us ladies want to know more about the hot guys who work for McKay-Taggart.”
“Jeez, sis, you’re practically married,” Chase said with a groan.
“But I’m not dead. I’m allowed to look at good-looking men! Now come on. Quit sucking face and come downstairs and join the rest of us.” And with that, Rayne shut the door.
Sadie bit her lip and looked up at Chase. “Guess we better go before she sics Annie on us.”
Chase ran his thumb over her glistening lips as he said, “We’re staying over here tonight. Fletch and Emily already went over to the apartment and got our stuff. We’ll eat, then we’ll talk about Jonathan and the school. Then we’ll finish what we didn’t get to start a second ago.”
Sadie knew she was blushing but nodded anyway. She didn’t want to tell him about Jonathan, but she needed to before she got in over her head. Which was a joke, because she already felt in over her head with Chase. But she needed to see his reaction to what she’d done, and he needed to know why Jonathan was so determined to get to her. If Chase still wanted to be with her after he knew everything, it would be that much better.
“That work for you?” Chase asked. She’d obviously taken too long to answer.
“Yeah, Chase. That works for me.”
“I’ll say it now and I’ll say it again later if you need to hear it. In fact, I’ll keep saying it until you believe me. Whatever happened doesn’t make a damn bit of difference to me. It kept you alive and it kept you safe. So you don’t need to be concerned about how I’m going to react when you tell me whatever horrible thing you think you’ve done. I can guarantee you it’s not going to change the way I feel about you. It’s not going to make me want you less.”
Sadie stared at him.
“That’s right, Sparky. I want you. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you. I shouldn’t have waited in the first place, but I figured we’d have time. Which was stupid. I know better than anyone how fleeting life can be. I watched an entire squad of good men, some of the best I’ve known, die in an instant. I don’t ever want to have any regrets, and having something happen to you before I can make you mine would definitely make me regret not speaking up. I’m just hoping you’ll give me a chance to show you that I can be the man for you.”
Sadie swallowed and opened her mouth to spill her guts. To tell him she’d wanted him the first time she saw him as well. That she would give up all her worldly possessions if he gave her the chance to show him that she could be the woman for him.
But the door to the room opened before she could say anything and little Annie entered.
“Come on,” she whined. “We can’t start eating without you guys and I’m starrrrrving! I’m gonna die if I don’t get a hotdog in the next thirty seconds!”
Chase kept his hand on Sadie’s face for a beat before leaning forward and kissing her forehead gently. Then he stood and held out his hand, his good one, for Sadie. She slid off the mattress and timidly placed her hand in his. After what he’d said, she felt shy for some reason.
“All right, Annie. We’re comin’. Lead the way,” Chase told the little girl.
She marched toward them and got behind him. Then she put both hands on his butt and pushed. “Daddy told me not to leave the room without you. So you have to lead the way.”
Chase chuckled. “Smart man,” he murmured under his breath, but allowed himself to be pushed out of the bedroom.
Sadie followed along in his wake, smiling at the antics of Fletch’s little girl. She was precocious and adorable at the same time.
Chapter Eight
Dinner went surprisingly well. Sadie had thought she might be uncomfortable with Ghost and Fletch, but they were down to earth and reminded her a lot of the operatives who worked for McKay-Taggart. She had friends, but sitting around watching Rayne and Emily interact with each other and their men was refreshing. They showed their love for one another openly. They teased and laughed together, but it was absolutely done out of affection and respect.
Too many times in college Sadie had lost friends because of petty jealousies and perceived competition on their part. But it was obvious Emily and Rayne weren’t envious of each other. Maybe it was because they were older, maybe it was because they were with soldiers who they knew could be killed on any of their missions. Whatever it was, Sadie liked them. She enjoyed being a part of their inner circle. She wanted to have that true intimacy with another woman, or a group of women. She felt as if she had it with Milena and had missed relaxing and chatting with her over the last month. It was always great to have a boyfriend, but there was just something different about knowing you had women you could count on no matter what.
They were sitting around relaxing and talking after dinner when Ghost’s phone rang. He obviously recognized the number and didn’t care if the others overheard his conversation, because he didn’t bother getting off the couch to answer it.
“Ghost here. Hey, Fish, how are you? How’s Bryn?” He smiled at the group as he listened to whatever was being said on the other end of the line.
“Really? She said that? Shit, I love your wife, man. She’s awesome.”
Sadie felt Chase stiffen next to her right after Ghost began speaking, but she didn’t know why. Chase had the hand of his injured arm sitting on her thigh, as if they sat like that all the time, but for whatever reason, when Ghost started talking to his friend, his fingers dug into her leg almost painfully.
She looked over at him—and he was staring at Ghost with a gaze that was as intense as she’d ever seen. “Chase?” she asked softly, getting concerned.
Ghost was still talking. “When you get that new prosthetic, let us know. I’m interested to hear how you like it and if it’s as high tech as it’s purported to be. Annie says she misses you. She’s upset we got to come out and see you not too long ago. After she heard all about Bryn, she can’t wait to meet her.”
“What’s his last name?” Chase asked loudly, making Sadie jump. He wasn’t trying to be polite; he’d barged into Ghost’s conversation as if he had every right. He sounded pissed too. As if he was angry that Ghost was on the phone in the first place.
Sadie looked at Chase. His teeth were obviously grinding because she could see his jaw flexing. His lips were pressed together and his eyes were narrowed. He was still gripping her leg hard enough that she’d probably have bruises. Sadie wanted to do something to help him, but she wasn’t sure what was wrong in the first place.
Ghost went from relaxed and jovial to irritated—and possibly a little angry—in a heartbeat. “Hang on,” he said into the phone, then held it against his chest and stared at Chase. “What’s your problem?”
“You called whoever you’re talking to ‘Fish.’ What’s his last name?”
Ghost didn’t answer immediately, and the two men stared at each other for a long moment.
Rayne finally broke the tense silence. “Munroe. Fish’s name is Dane Munroe. Why? What’s going on, Chase?”
Sadie watched as all the blood drained from Chase’s face, as if he’d just seen a ghost. She didn’t understand what in the world was going on, but it was something big.
As if in a trance, Chase held out his hand to Ghost, obviously asking for the phone.
“Chase?” Rayne asked again, sounding extremely concerned now.
Ghost hesitated for a second, but whatever he saw in Chase’s face made him lean forward and hand him the phone.
Everyone in the room was silent, aware that something big was happening, but not sure what.
Sadie reached over and put her h
and on Chase’s leg, but she didn’t think he even knew she was there. Hell, she didn’t think he was aware of anyone around him.
He slowly brought the phone up to his ear. Sadie could hear the man named Fish on the other end; his voice was loud and easily heard through the speaker of the phone since she was sitting right next to Chase.
“Hello?” Chase said tentatively.
“Who’s this?” Fish asked.
“Captain Chase Jackson. Who’s this?”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line, then Fish asked, “No shit? Jackson?”
“Yeah. Please tell me you are who I think you are.”
“Fuck me. Goddamn. I can’t fucking believe this!”
Sadie’s eyes widened at the amount of swear words coming from whoever Chase was talking to. He sounded almost as shaken up as Chase looked.
Finally, when he’d apparently run out of dirty words, he simply said, “I thought you were dead, man.”
Chase huffed out a breath and closed his eyes. “I thought you were dead. Is there anyone else?”
Fish cleared his throat. “No. I’m the only one. Ghost and his team came across the convoy and saved my life. Lost my arm, but if Truck hadn’t clamped my artery for the forty minutes it took to get to a medic station, I would’ve lost my life too. Shit, Sir…if I had known…I… They would’ve gotten you out too. I thought you were dead.”
The emotion on Chase’s face was clear for everyone in the room to see. No one said a word; even little Annie was quiet as they all watched whatever was happening play out in front of them.
“They did the right thing. I passed out and when I woke up, you were gone. Thought the locals had gotten ahold of you,” Chase told Fish. “Jesus, Munroe. I just can’t… I can’t believe you’re alive.”
A tear fell down Sadie’s cheek, but she didn’t wipe it away. The mixture of joy and sorrow on Chase’s face was both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. She knew Fish must be one of the soldiers from the group who were going to rescue the hostage. She remembered Chase’s anguish when he’d talked about how all the men had died in the explosion, and how he hadn’t been able to find any information on them.