by Rebecca Deel
Nate aimed his weapon at the downed former Delta operative. “Covered, Major.”
Josh stood.
“Injuries?” Rio asked.
“Left arm.”
The medic shifted position. He whistled. “Need a new shirt and some stitches.”
“I can live with that.”
“Your lady won’t be happy.”
Josh grunted. Since Granger’s plan to slice his throat failed, he counted a cut on his arm a victory. He keyed his mic. “Jon, move in.”
“Roger that. One minute.”
Rio dropped his bag on a rock, keeping it out of the mud pit that used to be a clearing. “I’ll wrap this for now. When we reach the cabin, I’ll give you a local and stitch you up.” He ripped Josh’s shirt sleeve.
Jon and Eli trotted into the clearing, saw an unconscious Granger on the ground.
“Very nice,” Eli said. “And here I was hoping the SEALs could ride to Delta’s rescue.” He grinned. “Just like old times.”
“Their sniper has you in his sight. Don’t make him angry.” Jon eased his pack to the ground, unzipped the inner pouch. He pulled out a hypodermic needle. “Let’s make sure this clown stays out.” He inserted the hypodermic into Granger’s vein and depressed the plunger. “This stuff is guaranteed to keep Granger unconscious for about 12 hours. More than long enough to transport him to Fortress’s black site.”
“Hate to think I was injured in the line of duty only for Fortress to lose him. He won’t be happy when he wakes.”
“Don’t worry.” Eli knelt beside Granger and methodically searched him for weapons. “Brent is heading the team escorting Curt to his temporary home.” By the time he finished searching, a pile of knives, guns, grenades and a little C-4 along with detonators lay at Eli’s feet. “When will you call in the feds?”
“As soon as Fortress is out of here. FBI agent in charge is a hard case about mercenary groups.”
“Incoming,” Alex murmured in Josh’s ear.
“This is Maddox,” a deep voice rumbled over the comm set. “Coming in soft.”
“Copy,” Josh replied.
“Hold still.” Rio tugged him around by his vest. “If I don’t cover this, your lady will freak.”
“You think she won’t insist on seeing the injury?”
“Probably. At least we can prepare her. I’d rather she not faint.”
Five men, all clad in black, strode into the muddy clearing. A buzz-cut blond separated himself from the others. He stared down at Granger, a sneer on his face. “Curt Granger. Look forward to a long talk.”
“Why?”
“We’ve crossed paths several times over the years. He’s been a pain in my backside since I started Fortress.” He turned, held out his hand to Josh. “Brent Maddox. Nice job on this op.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate you letting us borrow the comm system.”
“Sweet, isn’t it? Paid too much money for it.” Maddox motioned two of his men to haul Granger up. One of them slung the unconscious man over his shoulder like a sack of grain and started back the way he’d come. Two of his teammates flanked him, weapons in hand. One remained behind, waiting for Maddox.
“Worth every penny.”
“Think so, huh? You’ll get to play with that and other very cool toys if you work for us.”
Josh grinned. “Bribery?”
“If it gets me what I need. Fortress needs you and your team, Josh. Your unit operates like a well-oiled machine. You would be a huge difference maker. Save a lot of lives.”
“After Del and Ivy are safe, we’ll talk.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Maddox turned on his heel, eyed Eli and Jon. “Keep me posted. I’ll have men ready to assist.”
Eli saluted his boss.
With a wave, Maddox joined his remaining man and followed his team into the rainy night.
Josh keyed his mic. “Alex, we clear?”
“Affirmative,” his partner said.
“Head to the cabin.”
“Copy.”
He signaled Nate, Rio, Eli and Jon to follow as he headed back to Del.
On the computer screens, two men left the clearing. “What’s happening?” Del demanded. She wished for a communication headset herself. She hated being left in the dark. Why couldn’t the cameras come equipped with sound capability? That would have brought her blood pressure down at least a dozen points.
“Our guys are coming back to the cabin,” Stella said.
“Everybody okay?” Ivy asked.
Stella exchanged glances with Deke.
“One injury.” Deke’s gaze shifted to Del.
Her heart sank. Josh was injured? “How bad?”
“Cut. Needs stitches.” He shrugged. “He’s walking so it’s not too bad.”
“How was he injured?”
“Granger had a knife. He went after Josh. Took your boyfriend about two minutes to take him down.”
Ivy frowned. “I thought Granger was scary good at this soldier stuff.”
“Josh is better,” Stella said.
“How long before they’re here?” Del asked.
“Maybe ten minutes,” Deke answered.
“Should I brew coffee? They’ve been in the rain a while.”
“Sandwiches, too. They burned a lot of energy. They’ll be starving.”
Seems like all she’d done was cook since this nightmare began. Maybe when Wright and Granger were behind bars, Josh would take her out to eat. She hurried to the kitchen. The end was in sight. Before long, she would be in her store, ordering and sorting books. She missed the smell of Madison’s coffee and the scent of books, craved the thrill of opening boxes of new books and shelving them for others to browse and buy.
Del made several trips to the refrigerator to retrieve bread, condiments, several types of lunchmeat, cheese, lettuce and tomato. She arranged things so it was easy for the men to grab and make their own. She started the coffee pot and brought out Cokes for those who preferred a cold drink.
As she set the last Coke on the countertop, the back door opened and the men streamed into the kitchen, Josh the last through the door. Water dripped on the floor as they unloaded packs and rifles.
Deke walked in, towels in hand. “Here, dry off with these.” He tossed one to each man.
Del stepped forward, stopped, gaze fixed on Josh. With him at the back of the pack, she couldn’t reach him without making a spectacle of herself. The rest of his team must have noticed her hesitation because they shifted position, leaving an aisle for her.
A slight smile curved Josh’s lips. He dropped the towel and spread his arms.
That was all the encouragement she needed. Del raced into Josh’s arms. In a distant part of her mind, she registered her clothes absorbing water, but she didn’t care. She buried her face against his neck. “I was so afraid for you,” she whispered.
“I’m okay, baby.”
“Granger?”
“Out cold and out of our hair. Fortress will keep him under wrap until this op is finished.”
“Hope they lock him up and lose the key.”
He tightened his grip around her. “Got a mean streak, do you?”
Alex dropped his towel. “Where’s Ivy?”
A thump sounded in the hall. The woman in question hobbled through the doorway. “Here. You okay?”
He grinned. “Wet and hungry.”
“I can’t help the wet part,” Del said, still holding Josh. “The coffee is hot and food’s ready.”
“Perfect, sugar,” Eli said. He reached over and ruffled her hair. “Josh, can one of you drive us to our SUV after we eat? I don’t want another drenching.”
“I’ll take them, Major.” Nate toweled his short hair. “Rio needs to work on your arm.”
At that, Del tried to pull away from Josh, but he refused to let go. “I want to see.”
“In a minute.”
“How bad is it?”
“Needs stitches.” He tipped her face to his. “It’s not your fa
ult. The first rule in a knife fight is you will get cut. The key is to keep the injury from a vital organ or a major artery. No matter how bad it is, the injury could have been worse.”
Granger could have stabbed him, perhaps killed him. She reminded herself again that this is what Josh had been trained for. Either she trusted him or she walked away. Walking away was not an option. “Do you want to eat first or have Rio work on your arm?”
“Arm.” Rio grabbed his bag from the floor. “Main bathroom. Light’s better in there.”
“Come with me.” Josh left his right arm around her waist. “You can hold my hand. I’m afraid of needles.”
More than one bark of laughter broke out in the kitchen. Yeah, she didn’t believe that one either.
Rio pointed at Ivy. “Park yourself somewhere, missy. I don’t need another patient.”
“Hey, I’m not a toddler. I can take care of myself.” Her cousin’s voice bridled with outrage at the command from the medic.
Alex picked her up and set her on the nearest barstool. “Make two sandwiches for me while I grab some coffee. And make yourself one while you’re at it. You can’t weigh more than one hundred pounds soaking wet. You’re gorgeous, angel, but you need to gain some weight.”
Del saw the blinding smile on Ivy’s face as she and Josh turned into the hallway and headed upstairs. “Alex is good,” she murmured. “He’s letting Ivy to take care of him while he takes care of her.”
“Yeah? I taught him all he knows about sweet talking women.”
This time it was her turn to laugh.
In the main bathroom, Rio placed his bag on the closed the toilet lid. The medic washed his hands, then pulled out a pair of latex gloves. Josh tugged Del back into his arms.
She frowned. “Won’t I get in Rio’s way?”
“Nope.” Rio unwrapped the arm and gently eased bloody gauze from the cut. “Keep your gorgeous eyes on the his face. Don’t want you passing out and hitting your head.”
“Quit flirting with my girl.”
“Just laying the groundwork for when she tires of you and wants someone better.”
“Not going to happen. I’m making it my mission in life to keep her guessing.”
Del tried to lean around Josh to see the extent of the damage. “Is it bad?”
Josh nudged her back into place. “You heard him, sweetheart. Look at me.”
Rio wiped Josh’s arm with an alcohol pad and took the hypodermic needle he’d prepared. “Little stick,” he said.
She kept her gaze glued to his. This close, she would have seen any telltale flinch at the prick of the needle. There wasn’t one. So much for him being afraid of needles. Rio produced more alcohol swabs and created a growing pile of soiled wipes.
“Tell me if you feel this.” Rio reached around the back of Josh’s arm and did something Del couldn’t see.
“Just pressure.”
“Perfect.” He stripped off the gloves and grabbed a new pair. “A couple stitches might sting, Josh. Cut’s deeper on one end.”
“Go ahead.” Josh’s gaze dropped to Del’s lips. “Where would you like our first official date?”
“Picnic by the lake.”
“And if it rains?”
“Movie.”
Josh moved closer until his lips brushed against hers. “What kind of film? Please tell me you don’t want a sob story romance.”
“Action or adventure with a romantic subplot is perfect.”
“If we can’t find a movie in the theaters we agree on?”
“I have several in my DVD collection that work.” She shared a series of light kisses. “I want dinner out first.”
His eyes twinkled. “Tired of cooking for me already?”
“I’ve been cooking for a regiment for over a week. There’s also the added benefit of warning off the other women in town. I’ve overheard more than one plotting your downfall. There’s a line forming to entice you into marriage.”
Rio leaned closer to his work. “I need more light for these last two. Hug your girl close and shift toward the sink.”
With his free arm, Josh hugged her tight to his chest as he moved. He dropped a kiss on her neck which caused a shiver to wrack her body.
A minute later, Rio straightened. “I put on a water-resistant bandage. Try to keep that arm dry, though. I’ll check it tonight for signs of infection. Let me know if you need pain meds when the local wears off.” He gathered the trash he’d created, picked up his bag and left the room without a backward glance.
Del wrapped her arms around Josh’s neck and leaned in for a long kiss. When she came up for air, she whispered, “I’m glad you’re okay.”
His gaze was solemn. “This won’t be the last time I’m injured on an op. Hazards of the job.”
“I’ll handle it.”
He studied her face a moment, appeared satisfied with what he saw. “Yeah, I believe you will. Come on. Let’s join the others. I’m starved.”
Her hand wrapped in his, Del trailed him down the stairs. Her gaze dropped to the bandage, a stark white against his tanned skin. From the shape, the cut was a long one. Almost over, she reminded herself. Then they could heal and move forward.
In the kitchen, Durango and the SEALs wolfed sandwiches and chips. The coffee pot was empty and only two Cokes remained on the counter.
“Sit beside me, sugar.” Eli patted the chair to his right. “You’re a far sight prettier than all these rowdy guys. You and Ivy brighten up the place.”
Ivy shook her head, reached for the last bite of sandwich on her plate.
Del grinned. Eli Wolfe was a charmer.
“Are you hungry?” Josh asked. He grabbed a plate and assembled sandwiches for himself.
“No, thanks. I’ll brew a cup of tea.”
His gaze darted to her face. “I’ll take care of it. Go sit with Eli.”
“You’re the one injured. I should take care of you.”
“Come sit with me, sugar. I’m lonely,” Eli complained.
Josh scowled over his shoulder. “Watch it, frog boy.”
A chuckle was his only answer.
“What kind of tea, babe?”
She sighed. Alex wasn’t the only man in this room great at taking care of those who mattered to him. “Chamomile mint.” The sooner she gave in, the sooner Josh would sit and fuel his body.
She dropped into the seat beside Eli. One by one, Durango finished their meals, bussed their own plates and cups or bottles, and filed out to change clothes and rest.
Josh slid a steaming cup of tea in front of Del and sat beside her. He downed one sandwich before he asked Eli, “You guys staying here?”
“No.” Jon exchanged a glance with his partner. “We’ll return before 10:00.”
“Wright will expect a report from Granger within the next 24 hours.”
“One phone call to leak information.”
“Do it.”
A nod. “Be ready, Josh. We’ll have to move fast when Wright contacts.”
“Sure this is how you want to play it?” Deke asked, his expression somber.
“Only way. I’m finishing this. My family and Del’s are at risk. That’s bad enough, but I refuse to live looking over my shoulder, wondering if another one of Wright’s goons has us in his crosshairs.”
“Cut off the snake’s head, the body dies?” Eli asked.
“That’s the plan.”
“Let’s hope you haven’t miscalculated,” Jon said softly.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Josh lifted the cell to his ear, listened to the phone ring on the other end. He leaned against the outside cabin wall, watching the sun peek over the horizon, shooting strands of golden light over the terrain and bathing the landscape in peace after the chaotic night.
“Blackhawk.”
“How’s Serena?”
A retching noise came through the phone’s speaker. Josh flinched. “Guess that answer’s my question.”
“I don’t know what to do for her,” Et
han said, frustration evident in his voice. “The only thing I’ve been able to do is keep her from collapsing on the bathroom floor. The nausea is wiping her out. This baby might be an only child. I’m not sure I can watch her go through this again.”
Frowning, he thought about all those times the triplets had shared stomach bugs. “Have you tried Saltine crackers and Coke? Mom used to give her that when she was sick as a kid. Seemed to be the perfect combination to settle her stomach.”
“She can’t have caffeine,” Ethan snapped.
Josh blinked, pulled the phone away from his ear to stare at it. Who was on this phone? Couldn’t be his extremely intelligent boss. Maybe Serena’s morning sickness had rattled Ethan’s brains. “So get her the kind without caffeine. Just make sure it’s not a diet drink. Mom found out the hard way diet drinks made Serena’s nausea worse.”
His brother-in-law blew out a breath. “Hold on.”
A few muffled words later, Josh heard a door slam.
“Don’t say it.” Ethan’s SUV motor cranked.
Josh grinned. “Wouldn’t think of it.”
“Give me some good news while I race to the store.”
“Hey, if I raced anywhere, I’d get a ticket which you would happily require me to pay.”
“Shut up. Sit rep.”
Yeah, Ethan Blackhawk was a complete wuss when it came to his petite wife. Josh hoped Serena had a girl because he couldn’t wait to see his tough brother-in-law melt in the face of his daughter’s tears. Figuring he’d better get on with his situation report before Ethan tore a verbal strip off his hide, Josh summarized the night’s events, ending with, “Fortress is providing backup.”
“You’re going to work for them, aren’t you?”
Josh froze. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t lie to me, Cahill.”
“I haven’t decided for sure.” He sighed, admitting the truth to Ethan as well as himself. “Whether or not I accept the offer depends on Del. Look, the truth is I’m restless.”
“Saw that a year ago. You’re late to the party, bro.”
“You could have clued me in. I didn’t recognize the restlessness until recently.”
“Small-town policing isn’t the adrenaline rush of the battlefield.” He stopped, chuckled. “At least not most of the time. I chose to walk away from the battlefield because of Aunt Ruth. I stay away from it because of Serena. Don’t tell my wife, but I’m also not capable of that kind of duty anymore, no matter how much faith she has in me and my abilities. It’s a young man’s game, Josh. You and I both took some heavy injuries defending our country. My priorities changed. I decided I had given enough. Only you can decide when you’ve given enough. Just don’t wait too late to get out of the game alive.”