On shaky legs she walked down the hallway, ignoring the urge to pick up the pillows.
All the contents of her fridge and cupboards had been tossed to the ground in her kitchen. Plates shattered. How had nobody heard that racket and called the police? The walls in her apartment weren’t soundproof. The last place she wanted to walk into was her bedroom, but she had to. If this is what they’d done to her kitchen what the hell had they done to her bedroom.
The door to her room stood wide open and she stopped on the threshold, biting the inside of her cheek hard, tasting blood when she saw the word SLUT painted on her wall.
God, she wished Ryan was here. She wanted to wrap herself in his arms and ask him to take her away from this.
Who had invaded her privacy like this? Why had they done it?
She let out a yelp when her phone rang, she looked at the screen but didn’t recognize the number. She was going to ignore it but wondered if it could be the police calling her.
“Hello?” Her voice shook on the simple word and she hated herself for sounding so pathetic.
“Is this Suzie Waterson?” The owner of the voice had a smooth, reassuring tone.
“Yes. Who is this?” There, now that sounded better.
“My name is Tex Keegan. I’m a friend of Joker’s you placed a 9-1-1 call. Is everything okay?”
Now that was creepy, and on top of the break-in, it was almost too much for her to handle.
“How do you know that? And how do I know you even know Joker?” No way was she going to say Ryan’s name, in case she was actually talking to the guy who committed the break-in.
His chuckle rolled down the line. Not a way to inject confidence in her. “I’d have been annoyed if you hadn’t questioned me and accepted me on my word. Why don’t you text, Erin, she can vouch for me. I’ll wait while you do it.”
The man was a contradiction, all arrogant and sure of himself, but his voice was soothing and calming. She would send a text to Erin. “Who did you say you were?”
“Tex Keegan, former United States Navy SEAL.”
Suzie pulled the phone away from her ear and opened her texting app, quickly typing out a message.
Erin, do you know a Tex Keegan?
She hit send and hoped Erin didn’t have her head over the toilet bowl and would answer her message quickly. No sooner had she finished the thought her phone beeped in her hand.
Yep, sure do. Why?
He called me because he saw I called 9-1-1.
WHAT???? YOU CALLED 9-1-1 WHY?
She chuckled at Erin’s all caps message. How could she laugh when her home had been invaded? Maybe she was going into shock.
Suzie could see the little three dots indicating Erin was firing off another message so she quickly typed one of her own.
I came home and found my place trashed. I’m waiting for the police to turn up.
I’m coming over. I’ll be there as soon as I can. And trust Tex. He’s one of the good guys. Like our guys.
Her fingers hovered over the keypad to tell her not to come over, but she couldn’t deny it would be good to see a friendly face.
Closing her eyes and rolling her shoulders to alleviate the tension building in them, Suzie brought the phone to your ear. “Erin says I can trust you.”
Once again the man laughed. “Good. Tell me everything? I know Joker’s away and he’d have my ass if he knew I didn’t try and help you.”
“Once a SEAL always a SEAL? That’s what he told me once.”
“Yes. I do everything I can to keep an eye on my brothers and their women.”
The proprietorship of his words should’ve bothered her, considering everything she’d gone through with Peter, but they didn’t. They had the opposite effect, they gave her the strength to face the disaster that was her apartment.
“Thank you, Tex. I appreciate it.”
“Welcome. You still haven’t told me what happened.”
Suzie sighed. “I came home from spending the night with Erin and found my place trashed. It’s a disaster and my bed…”
“What? You can tell me anything,” he said gently.
“Whoever they were painted the word Slut on my bedroom wall.”
Tex let out a string of curses that would’ve shocked if she hadn’t heard them all before from the patient’s she dealt with at the hospital.
“Shit,” she blurted out.
“What?”
“I’m supposed to work in a couple of hours.”
“Well I suggest you call them. Do it now and I’ll call you back in five minutes and we can talk about who could’ve done this to you.”
“Okay, and Tex?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.” Her eyes filled with tears at how a complete stranger had made her feel like she wasn’t alone in the world.
“It’s what I do. We’ll find out who did this, Suzie.”
She nodded, even though Tex couldn’t see her. If she spoke she was afraid she’d break down in a torrent of tears and she couldn’t do that. Not yet.
Ryan traipsed through the Congo, slapping at the bugs that flew into his face. “Fucking hell,” he muttered.
A chuckle sounded behind him, he glanced over at the painted face of Truck, the Delta Force guy he’d been paired with. “Annoying fuckers, aren’t they?”
“Tell me about it.” He scratched the back of his neck again, this time it wasn’t from a bug bite.
“What’s up, Joker? That’s about the tenth time in the last fifteen minutes you’ve scratched your neck.”
Ryan stopped. Truck did as well. He looked at the other man, knowing he’d understand what he said next. “I don’t know, I’ve got a feeling something’s up.”
Immediately Truck tensed. “With the mission?”
“I don’t think so.”
“You got a woman back home?” asked Truck, his eyes scanning the area they stood in.
“Yeah.”
“She by herself or with friends?”
Ryan went to rub his hand down his face, but stopped, it was covered in black paint for a reason. “I’m not sure. I left her a note and told her to call Erin.”
“A note, dude. That’s harsh.”
Ryan started walking again, they were on a mission not a fucking picnic break. Truck walked alongside him. “She was asleep. I didn’t want to wake her.” He blew out a breath and braced himself to impart news he hadn’t even told his team. “She’s pregnant. She needed her sleep.”
“Shit, remind me not to hang around here too long. There’s something in the water. First Italy and now you. Congratulations.” The big man held out a closed fist, Ryan fist bumped it.
“Thanks. I haven’t known long. So that’s why I haven’t said anything to the team.”
“Got it. Your woman got any issues that may have you on edge?”
“Suzie. Her name’s Suzie and yeah she’s got a neighbor that I don’t have a good feeling about.”
Truck opened his mouth to speak but then slammed it shut and crouched down indicating Ryan should do the same. They both ducked below the overhang from the trees and Ryan focused on what was around him. He slowed his breathing until he was hardly making a sound.
There, in the distance the distinct crunch of a twig snapping. Then another. Whoever was coming wasn’t hiding their approach. Ryan checked his rifle and clicked the safety off. Through silent communication Truck took up an opposite position to him. Both sets of eyes tracking the area.
The footsteps got louder. Ryan’s heartrate kicked up a notch, adrenaline spiking through him. The person was almost upon them when they stopped. His finger bent and flexed against the trigger, waiting for the moment when he would have to depress the piece of metal in order to save himself and Truck.
A quick look to his left and Truck was no longer there. What the fuck? Why had he left him? That wasn’t how things were done on missions, you always had someone’s back.
Fuck.
He couldn’t let it bother him, if
he allowed it to it could mean the difference between life and death. No way was he fucking dying in a jungle, not with Suzie and their baby waiting at home.
The footsteps started up again, he could see the person approaching. He lay flat on his belly, gun trained on the spot between a couple of bushes, he would have a split second to find out if they were friend or foe.
A hail of bullets rained the air before the body of the insurgent tumbled down the small rise. Truck appeared in the small gap and gave him a thumbs up.
The tension that had been spiraling tighter and tighter released like the air escaping from a balloon. He should’ve known Truck wouldn’t have left him behind. He’d done the man a disservice by even allowing the through to cross his mind.
All he knew was, he couldn’t wait to get out of this hellhole.
Two hours later he and Truck turned up at the meeting point first. Ryan slung his pack off and rolled his shoulders.
“Here,” Truck called, and Ryan looked up in time to see a black object being tossed his way. He juggled it but managed not to drop it.
“What is it?”
“Secure satellite phone, call Tex. Press speed dial one.” The other man turned and walked away giving Ryan his privacy.
How Truck knew Tex would have any information on Suzie shouldn’t have surprised him. Once you asked Tex for help, he always watched your back. Besides the ex-SEAL had told Ryan he would watch Suzie for him.
He drummed his fingers on his thigh as he waited for the call to connect. “Truck, what’s wrong?”
“It’s not Truck, it’s Joker.”
“Ahh, she’s fine…Now.”
Dread pooled in his stomach. “What do you mean now? What happened? Is the baby okay?”
“Yes to both. She’s staying at Erin’s.”
“Well, fuck, what’s with the now comment.”
“Her place was trashed. From what she told me nothing was left untouched. The police came and took a report and dusted for prints. Erin came and took her back to her place. Don’t worry I’ve got eyes on them. I’m making sure they’re safe.”
“God dammit. Fuck. I knew something was wrong.” He began pacing in small circles, wishing he was anywhere but stuck in the fucking jungle.
“Joker. Keep your focus on the mission. Trust me when I say I’ve got this end covered.”
Tex was right. He couldn’t let this get to him, even though it was eating away at him that he hadn’t been there to protect her or provide the support she needed. He closed his eyes and breathed in and out, getting his head back into the head space it needed to be to keep himself safe so that he could get home to Suzie and their baby.
“Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“You don’t owe many anything. You’re my brother I take care of you and your families.”
Ryan disconnected the call and tapped the phone on his leg.
“Everything okay?” asked Truck.
“Suzie’s place was broken into, he says she’s staying with Erin. But she and the baby are fine. That’s all that matters.”
“Baby?” Italy rushed up to him, anxiety written all over his face. “Is Erin okay? And where the fuck did you get a phone?”
“Erin’s fine. Suzie’s place was trashed. I just spoke to Tex and he said everything’s fine and the phone belongs to Truck.”
“But you said, baby. Who’s baby?”
Well it looked like now was the time to share the news. “Yeah, I did, and the baby’s mine. Suzie’s pregnant too.”
Chapter Eleven
Warm arms enclosed her, and Suzie snuggled into the embrace. A familiar spicy scent assailed her senses and her eyes popped open. This wasn’t a dream. There was a hard, familiar body behind her.
“Ryan?” she mumbled.
“Yeah, Roses, I’m back. Go back to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” His lips caressed the back of her neck and his hand rubbed her swelling stomach. Contentment washed over her, and she fell back asleep.
A few hours later she swam toward the surface of consciousness, still wrapped up in Ryan’s arms. She stretched and wiggled back, her ass connecting with his morning erection.
“You are so beautiful when you wake up,” he murmured as he tightened his hold on her.
“Morning breath and bed hair, yeah real attractive.”
“When you wake up in dirt for the third straight day with the same six men, bed hair and morning breath is nothing.”
Suzie shifted so that she was facing him. Her eyes devouring the face that had been front and center of her dreams for the last three weeks. “I missed you.”
That hadn’t been what she was going to say, but now the words were out she didn’t regret saying them at all.
“I missed you too.” His hands cupped her belly again. “How’s junior doing?”
“Junior is getting bigger and he is fine.”
“He? We’re having a boy?”
She shook her head. “I still don’t know. My doctor’s appointment is today.”
“I haven’t missed any? What time today?”
The excitement in Ryan’s voice was infectious. “No, you haven’t missed any and if you can make it, my appointment is at three.”
“I’ll be there. I was worried after I spoke to Tex and he told me about the break-in.”
Suzie sat up in bed, pulling the sheet tight around her. “You spoke to Tex? When? He didn’t tell me he’d spoken to you. I didn’t even know he could get in touch with you.”
“I spoke to him the day it happened. I had a feeling something was off and the guy I was with had a sat phone. Believe me when I say it’s very unusual for there to be any contact while on a mission. Any sort of transmission could be intercepted and put us in danger.”
“Then why the hell did you call?” She punched him on the arm, aggravated that he put his life in danger.
“Hey, I was worried. It was only the one call. Tex told me you were safe here with Erin and he was keeping an eye on you.”
Keeping an eye on her was an understatement the man had phoned her every day. Checking in he called it. More like checking up on her. But she couldn’t deny she liked it. If she couldn’t have Ryan by her side knowing another big SEAL had her ‘six’ as he called it had made her feel better. Erin said that once you were on Tex’s radar, you were on there for life so she should just get used to it.
Another realization struck her. She was still at Erin’s and Ryan was in bed bedside her. “Is that how you knew I was still here? You called Tex?”
“Yeah we were wheels down around six last night and before the team went into our debriefing meeting, I called Tex and he told me where you were.” He gathered her close. “I’m sorry about your place, Roses. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to be the support you needed.”
Tears welled in her eyes and spilled over. She burrowed her face into Ryan’s solid chest, seeking comfort only he could give her.
God, she had acting like a weak woman. She thought she was done weeping like a baby when she thought about her place. She hadn’t been back since the morning she’d walked in and found it trashed. She hadn’t been about to face the devastation nor the feeling of never being safe again. Erin had been more than happy for her to stay at her and Carlos’s place. She’d been able to help Erin when her morning sickness was severe. But now Ryan was back, and she supposed she needed to go back to her place. A shudder ripped through her at the thought.
“What’s wrong?”
“I was just thinking, now you guys are back I will probably have to go back to my place. Erin has Carlos now and Antonia will be staying here in a week when she moves down from New York.”
“Antonia’s moving here?”
That was what he heard—that Antonia was moving here? She knew Antonia had no claim on Ryan, but even though he’d told her that first night that there was nothing between him and Antonia, did he want there to be?
“Yes, she is. Why does this
interest you so much? Do you want to be with her?” She’d gone from weepy woman to jealous bitch in ten seconds.
“The only person I want to be with is the woman in my arms.” He hooked a finger under her chin and lifted it until she was looking into his eyes. “I want you, Roses. No one else.”
He didn’t give her an opportunity to answer him as his lips descended on hers. Her arms wound around his neck and she sighed in pleasure. With their lips connected, his arms slid down her body and slipped under the satin chemise she’d worn to bed a tried and true cliché floated through the fog of lust enveloping her absence makes the heart grow fonder. And for her it had. As much as she’d tried to fight it, she couldn’t deny it any longer. She beginning to fall for Ryan. The father of her baby. Her Navy SEAL and instead of frightening her, it empowered her.
Suzie clutched Ryan’s hand tightly as they walked down the hallway to her apartment. The door at the end of the hallway opened and Jeffrey rushed out.
“Suzie, are you okay? I heard about the break-in. I wished I’d been here to help you.”
Her big Navy SEAL stiffened beside her and she was transported back to the other time she’d come home with Ryan and Jeffrey had greeted them. Tex had asked her if she thought Jeffrey could be responsible for the break-in, but she’d denied it. True, he’d been acting creepy but she didn’t think Jeffrey was violent. She’d seen violence once with her ex-husband. Jeffrey was a little weird. She’d come to that conclusion while Ryan was away. The man was harmless and probably had a crush on her. Or was she just kidding herself? Still she wasn’t going to antagonize the man.
“Thanks Jeffrey, but it’s probably safer you weren’t anywhere near the place when this happened. Whoever it was could’ve hurt you and I would’ve felt guilty.” Ryan’s fingers tightened on her waist. Jeffrey hadn’t even looked at the tall man by her side.
Ryan cleared his throat and stepped in front of her, as though he was guarding her from Jeffrey. “Thanks for your concern, but Suzie’s got me now. I take care of my own.”
Suzie bristled at the possessive tone in Ryan’s voice. She maybe having his child and may have stayed with his teammate’s fiancé, but she was still her own woman.
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Guarding Suzie (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 10