Minefield [Black Ops Brotherhood 5] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Bella Juarez

  “They’re in the exam rooms. The passageway was empty,” he whispered close to Shaq.

  Shaq nodded and reached for the handle. He opened the door slowly and silently entered the building with Alex behind him. They closed the door, entered the dark day surgery room, and waited for a few seconds. Alex looked at his watch and knew the other men would be coming through the front door in one minute. Alex flinched whenever he would hear Isabel whimper and then say “no.” Alex shook off his fear and focused. He was angry now, but he knew he couldn’t help her if he let his emotions take over his focus.

  Shaq tapped him on the shoulder, indicating it was time to move. They silently rushed through the passageway. Shaq entered one room and Alex the other. Alex rounded the corner to the room with his weapon leveled. A man turned and tried to shoot, but Alex fired two shots and dropped the man instantly. He heard Shaq’s weapon fire and heard the thud of a body. The crash of the front door told him the other SEALs entered the building. The controlled shots he heard fired in the front room confirmed their kills.

  Alex turned around and saw Shaq with his weapon leveled, looking into the room. He came to Shaq’s side with his weapon ready as well. He saw a man holding a gun to Isabel, who had been stripped down to her underwear. The tactical side of Alex assessed the situation quickly as Shaq ordered the man to release Isabel in Arabic. Alex saw he had a better shot. He met Isabel’s eyes and saw how frightened she was by her ordeal and by what she was seeing now. He didn’t have time to think about what had happened to her or how he felt at the moment. She’s a hostage, we need to take alive…

  “Take it, Doc,” Shaq whispered.

  Alex didn’t hesitate as he squeezed off a shot and hit where he’d aimed, the center of the man’s forehead. Blood splattered on Isabel and all over the wall behind her as the man fell backward, dead. Alex rushed to Isabel and caught her as her body started to buckle. She looked at the dead man and vomited. She was shaking and he knew she could possibly go into shock if he didn’t get her calmed down. He looked around, grabbed a sheet from the exam table drawer, and wrapped it around her.

  “All right, angel, it’s over,” Alex cooed as she heaved again.

  Alex knew what Isabel was experiencing was a natural reaction to being traumatized. He picked her up and carried her from the building. Kashi and Gamez met him in the street with weapons and provided an escort to the chieftain’s nearby house. Alex kicked open the closed door and Kashi directed him to one of the sitting rooms. He told Kashi to find Isabel some clothes and then ordered everyone out of the room.

  Alex found a bathroom and located some towels. He soaked a towel and knelt next to Isabel, who’d passed out somewhere along the way. He started to clean her up, and as he touched her face with the wet towel to wash off some of the blood, Isabel came up fighting. He wrapped himself around her and pulled her close because the last thing she needed to do was to hurt herself.

  “It’s me, angel. You’re safe,” Alex said in her ear. He pulled away slightly and looked at her. Isabel was scared and confused. He stayed still, letting her mind wrap around the fact that she was no longer in danger.

  “It’s over,” he whispered, stroking her face.

  “Alex?” Isabel asked in a panicked whisper. Her eyes were wild with confusion.

  “I’m here, angel,” he confirmed softly, and pulling her close.

  Isabel was panting. Holding her close, he could feel her shaking so bad he thought she might possibly pass out again. Alex picked up the wet towel and continued his work. She pulled the sheet around herself as her consciousness started to clear. There was a knock on the door and one of Tashza’s wives walked in with some clothes. She set them next to Isabel and looked at Alex.

  “I can help her if you like,” she said quietly in Pashtun.

  Alex stood and left the women alone. It was hard to leave Isabel, but this was their custom and their house. He needed to respect their ways. He walked into the main room where everyone was seated and having tea and saw the men were talking quietly. One of Tashza’s sons offered Alex a cup of tea. He took the cup and stared at the steaming liquid. Kashi walked to him and looked at him with concern.

  “What happened?” Kashi asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t think she was that lucky this time,” Alex said.

  “Do you want me to ask Ara to find out? That’s Tashza’s wife, the one that’s in with her now,” Kashi asked.

  “It would be helpful. That way I know how to handle her,” Alex said.

  Kashi turned and walked away and found one of Tashza’s other wives, sending her inside the room with the mission. She returned a short time later and spoke to Kashi for a few minutes. She went back into the room with Isabel and Ara as soon as she was done.

  “Well?” Alex asked when Kashi approached.

  “The women asked her and she said no. It was, however, close. Apparently you interrupted their fun,” Kashi said.

  Alex let out a frustrated sigh. “She can’t stay any more. I’ve got to get her the hell out of here.”

  * * * *

  Isabel woke suddenly and jumped. She looked around and couldn’t make out where she was. She felt a light touch on her arm and turned suddenly in the direction of the touch. It was dark in the room so she couldn’t see a face. She could only make out shadows.

  “It’s all right, angel. It’s me,” a deep voice said.

  “Alex?” Isabel asked.

  “Do you want me to turn on the light?” he asked.

  Isabel reached into the darkness and Alex took her hand into his. He lifted her hand and kissed it softly and she frowned. Something was different about him. The voice was the same, but there was something out of place. Am I dreaming? Is this real? She was disoriented.

  “Yes, turn on the light,” Isabel said.

  A dim light switched on and Isabel squinted against it. She looked in front of her and saw Alex lying next to her. They were both fully dressed in the middle of a big king-size bed and it looked as if they were in a hotel room. She looked at Alex again and blinked because he was clean shaven and had cut his hair.

  Izzy had been right in her initial assessment of him. Senior Chief Alex Richards was a dangerously handsome man. The sharp, angular lines of his face set off the mischievous spark in his deep blue eyes. He’d cut his blond hair short and spiky. She reached over and touched the skin on his cheek. He put his hand on top of hers and pressed it into his face. Alex closed his eyes and smiled.

  “That feels good, Izzy,” he whispered.

  “You look so different.”

  “I feel a lot better,” Alex said with a smile and kissed her open palm. “How are you feeling, angel?”

  “I’m okay. Where are we?” she asked.

  “Jalalabad.”

  “Where? Jalalabad? How did I get here?”

  “I brought you here.”

  “Did you ever think to ask me what I wanted to do?”

  “Angel, don’t you think you’ve been through enough? I’m really afraid for you. Would you like to do some more work on that pathogen with me? That’s where I’m going next.”

  “I’m hungry.”

  “Do you want to go out or stay here in the room?”

  Isabel thought for a moment before answering his question and realized she was still feeling a little unsteady. She had no idea how she’d gotten into a bed, with Alex, in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The last thing she remembered was throwing up when she saw Alex kill one of the men who almost raped her. She looked into the azure pools of his eyes and felt herself relax.

  “Can we stay here?” Izzy asked.

  “Yes, angel, we can do whatever you want,” Alex said, sitting up and swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.

  Alex lifted the hotel phone next to the bed and called for room service. He ordered Isabel something and lay down again, facing her. He didn’t even ask her what she wanted. He just ordered. He didn’t ask her if she wanted to leave Kush. He just took her away. She tried not to
let his controlling nature piss her off, but she couldn’t help being a little annoyed. Izzy knew by the way he looked at her that he cared about her and thought he was doing the right thing for her.

  “Can I ask something without making you angry?” Isabel asked.

  “Okay,” Alex said slowly.

  “Why do you always assume I’ll be all right with whatever decision you make for me?” Isabel asked. “I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions.”

  “I know you are, Izzy. At the time I make these decisions, you’re not usually in good enough shape to make them for yourself. I don’t assume anything.”

  “What did you order me for dinner?”

  “Chicken and roasted vegetables with a fruit salad and a large orange juice. They have a French restaurant here. All I did was translate. I’ve seen you eat that before, right?”

  “Oh,” Isabel said, looking down. “Why did you assume I would come with you?”

  “You said you wanted to.”

  “I did?”

  “Yes, you did,” Alex said. Isabel tried to recall the conversation but was coming up empty. “Kashi asked you and arranged for you to come with me. I didn’t think you were all there when you made that decision. That’s why I asked you again just now.”

  “I don’t even remember the conversation,” Isabel said.

  “We’re on our way to Stockholm. We’re supposed to be there for a couple of months working at the ECDC. Have you changed your mind?” Isabel said nothing for a moment before asking, “Why did you assume I wanted you to stay in my room?”

  “I didn’t. I have a room,” Alex said, pointing behind her. Isabel turned around and looked at an open door to an adjoining room. He’d opened the door so that he could come in and out. “Isabel, if I’m irritating you that much, I’ll leave. You’ve been messed up for the last couple of days. I was trying to help you.”

  “I was just asking. I’m not irritated.”

  “So, do you want to go and work with me in Stockholm?”

  “Is it because you need a physician?”

  “No. I took your advice and accepted the deal that my commanding officers made me. The Navy is sending a physician in research medicine to work with us. I’ll do some of my residency in Afghanistan with the doctor they’ve sent and the rest in San Antonio at Brooke Army Medical Center,” Alex said.

  Isabel smiled because there was hope for Alex yet. The next step was to get him the hell out of the military because he was seriously scary when he was in SEAL mode. She’d watched him in action on more than one occasion and it terrified her to think how quickly and easily he could kill someone. He seemed to be able to do it without hesitation or a second thought.

  There was a knock on the door and Alex got up to answer it. Isabel sat up and swung her legs over the edge. She took a look at the room for the first time and noticed it was a nice room. The porter brought in the food and Alex walked him to the door, handing him a tip when he left. He lifted the cover over the plates and Isabel smiled because it was a plain meal, just the way she liked it.

  After Izzy ate her fill, Alex asked her if she wanted to be alone. It was the first time the prospect of being alone crossed her thoughts. She looked at him without saying anything and realized she was suddenly frightened at the idea. He always seemed to intuitively know what she needed. Alex knelt down in front of her.

  “You can leave the door open, angel. Call me if you need anything,” he said softly.

  “Okay,” Isabel said.

  “I have some melatonin if you need something to help you fall asleep. It helps without making you feel groggy when you wake up,” Alex offered.

  “No, I’ll be all right,” Isabel said.

  “Okay, Izzy. Just call me if you need anything,” Alex said.

  Izzy watched Alex take the tray of dishes outside. She closed the door and bolted it behind him. He walked into the room next to hers and she watched a light come on. She lay down and never heard Alex come back in and turn off her light because she was sleeping soundly in a few minutes.

  * * * *

  “Izzy?” She woke to Alex calling her name. “It’s all right, angel. Are you okay?” He soothed her by softly stroking her arm.

  “What’s wrong?” Isabel asked, waking up. She felt odd. Her heart was racing and she was sweating.

  “You called me.”

  “I did?” she said, coming fully awake now.

  “Yes, angel, you called me and then you called your dad. Are you all right?” Alex asked again.

  Isabel sat up. It was dark in her room, but there was light coming from Alex’s room. She shook her head slightly, dismissing the fear that coursed through her. She worried about Alex’s concerned expression as he closely watched her. Izzy couldn’t remember what she was dreaming about, but by the way her heart was racing it must’ve been a nightmare. She looked at Alex and realized she was afraid. She reached up, wrapped her arms around him, and relaxed as he embraced her. Isabel buried her head into the crook of his neck.

  “Do you remember now, angel?” Alex asked.

  “No. I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Isabel whispered.

  “Lie down, Izzy,” Alex said, releasing her.

  Isabel did as he asked. He stood and walked to the other side of her bed. He lay down next to her and pulled her close. What the hell is happening to me? She fought with herself. She wanted to ague, but it was comforting not to be alone and to be held.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Isabel said in a hushed voice.

  “I’m tired and if it helps both of us sleep, I’ll suffer,” Alex said, tightening his grip.

  Isabel frowned and looked at Alex in the very dim light. He was smiling at her.

  “Alex, I swear, you can be such an ass at times,” Isabel said, hiding a smile and relaxing into his chest.

  “Relax, angel. Try and get some sleep,” Alex said, petting her affectionately.

  * * * *

  Alex opened his eyes and saw a glimmer of sunlight beaming into the room through the closed drapes. He was sore because he hadn’t moved in a few hours. Isabel was sleeping soundly. She had a leg intertwined with his and her arm was wrapped around his chest. He inhaled and caught the sweet scent of her hair. She’s killing me. He winced as his cock got rock hard.

  Alex moved his arm and squeezed his eyes shut at the pain and sensation of it being asleep from the lack of circulation. Isabel snuggled closer and tightened her grip on him. The prickly feeling in his arm started to dissipate as the blood rushed into his veins and made it feel normal again. He leaned down and kissed Isabel’s forehead gently. In her sleep she leaned her head into his shoulder and moaned softly.

  Alex studied Isabel as she slept. As she rested easily, he noticed she had the longest eyelashes he’d ever seen without mascara. He took in the way they curled slightly upward. She looked a lot younger when she was slept because her defenses were down and she wasn’t itching for a fight. He noticed a little scar that was hidden somewhat by her eyebrow and smiled because he had a similar one in the same place. Izzy stirred and opened her eyes. Alex stayed still.

  Isabel pushed up suddenly and looked at him. She looked a little embarrassed. She moved away from him and snuggled into a pillow. Alex rolled onto his side and swept back her long hair out of her face. Her hazel eyes were opened and staring at him. He moved slowly and deliberately. Alex never had to work this hard and he’d never tried to with anyone else. Usually a woman would respond to him immediately, but Izzy was fighting it. This would truly be a very satisfying surrender once she realized she needed him just as much as he needed her. Shaq was right. Something was about to happen in a big way. It was inevitable and it was their destiny.

  Alex ran his finger slowly down her high cheekbone to her full lips. He traced her bottom lip and imagined those lips wrapped around his cock, sucking it with everything she had. He wanted to actually hear her scream “faster.” I’ve got to fuck her before I go insane! Despite the turmoil happening insi
de of him, he maintained a cool exterior. He sensed he would scare Isabel if she knew what he was really thinking. Alex found himself moving closer to Isabel. He was pulled to her by an irresistible force he couldn’t stop. He leaned forward slightly and paused to see if she’d pull away. Those big hazel eyes glowed in the dim light, staring at him, still and waiting.

  “Stop me, angel,” Alex whispered as he cupped her face.

  Isabel didn’t move because the force was undeniable. Alex couldn’t stop even if he wanted to. Isabel was so different than any woman he’d met and her allure was impossible to deny. He inched forward and kissed her as he closed his eyes, releasing himself to the drive calling him to her. He wanted her, no, he needed her more than anyone he’d ever known in his life. Alex had known from the very beginning Izzy was his salvation. She was the one woman who could redeem him and make him whole again. The void she was filling reached into his soul and was overwhelming at times.

  Alex wanted to stop because the pull to her was scaring the hell out of him, and he knew she would leave him broken. He reached around and gently grabbed the back of Isabel’s neck. She moaned when his tongue pushed into her mouth. Her hands slid up his arms and around his shoulders. He pulled her head back and moved his mouth to her throat.

  “Alex,” Isabel cried as he fastened his mouth to the hollow center.

  “Stop me, angel. Tell me to stop,” he urged again.

  “I can’t,” Isabel moaned as she dug her nails into his shoulders.

  That’s right, angel. Mark me. Make me yours. Alex wanted to say it out loud. He kept busy working her throat instead. Isabel was dressed in traditional Afghani women’s clothing. He couldn’t stand the idea of Tashza’s wife, Ara, wrapping Isabel in another burqa. He knew Isabel must’ve almost suffocated in it the first time she was forced to put it on. Instead they dressed her conservatively in the Panjabi pants and long dress that resembled what the women in Pakistan and India wore. Alex worked to remove the long dress from her. He pulled her to her feet.