Protecting Mari (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Counterstrike Book 1)

by Cara Carnes

  Fortunately the Davenport name still carried more weight than Ethan cared to admit. Or use. Either way, reservations had been secured. Zoey, Gage, Twitch and Jet were secondary support. Ethan still wasn’t sure how Zoey had finagled her way into the mix, but he was assured by all The Arsenal folks she’d prove useful with the surveillance drones.

  Drones they’d handed over to them just a few hours ago as a “just in case they are ever needed.” Ethan was a bit overwhelmed by their generosity and trust. Milo had admitted earlier he broke into hives thinking about keeping all the high-security-clearance equipment they’d been given secure. If anyone ever caught wind of the fact they had it…

  Ethan pushed the thought back and wrapped the shawl around Mari. “You ready?”

  “I think so.”

  “Here’s your clutch. There’s a tracker chip in there, and on your earrings. And there’s one on Ethan’s lapel and his keyring,” Mary said. “It was Tex’s idea, just in case. The signals are synced to HERA and Tex’s system, so you’re double-covered.”

  “So beautiful,” her mom whispered. She patted Mari’s unbruised cheek softly as she kissed her other side. “Have fun. Dance for me.”

  Ethan had to admit he enjoyed the idea of holding her close, moving with her in rhythm to music. He put an arm at her waist and willed his desire to manageable levels. At this rate the date would be the shortest in history, just so he could get her alone. Not that that would happen anytime soon since they had a houseful of people.

  “The coms have a five-mile radius on them, so don’t worry if you don’t see us,” Vi offered. “We’ll be close enough, but far enough away.”

  Thank God.

  Ethan flashed a grateful smile at the group and escorted Mari out to his car. His heartbeat accelerated as a burst of adrenaline shot through his system. He’d fought wars and been less nervous. He’d spent less time planning battles than he had a simple dinner with Mari.

  But nothing with Mari would ever be simple because she deserved the best. For the first time in a long while he was grateful he was in a position to give her precisely that.

  Mari had never laughed so much. Her sides and face ached from the merriment, but she wouldn’t trade the pain for anything in the world. Wild Basin was a trendy restaurant focused on meats of all kinds. She was a bit surprised by his choice of restaurants until he pointed at Mary and whispered, “The baby likes meat.”

  Another huge part of her fell in love with him instantly hearing his reply. He’d chosen the restaurant because a woman he barely knew, one who’d gone out of her way to help Mari, was pregnant and craving meat.

  The date progressed from there. The courses arrived one after another after another after another. The endless supply of tasty food was only surpassed by the easy conversation and delightful man she was with. He was brilliant, passionate, engaging, patient, understanding, and so many other things.

  Including curious. He asked her endless questions about everything and anything. No topic was off the table, including politics. They’d debated current events. He’d listened to her side and presented his own, which wasn’t much different than hers.

  He valued her opinion.

  He listened.

  Because she mattered.

  And they danced.

  The restaurant clearly wasn’t intended for dancing, but it didn’t matter. He’d stood, winked, and pulled her to him. And they waltzed.

  When patrons started looking, Dylan and Mary joined in, then Vi and Jud. The entire experience was overwhelmingly perfect.

  She looked across the small table nestled in the corner of the restaurant and smiled. “Ethan, I can’t eat another bite.”

  “Just one. I swear this is the best dessert ever created,” he said as he forked a piece of the decadent mousse he’d ordered and held it out.

  Mari leaned forward and wrapped her mouth around the small spoon. A moan escaped her as the tastes and sensations exploded within her mouth. Her eyes widened as she looked down at the small dish. She’d never tasted anything so delicious.

  He chuckled. “The chef who makes them has been offered countless opportunities in L.A., New York, Paris, and anywhere else he could imagine. But he remains here in Austin because of his family.”

  “This is amazing,” she whispered. “I’ll never think of dessert the same. Nothing will ever compare to this.”

  “We’ll come here whenever you want,” he promised.

  Just like that, he’d affirmed once again his desire to continue seeing her. He’d dropped statements like that into the conversation many times throughout the evening, as if assuring her whatever she might be feeling was mutual.

  While she was relieved in many ways, she was also concerned. She wasn’t a high-society socialite. Although she didn’t pretend to understand everything inherent with having the last name Davenport, she’d seen enough tonight to know it was a big deal.

  Until they’d arrived at the restaurant he’d been Ethan, the amazing man who’d waded into her troubles and guided her to firm ground. Her protector.

  But everyone treated him like royalty at the restaurant. The manager, head chef, and almost every patron had made their way to the small table for one reason or another. He handled each intrusion with grace and patience.

  “How is your mousse, Mr. Davenport?” The manager’s voice punctured Mari’s dreamlike state once again.

  “Fine,” Ethan clipped with less patience than the last three times the man had come over. “Thank you. I believe we have everything we need.”

  “Of course.” The man hovered despite the obvious dismissal. Mari blotted her mouth with her linen napkin, then reached over and took Ethan’s hand.

  He squeezed hers in return as his jaw twitched.

  “Did you need something?” Ethan asked.

  “We have a charity event this next weekend, for the children’s hospital. I have a video recorder in the back. If you could spare a few moments to offer a few kind words about our upcoming event, it’d help so much, Mr. Davenport. I hate to trouble you, but it’s for the children.” The man hesitated. “Your father was always a staunch supporter.”

  “Of course he was,” Ethan countered, agitation in his voice. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Of course. Thank you, sir. No doubt you’ve saved lives tonight with your gracious acceptance.” The man shuffled away.

  Talk about weird. Mari ran her hand along Ethan’s arm. “Are you okay?”

  “Honestly?”

  “I wouldn’t want you to lie,” she countered with a smile. “Talk to me.”

  “I hate the societal games I’m forced to play because of my last name. Milo and I bankrupted the bastard, one business at a time. We crumbled his empire, but nothing we did could touch his name. That will continue to live on, because it’s too steeped in society.”

  “Then change it for the better.”

  Ethan sighed and cupped her face. “You have no idea what a treasure you are, Mari. You are right. That’s the only thing we can do at this point, which is why I hate moments like this. All I wanted was to take you out for dinner and give you a beautiful night.”

  “You have,” she whispered. “The best I’ve ever had.”

  “Even with all the interruptions?”

  She shrugged. “I just pretended I was sitting with Christian Grey.”

  Ethan grinned wickedly. “Oh, really?”

  “We’ll discuss my Christian Grey thoughts after you go in and do your good deed for the evening,” she teased, a bit surprised she could be so brazen with a man.

  No. With Ethan.

  She had a feeling she could do anything with him. She smiled as he headed toward the back, following the strange manager flitting about near the entrance to the kitchen area. She took a sip of her wine and listened as Ethan tried to calm the agitated man down.

  “I had no choice, Mr. Davenport. I’m sorry.”

  “No heroics or she eats a bullet.” Mari froze as Chester’s voice came over
the com.

  “Please. He’ll kill me. He’s already killed Manuel.” The woman’s terrified voice kicked Mari’s pulse into triple step.

  “Let’s go,” Dylan said, suddenly appearing at her table.

  She peered up at him like he’d grown two heads and morphed into a dragon. “I’m not leaving. He has Ethan.”

  “That’s exactly why you’re leaving. We’ll handle Chester, assuming Ethan doesn’t do it himself when given an opening. The plan in case something went sideways was clear. You’re evacuated and secured.”

  “I never agreed to that,” she argued, standing to her full five foot four (thanks to the two-inch heels). “Find another plan because I’m not going anywhere.”

  “This isn’t smart, Chester. You aren’t getting Mari,” Ethan said in the com.

  “I don’t want that fat cunt, not anymore. I came here to teach her one last lesson, one I thought would end with a bullet between your eyes. But I’m starting to see there’s a better, much more profitable exit strategy for me, isn’t there?”

  “You want money to run,” Ethan said. “Fair enough. Tell me what you want and I’ll make it happen. But you’ve got to let everyone back here go first. Be smart, man. You can’t keep ten hostages secured, especially when one of them is former Delta.”

  “Shut up!” Chester shouted. “You’re just like her! Always knowing better than me. Always saying what I should do!”

  “Fine, you want to keep ten people at gun point with a stupid little .45, go for it. You’ll probably want to move away from that exit though. Or move us. This place is a nightmare. There’s a window between two rear exits, not to mention the two into the dining area. Ten hostages, five potential egresses and one .45. Jesus, you are as dumb as she said you were.”

  A boom echoed through the mic.

  Dylan cursed, snagged her arm, and dragged her toward the restaurant’s exit as the rest of the patrons panicked. He looked at Mary. “Get her outside. Vi, you go with them. Jud, you’re with me. This shit ends now.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. Let me go.” Mari kicked and screamed and turned to face where Ethan had gone. “Chester, you worthless son of a bitch, come out and face me like a man once and for all. Stop cowering behind your cronies.”

  Mari heard the cursing and grunting through the com. Terror clawed up her throat and made breathing impossible. What was happening?

  “Stupid fucking cunt! Never learns. Gotta teach her a lesson. Get up, you stupid fucking bastard. Up! Now!” Rustling sounded through the com. “Not such a hotshot shit after all, huh? Fucking Deltas. Always think you’re better than everyone. I showed you. You’ll be dead in five minutes, but I want the bitch to see your last breath and know it’s her fault. She’s mine. You shouldn’t have gotten between me and her.”

  Mari gasped when the kitchen doors swung open and a wild-eyed Chester exited with Ethan stretched across his front. Ethan’s glare swept across the room, but Mari’s gaze settled on the spurting blood from his leg.

  Oh no. No. No. No.

  “Fuck,” Jud spat angrily. “We’ve got about a minute before he bleeds out. Angle’s wrong for us to take a shot from this distance.”

  “Stand down,” Dylan ordered, gun drawn.

  Mari was on the move, charging toward Ethan and Chester. Chester’s focus shifted toward her.

  “Stay back, bitch. This is because of you! All you had to do was obey me. Accept you were mine,” Chester shouted.

  “Let him go,” she pleaded. “Please, let him go.”

  A shadow shifted along the floor. Mari didn’t bother trying to figure out who or what it was. She just prayed they were there to save Ethan. Tears streamed down her face as she forced herself to her knees like Chester always liked.

  “Please, Chester. Please. I’m begging you. Let him go.”

  “Now that’s better, cunt. But too late. You’ve gotta learn.”

  A gunshot exploded. She screamed out as she tried to make sense of what she’d missed in the microsecond she’d been looking at the floor. Blood coated her skin, her face. Her eyes. She blinked and stared at the two bodies on the floor across from her.

  She crawled, ignoring the blood covering her.

  Ethan.

  Have to get to Ethan.

  Twitch crouched down and flipped Ethan over. His dark brown eyes settled on Mari a moment as he undid Ethan’s tie. “Get his belt.”

  Belt. Right.

  She didn’t ask why. The why didn’t matter. If Twitch wanted a belt, she’d dang sure get one. Her mind was numb. Her entire body was numb as shock settled in and her fight or flight response kicked into overdrive.

  She yanked the belt off, then noted the blood still spurting from Ethan’s leg. God. No. No. No. She wrestled to get it around his leg as Twitch hoisted him up enough for the leather to wrap around.

  Twitch threaded the tie through a loop on each end, then looked down into Ethan’s eyes just as he opened them. “Sorry, man, this is gonna hurt.”

  “Ethan.” Mari touched his face with her bloody hand. “You’re going to be okay.”

  His scream tore through her as Twitch yanked the makeshift tourniquet closed. Mari silently thanked whatever fate made Ethan pass out. She ran a hand across his forehead and watched as Dylan, Jud and Twitch worked on him. The latter had a small container of something which looked a lot like crazy glue, but surely it wasn’t.

  She tried to stay out of the way as best as she could, but not being there wasn’t an option. She needed to touch him, affirm the fact he was alive. Her fingers grazed his wrist until she found a pulse. Slow. Slower.

  God.

  “Mari, come on, sweetheart. We need to get you outside. The ambulance is on the way,” Vi said.

  “No, I’m not leaving him.” She shook her head and dared anyone to be stupid enough to try and make her leave.

  Tears streamed down her face as her focus tunneled on the weakening pulse beneath her fingertips. This was her fault. No.

  She looked over at Chester’s dead body. The bastard was finally dead.

  She only hoped it wasn’t too late for Ethan.

  Chapter 11

  The prestigious, private hospital near the lake was nothing like South Austin Emergency. The Chief Surgeon had greeted Ethan and the emergency personnel at the double entry doors to the emergency area. They’d whisked Ethan away and made Mari wait on the other side of a second set of double doors.

  That was three hours ago.

  She paced.

  Milo, Twitch, Zoey, Vi, and Mary had all tried to drag her into conversation. Make her sit. Make her eat something.

  The excuse was always different, but the objective was the same—keep her attention away from the fact they hadn’t heard anything about Ethan.

  “Hija.”

  Crap. Mari squeezed her eyes shut as her mom drew her into a hug. She was still covered in blood and hadn’t given a damn about that fact. But she didn’t want her mom witnessing all this. The aftermath of the final battle.

  Chester was dead.

  She was too terrified about Ethan’s prognosis for that fact to settle in.

  “Come, we’ll get you showered and changed.”

  Mari shook her head. “No. They’ll come out soon. I want to be here.”

  “We’ll come get you the second they come out,” Zoey promised. “You don’t want him waking up and seeing you like this, sweetie. No man should see his woman bathed in blood, especially if most of it is his. Trust me, I know a thing or two about this.”

  “She’s right,” Chatter offered as he stopped beside Zoey. “There’s a shower right down the hall the nurses said you could use. Ethan’s tough. He’s not going anywhere. The sooner you clean up, the faster you’ll find out how he’s doing.”

  It was the most words the man had ever uttered in her presence.

  “You promise?” Mari looked around the small waiting area they’d been taken to.

  “We promise,” Jen said. “Go. My brother’s too stubborn to
die.”

  “Come,” her mom ordered. “Zoey and I will help.”

  She’d been showering herself since she was a kid, but she obediently trundled down the hall in her bare feet and let her mom and Zoey steer her wherever the mythical shower was. Mari didn’t remember taking her shoes off.

  She didn’t remember much, to be perfectly honest.

  Shock.

  Chester was dead.

  She continued to bookend the evening with that thought every now and then to remind herself her ordeal was over. She hoped.

  As long as Ethan was okay, she’d be okay.

  The realization seeped down deep, settled in her heart and grew. They’d known each other for such a short amount of time, but she wanted to explore their attraction. She wanted to be a part of Ethan’s world.

  Because he mattered to her.

  Because she mattered to him.

  Mari didn’t realize how out of it she was until her mom and Zoey shoved her into the shower. They’d managed to get her dress and undergarments off without her even noticing.

  They must have trusted she was alert enough to handle washing herself thanks to the pelting of warm water against her skin. She let the tears she’d held back flow as the heat from the shower sloughed off enough of her shock for reality to return. For her fears to collide with the fact she didn’t want to speculate the worst-case scenario.

  She’s survived for years by planning strategies based on assuming the worst case. But her brain refused to plan the worst-case scenario today.

  Because that meant Ethan was dead.

  She scrubbed and soaped until the water going down the drain was clear. She toweled dry and stepped into the scrubs left on the small counter nearest the shower. Clean, she exited the bathroom.

  Chatter was heading toward them down the hall. Her feet moved double-time toward him.

  “The surgeon just came out to talk to us. Jen made him wait until we got you,” he said.