At the preplanned meeting place, they took stock. “All accounted for and only two injuries. A bullet grazed Hawke’s arm and Ranger has a chest wound,” Bear told Niall.
Madison, their medic, had already started working on Ranger. “We need to get him out of here as quickly as possible.”
“The copters are five minutes out. Lay low by the cliff overhang. Hawke and Shadow watch for anyone coming out of the bushes. A few escaped and may be heading in this direction. Hopefully, by the time we’re out of here, they won’t have started looking for us. Still, they may be smarter than we think and quicker.”
To Haley Quinn, the rescued prisoner, five minutes seemed like an hour. She shivered as she sat huddled behind two huge SEALs with their guns aimed at the top of the cliff. She’d wanted to kill herself before being sold, but they’d watched her too closely. The men liked to tease her and said she brought the highest money for a captive they’d ever gotten. One of the men had leaned close. “You’ve met your buyer before. I don’t think you can expect gentle treatment.”
Haley had pretended to ignore their words, but she knew the identity of the man who’d bought her. When she’d played a large part in bringing one of his groups down, he’d sent a message that he’d get her one day, and she’d plead for mercy.
I was dumb to come into his territory and think I’d survive or not get captured. He must have had a large bounty on me.
She raised her head at the sound of the helicopter blades. It wasn’t until she’d gotten on the copter and they’d flown safely away from the men who held her captive that she finally took a deep breath and started shaking uncontrollably.
Madison gave her a pill for anxiety and sat her beside Ranger. Ranger turned his head and smiled.
“You’ll be fine.”
“I’m sorry you got wounded. It’s my fault for being stupid.”
“You’re just hard-headed like us and wanted to take these guys down. You have a SEAL’s mind about leaving things undone.”
“How do you know so much about me?”
“We read the reports on you when you worked with us before and more recent ones about what you’ve been doing lately. From them we knew who would most likely buy you. But we also feared they might kill you because their demands for payment from our country were denied.
I think one of our Naval vessels is taking over the buyer’s ship about now. He underestimated who he was dealing with this time.”
Tears in her eyes, Haley leaned forward and kissed him. “Thank you.”
The other SEALs teased and razzed him the whole way back to the place where the plane that would transport them and Haley to the States waited. But Haley held his hand and smiled at Ranger, so he ignored the rest.
Chapter 14
When they arrived at their home base in San Diego, an ambulance was waiting to transport Ranger immediately to the hospital. Haley told him goodbye and kissed him again.
The pain medicine made his words came out slurred, “I’ll call you soon.”
She smiled and wave as she joined her boss standing nearby. He drove her to a hotel where she cleaned up and changed into new clothes. Then they flew immediately to Washington, where she was checked physically and mentally before having a chance to rest. Tomorrow, she’d be questioned thoroughly about how she came to be kidnapped and probed for anything she could tell them about her captors.
Haley paced the hotel room and wondered how Ranger was doing. Finally, she broke down and put in a call to the military hospital in San Diego. They put her through to his room. A woman answered. Haley hung up.
Kayla glanced at Jackson. “That was strange. As soon as I said hello, the person hung up.”
“Maybe it was Josie.”
“But she knows us.”
“True, but she might not know your voice.”
“She’s a nurse. She’d have asked if I was a nurse, and I’d have identified myself.”
Jackson shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Wait, you said the woman you all brought back sat beside him on the helicopter flight and the plane ride home.”
“You think it might have been her?”
“I bet it was. She wouldn’t know if Ranger had a wife or girlfriend, and so when I answered she hung up.”
Jackson leaned forward and kissed Kayla. “You are usually right, my love.”
Ranger groaned. “All that mushy talk is going to make me sick.”
Kayla laughed. “I’ll hold the curved pan for you, but I’m not going to tell my husband to quit saying sweet things to me.”
Jackson leaned over him. “And if you tell the Team about what my wife just said, I’ll make you sicker than just throwing up.”
“All right, you two. It isn’t fair to verbally beat up on a wounded man.”
The doctor entered the room and they stopped talking. He smiled at Ranger. “Luckily, the bullet missed any vital organs. You’ll be back to work before too long. Actually, it’s a bit of a miracle when you consider all the organs the bullet managed to miss.”
“Then I’ll still be a SEAL?”
“You can’t get out it that easy,” Bear teased.
Ranger’s smile left his face. “That was my biggest fear after what happened to Glenn.”
“I know, but all the stars must have aligned to protect you.” Kayla squeezed his hand.
“After I get out of here, I have a few things to get done.”
“Well, then, behave and do as the doctor and nurses say.” Kayla leaned down and kissed his cheek. “I think it’s safe for us to leave you and go get our son from the babysitter.”
“Go, I’m good.” Ranger waved and closed his eyes.
“He’ll be asleep as soon as we leave the room,” Bear said.
“I heard that,” Ranger called out behind them. He was tired, but his last thoughts before giving in to sleep were about Josie and Haley.
I have two things to do when I get out of here. See Josie and try to explain how I’ve fallen in love at almost first sight with another woman. Then find Haley.
When the plane had landed at the Navy Base, Niall let his men go out first after Ranger. Then he stood in the doorway looking for Emma and Melissa.
“Daddy!” Melissa yelled, and Emma waved. His whole body warmed at the sight of them. Many times, he’d gotten off the plane, and his crew were already heading toward home in cars full of loved ones. They’d enjoy a celebration of being safe and with the ones who meant the most to them. Today, he had his own celebration to enjoy.
Emma put Melissa down, and she ran to him. Niall scooped Melissa up and kissed her face all over. Melissa laughed with joy.
Niall started walking, with his daughter still in his arms, toward Emma. He carefully put Melissa down and pulled Emma into his arms.
“I missed you.”
“The days were long. We both missed you.”
Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her lips, and whispered, “I’ll show you how much later.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Let’s go home,” he said as he grasped their hands. “It feels good to hold my wife and my daughter’s hands after getting off the plane. It feels wonderful.”
Once home, Emma went to the kitchen and warmed the meal she’d cooked earlier. Melissa had gone into her room to get the new doll dresses Emma had made for her doll. Niall put his arms around Emma as she opened the refrigerator door.
“I’m not hungry for food,” he whispered in her ear.
“But Melissa is so happy to see you and has things she wants to show off.” Emma turned in his arms. “I’m afraid we have to wait until her nap time.”
Niall pulled her tight against his body. “Feel how much I want you?”
Emma blushed. “Yes. Go take a cold shower.”
“Oh, what a terrible thing to say,” he teased. “But if you insist, I will, right after Melissa shows me all these items she’s carrying into the kitchen.” He sat on the floor and admired the doll dres
ses and the bracelet that had her name on it. The note from her teacher had been wrinkled a bit from Melissa holding it tight in her little hand.
“Let’s see. It says you are right up with your class, even though you had to miss some school days. What a smart girl you are,” Niall said and kissed his daughter’s cheek. He glanced at Emma. “You must have had a good teacher at home to help you stay up with your class.”
“Momma made me study each day, and then we did something fun outside.”
“I’m glad you didn’t sit around missing me too much.”
Melissa threw her arms around him and kissed his face all over. “That’s how much we missed you.”
“I missed you, too. The food smells delicious. Let’s eat, and after lunch, you can take a nap and Daddy will sleep. I’m tired from all the work I did when I was gone. Tonight, we’ll let Momma have a free night from cooking and get pizza.
“Yay, pizza.” Melissa twirled around.
Niall glanced at Emma, who was smiling and blushing just a bit.
Emma closed the bedroom door and leaned against it. “She’s asleep, holding one of her dolls.”
Niall moved toward her until his body touched hers. “It’s about time. I love seeing Melissa so excited to have me back, but it meant waiting a long time to hold you and love you,” he said and grinned at her blush.
“You are very important to her. Especially now when she gets to live with you and see you every day whenever you aren’t on a mission.”
“I know.” Niall lifted Emma’s arms over her head. His body leaned into hers.
There was an inherent strength in his face and body. His compelling hazel eyes were greener now than brown. The shadow of his beard added to his manly appeal. His firm lips curved up as he watched her study him. His finger ran across her lips. Emma’s body responded to his every touch and expression.
How did this sexy man ever fall in love with me? She saw the love in his eyes and felt it in his caress.
The prolonged anticipation had her squirming against his hard body. His big hands cupped her face.
“I want to make love to you. I saw a flicker of doubt in your eyes for a second. We’ll keep making love, and soon you’ll be convinced of my feelings for you.” Niall picked Emma up and carried her to the bed. Then he slowly removed her clothes.
When she unbuckled his belt and pushed his jeans down his legs, she looked up at him with a grin and held his cock tight in her hand.
“After the second shower, I left my jockeys off. Quicker and easier this way.” Grinning, he placed her nude body on the bed and lay on top of her. “I think I need to be brave and see if we can have a baby together.”
Tears ran down her cheeks. “You mean it?”
He kissed her cheeks and then her lips. “Yes. If you notice, there’s no condom on the bedside table.”
“I was going to mention it to you.”
Niall leaned closer. “Don’t you dare die on me.”
Happy tears running down her face, Emma reached out for him and whispered in his ear, “I have no plans of leaving you and Melissa or any future children we have. At least, not for a long time.”
Niall moved down her body and kissed her luscious breasts. Her rosy nipples hardened under his attention. His hands explored the soft lines of her upper body, as she caressed the strong muscles along his shoulders. He raised his head and moved upward to kiss the spot on her neck where her pulse throbbed.
Raising his head, he whispered, “I love you, and before this night is over, I intend to kiss every spot of your gorgeous body.” She quivered at his words.
When she responded and touched and kissed his body in the same places, the hot rage of passion flowed through them.
He spread her legs and slid inside her warmth. “I can feel your heat, and I can’t wait any longer.”
Love flowed into her like warm honey as he began to move quicker.
Her body shivered with delight as his hands and mouth explored her body. When he leaned forward and kissed her breast, her blood rushed in fiery sensations through her veins. Emma’s feelings were much more than just desire. It was as though they were meant to be together.
She basked in the glow of having his hot body against hers and the union that brought them together as one. He had awakened the dormant sexuality she’d tried to ignore and pretend she didn’t need.
Emma yielded to the feelings she’d held captive within her and soared to a shuddering, uncontrollable delight and joy. She quivered with unspoken passion. The turbulence of his feelings swirled around her, and he held her tight as a glowing feeling of fire, passion, and love united them.
Niall brushed her damp hair off her forehead, and kissed her swollen lips. “I don’t believe either of us can doubt whether we were meant for each other.” Her glowing smile warmed his heart.
“No, I have no doubts. None.”
“Me either. Let’s go shower together and heat the left-over pizza. Neither of us ate much.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea.”
He held her hand as they walked into the bathroom. “Have you ever made love in a shower?”
Emma smiled and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. “No, but I can hardly wait for the experience.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Emma nudged Niall. “It’s time to go.”
“Go where?” he mumbled.
“To the hospital.”
Niall sat up instantly and stared at her. “Are you sure?”
“Very. I’ve been lying here counting my contractions.”
“All right. I’ll call Bear. He and Kayla will meet us at the hospital, so Kayla can take Melissa home with her to play with their son.”
“I know, honey. Get dressed. I’ll wake Melissa and get her ready.”
Niall jumped out of bed. Then he hugged Emma and stared into her eyes. “You are all right?”
“I’m perfect. Don’t worry.”
“Yeah, like that will ever happen,” he said as he started to dress.
Emma smiled and headed for Melissa’s room. Since it was only five in the morning, Melissa tried to push her away and go back to sleep.
“Momma has to go to the hospital.”
Melissa's eyes opened wide. “I get my brother or sister today?”
“Yes. Isn’t that exciting?”
“No.” She grabbed hold of Emma. “My Mommy went to Heaven when I was born.”
“We’ve explained it wasn’t anything to do with you. Mommy was sick, and no one knew it.”
Melissa stared at her and then put on the clothes Emma handed her. Emma helped the little girl with her socks and shoes. “We have to hurry.”
Niall had the truck running and Emma’s suitcase in the back. He squealed the tires pulling out of the driveway.
“Slow down. The hospital is only a fifteen-minute drive and probably less this early in the morning.”
“Sorry. I can fight the most dangerous men in the world, and I’m not as scared of them as I am of having to deliver our baby on the side of the road.”
“I know.” She patted his leg, and he slowed down.
Emma understood Niall’s fear that he’d lose her during delivery. He’d tried to hide it, but she knew. She’d prayed for an uneventful delivery for both their sakes. Her parents were coming right after the birth, and his mother and her new husband planned to leave wherever they were as soon as they were notified of the happy event.
Niall glanced her way. “The doctor agreed I will be in the delivery room the whole time.”
“I know. Just don’t add to my anxiety. Do whatever the doctor or nurses say.”
“I will.”
She raised an eyebrow at him.
“I promise.”
Once at the hospital, Niall let her off at the emergency room door. An orderly came out with a wheelchair. “I’ll park, and Melissa and I will be with you in a few minutes.”
Emma nodded, sat in the chair and watched as he drove off
toward the parking area. Inside, a nurse greeted her. “I’ll take you to a room so we can prepare you for the birth of your baby.”
“Can someone tell my husband where I am? He’s a bit anxious.”
The nurse smiled. “Aren’t they all?”
Emma laughed. “I don’t know. This is my first pregnancy, but my husband has an adorable little girl that I love as my own.”
“Then let’s hope it’s a boy.”
“I don’t care as long as we’re both healthy. My husband lost his first wife right after she delivered. If he seems a pain in the neck to you all, I want you to understand why. Ouch!”
“We’d better get you in the room and get started. This little one may be anxious to come into the world.”
Niall lifted Melissa out of her car seat. “You must be very quiet in the hospital. All right?”
“I’ll be good, Daddy.”
He turned to carry her toward the emergency entrance when a procession of black SUVs appeared. “What the hell?”
“Daddy, you said a bad word.”
“I did, and I’m sorry.” Niall watched as his men parked and walked toward him. Bear and his team led the way, but Wolf and his men followed.
Kayla took Melissa from him. Bear grinned. “Whatever happens, we’re all going to be here. We expect to meet your son or daughter, and then we’ll go to work. The Commander permitted us to come as long as we don’t get called out on a mission.”
“You all don’t have to stay. It may be hours.”
“We’re staying,” Bear said.
“I can’t say it isn’t good to see you, but with all of the pacing, we’ll ruin the floor in the waiting room.”
“If we do, we’ll fix it,” Wolf said and patted him on the back.
“I want to be here, Daddy.”
“No, you’ll have much more fun at Mrs. Langley’s house.” He kissed her. “Be good.”
The SEAL’s Surprise Marriage (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) Page 13