"Me too, Shy."
As they reached the living room, Eden placed Shylah on the couch just as Luca came in with Evie closely behind. Evie slowly walked over to Shylah. She paused before sitting next to her and placing a hand on her back.
"Are you okay?" Evie asked, her voice soft and her hand only lightly touched her back.
"I'm okay. I'm just so glad they didn't get in. Thank you for answering and calling in the guys."
"I think Eden nearly lost his mind when Luca called. We're all glad you're okay."
Evie's calm nature went a long way in putting Shylah at ease. She was easy to like. A bit quiet and reserved, but sweet.
Glancing back over to Eden and Luca, Mason then entered the room. The three men seemed to take up all the space in the small apartment. They made an intimidating group, all huge, and all looked ready for action should it be necessary.
"There were some fresh tracks outside that led to the street. Looked to be male, maybe two hundred pounds," Mason said.
"Just one?" Eden questioned.
"Just the one set of tracks," Mason confirmed.
Turning their gazes to Shylah, Eden came closer, kneeling in front of her. Even hunched down, he looked huge. "Is there anything you heard that might help us?"
Thinking for a moment, Shylah shook her head. "I'm sorry, I just heard the rattling and ran to the bathroom. I called straightaway and didn't take notice of anything. It was stupid. I should have been more observant."
"It was smart. You survive first, Shylah. Always. We'll figure it out." Eden's hand squeezed Shylah's knee before standing.
"I'll see if there are any prints on the door before we go," Mason said, turning toward the door.
As Eden started talking to Luca and Mason, Shylah turned to Evie beside her. Evie's eyes were gentle, as was her voice when she asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm okay, just grateful that I had someone I could call to help me." Glancing over at the guys once more, Shylah started feeling her normal self again. "It's hard not to feel safe with those three in the same room."
"Well, Luca and I were supposed to follow a gray pickup truck that was out front, but by the time we got here, it was gone."
Shylah's eyes flew back to Evie's as her heart rate picked up again.
"Gray pickup? There was a gray pickup truck out front?"
A small frown marred Evie's forehead. "Yeah, Eden and Mason saw it when they arrived, but they wanted to get to you first. Why? Does that mean something to you?"
Noticing the room had gone quiet, Shylah turned her head to see Eden studying her.
"What is it, Shylah?" Eden asked, taking a step closer to her.
Nibbling her lip, Shylah took a breath before she spoke. "A few months ago, the government officials who I was in contact with to get Project Arma shut down approached me. They asked me to come out of hiding and work in a hospital in Georgetown to draw out some people. The idea being, they would search for me, seeing as I was the one who got the facility shut down."
Eden immediately stilled before asking, "You used yourself as bait?"
Shylah cringed at the anger in Eden's voice.
"I did what I thought was best." Shylah took a breath before she continued, "A couple of months passed, and nothing happened, except that every so often, I would get the feeling I was being watched. One day, when I left the hospital, a pickup truck stopped in front of me. A gray one." A shiver ran up Shylah's spine at the memory.
"It was a distraction for two other guys to grab me, tie a cloth over my eyes, and drag me into the back of a van." Glancing up, Eden looked about ready to explode. Shylah took her eyes off him and focused on the other people in the room. "They, um, spoke about you guys while I was in the van. They referred to you as SEAL team six and said that they had located you in Marble Falls."
"Son of a bitch," Eden muttered.
"Things happened really quickly after that. There were gunshots which came from the detectives who were my protection—"
"They shot at the van while you were in it?" Eden interrupted in a murderous tone. "And what the hell kind of protection lets you get taken in the first place?"
Shylah ignored Eden's anger and continued, "I think they hit a tire because the van started swerving before it stopped. Then I was dumped from the back, and it sped off. One of the detectives got out to stay with me while the other went after the van. They never caught it."
Glancing up, she looked Eden in the eye. "The next day, I got out of Georgetown and went back into hiding. The incident really shook me, and I didn't want them to find me. I wanted to come to see you, Eden, and I was thinking about leaving anyway. I just needed your location. Once I had a name, I used that time to research Marble Falls. I found the business, Marble Protection. The timeline of when it was opened matched up with Project Arma being shut down. That was the main giveaway, and what your company did—specialize in security and self-defense. Didn't take a genius to figure out it was you guys. Once I felt safe enough to move again, I came here for you, Eden."
Shylah knew that still brought up the question of where she'd been before Georgetown. She hoped he didn't ask her tonight. It felt like all her energy had drained from her body with the drop in adrenaline.
Braving a glance his way, the rage was etched through Eden's features. It was only the feel of Evie's soft touch stroking her back that kept her calm.
"I think it's been a big night for Shylah, and we should let her rest," Evie spoke gently.
"That's a good idea, sweetheart," Luca agreed, walking over to her and pulling her off the couch.
Eden stepped forward, reaching for Shylah.
"Let's go, Shy." His gentleness pulling her to her feet was at odds with the hardness in his voice.
"Go where?" Shylah asked as she came to stand next to him.
"You're not staying here by yourself. You can stay with me at my place. That's not negotiable, Shy."
A wave of relief washed through Shylah. She would never have voiced that she didn't want to remain here alone. Eden's offer took some of the anxiety away.
"I'll pack a bag."
"Make sure that what you bring will last a couple of weeks. We don't know how long you'll be with me."
Nodding, she continued to the bedroom. She wasn't going to argue. If she was honest with herself, she was too exhausted. Exhausted by running and hiding. Exhausted from doing it all alone. She wanted to lean on Eden. She needed him.
Quickly packing a bag, she shoved in as much as she could. There were likely a dozen things that she'd forgotten, but at the moment, getting out was her priority.
Walking back into the living room, Shylah noticed only Eden remained.
"The others went home," he murmured, walking up to Shylah and taking the bag from her fingers.
Nodding, Shylah followed Eden, not quite able to work out what he was feeling. There was fire and anger in his eyes, but his tone was even as he spoke.
As they made their way out, a thought came to her when she locked the fully intact front door.
"How did you get in?"
"I kept a copy of your key when I changed the lock."
Shylah turned to look at Eden. He didn't even dare to look guilty about it. She shouldn't be surprised.
Too tired to fight, she let it slide as she followed him to his truck. Once they were driving, Shylah rested her head back and closed her eyes.
The car smelled like Eden. Musky. With the heater on high, the warmth lulled her body. Too soon, she felt the car come to a stop. Glancing up at the two-story wooden home, Shylah frowned.
"You live here?"
Unbuckling his seat, Eden nodded. "Yeah, why do you sound surprised?"
Because it was a huge damn house and he was one person. "It's just a lot of house for a single man."
A strange look came over his face before he quickly masked it. "Come on, let's get inside."
Shylah followed him up to the door. Once she stepped inside, her breath caught. It was beautifu
l.
The ceilings were high with striking black pendant lighting. The entrance led to an open floor plan with a huge modern kitchen and living room to the left. Then there was a big grand staircase in the middle.
"Wow, your home is beautiful, Eden."
Eyes softening for a moment, Eden quickly looked away.
"Bedrooms are upstairs," Eden said gently, already heading toward the stairs.
Following behind him, Shylah moved up the staircase and stepped into a masculine room. "Is this your room?"
Not looking her way, Eden nodded. "You'll sleep in here. It's safer that way. It will take me less time to get to you if something happens. I have good security, but having me close will be the safest." Shylah's eyes darted to the bed. The huge-ass bed that she would share with Eden. "It's a big bed. We should be able to keep to our own sides."
Swallowing her disappointment, Shylah nodded. "Sure."
"I'll leave you to get ready." Moving in the direction of the door, Eden stopped before he walked through it. "Next time, call me, Shylah, no matter how long you think it might take me to get to you. Call me."
Taking a small breath, Shylah nodded before Eden disappeared out of the room.
15
Shylah snuggled further into the warmth that surrounded her. It felt like being wrapped in a big electric blanket. But a blanket with arms and legs and a hard, muscular chest pushed against her back.
Eden's breath brushed against her neck, causing a shiver to run down her spine. She was wearing sleep shorts and a shirt, but her top had ridden up under the sheet, and his bare stomach was flat against her back.
With Eden's arms wrapped around her middle, escape would be impossible even if she'd wanted to—not that she did.
With her eyes remaining shut, a slight smile curved across Shylah's lips.
After months of recovery, uncertainty, hiding, and loneliness, this is where she had been trying to make her way back to—the safety of Eden's arms.
If she could pause time and remain in one place indefinitely, that is exactly what she would choose.
Wiggling her butt into Eden, he hardened behind her. One large hand moved from her stomach to below her shirt. Holding still, Shylah didn't dare to breathe. Wrapping his long fingers around her bare breast, the hand engulfed her.
Shylah's breath stuttered as Eden's thumb rubbed against her rock-hard nipple. Subconsciously pushing her chest further into his hand, fire raced down her body.
Eden's mouth clamped onto her neck, exploring and tasting. His breath searing hot on her skin. Eden's other hand trailed down her body before slipping inside her sleep shorts.
Holding her breath, the anticipation of having his hand on her was excruciating.
As his warm fingers found her clit, Shylah arched her back, a moan escaping her lips. Slowly running his finger along her core, while his other hand still tormented her breast, Shylah's arm lifted behind her, fingers running through Eden's hair.
Whole body on fire with need, her breaths shortened, coming out in gasps. If he stopped, she was afraid she might beg him to continue.
Eden's erection pushed harder against her back, begging for attention. Opening her mouth to speak, Eden's finger slipped inside her, immediately halting any rational thought.
Shylah lost herself in the passion between them. Writhing at the torture. Eden's finger entered and withdrew from her as his thumb pushed and rubbed against her clit.
"Eden." His name was a whisper, gasped from her lips.
"You drive me crazy, Shy." Eden's voice was guttural. Deep.
As his teeth bit down slightly into Shylah's neck, she lost the last bit of control she had. Her throbbing body fell over the edge as she cried out at the intensity of her orgasm.
As the throbbing continued, Eden flipped Shylah onto her back and climbed on top, quickly ridding her of her sleep shorts and shirt.
Eyes still shut, it took Shylah a moment to come down from her high. When she did, she realized how still Eden's body was above her.
Eyes fluttering open, Shylah's brain finally caught up to the fact that she was naked under Eden.
His eyes were firmly fixed on her body. Her naked body. Etched with scars.
Immediately grabbing at the sheet, she went to cover herself but was stopped by Eden's hand on her wrist.
"What is this?" All passion had left his voice, and thunderous anger now replaced it.
Taking a breath, Shylah swallowed before she answered, "Scars." Voice small, Shylah knew exactly where this conversation would now lead.
"Scars from what?"
Eden knew the answer to that. He was a SEAL. He'd seen bullet wounds before.
"They shot me, Eden." Eden's eyes continued to stare at her scars, the silence between them lengthened. "Twice. I was shot twice."
Finally, his gaze rose to her face
"When?" Eden asked, voice hard and deadly. "When were you shot, Shylah?"
Pausing for a moment, Shylah mustered her courage and told Eden, "While you were on your last mission."
There was no change in Eden's expression, but the intensity of his stare made Shylah want to squirm and cover herself.
"You need to explain this to me, and you need to explain now."
The muscles across his chest rippled with anger. Shylah pushed at his huge chest but the man didn't move an inch. "I'll explain, Eden, but at least let me cover myself first."
Processing her request for a moment, Eden's powerful body rolled to the side. Pulling the sheet up to cover her chest, Shylah took a breath before turning to Eden. His eyes remained hard, tension radiating from his body.
* * *
Eden fought to still his rage.
All thoughts of making love to Shylah vanished as his brain struggled to comprehend what he'd just learned.
They shot Shylah. Not just once. Shylah was shot twice while she was supposed to be at his house. Safe.
Rolling to the side, Eden watched as Shylah pulled the sheet over her chest. It covered the scarring on her lower abdomen, but it was etched in his mind. The scar on her shoulder remained uncovered, a mark against her otherwise perfect skin.
"Explain." When Shylah didn't speak immediately, Eden thought he might lose his mind. "I'm not fucking around, Shylah, I want to know exactly who shot you and why."
Eyes lowering to the sheet over her chest, Shylah took another moment before she spoke.
"The day after I got to your house, I received a call from the people I'd been working with to get the project shut down. They'd tapped some of the office phones at Project Arma so they could listen in before the raid. That morning there was a communication from another SEAL team."
Eden's body stilled. He knew part of this story. What he didn't know was Shylah's place in it.
When she hesitated, Eden's body tensed. "Tell me."
"They confirmed that they were on track to complete their mission."
"To kill us," Eden muttered, more to himself than to Shylah.
Eden knew their mission had been to kill Eden and his team. Troy, a member of the other SEAL team, had told Evie this when he'd taken her hostage.
Eden's team was sent on a mission to extract people from a building in Peru when they'd received a directive to abort the mission. The building had blown up at the very time Eden's team was supposed to be inside.
"How did you get involved in this?" Eden dreaded the answer before she spoke.
"They called to tell me because they knew you and I were involved. I knew I could stop it. I had the commander's login details, and I knew how he communicated with you. So, I went to the base, and I sent your team an email pretending to be him."
Eden's head spun. "That email directing us to abort the mission was from you?"
"Yes." Shylah's eyes darted down to her hands. A sinking feeling came over Eden about what she would say next. "After I sent the email, but before I could leave the room, Doctor Hoskin and your commander came in." Swallowing, Shylah looked as nervous as Eden felt. "The co
mmander killed the doctor in front of me." A shiver rocked Shylah's body. "Commander Hylar was angry because he didn't know they'd tried to take out your team. Then he turned and shot me. I dropped behind a bed but still got hit in the shoulder and then in the stomach. We could hear people raiding the building, so he left. Otherwise, I'm sure he would have stuck around to ensure I died."
An overwhelming urge to hit something grabbed at Eden.
His woman had been hurt. Shot. Saving him. That wasn't her responsibility, damn it.
Knowing that it was his commander who had shot her, a man he'd looked up to and cared about, was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Tell me what happened after that, Shylah."
Fidgeting with the blanket in front of her, Shylah's gaze darted around the room before she continued, "I spent the first couple of months in the hospital. I suffered significant blood loss. I also needed several surgeries after what happened."
"What kind of surgeries?" Eden's gaze zoomed in on her shoulder before trailing down to her left hand. "That's why your left hand shakes. Why you couldn't swim out of the water in the lake."
Pieces were fitting together in Eden's mind.
"Yes. I have some nerve damage in my left arm, affecting my wrist and hand. There was nothing they could do about that. I had to do months of rehabilitation to get it to where it is right now. I still need to keep up with my exercises. It will never be as strong as it used to be." Eden opened his mouth to comment, but Shylah's placement of her hand on his leg stopped him. "There's more. The worst injury was the bullet wound to my abdomen. I mentioned the blood loss. I stayed in the hospital for a while so that they could perform a number of different surgeries."
When Shylah paused, Eden's anxiety grew. "What are you not telling me, Shy?"
"I can't have babies." Shylah said the words quickly, almost choked them out. "The doctors told me there's too much scar tissue in my uterus, and they don't think I can get pregnant."
At the pain on Shylah's face, Eden felt raw. She couldn't have babies. She couldn't have Eden's babies.
Eden knew there were other ways they could have kids if they wanted, but what cut him the deepest was the agony in Shylah's voice.
Eden: A steamy contemporary military romance (Project Arma Book 2) Page 11