Delta Salvation (Phantom Force, Book 1) (20 page)

Kai rested his palm on her thigh. “Hey, you are just as important to me.” Truer words had never been uttered from him.

“Damn, I hate fucking losing,” Sully groaned, handing Coyle a crisp twenty.

“What the hell you talking about?” Kai fixed them both with a stare in the rearview mirror.

Sully held the money in his hand. “Just a friendly wager between friends.”

He was pretty sure he didn’t want to know, nor did he want to embarrass Alexa, but planned to punch both men when he had a moment alone with them.

“Back to the business at hand, boys. When we get to the hospital, I want Alexa flanked on all sides. We don’t know what the danger looks like, and they could already be there for all we know. She is not to leave our sides for a second. If I’m called away, then you two are not to allow her out of your sight. Period. I don’t care who orders you otherwise. Feel me?” Kai met both men’s gaze. Even if Commander Lee were to order them, they’d listen to Kai, taking a court martial in the process. Kai would do the same for them.

Hoorah echoed in the cabin of the truck.

“I don’t want any of you getting hurt or in trouble for me.” Alexa entwined their fingers.

He flipped his hand over, sealing their palms. “This is my mission, luv. You do what I say and no going against my orders or I’ll tan that luscious ass red.”

Her gasp made him smile.

****

A
lexa couldn’t believe the outrageous things Kai was saying. And in front of his fellow SEALs for that matter. She glanced a quick look over her shoulder, to see both men looking out the window on each side as if Kai hadn’t just threatened to spank her.

“You can’t threaten to spank me, Kai,” she whispered.

“Just did.” The infuriating man said without letting go of her hand.

She could see the corner of his mouth trying to hold back a grin. Lord, she was in love with the big bad SEAL. He was intent on keeping her safe, even if it meant throwing his own life on the line. No one had ever done that for her. Like she mattered. Kai Swift was her salvation, but she didn’t want him to die because of her. She’d be his too.

“I don’t like that look on your face, woman. You best not be plotting anything that will get your fine ass into danger. I may only have been joking about spanking you, but I’m not above locking you in an undisclosed location until this threat is eliminated.” Kai’s dark gaze slid toward her.

“Promise you won’t do anything foolish?” She couldn’t live if anything happened to him because of her. The world would be a sorry place if Kai wasn’t in it. No one would even know if she left.

“I can do that. I never do anything foolishly.”

Two simultaneous snorts came from the back.

“I don’t think you two want me to respond to that. Now do you?” Kai pulled into the parking garage of the hospital.

“No, Cap. You are not a foolish man,” Sully said with a straight face that Alexa didn’t buy at all.

They entered the floor where Tay and Oz were being kept, shocked at the amount of military personnel with guns outside their door.

“Our Commander promised he’d keep them safe until they were able to get out.” Kai showed the guards on duty his ID before they were allowed to enter the room.

Alexa’s breath came out in a sob of relief when she spotted both men sitting up.

“Hey, don’t you ever offer yourself up as hostage for our sorry hides again,” Tay muttered.

Alexa let go of Kai’s hand, rushing to the first bed where Tay was. “I couldn’t let them shoot you in the head. How are you?” She reached a hesitant hand toward his bruised face.

Tay grabbed her hand, his grip strong. “A couple bruised ribs, some internal bleeding. Nothing major.”

“Hey, what about me?” Oz’s deep voice growled from the next bed. He looked just as bad with his dark red hair and usual tan face almost pale.

She placed a chaste kiss on Tay’s cheek. “I’m glad you’re going to be okay.”

Hurrying over to Oz, she touched his whiskered cheek. “Poor thing. How bad is it?”

“I fear I won’t be jumping out of planes anytime soon.” He pointed at his leg.

“Is it broken?” Kai asked from the foot of the bed.

Oz glanced up. “Nah, just cracked. I’ll be right as rain in a few weeks. You, young lady, should listen to Tay. We wouldn’t have been able to live with ourselves if something had happened to you because of what you did for us.”

“Well I guess we are even. You both are here because of me.” She looked up at Kai, questioning whether he was going to tell them about the couple who was supposedly her parents. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around that one.

Kai pulled her in for a hug, and explained in hushed tones how he was going to use hand motions to explain to his team there was more going on. It made sense he wasn’t sure if the room was secure with doctors, nurses, and cleaning staff coming in and out. Tay and Oz nodded, letting them know they understood. Both men were ready to get out, but health wise they needed a few more days.

Motion at the door drew all their gazes. Coyle jerked in front of Kai and Alexa.

She recognized JoJo’s voice in the hallway.

“Let him in,” Kai said.

JoJo came in with a woman and another man. Alexa thought the woman looked familiar, but she couldn’t place her.

“Kai, thanks for letting us in. I felt a little exposed out there.” JoJo stood with his hands at his side.

“Who you got with you there, son?”

“My name is Mad, and this is Hailey, or Hales. We are aware you think we are traitors, but I can assure you we are not.” Mad’s hands flexed in agitation.

“Hailey. You worked at the office I do. Or did?” Alexa looked up at Kai.

The other woman shook her head. “I was there as part of your protection. My name is Hailey Ashley.” She stood between JoJo and Mad.

Alexa envied the blonde woman for her obvious confidence. She was a little taller than average. Lean or more like muscular. In the outfit she was wearing it was hard to tell, but Alexa remembered seeing Hailey in a form fitting dress and wished she had the skinny figure to wear such a thing.

“I’m assuming Blake is doing well?” Kai kept his body in front of Alexa.

JoJo nodded. “Yeah, he came home yesterday.”

“Listen, we ain’t here to kill you or your team. None of us have death wishes. Dex is still missing, and that puts us all at risk. He knows all of our homes. Damn, man, he knows our families.” Mad ran his hand over his bald head, his deep voice gone deeper.

“Lee spoken with the three of you?”

Mad snorted. “You mean interrogate, then yeah. We ain’t lying. Dex tried to kill Blake. Hales and I trailed him, but he lost us in traffic. That fucker has help. Like major help is all I can surmise. I told Lee all this. Did he not convey it all to you?”

Kai raised his fist and everyone stopped speaking. Every word Mad spoke may be overheard by whoever was listening if they’d bugged the room. Alexa hated the need for all the precautions. Her life was one big ball of crazy. Yet, looking at Kai, she didn’t think she was too upset since it also brought her him.

The three newcomers nodded.

“I’m assuming you’re still at the apartment building where Alexa was to be staying?”

JoJo nodded. “We all have apartments there. Dex hasn’t been back and all the security has been upgraded. Trust me, computers weren’t his thing.”

Kai tilted his head. “No, but they were others. Don’t relax your guard.”

“Never. Not after this.” JoJo agreed.

Mad stepped forward. “Hales and I would like to help you.”

“You’d help by guarding your team’s back, and keeping me informed if Dex reaches out to you. More than likely when he outlives his usefulness, he’ll be disposed of.”

His harsh words made her heart clench. Luckily his arm reached out to steady her.

Hailey lifted a file, making Sully jump in front of her. A gasp left the blonde woman’s mouth. “Easy there. I was going to give you a file on Dex. I compiled a list of his strengths and weaknesses. Things you might be able to use.”

Alexa didn’t think the other woman sounded frightened. More like she enjoyed being manhandled by the large man.

Sully took the folder, flipping through it before tucking it under his arm. “Thank you.” He ran his knuckle down the middle of Hailey’s chest. “You should get an upgrade on your Kevlar.”

“Yeah, well, we aren’t as high up as y’all.” Hailey stepped away from Sully.

Undercurrents zipped between the two SEALs.

A knock sounded on the door, then Commander Lee walked in with a petite blonde woman next to him. “Holy shit, Jaqui Wallace. As I live and breathe. Come give me some sugar.” Oz held out his arms.

“You always were a charmer, Oz.” The woman walked with purpose over to Oz’s bed, brushed her hand over his forehead, then kissed the tip of his nose. “Been jumping out of perfectly good airplanes lately?”

“What the hell brought you out here, Jaq?” Kai asked.

The blonde stood straight. “Well, seems you’re a couple men short, and since I’m twice the man as most, I’m filling in.”

Jealousy stirred in Alexa as she watched the gorgeous female stare at Kai with an unblinking blue gaze.

“Where’s my hello, Ace?” Tay questioned from the other bed.

“Same place as my last goodbye.” Jaqui muttered, but her gaze cut to Tay, flinching when she looked at him.

“With all due respect, Commander, I don’t think it’s wise to bring in another player right now,” Kai said.

Commander Lee looked at the group. “Yeah, well with your computer specialist out of commission you need one. Jaqui just got back from the Middle East and was available. So now she’s on your team until this is over. This is a high-profile case that needs people I trust on it.”

Alexa looked from the commander to the woman. She guessed Jaqui to be around her own age, but wondered why he trusted her above all other SEALs. Kai sighed, but agreed. Alexa wanted to ask more, but in the hospital knew they wouldn’t answer any more questions.

“I’m not out of commission, Commander,” Tay gritted out between clenched teeth.

Commander Lee raised his brows. “Son, from where I’m standing, even the civilian here could probably take you. Rest and get better. I have no fear you’ll both be back in fighting form in no time.” Pivoting on his boot, the man left without another word.

“He’s very intimidating.” Alexa glanced around at the others.

Hailey laughed. “Ya think?”

Mad clapped his hands together. “Alright, we need to get. I’m sure you know how to get ahold of us. However, we have no way of reaching you if we find anything. Do you want to set something up, or what?”

“You find anything, type a message to each other. I’ll see it,” Jaqui said.

“Not another one,” Mad groaned.

The blonde woman giggled. “Oh I assure you, I’m even better, or scarier than whoever you’re thinking of, baby.”

Tay growled. “Stop flirting with every damn man you come across.”

Jaqui lifted her middle finger. “Sit and spin, Taylor Rouland.”

“I got something you can sit and spin on.”

“Been there. Done that. Got the skid marks from you leaving so fast. I don’t need a repeat thank you very much.” She smiled.

Alexa saw the hurt the woman didn’t quite hide fast enough.

“Alright, we need to head out. Oz, you and Tay focus on healing and I’ll keep you up-to-date on what’s going on as much as I can. If you hear or see anything here let me know.” Kai bumped knuckles with each man before he came back to Alexa’s side.

She looked at both SEALs. Their swollen features hurt her, but she was glad they were both alive. “Thank you both for...everything.” She went to Oz and hugged him, careful of his injuries, then did the same to Tay.

As they exited, she noticed Mad and JoJo flanked Hailey, while she and Jaqui were sandwiched between Kai and Sully. She wondered how they appeared to others they passed in the hallway.

“I bet they think we are the luckiest bitches in the world.” Jaqui bumped her shoulder. “Call me Jaqui, not Ace even if the guys call me that. Okay?”

Alexa nodded. “I’m Alexa.”

“I know. I read your file. Sorry about your shit storm of trouble. You’re in really good hands. Now, for the most important detail. I’ve never slept with Kai. Not that he isn’t drool worthy or anything.”

“I can hear you, you know.” Kai stabbed his finger on the down button of the elevator.

“Of course you can hear me. You’re like two feet from us. And clearly you’re not leaving Alexa’s side anytime soon. I just wanted to make sure she didn’t try to stab me with any daggers, real or fake.”

Alexa decided then and there she was going to like Jaqui. Two women in one day who were truly nice. Heck, at the rate she was going she’d have two girlfriends. She who’d been virtually friendless. Fear of what could happen to them made her stop in her tracks.

“Don’t borrow trouble, Alexa.” Jaqui pulled her into the elevator.

Chapter Thirteen

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T
he ride back to Rowan’s cabin was made in silence, broken only by Jaqui’s fingers tapping the keyboard of her computer. It reminded her of Tay and his penchant for always having his hands on a computer of some sort. Alexa wondered at the couple’s relationship. If she was more adept at the whole girlfriends’ thing, she’d ask more questions.

“Rowan’s got men surrounding the cabin. I want all of us inside. Nobody in or out unless approved by me. Alexa is staying in the safe room now instead of one of the suites. I’ll be staying with her as added protection. The only ones with the code will be she and I. Any questions?” Kai pulled up in front, shutting the truck off. The vehicle in front sat idle as did the one behind them.

“Is there food in there? I’m starving.” Sully’s stomach growled.

Kai shook his head. “Growing men need their food I guess.” When he opened his door, the others seemed to take that as their cue, opening theirs as well. “All is clear. Come on, luv. Let’s get you inside.”

Alexa felt exhausted. She allowed Kai to pull her into his side, secretly glad he showed such caveman instincts. The front of the house had been cleaned. No sign of the blood marred the windows or porch. Nobody mentioned it so she kept her mouth shut. Inside looked the same, but she remembered vividly the sound of gunshots. Looking around she didn’t see any holes, and wondered if Rowan had magic fairies come out, then laughed at the absurdity.