Chapter 16
Shadow hid behind the container near Otto’s unconscious body. He heard motors and knew it must be the mob. SEALs moved much quieter. He hoped some were nearby. His phone vibrated against his waist. It was a message.
We saw the cars and will be moving up from the other side. Stay covered if possible.
“Will do.” Shadow messaged back.
As he’d expected, several cars pulled up in front of the container. Murphy got out of one. “Where the hell are Otto and that traitor?” Several more men climbed out of the car, guns in hand.
“Whoever finds him first, shoot to kill,” Murphy said. “He’s a traitor to our group. He had to be the link. It’s a good thing the Judge had that button under the desk and pushed it before they found out.”
Hearing their words, Shadow crept around to the other side of the container and moved slowly toward the front.
Murphy and two of his men walked toward the back and saw Otto lying on the ground tied up. “Get him untied so he can help us.”
Once Otto’s gag was removed, he growled, “I get the first shot at him. Damn, he had me fooled.”
“Not just you,” Murphy snapped.
Shadow crept to the front. He aimed at the two men standing in his sight. He shot both. Then he turned his gun toward the back and let several bullets fly. The men had walked halfway to the front. Confused, they turned and ran around to the back. It gave Shadow time to jump inside the partially open door and close it.
Anya came to his side. “What’s happening?”
“I’m not certain. I hope to hear some help coming from my buddies. Until then, give me the other gun. I can shoot another two before they get to you and the other women.”
“He’s inside,” Murphy said. “We need to be careful. The container will probably be our last shipment until we can regroup. I don’t want to lose our valuable inventory. Lock the thing. He won’t go anywhere for now.”
Thankfully, before they locked the container, Shadow heard more gunshots ring out, and Murphy yelled, “Take cover!”
It was too late. Bullets hit all of them. Not to kill, but to wound and take to trial. SEALs led by Jackson, Wolf and Alec spread out and ran toward the men. One tried to get to a gun on the ground and got a bullet in his hand. The others didn’t move.
Wolf laughed as he pulled Murphy to his feet. “We want you all alive to go to trial after the Judge.”
Murphy sneered. “You may stop us, but overseas there are others. Between them and the Judge, they’ll find a way to help us.”
“You’re pretty cocky for someone going to jail for very likely the rest of your life.”
“Naw, that group will take care of us and pay another judge.”
“It’s not likely there’s another Judge who’d be willing to take their offer, especially since one of our SEAL teams took your partners overseas down right at the same time we got you.”
Blaze put his face close to Murphy’s. “Your fun and money are over. Good riddance to you after the horrors you sent so many women away to endure or die.
“I wish we had a prison especially for people like you. But the word will spread regarding your crime. There may be prisoners who won’t like what you did. They’ll take care of you for me.”
“I want a lawyer,” Murphy yelled as they dragged him off.
Alec had opened the door wide, and the women surged forward. They knocked Alec and Shadow down and ran to jump into the water.
“Stop, we’re here to save you,” Wolf yelled to the women. But confused and scared, several more jumped in, and it was clear one didn’t know how to swim.
Cookie dove in to save her. He swam up behind, grabbed the woman, and pulled her safely to the edge of the pier. Wolf helped pull her out.
The other women stopped swimming and waited to see what happened.
“We’re here to take you home,” Wolf yelled.
Shadow walked up beside him. “It’s the truth. You’re safe now.”
When police cars arrived with sirens blaring, the women began to swim back. Several were too weak to get to the pier, and Cookie and Shadow dove in to help them.
Captain Buchanan joined Shadow by the pier. Cookie had jumped in to help the last woman back. Shadow lifted her out, and Captain Buchanan gave Cookie a hand.
“I’m glad we had you with us,” the Captain said. “I wonder why so many of the women ran for the water.”
“One of them told me it was because they weren’t sure if it was another group trying to steal this one’s captives, but several others said they were so hot and dry the water looked too tempting not to jump in.
Shadow shook his head. “I can understand. It was like a steam bath in there, only worse.”
“You both look all right. I need to find Heath and speak with him.” Captain Buchanan glanced around. “Ah, I see him talking with the Chief of Police. Excuse me.
“Can I join the group?” The Captain asked as he walked up beside Heath.
Heath turned to him. “Did you know about Cheryl?”
“I did. Cheryl asked me not to tell you until this was over. She thought it might distract you. The Chief and I agreed with her.”
Heath frowned at them both. “You are certain she wasn’t hurt?”
“I insisted the doctors check her out at our hospital, and I had Mack transferred there also.”
“How is he doing?”
“Okay. I think Cheryl’s actions saved them both.”
“I’m mad at myself. We ought to have checked under the desk.”
“You both should have, but he pushed the button as you came into the room. He bragged about it later at the jail. For a Judge, he’s dumb. A guard overheard him.”
“Can I be relieved now to go and see my wife and Mack?”
“Yes. We’ll discuss all that happened since we started on this case tomorrow morning with Jackson’s team, Wolf’s members that were involved, and Alec’s team. Be there.”
“I will.” Heath turned and ran toward where he’d left his truck several blocks down.
A nearby hotel gave the women, from the container, rooms to shower in, food to eat, and then clothes their family members brought for them to wear.
Ten of them had to go to the hospital, and once the rest saw their families, they’d be checked by a doctor before release.
Shadow leaned against a large pillar as the women flowed out of the elevators in large numbers. The families moved toward them, looking for their loved ones. Shadow watched for Anya and her sister, Anais.
There was a break in the crowd, and he spotted Anya. He carefully moved between the families until he got to the twins. Anais turned and impulsively hugged him.
“You said you’d get her out and you did.” She beamed up at him.
Shadow felt shocked by the impact of her gentle hug. His heart thumped heavily in his chest, and he caught his breath. Somehow, with her touch, the heart he’d protected carefully during his thirty-three years jumped hard in his chest.
He stepped back and forced himself to behave naturally. “Your sister helped me. You can thank her also.” He smiled at Anya and knew from her expression she hadn’t missed his reaction to Anais.
“We’re going to get out of here. I want to go home,” Anya said. “Anais give him one of your cards with our phone number.” She looked at Shadow. “We’ll invite you to dinner.”
Ah—Anya was letting him know she approved.
Anya leaned toward him and whispered. “I might have hoped it would be me.” She shrugged. “I’ll find my Mr. Right. I can see you two are much better suited.”
Shadow’s cheeks heated, and he knew from that and her smile that he was blushing.
“What’s going on?” Anais asked. “You can tell me the secret.”
“It wasn’t very nice. An improper joke I knew would make Shadow blush.”
Looking straight at Anais, Shadow added, “I’ll be looking forward to seeing you at dinner.” Her smile and glowing eyes reassured
Shadow he wasn’t alone in his feelings. “I’d better leave and check in with my team.” He waved and walked briskly out the hotel doors.
Heath found out Mack’s hospital room number and took the elevator up. When he got to the door, he stopped and glanced inside. Cheryl held Mack’s hand as they talked. Mack glanced at the doorway.
“Look who’s come to take my friend home.” He let loose of her hand as Cheryl turned and jumped to her feet. She ran into Heath’s arms and promptly started crying.
Heath picked her up and sat in her chair. He held her close and handed her a bundle of tissue from the box on Mack’s overbed table.
“Has she been like this since it all happened?” he asked.
“No,” Mack said. “We’ve all wondered how she’d been so calm and handled everything so well.” He grinned at Heath. “I guess she’d been waiting for the person she feels safest with to let go. You know she saved my life, so we’ve adopted each other as brother and sister. I’m an only child, so I’m happy to be a brother to her. In case you were disturbed by us holding hands.”
“No way. We’re all family.”
“I’m soaking your shirt again,” Cheryl said, her voice muffled.
“I have plenty of shirts, but just one of you.”
She raised her head and looked at him with red eyes. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me. Well, Kayla might have said something similar, but she’s a girl.”
Heath and Mack laughed. Then Heath said, “I’m sure Jackson is happy about that.” He got a smile out of Cheryl. She started to get up.
“Stay on my lap. You may need to cry a bit more.”
“I doubt it, but I like sitting here.”
“I think those tears must have affected your brain. Where’s my smart-mouthed lawyer wife?”
“She’ll be back.”
“Thank goodness. I’m not certain I’d be able to handle all this sweetness every day.”
Cheryl hit him on the shoulder. “Hush up, silly man and kiss me.”
“This is getting better.” Heath pulled her head forward and thoroughly kissed her.
“I think you two need to go home,” Mack teased. “This is getting embarrassing.”
“Good idea.” Heath stood and let Cheryl stand. “Are you steady on your feet? I can carry you out.”
“No way. I’m able to walk on my own two feet.”
“Too bad,” Mack said. “I’d hoped to be able to describe the whole scene to the group when I get out of here.”
Heath glanced back at him from the doorway. “I’d hate for you to need to come back to the hospital so soon.”
“I figured you’d feel that way. My lips are sealed.”
“He won’t hurt you, Mack. I wouldn’t let him.”
They all laughed as Heath and Cheryl waved goodbye to Mack and walked to the elevator.
When they arrived home, Heath walked around the front of the truck to Cheryl’s door. He opened it and lifted her out.
“I can walk.”
“I know you can but let me enjoy carrying you.” He put her down for a second and got out his key. Then he carried her through the doorway.
Inside, he shut the door and pulled her into his arms. When she looked up at him, he kissed her. She opened her sweet mouth, and he swept his tongue inside.
Her tongue tangled with his, making him ache to take her to their room and make love. But he’d promised himself they’d talk first. His hand cupped her breast, and his finger rubbed across her nipple.
Heath’s heart thumped hard in his chest. When she raised her leg and put it around his upper thigh, he knew he had to stop. They mustn’t go any further until they talked. No way was he going to expose his strong feelings and then be rejected again.
She looked puzzled when he moved back from her.
“We must talk before we go any further,” Heath said.
“I want to make love. It’s been ages.”
“We made a bargain, and we need to discuss where we go from here.”
Cheryl was amazed and shaken by his words. She’d hoped they’d tear up the agreement and go on as they were into the future. But he was right. Could she live in Wyoming?
“You look surprised,” Heath said.
“I guess I didn’t expect this discussion right now, as soon as we got home. I hoped we’d make love.”
“Trust me. Sex can cause the people involved not to think clearly.”
“You know I won’t get pregnant, in case you’re worried about another surprise baby.”
“Go out and sit in the garden. I’ll mix up some sangria and bring the drinks out with snacks.”
“I’m going to shower and change clothes while you’re in the kitchen.”
“Good idea. I’ll do the same and then fix the drinks and food.” Heath watched her stroll down the hall.
At her door, she turned and winked. “I felt you watching me.” She blew a kiss. “See you soon.”
In the shower, Cheryl let the tears flow. She’d come to hate the agreement she’d willing made with Heath. I’ve gone and fallen in love with him, but he must not feel the same. We’ve been apart so much. Damn that old jeweler, he was right.
She glanced at her ring and saw it was glowing golden. Maybe it would bring her good luck during their talk.
Cheryl got out of the shower and wiped her tears away. She’d put on her cool top and short-shorts. She’d use whatever ammunition might help.
Heath didn’t take long showering and putting on shorts and a t-shirt. He was in the kitchen before he heard her door open. She smiled at him from the kitchen doorway.
“Sure, I can’t help?”
“Relax outside. I’ll be along in a few minutes.”
When she left, he turned on low sexy music to play throughout the house. Once he had the tray ready, he headed outside.
Cheryl studied her wedding ring again. The stone still shone bright yellow. The jeweler had been right. Something had protected her the last few days. Probably my wits and strength. But part of her wanted to believe she’d had help.
“You look deep in thought,” Heath said as he set the tray on the table between the chairs. “Eat some snacks and have some of your drink before we talk.”
“If you’re getting ready to tell me I need to move back to my place, it’s okay. I’m sure you want your bachelor pad back.” She forced herself to say the words.
Heath laughed. “I never viewed my home in that way. It’s my private space. You’re the only woman who I’ve brought here.”
“Really? You didn’t seem to mind me moving in.”
“Well, it wasn’t forever, and you were in danger.”
“Thank goodness the danger is over.” She bowed her head and swallowed hard. She didn’t want Heath to know how difficult it was going to be to leave him. But that was their agreement.
“Did you hear what I said?” Heath asked a frown on his forehead.
“My thoughts were on what you’d already said about me moving out.”
“I said that was our agreement.” His gaze moved across her face, and then he looked directly into her eyes. Her heart raced when she saw the tenderness in his gaze.
“What I said next, and what you missed hearing was an offer to amend our first agreement or bargain. Whatever you want to call it.”
“In what way?”
Heath slid off his chair and knelt before her. He reached for her hand and removed the ring. “Will you marry me and be my true wife for good or for bad, whether we live here or in Wyoming? I’m certain you can find a courtroom there somewhere to do this job you love.”
Cheryl leaned close to him. “I don’t love it as much as I did. Being scared and having to run from monsters is not fun.” She moved her hands to cup his face.
“I’ve fallen in love with you. You are a good man, and I do believe you will not disappoint me as my ex-husband and my uncle did. I wanted to get the bad men and put them away for him.”
“You have.”
“
Yes, and it’s enough. I want you, and maybe if I get crazy enough in the future, I might want a baby.”
Grinning, Heath picked her up and whirled her around. Then he leaned down and stared into her face. “Mom and I will help you when the baby is small. I’ve noticed you had no problem with little Jacob since he’s grown bigger.”
“You have this all figured out. But remember I still have a sassy mouth. I doubt I’ll be as sweet and nice all the time as Kayla is with Jackson. And I’d want to work, do something. I have no desire to make fruit into jelly or can vegetables.”
Heath bent over laughing. When he caught his breath, he said, “I love your sassy mouth, I like that you’re smart and want to work. I don’t want you any different than you’ve been since I met you. Well, except I’m glad you’re giving up on the really dangerous cases.”
“You mean it?”
“Yes. Put out your hand.” When she did, he slid the wedding ring back on her left hand. “With this ring, I forever marry you, my love.” He handed her his ring when she held out her hand.
“And I forever marry you, my dear, sweet husband.”
“Then I think we need to show each other how much we do care.” He swept her into his arms, carried her into the house and strode down the hallway to his room.
Cheryl reached over and opened the bedroom door. He carried her through, kicked the door shut, and gently placed her on the bed.
“I can’t believe you are here in my bed, in my arms. I’ve laid awake many nights since we last made love wanting to have you in my arms again. But then all hell broke loose, and you were in danger, and I was far away. I was terrified I’d lose you before having the chance to say how much I love you.”
“I’ve had the same thoughts and feelings. If we’d told each other right away, we’d have been in bed before now.”
The SEAL's Surprise Bride_Special Forces_Operation Alpha Page 12
