Match (Coronado Series Book 5)

by Hart, Lea

  David slit the ties on the man’s hands and introduced himself. “We’re from SAI, and we’re here to take you home.”

  “Thank you for coming to get me. I didn’t listen to the advice your company gave me, and I regret it,” the man replied.

  “I bet that won’t happen again,” Frank murmured. “The bird is waiting, so let’s get out of here before anyone else shows up. It’s always a lot of paperwork if we leave too many dead bodies behind.” Opening the door, Frank checked the street and confirmed that Sean and Laird were holding their ground. They scanned the area, ready to provide cover for their retreat. Guiding the man out the door, they ran toward the small school where Alex had the chopper waiting. “Alex, we are wet and ready. Fire the bird up. We should get out of here,” Frank said. Leading their small group, he continued to scan the area as David covered their six.

  Ed slid down the side of the building that he’d been on and gave Frank the signal that he would be point. He moved ahead of them toward the open field. “It’s too quiet for me, eyes open,” Ed whispered into the coms. He never liked when an extraction was this easy, because it meant that bad shit was about to happen. The chopper rotors thumped in the night sky, as Alex got ready to take them home.

  The distant chatter of automatic fire sounded behind them. “Report,” Ed called into his mic.

  “Looks like we have some folks who are not too happy,” Sean said. Laying down suppressive fire, they covered the group in front of them. “Let’s move this little party along.”

  Ed saw the doors to the Bell fly open, and he stood ready to cover Frank and David as they moved the hostage into the chopper. David drug the target into the safety, and Frank signaled him to follow him in. Ed shook his head. “I’ll hang on the rails and cover Sean and Laird as they come in.”

  “You go in and check the target. I think he’s got a knife wound because I’m covered in blood. I don’t want to lose him, since we’ve come this far,” Frank commanded.

  Slipping his gun around his back, he moved into the Bell and began checking the man’s wounds.

  Standing on the rails of the chopper, Frank scanned the area and spotted Sean and Laird moving toward them. They must’ve been successful in getting rid of the drug lord’s soldiers, because no one followed them. Continuing to scan the area, he was ready for any last minute vigilantes.

  “Coming in hot,” Laird barked into his mic. “We’ve got three guys behind us.”

  Laying down suppressive fire, he watched Sean and Laird run for the bird. “Glad you guys stayed in shape. It looks like you’re making the brotherhood proud by maintaining combat readiness.”

  “Fuck you,” Sean laughed into his mic. “Cover us, because I do not want to be shot in the ass tonight. I have a hot date tomorrow, and that would definitely put a damper on my plans.”

  “We’re ready to fly on out of here whenever you boys decide to get onboard,” Roger barked into his mic. “It may get a little wild when we get in the air, but it should be fun.” Letting out a maniacal laugh, he waited to lift his baby into the night sky and get the hell out of Dodge.

  Frank continued to cover his men as they ran across the open field. They jumped into the chopper, and the Bell lifted almost instantly once their bodies were inside. Standing on the rails, Frank scanned the area and spotted the three men running in pursuit as they wildly shot in the direction of the bird. Turning back into the helicopter, Frank felt a snarl of pain scream through his upper thigh, and he pitched forward. Another round hit the armor on his back, and he lurched inside the door. He felt Ed drag his body in and slam the door shut, and Alex piloted them out of the field and out of range. “God damn son of a bitch. Cat is going to be pissed that I got shot. I’m never going to hear the end of it.”

  Ed slid over and laid Frank out on the floor so he could examine him. Trying to hold his laughter back, he checked the back of his leg. “You’ve been shot in the ass, man.”

  “I was shot in my leg, dick wad. Are you going to take the bullet out or are you going to keep making jokes?” Frank huffed.

  Ed checked him again. “Relax, it didn’t hit your femoral artery.” Grabbing the first aid kit, he started taking out supplies. “I hope I still remember how to dig a bullet out. It’s been a couple of years.”

  “Me, too,” Frank responded. The edge of his vision was starting to blur as he fought for consciousness. He was going to have to re-think his plan for asking Cat his big question. Maybe a romantic restaurant was going to be a better option after all.

  ********

  Cat stood at the open doors of the warehouse, scanning the sky for the SAI helicopter. Ed kept reassuring her that Frank was fine and the bullet was out. “I can’t believe that he got injured. I thought this was supposed to be a low-risk operation.”

  Max stood next to her with his arms crossed. “I think everyone defines low-risk differently. I’m guessing that my idea and yours are fairly different.” Patting her shoulder, he studied the horizon. “He’s going to be fine. Probably a little uncomfortable for a couple of days, but that’s it.”

  “I hate how cavalier you guys are about being shot. It’s a big deal, and you behave like all he got was a paper cut.” Tapping her foot, she stared at her brother-in-law and reconsidered her good opinion of him.

  “He got shot in the ass. He’s fine.”

  “He got shot in the leg. That’s what Ed said.” Seeing a light in the distance, she pointed toward it. “Is that them?”

  “Looks like it.” He signaled to the waiting paramedics. “He’s probably going to want some good drugs when he gets here.”

  They both grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. “Don’t worry. We’ll take real good care of him.”

  The loud sound of the rotors filled the night as the chopper approached. Landing it gently, Alex gave them a salute when it touched down. “Watch your head. Let them take him out before you rush up,” Max instructed Cat.

  “I just need to see his face.” Walking toward the doors that slid open, she watched Laird and David get out first. They helped an older man out and led him toward one of the waiting ambulances. “Is that the bank manager?” Cat asked.

  “Sure is.” Max nodded to the men and watched them guide the man to the waiting paramedics. Next came Ed. He stepped aside and let the paramedics roll up the gurney. Grabbing Frank’s legs, he helped Sean lift Frank out and place him on the waiting bed.

  Cat rushed up and took Frank’s hand. “I love you, Frank Loria. Please don’t get shot in the ass or the leg in the future. Let’s make this the last time a bullet enters your body.”

  The paramedics spoke with Ed as he gave them the details of the injury. He handed them the bullet that he’d taken out of his friend. “He could probably use some blood. He lost a fair amount on the ride in.” Looking up at Max, he shrugged his shoulders. “We’re going to have to clean out the chopper, again.”

  “No problem. I’ll call that crime scene company again, because they did a great job last time,” Max replied.

  The paramedics loaded Frank into the ambulance, and Cat crawled in next to him. “I have to go with him,” she stated flatly to anyone who was interested in listening.

  The man who was taking care of Frank nodded in acknowledgement and continued to check his vitals. Once he was done, he set up an IV and started running fluids into him, along with some very nice pain killers.

  They pulled out of the warehouse and turned on the sirens as they moved through the maze of buildings. “I know he’s going to be fine. I wonder why Ed took the bullet out on the way in. It seems like it was something that could’ve waited,” Cat stated flatly.

  “As long as the guy knew what he was doing, it probably was a good thing that he got it out. If it took them four hours to get back, then having it out sooner minimized the damage,” the paramedic replied. “These Team guys are used to taking care of their own.”

  Holding Frank’s hand, Cat studied him and wondered how often this was going to happen, because as f
ar as she was concerned, this was the last time. He hadn’t been shot since she knew him. At least she didn’t think he had. I better ask him about it when he wakes up. “Did you give him some pain medicine?”

  “Sure did. He’s feeling real good about now,” the man replied. “When he comes to, he might be a little loopy.”

  “Thanks for letting me know.” Sitting back, she smoothed the hair off his face and decided to tell him how she felt as soon as he woke up. She’d known the truth for a couple of weeks, but she’d been too chicken to admit it. There was some part of her that wanted him to say it first. But now, that really didn’t matter. They pulled into the hospital, and the doors flew open. Frank was being pulled out of the ambulance as the paramedic barked info to the waiting doctors.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  December Twenty-Fifth

  Frank sat on the couch and felt like crap because his plans for asking Cat went to hell in a handbasket. He was going to be out of commission for another couple of days as he recovered from the bullet wound. Maybe he should just ask her now and then take her away to someplace romantic for New Year’s Eve. He wasn’t a patient man under the best of circumstances, and he didn’t want to wait anymore. Watching her walk toward him with a tray made him want to just go for it and not worry about the setting.

  “Merry Christmas, Frank.” She sat down next to him and handed him a cup of coffee and then took her own. Sinking back into the cushions, she took a sip and enjoyed the view of the Christmas tree lit and the fire blazing in the hearth. “I’m glad they let you out yesterday. It would’ve sucked to spend Christmas Day at the hospital.”

  “It’s just a bullet wound. It’s not a big deal.”

  “I know that you’re a big bad SEAL, but a bullet wound is nothing to take lightly.” Patting his leg, she continued to drink her coffee. “I want you to recover quickly, so I can take advantage of you.”

  “Love, we don’t have to wait. You can take advantage of me right now. I’m fully operational, no recovery needed.”

  “The doctor said no strenuous activity for another couple of days. So I think we should wait.”

  Wagging his eyebrows at her, he replied, “I could just lie here and let you do the work. I think it would be good for my emotional well-being if you got at me and provided some much needed physical therapy.” Taking her hand, he moved it over his lap and let her feel how much the idea excited him. “See, I’m ready, willing, and more than able. Climb on, love, and let’s get creative.”

  Moving her hand over his impressive length, she giggled. “You sure are ready.”

  Taking the cup of coffee out of his hand, she set it on the coffee table along with her own. “You want me to help you feel better emotionally by letting you bury yourself in my body?” Standing up, she faced him and lifted her nightgown as she sat on his lap facing him. Running her hand over his rough beard, she noticed that there was a sheen of perspiration on his forehead. “Do you want a little Christmas love, Frank?”

  “Yes, please. Consider it a present.” Adjusting his hips so that he was positioned against her core, he rocked into her so she could feel how much he liked the idea. Sliding his hands to her nightgown, he raised it past her hips and noticed that she wasn’t wearing any underwear. “I like what I see.” Staring down at her naked body, he stroked his hands over her skin, reverently. “You are the best present in the world, and I love you.” Gazing up into her eyes, he saw tears gathering in the corner of her eyes. “I love you, Cat.”

  Holding his face in her hands, she leaned over and kissed him wildly. Feeling him respond beneath her as he kissed her back, she felt her heart explode in happiness. “I love you too, Frank. More than you will ever know. I wanted to tell you when you were in the hospital, but I never got the chance because people were coming in and out.”

  Tilting her head up so that he could look into her eyes, he whispered, “Seriously…You love me? Forever and ever?”

  “Forever and ever.” She kissed him and felt him lift his hips as he slid his sweats down enough to free himself. Lifting her head, she looked down and moved his erection away from his stomach to stroke him. “I wonder if it will feel different now that we’ve confessed our feelings to one another.” Moving over him, she held him as she slowly slid down his length. Hearing him hiss in pleasure, she laughed. “I’m in charge. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” Taking him in completely, she sat down on his lap with him fully inside of her and grinned like someone who’d found the secret to life. “Definitely feels different.”

  Tipping his head against hers, he held onto her hips and rocked himself in and out. “This is what I want to happen every day of our lives. I want to be joined to you completely.”

  “I like this connection, Frank.” Lifting herself up, she started to move up and down his length. “And, being in charge.” Closing her eyes, she continued to move and felt him rock his hips in response. Closing on him, she felt her body tighten as she was seconds away from her release.

  “Geez…I like watching you ride me, Cat.” Thrusting into her, he felt her slick grasp and dug his fingers onto her hips so he could be as deep as he could go. She stilled for a second and then called his name as she came. His body seized in response as his vision blurred and his pulse rocketed. He stared into her eyes as released himself. It was perfect moment and so intimate it made his chest ache. He loved what happened between them, and he loved her, and he needed to make her his. Forever and ever.

  Her head fell against his shoulder as she dragged a breath into her body, and her heart thundered. Feeling his big hand against her back, she collapsed and felt his arms wrap securely around her. It felt like he was holding on a little more tightly, as though he was afraid she was going to get away. “Love you, Frank. Merry Christmas.”

  Lifting her head with his hands, he placed a possessive kiss on her lips. “I love you, Cat. Merry Christmas.”

  A timer went off in the kitchen, and Cat smiled into his eyes. “Cinnamon rolls are done.” She lifted herself off of him and shakily walked into the kitchen. “I’ll be back in five minutes.”

  Smiling like a fool, he stared at her as she went to the kitchen. It was time. Heaving himself off the couch, he pulled up his sweats and slowly ambled toward the bedroom. “I’m going to get cleaned up,” he called out.

  ********

  Cat returned to the living room with a big tray. She had a fruit salad and cinnamon rolls for them to munch on as they opened presents. Seeing him sitting on the couch, she nodded her head in approval. “I hope what we did wasn’t too much. How is your leg feeling?”

  “Great, I feel great. Couldn’t be better. Come and sit down. It’s time to open presents.”

  Setting the tray down, she wondered why he was acting so strange. “Let’s eat first.”

  “No eating. Presents first.”

  Plopping down next to him, she ran her hand against his head to check for a fever. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes! Are you ready for your present?”

  “I guess.” She watched him turn toward her on the couch and take her hands in his. Why is he nervous? This man is never nervous. “Can I give you one first?”

  “No!” Letting out a deep breath, he tried to calm down. Better just get it out while he could still breathe. The speech he’d prepared had left his brain; all he had was a blank screen. Shit. Simple. I’ll just go with simple. Pasting a smile on his face, he decided to go for it. “I love you, Catalina Basso, and I think that’s been true since I laid eyes on you. I was wondering if you would take me on and marry me. I promise to do my best every day to make you happy.” Tears…are they good or bad? “Did I say that I love you? Because I do.” Tilting his hip, he dug the small red box out of the cushions and opened it up. “Marry me, please.”

  Launching herself off the cushions, she tackled him and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him all over his face. “I love you.”

  Laughing, he kissed her back. “Is that a yes? Are you going to mar
ry me?”

  “Yes,” she shouted. “I will marry you and love you, forever and ever.”

  He sat them both up and held her in his arms as he slipped the ring on her finger. Looking down at her hand with his ring on it, he felt his heart swell in happiness. “I’m the happiest man in the world.”

  Holding her ring up, she admired the large round diamond and couldn’t believe how ecstatic she felt. “Thank you for loving me. I will try and make you as happy as you’ve made me.”

  “You already have, love.”

  THE END

  David

  &

  Jane

  March, 2016

  David & Jane

  CHAPTER ONE

  Monday

  The high pitched groan of airplane engines filled the air as David walked across the parking lot of the San Diego Airport toward the terminal. Looking up at the clear sky, he noticed several commercial jets circling above as they waited for clearance to land. He checked his watch and noted that he had about ten more minutes before her plane was due to land. The baggage claim area was very deserted, so he had no problem finding a bench to park himself. Quartering the area slowly, he counted a dozen people milling about. Discounting anyone as a threat, he pushed his back against the wall and stretched his legs in front of him.

  A woman with a small child approached, and he scooted over to make room for them. Giving them a friendly smile, he watched the little girl climb up and then turn to stare at him. She kicked her pink cowboy boots against the wall as she studied him from head to toe. He put his hand up and waved. “Hi.”

  The girl tipped her head to the side and pointed her chubby finger at his arm. “Mommy won’t let me draw on my skin. She said that pens are for paper and not walls or my legs. Didn’t your mom tell you that?”