Operation Midnight

by Sharon C. Cooper

  “Thanks again, man, for calling me.”

  “No problem. She’s over there. Her hearing seems to be a little better, but she got banged up pretty good.”

  Wiz approached the ambulance where Olivia was sitting on the bumper with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. From the short distance, it sounded as if the paramedic was telling her that she really needed to go to the hospital. She was sporting a large bandage on the right side of her head, so apparently she had let them do something.

  Wiz made eye contact with the paramedic. “My wife.” He nodded toward Olivia. The moment she saw him she stood, wincing in pain.

  “Whoa, babe.” He caught her before she fell.

  She didn’t speak; instead, she burst into tears. A vise tightened in his chest as her sobs grew and her body shook against him. Wiz had fought in some of the most dangerous countries in the world, stared down vicious terrorists, and could even handle having a gun pointed in his face, but this … this he couldn’t handle. Seeing his baby hurt and crying tugged at his heart.

  “I’m sorry,” she sobbed against his chest.

  He kept a tight hold around her. “Why are you sorry?”

  “You were busy and—”

  “Sweetheart, you’re my number one priority. Nothing comes before you. You know that.” He set her away from him, so that he could see her face. Her ashen skin and red eyes that were glossed over stood out more with the bandage on the side of her head. “We need to get you to a hospital and have you checked out.”

  “No. No hospital,” she said barely above a whisper. The conviction in her voice told him that she was adamant.

  He set her on the back of the ambulance, next to another woman.

  “Olivia—”

  “I just want to go home. Please just take me home. I’m fi— oh God, I think I’m going to be sick.”

  The paramedic shoved a barf bag into her hands just in time.

  Damn.

  Where the hell was her hat and scarf? She was just getting over the flu, now her hair and clothes were soaked. At this rate, she was never going to get back to one hundred percent.

  “Sweetie, I need you to go to the hospital. I have to know for myself that you’re okay.”

  “Call Natasha. She can meet us at the house.” There wasn’t much he could deny Olivia when she looked at him with those big brown eyes.

  Natasha, Malik’s fiancée, was the chief of staff at one of the largest hospitals in Chicago and a surgeon by trade. If he called her, she would come if she could.

  “Please, Cameron.”

  Wiz sighed and pulled out his cell phone to call Malik.

  An hour later, he paced the length of his family room. Natasha was upstairs with Olivia and Wiz prayed that he wouldn’t regret not insisting that she go to the hospital.

  “I have to tell you, I’ve had just about enough of the shit that’s been happening to our women this past year and a half,” Malik said from one of the leather recliners, flipping through the channels. He stopped when highlights of the Chicago Bears football game covered the large screen.

  “I know, right? I think our little family has had enough excitement to last us a lifetime.”

  There was a moment in the evening that Wiz had wondered if Olivia had been the target. It wasn’t until he contacted Chicago PD and talked with his detective friend, Sheldon, did he breathe a little easier. A couple of the students had created a dry ice bomb, placing it in a trashcan near the entrance Olivia had used. Thankfully, only a few people obtained minor injuries. After viewing security footage, the perpetrators had already been identified. Wiz had still been tempted to ask for a copy of the tape, just in case.

  Wiz rushed to the stairs when he heard Natasha coming down.

  “How is she?”

  “Still a little dizzy from her headache and the ringing in her ears. If either of those is not better by morning, she’ll need to get checked out at the hospital. It doesn’t appear she has a torn eardrum from the blast, but a thorough exam is the only way to know for sure.”

  Wiz didn’t even want to think about her having to go to the hospital, knowing Olivia would keep fighting him on the subject.

  “What about her ankle? How bad is it?”

  “It’s not broken. The ice helped take down most of the swelling and I wrapped it. Make sure she keeps it elevated. You might have to ice it periodically for about twenty minutes at a time if it swells again. Now, I know it won’t be easy, but try to keep her off her feet for a few days. She has already asked when she would be able to resume her daily runs. I told her no running this week. Even next week might be pushing it.”

  “Ha! Good luck in keeping her off her feet,” Malik said to Wiz. “Although, if you need some ideas, I can give you a few.” He wiggled his eyebrows and pulled Natasha against him, nuzzling her neck until she swatted at him.

  Wiz chuckled. Out of all of his friends, Malik definitely won king of one-liners hands down. Wiz could think of plenty of times, even when traipsing through jungles, Malik’s wit shined through, making them laugh even during serious times.

  “My turn to ask a question.” Natasha pulled away from Malik. “Why is she so terrified of going to the hospital?”

  Wiz groaned and rubbed his forehead, backing away, but not going too far. This was something he and Olivia rarely talked about and very few people knew. She and Natasha had grown close, but apparently the subject hadn’t come up.

  “Ten years ago, Olivia miscarried. Though the doctors did everything they could to save the baby, considering the situation, she didn’t think they did enough and hates hospitals.”

  Natasha nodded. “That explains why she wasn’t there with you and Malik after I was attacked.”

  “Let’s not talk about that,” Malik growled and pulled Natasha back into his arms. That was a time that none of them would soon forget. Though Natasha had been the one attacked, Wiz felt it was hardest on Malik who still blamed himself.

  “Trust me, Olivia wanted to be there for you,” Wiz told Natasha. “She just couldn’t seem to get past her … hell, I don’t know what to call it. Fear. Trepidation. Anger.”

  “No. No, I understand. She went through a traumatic experience. If the only thing Olivia is suffering from the experience is fear of hospitals, she’s way better off than many women. Some never recover emotionally.”

  If Malik hadn’t given Natasha the whole story about that time in Wiz’s and Olivia’s life, he wouldn’t either. He, Malik, and Quinn had gone through serious shit with missions in some of the most horrific countries in the world, vowing to never tell a soul about half the things they had done or had experienced. What happened ten years ago ranked up there. It was the worst time in Wiz’s life. A time he not only wanted to keep buried, but a time he wanted to forget. Unfortunately, with Olivia talking about Keisha, that was impossible.

  Wiz locked up after seeing Malik and Natasha out. He set the house alarm, shut off all the lights on the first floor, and headed upstairs.

  The last few days had been filled with so many different emotions. He couldn’t wait to get a good night’s sleep.

  He shut off the hallway light and entered their bedroom, illuminated by the crystal lamp on Olivia’s side of the bed and a sliver of moonlight shining through the skylight. As he stared down at her sleeping form, his heart swelled. He never knew he could love someone as much as he loved her.

  Quiet for most of the ride home, she had only mentioned how scared she’d been when the bomb went off. Considering her proximity to the explosion, it was by the grace of God she hadn’t been hurt worse.

  Wiz pulled the sheet up to her chin, careful not to wake her, and then placed a kiss on her forehead. Turning off the light next to the bed, he headed to their sitting area. The cozy spot, dimly lit by a night light in a nearby outlet, had two overstuffed chairs and a small round table that faced the fireplace.

  With the ordeal that evening, he had the mind not to let Olivia out of his sight despite how unrealistic that woul
d be. He just never wanted to experience the type of fear that had ravished his body as they sped to the university. The invisible band that had wrapped tightly around his heart since receiving the call was finally starting to loosen.

  Still too amped to fall asleep, he turned one of the upholstered chairs around to face the bed. Dropping down on the cushion, he stretched his legs out in front of him, his gaze on Olivia.

  Wiz didn’t know what he would have done if the situation had turned out different. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. Incidents like tonight reminded him of how precious life was … and reminded him of his mother.

  Like Olivia, she was one of the sweetest people he had ever known. His father had often said, “Marjorie can sweet talk me into anything.” Wiz smiled at the memory as he recalled other similarities that his mother and Olivia shared.

  Though only eight when a carjacker shot and killed Marjorie, there were things about her Wiz hadn’t forgotten. He remembered how she always smelled like flowers and how she never missed a night to read him and his younger sister a story at bedtime. Since his father was gone for long stretches of time while on active duty, his mother played many roles inside and outside of the home. She didn’t have to work, but volunteered at a center for seniors, as well as Chicago Children’s Hospital, while still taking care of home. Everyone loved her.

  Wiz rested his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes. He could almost hear the softness of her voice and her infectious laugh. She rarely sat still. His father often complained that she did too much and was too accommodating to people. He was afraid someone would take advantage of her or worse. Of course she waved him off, calling him a worry wart. But maybe he hadn’t worried enough because someone still took a precious gift from them.

  Wiz rubbed his forehead. He knew his overprotectiveness of Olivia had a lot to do with the way his mother had been taken from them. He didn’t want to stifle Olivia from being who she was—a loving, understanding, generous woman willing to give her last to someone in need. And she was also the same person willing to forgive somebody who wasn’t deserving of even licking the bottom of her shoe.

  “Why are you sitting in the dark?”

  Wiz startled at the sound of Olivia’s voice. He straightened, surprised he hadn’t seen her move or make a noise.

  “Shouldn’t you be asleep?” He strolled to the bed and sat on the edge. “Tasha mentioned she’d given you something to help you rest. I thought you would be out for hours.”

  “The medication wasn’t that strong, but it helped relax me.”

  She scooted over, giving him more room. Stretched out next to her, he pulled her close, loving the way she molded against his body.

  “Do you feel better?” He kissed the top of her head.

  “I’m fine. My eyes have cleared and my headache is a mild throb. My ankle still hurts a little, but I tested it out earlier and I’m able to walk on it a bit.”

  Wiz glanced down to the foot of the bed realizing her leg was no longer elevated.

  “Where’re you going?” Olivia whined when he removed his arm from around her.

  “Nowhere. I just want to readjust the pillows that Tasha placed under your foot. You need to keep your ankle elevated.” He took care of the pillows and pulled her back into his arms. “As for you being able to walk on that ankle, don’t. The more you stay off of it, the quicker it’ll heal.”

  “Okay, but it’s better. So you can stop worrying.”

  “I’m always going to worry about you, especially when you’re not a hundred percent.”

  “Such a worry wart,” she murmured.

  She yawned and snuggled closer. Wiz knew she’d be back to sleep in no time.

  Realizing he was still in his clothes, he thought about undressing, but he didn’t want to let her go. He had no intention of ever letting her go.

  Now all he had to do was figure out how to handle the situation regarding her request for him to locate Keisha. He still couldn’t wrap his brain around why she had such a need to reunite with a sister who treated her like shit and almost got her killed. As far as he was concerned, there wasn’t enough love in the world for him to want to reconnect with someone like that. Yet he had to remember Olivia was different when it came to matters of the heart, whereas forgive and forget didn’t come easy for him. Keisha had done some mess that not even the Pope would forgive and Wiz was glad she was out of their lives.

  But he knew his wife well. There was no way the conversation was over. When she wanted something bad enough, she went after it, even if it meant digging up ghosts from the past.

  In the meantime, he would just have to distract her until he came up with a way to tell her the truth about her sister.

  Reunite my ass.

  Chapter Six

  Two days later, Olivia glanced over the rim of her large coffee mug as Wiz tidied the kitchen. Sitting at the breakfast bar gave her a great view to his perfect body. She squeezed her legs together as a rhythmic pulse beat between her thighs while her gaze skimmed along the length of him. She tried tapping down the escalating need to get him naked. Yet the way the white fitted T-shirt stretched across his hard pecs, hugged his thick biceps and his flat abs made it almost impossible. His muscles rippled with every move he made, from loading the dishwasher to wiping down the stove and countertops.

  Lately she’d been hornier than usual and it didn’t help that this morning everything he did made her hotter by the minute.

  Now, bent over, placing a skillet in the cabinet he gave her a nice view of his tight butt. For a man who only worked out a few times a week, he was in impeccable shape.

  Wiz stood and caught her staring at him.

  “What?”

  “Hmm? Oh, nothing.” She set down the coffee mug. “Just admiring the view.”

  “Well, if I knew you were going to be watching every move I made, I would have stripped down so you could see every inch of me.” He leaned on the counter in front of her, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

  “It’s not too late.” She grinned, always ready for one of his striptease shows.

  He cracked a smile, shaking his head, and glanced at his watch. “Actually it is. I have to meet with a client this morning and I’m already running a little behind schedule.”

  Wiz had prepared a breakfast of her favorites. The blueberry pancakes, chicken sausage patties, hash browns, and everything else had been delicious. Though avoiding any conversation involving her sister, he had been catering to her needs since they arrived home the other night, not giving her a chance to do anything.

  “I need to meet with a client this morning and I’m going to have Raeanna work from here until I get back.”

  “Cameron, I told you I was fine. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “I know, sweetheart, but I’m worried about you and I want you to stay off that ankle as much as possible. Raeanna will be here to help you if needed. Besides, you have to be mobile by next weekend for your birthday party.”

  That’s right. The day is creeping up quick. She definitely didn’t want to be limping around on that night. Since they planned to keep the event simple, and the food was being catered, there wasn’t much she had to do as far as preparations.

  Olivia took another sip of the steaming dark liquid that Wiz referred to as coffee and braced herself for the jolt it would illicit. Why he insisted on making coffee so strong was beyond her, but at the moment, an idea sparked. Raeanna being at the house might not be such a bad idea. The woman was almost as tech savvy as Cameron. She’d be perfect to help find Keisha.

  “Okay,” Olivia finally said.

  Wiz narrowed his eyes. “Okay?” He folded his arms across his chest and stared at her. “That’s it? You’re not going to fight me more on this?”

  “No.”

  He hesitated and Olivia almost laughed knowing she had caught him off guard.

  “Why not? Minutes ago, I thought for sure you were getting ready to list all the reasons why you don’t n
eed anyone around. Why the sudden change?”

  The note from Donna had her anxious to find Keisha. Their friend from the old neighborhood had called two weeks ago. Her family had purchased the house Olivia’s grandmother once lived in and said some guy had recently stopped by looking for Keisha. Donna had told him that Keisha hadn’t lived there in years, but that she might be able to get a message to her. Days later she had contacted Olivia.

  Now, the only thing Olivia had to figure out was how to talk Raeanna into helping her, especially since she was so loyal to Wiz.

  “I think you’re right,” she finally said to Wiz. “Somehow, I had forgotten about the dinner party and I want to be able to walk around with no aches or pains. If it means taking it easy for a couple of days, I’ll do it. Besides, another professor is overseeing my classes for the rest of the week, but I do need to prepare some assignments for next week. ”

  Wiz studied her a while longer, not seeming too convinced, but he accepted her explanation.

  He strolled around to her side of the bar and just stood there looking at her before bending lower, probably to kiss her.

  Olivia grabbed the lapels of his shirt, pulling him within an inch of her lips.

  “Whoa! Dang, woman.” He braced his hand on the countertop to keep from toppling on top of her. “You’re a lot stronger than you look.”

  “And I’m horny. Maybe you should reconsider being a little late for your meeting and I can show you how strong I really am.”

  He chuckled and covered her mouth with his, mumbling against her lips, “I’d like nothing more than for you to show me a few more things, but I’m going to have to take a rain check.” He gave her a quick peck before pulling back slightly. “And you’re still recuperating. But if you still want to have your way with me when I return, I’m all yours.”

  She yelped when he tweaked her nipple between his fingertips through the thin tank top, the sweet torture getting her even more excited.

  “You can’t do stuff like that if you’re not going to go all the way.”