For Hope

by Jeannette Winters

  “Two men on Josh’s team. One in stable condition, the other is critical.”

  Whether it was Josh’s team or David’s, they really considered themselves one team. This meant he needed to get out there now. “Tell the pilot I’ll be ready.”

  “Will do. Right now you’ll be assisting in securing the extraction. I’ll email you the details.”

  “Roger.”

  David wanted to give Jada a call, find her, and tell her he needed to leave immediately. But interrupting her business meeting wouldn’t help things. If anything, her absence was best. It meant David could leave her a sweet note with little information. He jotted a few words on a piece of paper and left it on the pillow. He didn’t have time to think about his choice of words. Time was of the essence right now. When he returned, they would talk. Really talk.

  He left her hotel room and quickly made his way to the rendezvous with the chopper. When they were in the air, the chopper flew over Jada’s hotel. He refused to let himself look at it again. I need to focus on what’s important. And making sure everyone makes it home alive is what I do best.

  Jada thought breakfast would have ended quickly, and she could have made it back to the room before David woke. But instead, she went from breakfast to a brunch, then to a lunch meeting, and finally meeting another client for a drink in the bar. What was her manager thinking by planning so many meetings around food? It was a good thing she didn’t eat after breakfast but spent her time smiling and chatting. Was he trying to sabotage her career, because at this rate, she’d gain twenty pounds by the end of the day?

  She wasn’t one of those models who became uptight about a few extra pounds. Even when she was eighteen, she ate what she wanted. She never overate, but she enjoyed a piece of blueberry cheesecake or a dish of peanut-butter-cup ice cream every chance she got. There were times she would skip the meal just to enjoy dessert. Now, why can’t the tabloids write about things like that?

  Jada should be thankful they didn’t because they would alter the facts and say she purged after eating. That was not true. However, right now, as she lay on her bed, she was extremely nauseous, and for a damn good reason. Jada rubbed her stomach and moaned in agony. I think I’m going to die.

  It was her own fault for eating so much at the first meeting, but she needed to recoup some of her strength after a delightful night of making love with David. They’d contemplated ordering room service, but at the time they were only hungry for each other. Morning had been a different story.

  Because she was so busy, she missed saying goodbye to David. That was an entirely different ache. It had only been several hours, but already she missed him. The parting wasn’t as it had been last time. She knew they were going to get together again soon. Or at least, as soon as our schedules permit.

  That was the problem with falling for a man who was as busy as she was. Their time together would be limited, so they’d need to work on making the most of what they had together. What am I thinking? We never talked about a future. Of us being together. I’m starting to talk like the tabloids are real.

  Things had moved quickly between them, and the connection was undeniable. She had a good idea what her feelings were for him. Although she had never been in love before, she knew that’s what it was. David never said how he felt about her either. She knew he wanted her, and in her mind, it was not sex, it was making love. Sweet love like I never thought possible.

  David had threatened to make her toes curl, and he’d achieved that and much more. This morning she felt dehydrated, and her whole body was sore in the most delicious way. She knew it was possible David wasn’t capable of verbalizing his feelings. Maybe last night was his way of telling her how he felt. If that was the case, he loved her a lot. But she couldn’t assume that was true. What was happening between them was too important to guess.

  She picked up his note and read it again. He called her sweetheart just as he had last night. Jada flashed back to when he’d done so several times before. Usually, when you’re telling me, you won’t hurt me. He might not mean to, but by him not being here when she returned, it did hurt. There was no logical reason for it to affect her this way. They shared a wonderful night of passion. Mind-blowing. But there were no promises except that they’d talk later. Maybe it was better they didn’t speak. She had no idea what she would say to him anyway. David made her feel. . .torn. Confused. Or maybe it’s just for the first time in a long time. I feel something, and that is what’s got me all tied up in knots.

  Jada could spend hours contemplating what it all meant, what last night meant, but she had nothing to go on except for the few brief words on the note. Besides the word sweetheart, the rest lacked any emotion. It stated he was called to work, and he would contact her later. He even told her to have a nice day. I say that to strangers, but would I to a person I’m in love with?

  Although Jada had never called David and didn’t have his number, she’d had several missed calls while she was on her little retreat. They’d come from an unlisted number with no way of returning the call. It very well could’ve been David. Thankfully Jada knew her father had been in contact with David. Surely he still had his number. When she felt a little better, she’d get up and give her father a call. She would come up with some excuse for needing David’s number. She may be a grown adult, but she didn’t want to let her father know, at least not yet, how she felt about David.

  Jada had no idea when her eyes had closed but when she finally woke it was the middle of the night. Her father was on the East Coast, which was three hours earlier than Las Vegas. Even though it wasn’t quite as late for him, if she called at this time of night, he would never believe everything was okay. He’s a worrywart. And I love him for that. Sometimes.

  The only sad part was she’d need to wait until tomorrow to call David. She missed hearing his voice, never mind his touch. Is this what it’s going to be like? Is love just another level of loneliness?

  That was a feeling Jada worked hard to bury. But to feel the good that came with loving David, she had to accept the bad as well. She wasn’t positive what he did for a living, but she knew security wasn’t it. Which honestly meant she needed to prepare herself for spending many nights alone. Worrying where he is and if he’s okay.

  She chuckled to herself as she rolled over and pulled the blankets up to her chin. If David were there, he would dispute her rationale. From the moment they met he had stressed his concern for her safety and her well-being, and now it seemed to be her turn. Life is ironic.

  Jada hoped all her worrying was for naught. David had been a right to worry about me. Don’t let me be right.

  Since she couldn’t sleep, and she couldn’t call either of the two men she cared about, Jada decided to do something she never normally did. She was going to get dressed and go down to the casino to try her luck at the slots. Losing money will hurt a lot less. Jada wasn’t a gambler, but right now everything was riding on her and David.

  It didn’t take long for her to lose a thousand dollars between the slot machines and the poker table. There was a good reason she didn’t frequent such places. There were people who could have used that money, and she felt horrible for throwing it away like that. She still had a few hundred dollars in her purse that she refused to throw inside one of those machines.

  I know a better place to put it. Jada got up from the table and headed out the front door. On the drive from the airport, she remembered seeing part of the strip that had large cardboard boxes in an alley. No one had to tell her they were homeless dwellings. She had noticed several of the men lingering around that area had been wearing military fatigue jackets and boots. David had spoken to her several times about veterans. She knew not every one of them was fortunate enough to have something to come home to.

  She didn’t use the normal exits for fear of being noticed by reporters. Jada had been able to convince the kitchen crew to let her slip out the back door. Once she was outside, she found the night to be colder than anticipated.
Jada wished she’d grabbed a coat, but she had made it this far, so she might as well do this quickly and head back to her hotel room. Thankfully she had chosen to wear a pair of slacks and flat shoes instead of a dress and heels. If she walked quickly, she could be there and back within an hour.

  As she made her way down the strip, she was reminded that, like New York, Las Vegas never went to sleep. The streets were filled with laughter, music, and loud noises. It was easy to become part of the crowd. Something I’m not used to.

  Within a few minutes she arrived at the alley that had caught her eye earlier. It was darker than she remembered, and she was questioning her judgment. Jada knew she was doing the right thing giving them the money instead of the casino, but going alone at this time a night was really stupid.

  She turned to head back and tripped over the curb, falling to her knees. Before she could pull herself up, two men were by her side, assisting her off the ground. Her heart raced as they held her steady. She remembered David had trained her to kick and claw her way out of any situation. Never give in. Never submit.

  “Ma’am, are you all right?”

  She looked over her shoulder to find a man who reminded her of Bill. The first time we met. She’d been afraid of Bill then realized he was a gentle giant. In the end, she knew David was a hell of a lot more intimidating than Bill. It was highly possible that this man was being kind. Please be nice.

  Jada knew she could not show her fear because that would make her more vulnerable than she already was. She scanned the area, and the crowd seemed to have stopped a block back. Even the drunks are smart enough not to come this far. But she was here, and she had to think quickly about how to make sure she made it back safely. David will never let me out of his sight again if he finds out I did this.

  “I’m fine. If you’ll excuse me, my friends are waiting for me.” The first level of protection was to let them think you’re not alone.

  She pulled her arm from his grip, and he didn’t fight to hold on to her. He stood there and shook his head. Then he turned to the alley where she had been going in the first place. It was weird, but Jada had the feeling she had hurt him somehow. The second man hadn’t budged. Instead, he looked Jada squarely in the eyes and said, “You could have tried using the words thank you.”

  It took a moment, but Jada understood. She may be dressed up, but the other man had more class than she did at the moment. Her fear had gotten the better of her, and she wasn’t going to let that happen again.

  “I’m sorry. That was very rude of me.” She extended her hand in his direction and said, “I’m Jada—”

  “Hope. Yeah, I know.” He didn’t shake her hand.

  She arched a brow, puzzled by that. “You do? How?”

  “We might be down on our luck, but we know how to read.”

  And I’m still being rude. “I wasn’t trying to suggest you didn’t. It’s that I appear on magazines I didn’t think you’d follow.”

  The man laughed. “I sure as hell don’t. However, I saw a picture of an old friend with you, and that was one article I had to read.”

  Her photo was plastered in magazines every day with different people. She could not begin to guess who he was speaking of. “That’s nice.”

  “If he knew where you were right now, he’d be mad as hell.”

  Jada could at least narrow down that his friend was a man. “I was just heading back.”

  “What the hell were you even doing down here?”

  She had come this far so she might as well finish what she had started. Jada reached deep into her pocket and pulled out the money. “I wanted to give this to the people living here.”

  “Why?”

  Jada would have thought it was obvious. “Because it looks like you guys need it more than the casino.”

  He reached out, took the money, and flipped through the bills. Jada could tell he was surprised at the amount. I should tell him this is all I have. But he surprised her in return and crammed the money back into her hand.

  “We don’t need your handout. What we need is a job. And you are not in a line of work that can utilize us.”

  Jada couldn’t believe this. He truly didn’t want her money. “Maybe one of the others would—”

  “They wouldn’t,” the man snapped.

  She put the money back into her pocket. “Then I better head back to my hotel.”

  “Not without an escort.”

  “I made it here on my own; I can return the same way.”

  The man laughed again, and she had no idea what was so funny. “Turchetta has his hands full with you.”

  David? “You know David?”

  “Not personally. I know of Turchetta. He has a reputation that many veterans have come to respect.”

  Jada had been correct in her assumption that those men were veterans. That eased her mind greatly. She wished David was here with her right now. She figured she would end this conversation on a lighter note and said jokingly, “I think I’m the one who has my hands full.”

  She turned and headed back toward her hotel, and the man followed her until she entered the hotel doors. Jada didn’t know their names, but she was going to make mention of how kind they were to her next time she saw David. They might not let me help, but maybe they’ll allow David to.

  Jada went to the elevator, and there was a sign on it that said temporarily out of order. At least taking the stairs will help me burn off all that food I ate earlier.

  She made it over to the stairwell and pushed the door open. Jada considered herself in good shape, however, she wasn’t looking forward to climbing ten flights of stairs after the day she’d had. A girl has got to do what a girl has to do.

  Once the door slammed behind her, she heard the sound echo throughout the empty stairwell. It was not surprising because most people would rather wait until the elevator was up and running again before taking the stairs. But they were here on vacation, Jada wasn’t. She needed the exercise and needed to get to sleep because she had a meeting with her manager first thing in the morning. They had things to discuss. There were things she wasn’t happy with. It was going to be a difficult conversation, but if he wasn’t willing to compromise, they were going to part ways.

  She turned the corner for the first landing when the doorway opened. She assumed people trying to make their way to the casino. But when she looked up, they were dressed in black and wore ski masks. There was no doubt that a real gun pointed in her direction. She wanted scream. David had told her not to go down without fighting. But she froze like she had when David had pinned her to the floor.

  Another man must’ve come out from behind her because a cloth suddenly covered her mouth. Jada struggled before everything went black.

  Chapter Eleven

  ‡

  “Dammit, Rafe, I was so fucking close,” David said as they boarded the private jet to head back to the States.

  “We’ve been in worse conditions,” Rafe replied.

  There were certain things David and Rafe had in common, and looking all calm and cool on the outside was one of them. Very few missions went like clockwork, but some were more difficult than others. This was one of them.

  Gabe had updated David on where and when Josh’s team had been attacked. Even if David had been there in position as coverage, there was nothing he could have done. No one had anticipated the infidel’s booby-trapping their own camp. It would not have mattered who went or not. The results would have been the same. That didn’t mean each and every one of them were not to carry some level of guilt. And nobody more than Rafe.

  Others would concentrate on the success of the rescue. Rafe and Josh were able to obtain information regarding the location of the two American citizens held captive. The military was unable to go in because they said it was a legal matter and nothing illegal had been done. But not every country cared about right and wrong, legal or not. You could disappear for your religious, political, or sexual beliefs. In this case, it was a blend of all three. And
as far as Turchetta’s Promise was concerned, that didn’t qualify the perpetrators to be detained or executed.

  Right now, the only thing that mattered was the good guys had won again. David wished it had been without Josh losing a member of his team. It was difficult to get the call that he had succumbed to his injuries. It was a risk they all accepted each time they went into the field.

  “I haven’t seen your report on the Hope assignment.”

  There were damn good reasons why David hadn’t submitted one. He wasn’t ready to discuss it with his brother yet. But David knew if he didn’t update Rafe, Gabe would give his version. Usually, that meant a much more colorful version, but David’s version was quite spicy on its own.

  “I was wrong.”

  Rafe snapped his head in David’s direction and said, “I thought Gabe was joking. Guess not.”

  “You know better than to listen to Gabe.” When it came to intel, nobody was better than Gabe. But as a brother, Gabe enjoyed stirring up trouble. It was all in good, clean fun as Gabe put it. It seemed the only one enjoying it had been Gabe.

  “I can tell when Gabe’s exaggerating and when he’s not. Good work in apprehending Dennis Peckham. He’s one person who should never see the light of day again.”

  “The FBI is working on that now. They’re matching up all his victims. If we’re lucky, one of those states will have the death penalty.”

  Rafe watched David more closely than he would like. It wasn’t like Rafe to hold back. Rafe was not asking the questions he normally would. That made David uncomfortable. David liked to predict people’s actions, and ever since Rafe married Deanna, he’d been nothing but unpredictable. Damn, don’t let Jada affect me this way.

  David couldn’t stand it any longer. He needed to know what the hell was on Rafe’s mind. If Rafe was about to chew his ass out for crossing the line by becoming intimate with someone he was supposed to protect, David was going to remind Rafe how he had met Deanna.