Protecting Delilah - Kat Mizera

by Special Forces - Operation Alpha

  They got to a beach he hadn’t been to before, but she’d found it online as a popular place for surfers and there were a handful out already.

  “Waves are pretty small today,” she said, “but that’s perfect for Elias. I don’t want to scare him. Once he gets the hang of it, we can try to find better days.”

  “Okay.” Eric paid for the board rentals and they locked up everything in the car except for his beeper, three towels, and his keys.

  “Let’s go.” Delilah headed toward the water.

  “I want to see you do it first,” Elias called out to her.

  “Okay.” She took the board and walked out a few feet before getting on it and paddling out further.

  Standing on the shore, Eric watched her with interest. She was hot in a bikini, but he was more interested in seeing her on the surfboard right now. As soon as she stood up, Elias started to clap, and Eric grinned as she expertly rode the small wave to shore.

  “Girlfriend?” a dark-haired man asked, coming up next to Eric and Elias.

  Eric’s heart kicked up a notch as he turned to the man. “My wife, actually. Why do you ask?”

  “She’s beautiful. You’re a lucky man.”

  “I think so.” Eric eyed him. “Do I know you?”

  “No, but I know Delilah.”

  “You that surfer dude she hooked up with once last year?” he asked bluntly.

  The man turned to him in surprise. “She told you?”

  “She tells me everything.” That may or may not be true, but whatever this asshole wanted, Eric wasn’t telling him shit.

  The man seemed to be digesting this information.

  “She’s trouble, man. You’re better off without her.”

  “What the fu—” He cut off abruptly because of Elias. “Buddy, go get in the water with Lilah, it’s your turn to surf.”

  “Yipee!” Elias took off for Delilah and Eric turned back to the man.

  “Listen to me. I don’t know who you are or what you want, but stay the fuck away from us. You understand me?” He took off his sunglasses and met the man’s gaze directly.

  “Hey, I was just giving you a friendly warning. She’s trouble with a capital T and you have a kid to think about.”

  “Are you threatening us?”

  “Not me.”

  “Then who?”

  “Look, you’ve been warned. That’s all I have to say.” Diego jogged off down the beach and Eric restrained himself from going after him.

  “Eric?” Delilah came out of the water holding Elias’s hand. “Aren’t you going to watch us?”

  “Yeah, I’m coming.” He put his sunglasses back on and had just started to follow her when his beeper went off.

  Sonofabitch.

  Chapter 13

  Delilah had no idea what had happened but Eric was in a panic. They returned the surfboards and instead of going home, Eric drove to Ron and Bobbi’s house.

  “I’m going to ride with Ron,” he told her. “My go-bag is in the truck but you’ll need the truck while I’m gone. I want you to stay at Bobbi’s for a while and when you go home, make sure you drive around for a little bit.”

  “Eric, what happened?” she demanded in confusion.

  He repeated what Diego had said to him.

  “He did?” She was shocked. “Seriously?”

  “What are the chances he knows your ex?”

  “Slim to none. I mean, I met him on Venice Beach one day when the Carsons randomly decided to go. They were doing family things and I decided to splurge on a surfing lesson. Diego worked at the surf shop. There is no way anyone could have known I would be there that day or that I would impulsively decide to learn to surf since I’d never done it before.”

  “Then maybe Derek found you and accordingly found him.”

  “If Diego gave him my phone number, then he may have been able to trace my movements since the get-go.”

  He let out a huff of frustration. “That was one of many things I wanted to do before I left again—get you on my cell phone plan. Listen, go to Walmart or somewhere and buy a cheap one. Give Bobbi the number and Ron will get it from her so I can call you if I get a chance. Otherwise, I want you to be careful, babe. Okay?”

  “I will. Don’t worry about me.” She spoke with more conviction than she felt, but there was no way she was going to let him go off on a mission while he was focused on her situation.

  “I’m going to worry no matter what. This really sucks. I’m sorry.” He reached for her hand and she squeezed it.

  “It’s okay.”

  He took the long way to Ron’s house, zigzagging through neighborhoods and watching in his rearview mirror for any vehicles that looked familiar. He finally pulled up to Ron and Bobbi’s house and they all got out.

  “Hey, man.” Ron greeted them at the door.

  Eric told him what had happened.

  “I have an idea.” Ron got out his phone and left the room.

  “I’m so sorry,” Delilah whispered, hugging Eric tightly. “I’m really crazy about you, but I hate that I’ve dragged you into this. I don’t want you to be thinking about me while you’re gone.”

  “I’ve been thinking about you a lot since we met,” he said softly. “So it’s probably inevitable.”

  “I want you to be safe,” she said, looking up at him.

  “They’re going to kiss now,” Elias stage-whispered to Julian.

  “Mommy and Daddy kiss all the time,” four-year-old Sam chirped.

  Delilah dissolved into giggles and Eric shook his head.

  “Okay, I’ve got a way for Delilah to get home safely,” Ron said, rejoining them. “Mozart’s coming to pick her and Elias up. He’ll make sure he doesn’t have a tail when he leaves here and then Wolf will come get your truck and bring it to her later.”

  “Oh, that’s so much trouble,” Delilah protested.

  “Babe.” Eric took her chin between two of his fingers. “This is about protecting you and Elias, okay? I’ll make sure to thank Mozart and Wolf when we get back, but for now, trust them to keep the location of our home off anyone’s radar.”

  “Okay.” She swallowed, tears inexplicably pricking her eyelids.

  “It’ll be okay.” He pulled her close. “Come on, don’t cry.”

  “I’m sorry about last night too,” she whispered against his ear.

  “Plenty of time for that,” he said softly, kissing the side of her face.

  “I’m really going to miss you this time.”

  “I’m really going to miss you too.” He gently touched her cheek with the back of his hand. “But I’ll be back soon and we’ll figure out what’s going on with this Diego asshole. When I get back, I’m going to find him and try to get some answers.”

  The thought terrified her, but what choice did they have?

  The guys left within the hour and Bobbi bustled around the house trying to distract Delilah.

  “Can you hold the baby while I finish dinner?” she asked.

  “Sure.” Delilah took Justin and rocked him gently, marveling at his tiny fingers and toes. He was perfect, exactly the kind of baby she’d always imagined having, and she could practically feel her ovaries screaming with longing, which was a first for her.

  “Don’t let his sweet face fool you,” Bobbi called out. “When he starts to wail, you won’t remember what that sweetness was all about.”

  “Aw, I’m sure he’s a perfect angel.” Delilah grinned. “Are you sure it’s okay for us to stay for dinner? You weren’t planning on extra people.”

  “I’m positive you and Elias together won’t eat half of what Ron normally eats,” she laughed. “Really, relax and hang out.”

  “Okay.” Delilah sank into a chair in the kitchen. “How do you get used to it—them taking off at the drop of a hat? I get it, but it’s jarring to live that way, knowing when his beeper goes off he has to go right then and there, no matter what we’re doing.”

  “It’s not always like this,” Bobbi said with a
soft smile. “I mean, most of the time we have a day to prepare. The last two times have been quick ones.”

  “I never imagined being a military wife,” Delilah admitted. “I was a scientist and grad student married to a cop. He’d been on the force a while so he worked days, seven to three. I worked seven to four, and we’d be home together by four-thirty most days. It was all very neat and organized. Until it wasn’t.”

  “My late husband was a Marine too,” Bobbi said. “But he was verbally abusive and I didn’t realize just how mean he was until Ron came back into my life.”

  “Back?”

  “We went to high school together. We never dated but I always had a crush on him and apparently he did too.”

  “Aww, that’s so sweet.”

  Bobbi grinned. “It really is. And believe me, he’s so wonderful, it’s worth every minute he’s gone, knowing he’s coming back to me.”

  “Three kids is a lot, though, isn’t it? When you’re on your own?”

  “I’m a preschool teacher, so I’m around kids all the time and used to it. When the school year starts again, I’ll have Justin on site with me in the daycare center, Sam will be in pre-K at the same location, and Julian will be at the middle school, so really, my days will be no different and my nights will only be a little harder when Ron’s gone. The rest of the time, he’ll be there to help and we’ll do everything together.”

  “I just wish we’d had a little more time together before he got called away again. It’s hard to settle in when he’s always gone. I know that sounds selfish, but we’re still adjusting to being married, and I’m really lost when it comes to all the military stuff.”

  “Any questions, just ask.” Bobbi pulled a pan out of the oven. “I hope you like baked pork chops.”

  “I love everything,” Delilah said quickly. “Especially when I don’t have to cook it.”

  Mozart picked up Delilah and Elias a little after seven, arriving in his own SUV and putting Elias in a car seat that was already in the back. Delilah noticed him looking in his rearview mirror and he abruptly took a sharp right turn.

  “What is it?” she asked, looking around.

  “Looks like we have a tail,” he said grimly.

  Chapter 14

  “Oh no,” she whispered.

  Mozart grinned. “Relax, I’ll lose the bastard, no problem.” He took another sharp right, followed by a quick left and then he cut his headlights and killed the engine. They sat in an abandoned alley as he watched out his back window. The seconds ticked by and Delilah wasn’t sure what to say or do.

  “Breathe, hon,” he said with a grin. “It’s going to be fine.”

  “Okay.” She wasn’t sure if she could breathe or not but she managed a quick smile for Elias. “Buddy, what movie are we going to watch when we get home?”

  “Toy Story,” he responded automatically. “But I’m sleepy, Lilah.”

  “I know, baby. Just a few more minutes and we’ll get home, take a bath, get our PJs on and watch movies until you fall asleep, okay?”

  “Okay.” He was busy with his toy truck and not really paying attention anymore.

  “I think we’re good.” Mozart started up the SUV again, pulled onto the street and took the long way back to the base. He parked in the driveway and lifted out both Elias and the beach bag they’d brought. “I’m going to check the house, make sure the alarm is working correctly, and hang out for a little while, just in case. Is that okay?”

  “Yes, of course. I really appreciate it.” She unlocked the front door and ushered Elias into the bath while Mozart checked everything.

  “Would you mind if I took a quick shower?” she asked him. “I’d feel better if Elias wasn’t alone while I do it.”

  “Sure, no problem. Elias and me, we’re gonna turn on the Padres game.”

  “Baseball!” Elias said happily. “My abuelo loves the Dodgers.” Grandfather.

  Mozart made a face. “Well, we don’t have to tell him about this, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Delilah was in and out of the shower in five minutes, drying off and getting dressed in shorts and a T-shirt since Mozart was still there. She brushed out her hair and left it to dry naturally before joining them in the living room.

  “You all set?” Mozart looked up from where he and Elias were eating popcorn.

  “Yes. Thank you.” She smiled. “I’m so grateful for this, you have no idea.”

  “No problem. We stick together around here. If one of us is having a problem, we all have a problem.” He got to his feet. “So, you lock up tight when I leave. Wolf and I will bring Eric’s truck back in the morning. This is my number.” He handed her a piece of paper. “You have any problems at all, you call me.”

  “Eric wants me to get a new phone.”

  “I can help you with that tomorrow, if you’d like. You turn yours off for tonight, but if anything happens, turn it on and call me.”

  “I will.” She took the paper and stuffed it in her pocket. “Thank you again. I’m sorry to have taken you away from your family.”

  “Like I said, around here, if someone’s in trouble, we’re all family.”

  “Good night.” She locked the door behind him and set the alarm, grateful to see he sat in his SUV a few minutes before taking off.

  Delilah slept very little that night and though she made Elias breakfast and played a game of Candy Land with him the next morning, she was exhausted and on edge. When Mozart and Wolf showed up with Eric’s truck, she almost cried with relief at seeing familiar faces. She hadn’t yet met many of her neighbors and the ones she had met barely said hello. That was partly her fault for keeping to herself, but between the newness of her relationship with Eric and trying to get settled, she hadn’t felt very social.

  “You okay, Delilah?” Mozart asked as he handed her the keys.

  “It was a rough night,” she admitted. “I may never sleep again.”

  “I wish I could help with that,” he said. “But based on what I’ve heard, Eric and the guys won’t be gone long on this one. So hang tight. Do you want me to go with you to get a new phone?”

  “If you don’t mind? I hate the thought of not being able to get a call from Eric because I have to keep my phone off.”

  “Sure, let’s go do that now. We can pick up groceries or anything you need for a couple of days since I’m sensing you’re not leaving the house if you don’t have to.”

  She smiled. “You’re very perceptive—and very nice. Thank you.”

  The next two days were torture, but when her new phone dinged just before midnight on the second night, the message from Eric made her heart jump with joy.

  On my way home, babe. Disengage the alarm when I get there.

  She stood by the front window waiting and watching. As soon as she saw Ron’s truck pull up, she punched in the code to turn off the alarm and ran outside, throwing herself into his arms the second he got out of the truck.

  “Hey, beautiful.” He kissed her deeply before turning to wave at Ron.

  “I’m so glad you’re home,” she whispered, breathing in his masculine scent.

  “You look exhausted,” he said softly. “Let’s go to bed.”

  “Okay.”

  They walked into their room quietly, somehow uninterested in talking. Instead, he pulled off his T-shirt, kicked off his sneakers, and reached for her. He buried his face in her hair and held her close, stroking her back.

  “I’m sorry I had to leave you like that.”

  “It’s your job,” she said. “And Mozart took good care of me, got me home without anyone seeing where we live.”

  “I’m glad you’re safe, but I’m frustrated that someone else had to step up.”

  “If he was deployed, you would do the same for his family.”

  “Damn straight.”

  “Eric?” She tilted her face up to find his eyes in the semidarkness.

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “Make love to me.”

  Sh
e didn’t have to ask him twice and he lowered his mouth to hers. It was pure sweetness, just as he remembered, but there was an urgency tonight that hadn’t been there the last time they’d fooled around. In fact, she was all in, her lithe body pressed against his as their tongues tangled and danced. Her fingers dug into his hair, holding his head as they continued to kiss. She ran one long leg along one of his, slowly and seductively, until she wrapped it around one of his thighs.

  This was going too fast, their hearts already kicking into high gear as he closed his hands around her waist. He loved her body, long and lean and silky soft. Memories of the way her sex tasted got him instantly hard and he slowly backed them to the bed. Without breaking their kiss, he tugged down the sexy little shorts she slept in and palmed her ass, squeezing firmly as they tumbled onto the bed. She pushed him onto his back and rolled on top of him, straddling his hips with a wicked gleam in her eye.

  “I’m gonna need to get my boxers off,” he chuckled, reaching behind and beneath her to glide them down.

  She dropped her mouth to his, sucking his tongue deep and kissing him with a pent-up passion he hadn’t been expecting. Every movement, every stroke of her tongue, even the way her hands gripped his shoulders, spoke of need. She didn’t just want him, she needed him, and that was the most beautiful thing in the world to him. How long had it been since a woman needed him in the deepest, most emotional way? Too damn long.

  He skimmed his hands up along her rib cage, her flat stomach, and finally to cup her wonderful breasts as they dangled in front of him like a delectable treat. Moonlight from the window streamed inside, illuminating her creamy skin as she moved, her head thrown back in ecstasy when he nipped at the underside of her breast. He flicked his tongue up and over her nipple, taking it between his lips as it hardened. She moaned deep in her chest and he sucked harder, oblivious when she dug her fingernails into his arms.

  Without breaking contact, he flipped them over so she was beneath him and kissed his way up from her chest, along her collarbone, to her jaw, and finally settling on the soft spot behind her ear. Her skin broke out in gooseflesh and he gently took her mouth again, kissing her the way he’d been dreaming about since the first time he’d done it.