Delta Recon (SEAL Team Phantom Series, Book 2) (9 page)

“I didn’t say anything.” She turned to look him in the eye.

He brought their linked hands up to his mouth, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “You didn’t have to. You have very expressive eyes.”

“Where are we heading?” She turned to look at the road.

“Home,” Kai said from the front.

“Is that smart?” She’d love to go home, but worried about bringing trouble to their front doors.

****

T
ay didn’t intend to allow her to go home alone. No, he would be with her twenty-four seven. They had a plan, and when a SEAL had a plan, all would be fine. Failure was not an option, and in this case it most definitely was not. They’d almost lost Jaqui once, he’d be damned if it happened again.

“Quit frowning, it’ll cause premature wrinkles.” Jaqui rubbed her thumb between his brows.

He could see the slight action caused her some discomfort. “Try not to move too much.” He lifted her hand onto his thigh, hating the bruises on the top from where the IVs had been. Tracing his finger along the bluish lines, he promised to do all he could to never see the same marring her beautiful skin again. “I hate seeing you hurt.”

“Almost at the hangar, then we’ll be in the air and home before you know it,” Kai said from the front.

Flying from the East Coast to Hawaii was a long flight, no matter how they traveled. Stopping in California so their plane could refuel, they stayed on board while Dallas and Coyle went to get them all something to eat.

He eased out of the chair, making sure Jaqui slept. “What aren’t you telling us?” Tay asked Kai once he reached the front of the aircraft.

“I don’t think Medellin, or the Bloque Cartel for that matter, are happy with us. They will be out for blood. With the one tie they can connect being that little gal back there. The leader isn’t known for losing, and to have a woman escape would be the ultimate insult to him.” Kai’s dark gaze stared back toward Jaqui’s sleeping form.

Tay felt the force of the implication hit him. “How the fuck does he know she wasn’t killed in that attack, Kai?” He’d realized they’d had a leak when the woman who’d been pretending to be a nurse had tried to kill Jaqui. Now he wondered if their location was compromised as well.

Kai stood taller in the galley of the plane. “That’s what I aim to find out. Which is why we are all going to be staying in the same place for the next few weeks. Call it a mini vacation or staycation, since we’ll be on our home turf. Nobody will be allowed in or out that we don’t trust explicitly, and that number just dropped dramatically.”

He searched Kai’s expression, and knew the SEAL was talking, not the man. “What about Alexa? I know you want to get back to her.”

A grin kicked up the corner of his lips. “Hell yeah I do. She’ll be one of the trusted few. Besides, I think Jaqui could use some female company. Don’t you?”

What he wanted was time alone with the little spitfire, but until she was healed, it was probably best they had a chaperone. Not that he thought she’d welcome him back into her arms so easily. He’d screwed up and had a lot of making up to do.

“You look like your plotting,” Kai muttered, but before he could question further, Coyle and Dallas boarded the plane with their arms full with bags of food.

“What did you do? Buy one of everything you passed?” Kai grabbed a bag from each of them.

Coyle shrugged. “Wasn’t sure what you’d want since we weren’t sure what was available. Besides, some might taste like cardboard.”

Within another half hour their flight was taking off for the final leg of their journey. He’d eaten, then when Jaqui woke gave her some soup the guys had been thoughtful enough to buy.

When they landed at the airstrip at Barking Sands Missile Range Navy Base in Kekaha, Hawaii, they were all ready to find their own beds. With most of them living near base in the plantation style homes at Barking Sands, their bodies seemed to know they were close to home.

It was dark outside as they disembarked the plane, each of them had grabbed a duffel from the overhead compartment before they’d stepped down. Two vehicles sat waiting for them, making Tay raise his eyebrow in question.

“We’re not taking any chances. Just roll with it.” Kai pointed to the first Hummer.

Tay and Jaqui walked side-by-side to the vehicle Kai indicated. He helped her into the back, noticing the flash of pain race across her bruised and swollen face she tried to hide.

Coyle and Dallas followed behind in the other military vehicle, but nobody said a word, other than the driver to welcome them home. Tay shook his head at the awe in the young soldier’s tone as he looked at Kai sitting next to him. Poor kid, Kai didn’t seem to notice as he was busy typing on his cell, more than likely letting Alexa know he’d landed and would be there shortly.

He sat back with a sigh, then hoped he’d not left a mess in his own quarters before he’d been called out on his last mission.

Jaqui cleared her throat. “How many bedrooms does Kai’s place have?”

Her abrupt question had him turning to stare at her through the dark interior. “Why?”

“Where is everyone staying? I mean I assumed he’d be heading straight home, and said we would all be under the same roof...” her voice trailed off.

“You and I will be staying with Kai and Alexa. Coyle and Oz live a mile or so down, but still not close enough. My cottage is further down, so too far away for safety sake if the need arose. We are the only ones who are in residence on that stretch. Kai has a three bedroom cottage.” He didn’t tell her that Coyle and Dallas would be sharing one room, while he’d be staying with her. She’d learn soon enough. She was in no shape for anything other than a light brushing of his fingers against most of her body, let alone making love.

She nodded like she’d come up with a plan. God love her and her brain. He’d outmaneuver her of course, but he’d like to see what she devised.

Their escorts pulled up to Kai’s home, the house sat up on two foot piers with all the lights in the house blazing. A figure stood at the front door. One Tay knew had been watching ever since Kai’s text.

The vehicle hadn’t come to a complete stop before Kai had his door open and was leaping down, his long strides eating up the distance between him and the woman now running down the porch steps. Tay heard Jaqui’s sigh, felt her pulse beat against his fingers. He wondered if she’d be waiting for him like Alexa when he came home from a mission. Turning his head away as Kai and Alexa embraced, feeling like he was intruding on their moment, his eyes met Jaqui’s.

“They’re truly in love,” she said. It wasn’t a question but a statement.

“That man is so in love with her, I can’t believe he hasn’t married her yet.” He opened his door, held his hand out for the woman who held his heart.

He felt Coyle and Dallas at his back, knowing the other guys were ready to protect Jaqui the same as him gave him a sense of ease.

“You coming in or gonna stand out there all night?” Kai called from the bottom of the steps to his home.

Jaqui looked past him, then gave a slight smile. He knew she would have waved broadly, but with her injuries, the action was close to impossible. “We better head on up, but I’m going to need some more of my things.” She looked pointedly at his duffle and her lack of one.

“We’ll take care of it tomorrow.” Jaqui wasn’t stationed on the same base as he and his team, but it wouldn’t be anything to get someone to pack up a few things for her.

“Hiya, Jaqui. I’m Alexa. We met back in South Dakota,” Alexa said, her arm firmly around Kai’s waist.

“Ma’am.” Jaqui nodded. “Thank you for letting me bunk with you for a few days.”

Amethyst eyes blinked out at them. The curvy woman who’d claimed Kai Swift’s heart released her SEAL, and stepped forward. “Now, let’s clear something up real quick. I’m no ma’am, and you are family. I made a ham and scalloped potatoes knowing y’all would be hungry when you landed, so let’s get inside and get you settled. If you’d rather shower and go to bed, that’s fine, too. However, what’s not fine is this formal shit.” Alexa Gordon smiled at them.

Tay could kiss the woman for immediately putting Jaqui at ease. “I could eat.”

The other guys said the same.

“I would love some scalloped potatoes. Not sure I can chew the ham, dang it.” Jaqui followed Alexa up the few steps to the cottage style house, while he hung back knowing Kai wanted to speak to them.

The screen door shut on a quiet thud. “Alright, let’s hear it.” Tay waited, his ears trained to the house.

“Alexa is excited to have company. I’ve told her briefly about the trouble we could be expecting, but as she pointed out, her family and troubles were no Robinsons. Meaning she is not worried. Hence, I am worried.” Kai ran his hand over his stubbled chin.

Having not shaved himself, Tay figured he looked pretty gruff as well. “We’ll protect them from themselves as well as the shit storm that could be coming.”

Coyle slapped him on the back. “Hooyah. Now, didn’t I hear something about baked ham and potatoes? Move boys, I’m a starving man.”

Kai and Tay were nudged aside as Coyle, followed by Dallas took the steps two at a time.

“You’d think they were kids instead of grown men,” Kai muttered.

“Growing boys,” Coyle yelled back.

“We’d better hurry or those asshats will eat you out of house and home.” Tay motioned with his hand for Kai to go ahead of him.

Inside they were met by Oz, his red hair a little longer than before. His large frame not looking any thinner from his stay in the hospital.

“Hey, I left y’all some. You’re welcome by the way.” Oz patted his flat stomach, his eyes taking in their appearances. “How was your trip?”

“Uneventful for the most part.” Kai sat down, snagging Alexa when she went to walk by. “Sit down, luv. They can serve themselves. I need to hold you for a few.”

The two didn’t seem to mind the fact they were surrounded by SEALs. Kai’s face buried in the crook of Alexa’s neck, making her giggle.

“Get a room,” Oz groaned.

Kai’s middle finger lifted. “Oh, I plan to take her there. We’re just being polite right now.”

Alexa slapped Kai’s arm, but didn’t get up from his lap. Her arms were wrapped around his neck while he forked up pieces of ham and potatoes, feeding himself then her. Tay envied their easy show of affection in that moment. Meeting Jaqui’s gaze next to him, he saw the same naked need in her.

“We put you two in the room across from Alexa and I. Coyle and Dallas are next to you and Oz, I’m assuming you’re bunking in the living room?” Kai punctuated each word with his fork.

Oz nodded. “Yep.”

He noticed Jaqui had eaten a good portion of the food, but was pushing the remaining around. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to show Jaqui where we’re bunking.” Standing, he waited for her to say goodnight.

“You don’t have to go to bed because I am.” She yawned, her hand going up to cover the area.

Tay didn’t say a word, just walked with Jaqui. Opening the door, he wasn’t surprised to find Alexa had stacked a few outfits on the end of the bed with a note. Luckily the ladies were close to the same size, although Alexa was a bit curvier. Tay loved Jaqui’s physique.

Truth be told, there was nothing about the woman he didn’t enjoy. From her long blonde hair, to her sparkling blue eyes, all the way down to her toes. She was perfect for him. He’d seen her training, had the pleasure of seeing her naked, and knew there wasn’t an ounce of fat on her frame. Yet, she had muscles. Not the overly done kind that made you think manly, but enough that she could probably lift her own weight and then some. Again, the word perfect rang in his head.

“How that woman survived in foster care is a miracle.” He heard the catch in her voice.

Strolling into the room, he checked out the attached bathroom. It was small but had a nice sized shower. Big enough for two. Slow your roll soldier. He checked the window next to the vanity, making sure it was locked. Even knowing Alexa and Kai, he felt better going through the security of the rooms he and Jaqui would be sleeping in. As he walked back out to the bedroom with the queen sized bed, Jaqui sat on the edge, the clothing no longer on the end. A slight frown pulled at her face.

He knelt at her feet. “What’s wrong?”

She blinked baby blue eyes up at him. “How is this supposed to work?”

“You are going to rest, heal, and then we reassess. That’s what is going to happen,” he said with conviction.

“No. I mean you and me. Where are you sleeping?”

It took him a moment, but he considered himself a smart man. “Baby, I am sleeping in this room with you. Maybe not in this bed, but where you are, I am. Believe me, I’ve slept in a lot less comfy spots than the floor.” Her safety was his number one concern.

Leaning up, he placed a kiss on her lips, a whisper soft touch. “How about you go take a quick shower while I check in with Kai and the rest of the team.” He didn’t give her a chance to argue, wasn’t sure she would, but stood and left just in case.

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T
ay walked back down the hallway toward the kitchen. Kai and Alexa were still sitting at the table. The couple looked as if they’d been together years rather than months. A natural extension of each other.

“How’s Jaqui doing?” Alexa asked without getting up.

He shrugged. “Pretty good all things considered.”

“You want a beer?” Kai asked.

“That sounds about the best damn thing in the world.” Tay opened the fridge and grabbed a longneck, looking over the top of the door he glanced at each of the people gathered around, silently asking if they needed one. Coyle raised his empty bottle along with Oz. Dallas shook his head, his phone seemed to be buzzing as if dozens of texts were coming in.

After handing over a beer to each of the men who were more like brothers, he sat down. “Thank you for the clothes. Jaqui mentioning the fact she needed to get some of her own things.” He tipped the bottle up to his lips and took a long pull.

Kai shook his head. “I don’t think it’s safe right now. Her best bet is to keep out of sight. We can get her a cell so she can contact her family, but again, it could be tricky since they could have their phones tapped.”