Page 11 of Sworn to Lead

“Sometimes. If he’s developing an illness or is overstimulated by certain lights, it’s still possible, even with the medication.” She looked to her right to check on Jacob, then focused her attention back on him.

“And if that happens?” Calm was in his nature, but thoughts of his little brother having a seizure? His shoulders and stomach were tight just having this conversation. For the millionth time, he was thankful Brynn was at his side.

“We give him space, make sure there is nothing he can roll into, and start timing. Anything that nears five minutes, we call emergency services. I also carry medication in the front pouch of his backpack anywhere we go. We’d use it after calling for an ambulance.”

He couldn’t stop himself from grabbing her hand. Soft, strong, and so fucking sweet. “Have I thanked you for coming with us?”

“Maybe a few times.” When she smiled, those plump lips tipped up, her eyes lit with warmth, and the apples of her cheeks flushed. Goddamn.

“If something bothers you or you’re unhappy with any part of our agreement, will you promise to talk to me?”

“Okay.” She nodded. Their conversation was stalled as the flight attendant asked if they’d like a drink or snack. They passed Brynn a Sprite, him a water, and orange juice for when Jacob woke up.

“I know it’s not great for me, but Sprite’s my guilty pleasure.” She took a sip and closed her eyes.

“Just Sprite? Anything else I should know about?” He wanted to know her every guilty pleasure and provide them in abundance.

Her cheeks flamed, and his cock twitched in his jeans. He hadn’t meant the question to come across as sexual, but the color creeping up her neck and the way her pupils dilated, pools of black spilling over into blue, told him that’s where her mind had gone. Fuck. Years had passed without him being interested in a woman, and now one he’d just met—his brother’s nurse—was taking his common sense and systematically disintegrating every honorable intention he possessed. There was nothing wrong with getting to know the woman who would be helping Jacob. He just needed to remember there was a hard line, and crossing it would have consequences he wasn’t prepared to deal with.

She cleared her throat, grabbing his attention. “Hooded sweatshirts, ugly dogs, and peculiar teapots. What about you?” She lifted her can of soda and poured half of it over the cup of ice provided.

A deep chuckle erupted from his throat. “Adrenaline highs, and macaroni and cheese. Strong black coffee, my KA-BAR knife, and a pretty voice with a hint of an Irish brogue.” There was that blush again. His body temperature ratcheted up a few degrees. As his lust was growing, so was his stupidity. She wasn’t a woman he could innocently flirt with. Those shy and sweet visceral reactions she responded with were way too appealing. The emotions that played out on her face weren’t guarded or practiced. In his line of work, he didn’t see much innocence or softness. Everyone could lock their shit down at a moment’s notice and do what needed to be done to accomplish a mission. Brynn didn’t conceal a thing. It was refreshing. Dangerous.

“Gonna stretch my legs.” He unbuckled and moved around Brynn and a still-sleeping Jacob. Getting lost in intense physical activity might temper his attraction, but on an airplane of this size, he’d have to make do with a walk to the bathroom. Without being near Brynn’s light lavender scent, the canned air of the cabin was stale. A woman’s overpowering floral perfume choked him. Beneath it was hints of sour milk and sweat—none of it appealing. He used the vacant bathroom, barely able to turn around in the cramped stall, to splash his face with cold water. He did some breathing exercises to rein in his emotions and then prepared to go back to his seat. When he emerged from the lavatory, there was a commotion in the center of the airplane. An older man was in the aisle on his knees. His face had a purplish hue, and he gestured wildly at his throat. A woman was screaming.

A flash of dark hair swayed behind the man. Brynn was so small compared to the distressed traveler, he hadn’t spotted her at first, but she was there, wrapping her arms around the man’s thick waist, thrusting up with her balled fists. A crowd had gathered as he pushed down the carpeted aisle. Brynn was relentless, using the Heimlich maneuver over and over. Someone at the front of the mob gasped, then shrieked as something flew from the man’s mouth and into the noisy passengers. The man collapsed, knocking into Brynn and sending her backward.

“Move,” he barked and the crowd parted. The hysterical woman was kneeling beside the man, patting his back. He passed them and crouched near Brynn, helping her to her feet. “You all right, Wonder Woman?”

“Aside from a sore butt, yes, fine.” He started to guide her back to their seats. The wild-eyed woman beside the man Brynn had saved jumped to her feet. Her skin was ruddy and pockmarked, and he could smell the alcohol on her breath.

“My husband was in a recent car accident. You wrenched his back.”

He immediately pushed Brynn behind him. “Ma’am, your husband was choking. The woman you’re raising your voice to is a registered nurse who saved his life.”

“She reaggravated his injuries. Used too much force.” The woman’s eyes were glassy as she advanced on them.

He held out a hand to stop her forward progress. “Ma’am. You need to take a step back.”

Several flight attendants had gathered around. One was helping the man stand to his feet, and the other two flanked the irate wife.

The man turned to face them. “Thank you for your help.”

“Thank her? She nearly broke you in two.” The statement was laughable, given Brynn’s stature compared to the man she’d helped.

“But I—” The man’s jowls wobbled.

“Charles, shut your mouth. Back to the seat.” Her husband bowed his head, cowed by his wife, and shuffled away with the flight attendant. “The moment we get off this airplane, I’ll consult our lawyer.”

He’d had enough of the woman’s ungrateful noise, but she tucked her claws away and returned to her seat a few rows behind them.

“I’m pissed as hell that lady would complain after you saved her husband’s life, but you don’t seem fazed. Why is that?” He had wanted to rail at the woman and let her know she was despicable for accusing Brynn of hurting her husband when she’d saved his life. His hands were trembling, fury coursing through him.

“Hey.” Brynn looked down at his balled fists and touched his arm. “That wasn’t an abnormal reaction. I was an emergency room nurse before I started working with your brother. Emotions are high when someone you love is hurting, and while we might not understand why someone would yell and carry on at the wrong people, sometimes that’s what happens. She was also intoxicated. The important thing is the man’s airway is cleared. I’m not concerned about anything else at the moment, so you shouldn’t be either.”

He scrubbed his hands down his face. Maybe Brynn should’ve been a SEAL. She was totally at peace with what had just gone down. He was far from it. The rest of the trip continued without incident, and when they landed, Jacob was wide awake. Brynn had discreetly fed him, pouring liquid through a syringe into a small tube connected to a port in his belly. Once they stepped out of the gate terminal, his team was waiting. Whether they were on a mission or not, they had each other’s backs. From helping to locate his brother to connecting him with a real estate agent and sending him text messages of dozens of listings, to meeting them at the airport, they showed their support.

“This must be the Jacob we’ve been hearing all about.” Branch crouched by his brother’s wheelchair as passengers rushed past with their luggage. He was by far the best with children out of their group. He had a soft spot for kids and was always looking out for the locals when they were on a mission. He’d bought food from a marketplace and distributed it to kids wandering the dusty streets more than once. Jacob locked eyes with him and smiled. “Nice to meet you, man. Welcome to the family.” Branch stood, clapped him on the back, and turned his attention to Brynn. “Thanks for accompanying these boys home.” He offered his hand to Brynn, and she took it. “Branch. Nice to meet you.”

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