Page 45 of Dangerous Protocol

While Nadim had been sitting in his office waiting to hear from Maya Corbett, someone had infiltratedhisembassy and taken the girl right out from under his nose.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“What the hell istaking so long?” Jeffrey dragged his hand through his hair.

A good friend of his, a man he’d served with years ago, was in the guest bedroom with Maya and Isla. Mike Ellis had gotten out of the Marine Corps and put himself through medical school. He was the only person Jeffrey trusted to treat his daughter.

He desperately wanted to be in that room, to hold his daughter in his arms again, but Isla didn’t know him, and his presence when she was in such a vulnerable state might frighten her. He would do anything to keep from adding to her burdens.

“Dude, relax. It’s only been a few minutes.” Andi pulled open the door to the refrigerator, grabbed a bottle of water, and held it up. “Anybody else want one?”

“I’m good, thanks.” Mason held up his water bottle from where he lounged on the sofa.

Wolf was standing in front of the fireplace, shook his head, and mouthed the words,no thanks. He was on the phone with his wife, letting her know their status.

Calliope looked up from sharpening her knife. “No, thanks.”

Her father had carried the Bowie knife while serving in Afghanistan, and before him, her grandfather had it with him in Vietnam. The knife became hers when she joined OSI. She was raised by both men in the swamps of southwestern Florida. They taught her how to live off the land and fend for herself.

“Thanks, Andi, I’d love one.” Viking was one of the politest people Jeffrey had ever met, and he couldn’t remember ever hearing him curse.

In their line of work, that was a rarity. Of course, his politeness in no way diminished his lethality.

“I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier how Marigold is doing?” Burke had an enormous amount of respect for Viking’s fiancée.

“Awesome, as usual.” It was funny watching a deadly, six-foot-eight-inch-tall man blush. “She said to tell everyone hi.”

Marigold had survived a pretty nasty situation with an abusive ex-boyfriend and came out the other side stronger, more independent, and definitely sassier. And Viking was crazy in love with her.

“Jeffrey?” Brows lifted in question, Andi waggled a bottle of water in his direction.

He started walking over to her and heard a door open, followed by footsteps. Mike rounded the corner and walked into the room carrying a medical kit that looked like a tackle box and set it on the table.

“How is she?” Jeffrey asked.

Everyone stopped and gave the doctor their undivided attention.

“She’s lucid, alert, and relieved to be out of ‘that place,’ as she called it.” Mike had been briefed on what happened and the fact Isla was Jeffrey’s daughter.

There was a collective sigh of relief from the group.

“Can I speak with you privately for a moment?” Mike tilted his head toward the hallway.

“Sure.” Jeffrey looked at the group assembled in his living room. “Excuse me for a minute, guys.”

He followed Mike, and they stopped outside the bedroom where Isla was resting.

“What’s up?” He set his hands on his hips.

“Isla is a little dehydrated, and according to Maya, it looks like she’s lost some weight.” He kept his voice low. “Apparently, she was afraid to eat the food they gave her. Finally, after a day or two, she got so hungry she started eating but would only eat a little bit.” He chuckled. “She said the food looked weird and tasted gross.”

“Fuck.” Jeffrey scrubbed his hand down his face.

“Look.” He clamped his hand on Jeffrey’s shoulder. “I know you’re worried, but that little girl in there is tough, and kids are incredibly resilient.”

“Are you sure there’s no lasting effects from the drugs?”

“It seems to be wearing off.” Mike’s hand fell away from his shoulder. “As a precaution, I drew some blood and will test it myself.” He had his own medical practice, which included a lab. “All things considered, she’s doing great.”

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