Page 20 of Under Fire

“Michelle is in Room 4125 at Mayfield General. See you soon.” Randy ended the call.

Matt rubbed Delilah’s back with gentle strokes. “Dee?”

“I hate that nickname. Only my remaining family calls me Dee. My father called me Lilah.”

“What would you prefer I call you?”

Her cheeks bloomed with color. “I like everything you’ve called me so far.”

Hmm. He’d called her by her given name. That shouldn’t have caused the blush. Sweetheart? Satisfaction filled him when he realized she liked the sweet name of affection.

Matt cradled her face between his palms. “I’m sorry about your mother.”

Tears glimmered in her eyes. “Me, too. I hate what my family did to me, but she’s my only living parent and I still love her.”

“Because you love her, she has the power to hurt you more.”

“You don’t have to go with me. I know you need to train with Bravo. I’ll be fine.”

Her expression said otherwise, but Matt didn’t argue with her. He wouldn’t change his mind. “Is there a hotel in town where we can stay?”

“The Lennox Hotel. I planned to stay at my mom’s place.”

“You need a place to retreat and fortify your defenses. What’s the name of your hometown?”

“Harmony. It’s three hours from here.”

“Go pack while I make the arrangements. We’ll leave as soon as I take care of a few things.” He needed to inform his teammates and his boss, Brent Maddox, that he would be out of touch for a few days, then call Durango’s medic. Matt called Trent first.

“You shouldn’t go alone. You’ll have your hands full helping Delilah cope with the death of her mother.”

“I can handle it.”

“Sure, but you need to sleep sometime. You need someone to watch your back and Delilah’s while you sleep. It’s not a suggestion, Rainer.”

Matt scowled.

“When do you leave?”

“In an hour.”

“Don’t leave until your teammate arrives.” Trent ended the call.

Deciding to call his best friend, Cade, on the road, Matt went outside to find Liam and tell him he was off duty as soon as Matt and Delilah left Otter Creek. That done, he called Zane Murphy, the Fortress tech guru operatives depended on for everything from reservations to logistical support on missions.

“Yeah, Murphy.”

“It’s Matt Rainer.”

“I was just thinking about you, buddy. How goes the quest to win the fair Delilah’s interest?”

“She agreed to give me a chance.”

A soft whistle from his friend. “Nice work, Matt. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“You don’t sound as excited as I expected. What’s up?”

---