“It’s all good, Hol.”
Make her believe it.
“This is what we’ve been trained to do.”
She nodded. “Right. You and Fury with a team that’s not yours . . . ” She shrugged. “It’s just—I’m concerned. I can’t help it.”
Davis shouldered into his ruck and tugged her from the bed. The way she willingly went into his arms pulled at his conscience and words too quickly spoken. She was putting aside whatever that’d been back on the terrace. Choosing instead to part on good terms. Her head on his vested chest and the feel of her arms around his waist was the stuff men around the world would envy him for. She deserved to be valued every day of her life. Arguments or good times, he wanted it all. Wanted her.
Didn’t know what the future held, but hedidknow if he made it out of this, he wasn’t leaving her alone another day in her life. If she’d have him.
“Hale will be here if you need anything.” He steeled himself against the sudden intense urge to say he loved her. Wasn’t putting that on her if the mission went sideways. “Stay inside, okay?”
When she pulled back, he noted her chin quiver. But she met his gaze straight on. Even grinned. “I will. You guys be safe.” Her face twisted up. “I don’t know, is that an oxymoron?”
Davis chuckled. “I’ll take it.”
So this was what it felt like to have someone that cared waiting for him when he went on a mission. Pretty sweet gig.
Fury turned in a tight circle at the bedroom door.
Davis took Hollyn’s small hand in his and led her to the living room, where the rest of the team was prepping.
“I want everyone ready in five,” Chapel ordered. “Get Ledger a gun.”
Davis took the M4 Nazari handed him. Checked it while Hollyn stood mutely at his side.
“Aaand he just took the bait.” From the command room, Hale swiveled a screen their way. Germaine had found his way out of the zip ties Macklin had loosened and was in front of the only window in the hold, hands probing the edges. He kept glancing over his shoulder.
“Let’s go.” Chapel circled a finger in the air.
“Stay inside,” Davis warned Hollyn again.
“Don’t worry.” Bennion winked at her while the team filtered out of the room. “We’ll keep a close eye on your man.”
Davis didn’t have time to form a rebuttal. Just gave Hollyn’s hand one last squeeze and strode out the front door with Fury.
All right, Germaine. Let’s see what ace you have up your sleeve.
* * *
Hollyn quietly walked into a larger area filled with computers and TV screens. She scanned the room. Papers and maps lined the walls, and Hayes—no, wait, Hale—was sitting near the end of a long table, focused on a video feed. It had a green cast to the images moving across it. Night vision? In the large monitor he stared at, Braum had finally pried the window open. He tried to jump through the opening. Legs flailing, he shimmied till he was halfway out, then dropped from view on the other side.
Hale tapped the keyboard, and the screen cycled through several different angles around the house. The front porch. Back patio she’d been on with Davis—wait, had they been watching her and Davis too? She tucked her chin as the rooftop came into view. They really had cameras everywhere.
Note to self: before making out with Davis next time, be sure no eyes were watching.
Hale paused on a live feed that showed Braum stumbling in the sand close to where he’d dropped. Looking around, eyes glowing, seemingly unaware of the camera focused on him, he finally found his footing. Jogged off as Hale brought up another view. This one showed Braum limp-running across the property toward a fence.
“Alpha team, be advised,” Hale said, his voice low and stiff.
Hollyn looked over at him. Could see a threaded connector running up his neck to an earpiece. He must also have a mic somewhere.
“Germaine is moving along the north wall. Heading toward the back of the property.” He looked like he was listening to someone, then nodded. “Copy.” With a heavy sigh, he leaned back and crossed his arms over his thick chest. He was huge. He was—looking at her.
Hollyn caught a gasp in her throat. She ducked, cheeks heating. “Sorry.”
Hale—she wished she knew his first name. It was weird calling someone by only their last—shrugged. “No skin off my nose.”