Page 89 of Operation Heartbeat

Another scream sounded from Con’s left, but in his comms unit, he heard it even louder. Closer.

Denver and Mason were closing in on her. He moved in their direction, every sense dialed in. There was no room for error. No option to fail.

“Help!” Her cry was cut off by a series of thuds.

Someone was beating her.

Con threw himself at the center of a wall between two wooden panels. It gave way, and he smashed through the false wall.

He took aim at the man holding Sophie prisoner. One glance showed him that she was tied up to a chair and bleeding.

And alive.

* * * * *

Con snaked out a long, strong arm past Sophie and pushed open the door of the safe house. He guided her forward. Her legs wobbled, but she was determined not to collapse. She’d withstood everything up to this point. She wasn’t going to wimp out now.

She stood swaying in the entryway, trying not to wince from the pain. Blood from one of the blows her captor delivered to her had clotted at her hairline and the wound tugged when she made a face.

Three guys from the Blackout team appeared in the doorway, stopping short.

“Somebody get the first-aid kit,” Con barked.

One man disappeared to do his bidding while the others moved aside, allowing Con to lead her to the kitchen.

“Chickie, bring that stool.”

A moment later, a stool appeared in front of her, and Con led her to it. Her knees gave way, and she plopped down hard. Con locked his arms around her, holding her against his chest.

“Matthews!”

“Here, Con.” Matthews pushed through the group of guys watching everything that was going on.

She hated being the center of attention in such a negative way. Having so many bad-ass men witness her frailties left her feeling even lower.

Matthews moved closer. Con let out a low growl of warning.

Matthews looked up at him. “Con. You’re going to have to actually let me examine her.”

Still supporting her, he moved behind her and wrapped his arms gently around her chest. She rested against him while Matthews checked out her cuts and bruises.

“Do you have a headache?”

“Yes.” Her dry throat rasped the words.

“Somebody get her water!” Con ordered.

She heard the refrigerator opening and closing. A moment later, an opened bottle of water hovered in front of her face. She took the bottle, drawing calm from the coolness of the plastic. When she raised the drink to her mouth, her hand shook.

Con wrapped his around hers, steadying it while she sipped.

This man…was here for her. Someone she could rely on. A partner.

She never thought that she’d get a second chance with love. She always figured that if she found someone, they’d cohabitate without the paperwork, but Con made her think aboutrealwedding rings and sharing lives.

“I feel like a weak Victorian child.” Her soft words brought a few laughs from the men around her.

Matthews prepped some gauze with antiseptic cleaner and dabbed at the cut on her hairline. She winced at the sting but remained still while he worked.

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