Page 7 of Justified Fear
“Seeing as how you’re having an argument with someone you think is here to hurt you, I would say you aren’t that smart.”
This was the most insane conversation he had had with someone he was rescuing.And he had rescued a guy who had taken a bad acid trip and who thought Maya was some kind of alien dog.
“Oh…damn!”Then there was some movement above him.It was all the warning he got before she came hurtling out of the tree at him.He reached out to catch her, but they both fell to the ground.Damn, that was going to hurt.
He blinked up at the woman as she tried to disentangle herself from him.As she pushed herself up, he realized that she was straddling him.
“I’m sorry.So sorry.Don’t kill me.”Fear laced every syllable as she tried her best to get away from him.She was wiggling on top of him, and he needed her to stop.He settled his hands on her hips.
“Eep!”The woman made the strangest noises.
When he finally got a good look at her, his world seemed to tilt.He found himself staring at the face of an angel with golden eyes.The picture he had glanced at before heading out had not done the woman justice.
“I told you that I’m part of TFH.I’m here to rescue you.”
The sound of running footsteps—quite a few of them—rushed toward them.Her head lifted, and he instantly felt the loss of connection.He liked it better when she was staring at him.
“What do we have here?”Rami asked.
“I fell on top of him.”
“Are you okay, Ms.Templeton?”Nikki asked, walking forward.He heard Rami talking on his comms to let them know they’d found Keely.
“Keely, and I’m not sure.People were shooting, and I ran.”
Shit, she was probably going into shock.Her pupils were dilated.While she was making sense, the way she was talking made Ryan think she couldn’t keep her thoughts straight.
“Guys, help her up.”
The other two did just that, and he could see that Rami was assessing her.He had been a SEAL before joining TFH.All of them knew how to look for the signs, but he was the best at it.
“Oh, aren’t you the sweetest baby,” she said, looking at Maya.Then she looked down at him.“I’m sorry I fell on top of you.”
Then she shivered.It was humid out, but she was wearing a sleeveless shirt.Definitely a little shocky.
He rolled to his feet.“No worries, Keely.Come on.We’ll get you something to warm you up.”
“What were you doing up the tree?”Nikki asked.
“Oh, I heard someone coming, so I went up.It’s not the first time tonight.”
“How many times were you up a tree tonight?”Nikki asked.
“Twice.This was just the second time.The first time was because of the pigs; I figured I could hide up there until dawn, and the bad guys would leave.Did you catch them?”
“Not sure, but we can check at the house,” Nikki said.She tried to lead her away, but Keely waited for him and Maya.Then she started walking.
“I hope everyone is okay.There was alotof gunfire.”
Maya kept close to Keely.She probably sensed the woman’s fragile state.Every now and then, Keely would brush her hand over Maya.
“You look Hawaiian, but you don’t sound it,” Nikki commented.
“My dad is Hawaiian, and my mother is a Texan.I spent most of my life in Texas.”
He knew Nikki was trying to keep the woman talking and alert.She was definitely dealing with a little shock, and soon she would find out that everyone she had been with that night was dead.
Nikki talked to her easily, keeping Keely engaged and somewhat alert.As they neared the edge of the forest, Keely came to a stop.
