Page 7 of Loving Leila
Not paying attention to the two men protecting me, I bump right into Kyle as he stops abruptly. He first folds his hand into a fist, then puts a finger to his lips, and I freeze. Did he hear something I missed? Is my luck about to run out, and I’m about to be discovered? My heart pounds in my ears.
I jerk so hard when Phantom puts his lips right next to my ear and whispers that everything’s fine. Kyle’s just being careful as we come up on the rendezvous point in case there’s any hostiles moving around the hallways.
I nod my understanding and feel Phantom step back some. After long, tense moments, Kyle shows us it’s safe to continue. Barely two minutes later, he opens a door and goes into the room. His big body blocks my view, but as he steps to the side, I come face-to-face with Ace.
I haven’t seen him, or any of the other guys on the team, since the day Kyle left. His eyes grow big and his jaw about drops to the floor as he gets a look at me. It would be funny if the situation weren’t so scary.
“Holy shit. Leila.”
He jumps to his feet and dashes to where I’m standing and engulfs me in the biggest hug. At first, I just stand there, stiff as a plank, but then he goes and says something so sweet I burst into tears.
“God, I’ve missed you, girl. Nothing’s been the same since we lost you and Mav.” I wrap my arms tight around him and hang on like a limpet. He rubs a hand up and down my back. “Shh, Ace’s got ya, doll.”
I hiccup back a sob and rest my head on his shoulder. I hate to cry in front of others, and I’m trying my best to get myself under control, but after everything that’s happened in the last however many hours it’s been, I’m struggling to get a lid on my emotions. Finally, I feel like I’ve got a handle on it and lift my head. Looking directly into his eyes, I smile.
“It’s good to see you, Ace.”
He smiles back and gives me a last quick squeeze before letting me go. I hear someone clear their throat and look over at Kyle and Phantom. Kyle looks like he’s chewing glass, and Phantom is grinning like a loon.
“If the two of you are done with your reunion, do you suppose we could focus on the task at hand?”
“You’re just jealous I got to grope your girl,” Ace quips, and I swear I hear Kyle grind his teeth.
Nothing shows on his face, so maybe I’m wrong.
Right then, the door opens again and another four familiar faces file into the room. There’s a bit of a pile up as Cougar, first through the door, stumbles to a halt and stares like he’s seen a ghost.
“Hey dude, what’s the idea? Move so the rest of us can get in, man.”
He steps aside, and the other three do a double take as they, too, spot me standing next to Ace.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Blade is the first to speak.
First to recover, Cougar grabs me up in a bear hug. One by one, I get passed around so each man can get a chance to hug me. When everyone’s had a turn, I find myself standing next to Phantom.
“Are we all hugged out and ready to get down to the task at hand, or would you like to gather 'round and we’ll sing a rousing rendition of Kumbaya before we go rescue those hostages in the dining room?”
Phantom grins down at me, winks, and then says, “Ah, fuck it. Everyone else’s had a turn. Why not?” And he, too, hugs me.
This time, I’m willing to put money on it that I hear Kyle growl. But, once again when I look over at him, his face is blank. Clear of all expression. And I can’t help the harsh pang of pain around my heart.
“Okay, all hugged out now,” Phantom quips.
The glint in his eye tells me he’s enjoying the hell out of needling Kyle.
“Time to quit jacking around and get this situation shut down.”
They crowd around Ace and the equipment he’s monitoring. Talking in a shorthand I’m clueless about, they come up with a plan. My heart is in my mouth as I watch them exit the room, two-by-two until it’s just Ace and me left. All I can do is pray that when all of this is over, they all come back. Safe and unharmed.
Chapter 7
Kyle
I’m getting too old for this shit.
I’m exhausted, adrenaline’s crashing, and all I want is a shower, a beer, and Leila in my bed, in that order. The support team has only just arrived. The dining room is in chaos, and we’ve still got cleanup to do. But the hostages are safe, and that’s all that matters.
I’m giving the support team leader a sitrep when my earpiece crackles to life. I hear a man screaming in a foreign language. It takes a second to realize what’s going on. As I do, my blood freezes. We’re all present and accounted for in the dining room, except Ace. And Leila.
