Delta Recon (SEAL Team Phantom Series, Book 2) (13 page)

She bit down on her lip again. “I’ll wait until I can tell her a more accurate time. Besides, I don’t want to be rushed when I speak to her.”

They were walking as she spoke, his eyes looking left and right. Simmering just below the surface was a rage he’d kept controlled since he’d realized Medellin had taken Jaqui. Now, he channeled that anger, turned it into a weapon he could use. Their two carry-on bags were stacked together as he wheeled them, leaving his right hand free. He didn’t have a weapon, yet. However, he planned to rectify that with a phone call, knowing his Commander would have cleared him since this was an official case. Sort of.

They were quickly given an SUV at the car rental counter. Being in the Navy had its perks, and luckily the guy was the son of a retired army vet. He waited for Jaqui to call and get an update, having sent off a text to Kai, and was told there was going to be a duffel waiting for him at the hospital.

She hung up, her chin dropping to her chest. He didn’t like the quiet, serious mode, but knew she had a lot on her mind.

“They’re both stable, still in the ICU, but are expected to be moved to regular rooms. I want them in the same room, damn it.” She took a shuttering breath.

Knowing she was only thinking with her heart, not her head he kept quiet. Tay couldn’t believe that it had been only a couple months ago, he was living with the notion he didn’t need a woman in his life. He glanced over at the silky blonde hair pulled back in a long ponytail of the woman he loved, trying to imagine his life without her. “Let’s just take it one step at a time. When we get there, we’ll talk to the people in charge and see if we can’t arrange it.” He put his hand over hers. She immediately gave him her undivided attention. “Hey, if we keep our cool and speak to them with logic, they’ll listen. If not, I’ll become the big bad SEAL.”

A soft giggle escaped. “I love it when you get all badass. It’s pretty sexy,” she breathed out.

“Bottom line, we will do it together, sunshine. Don’t think to go off halfcocked, and remember what I said about staying next to me.” His stomach knotted as images of what she’d gone through the last time she’d been at Medellin’s mercy.

She nodded her agreement, her eyes taking in the scenery in that introspective way of hers he loved. Tay had no doubt her sharp mind was already working through scenarios, trying to figure out ways around the red tape they may encounter. He hoped like hell he wouldn’t have to do any hacking into the hospitals system to get what they wanted. A legitimate move would be best, but he’d do it if it meant making the Wallace family happy. Happy wife, happy life was a phrase he’d heard often and agreed with wholeheartedly.

They parked at the Summerlin Hospital Medical Center with its gorgeous backdrop of the mountains behind it. He hopped out, rounded the bumper to open Jaqui’s door. She raised her brow, but gave him her hand. The hospital was located in one of the wealthier areas, and he wondered if her parents were well off. Other than knowing Jaqui the Navy officer, and the woman, he didn’t know too much about her family. Their names, and that she was originally from Las Vegas about summed up his knowledge of her family.

“What does your dad do for a living?” He asked, the doors to the main entrance opened in front of them before she could answer.

“He owns a construction business and my mom is a hair dresser. Or she was. Now, she is semi-retired.” Each of them had their laptop bags, but had left their suitcases locked in the rental car.

“How is one semi-retired from hair dressing?” He quizzed.

She glanced his way. “She owns a shop, but doesn’t work there and only does certain clients hair. Um, you’d understand if you saw her at her best.”

Understanding hit him. Her mother would normally be all dolled up. “Hey, I’ll see her fixed up sooner than you think.”

A watery smile met his words. They went to the information desk to get directions. In a hospital the size of Summerlin they’d need them. “Yes you will.”

––––––––

S
he was a ball of nerves walking into the ICU. The gnawing worry over her mom and dad was new and unwelcome. Her dad was always larger than life in her eyes, while her mother was more like her.

Once they reached the Intensive Care Unit, she was holding Tay’s hand like the lifeline it was. Their first roadblock came in the form of the woman manning the front desk. After Jaqui explained who she was there to see, she was told only two visitors were allowed in at a time. Her mind couldn’t figure out who could be there other than her aunt and uncle on her mom’s side.

“How about my dad? May I see him then?” She blinked back the burn of angry tears.

The lady took more time than Jaqui felt was necessary, looking through whatever she had on her screen, before she cleared them through. Although the rules said only two visitors per patient, the first room she came to was her mother’s. The sight of her aunt and uncle made her stop in her tracks. Her brief glimpse in let her know her mom was awake.

No amount of rules would stop her from seeing her mother. “Mama,” she cried out rushing into the room.

Her relatives stood, but didn’t try to stop her when she rushed to the side of the bed. “Baby girl,” Maci winced.

“I’m so glad you’re awake,” Jaqui said in a hushed whisper.

Her mother’s right arm, along with her right leg was in a cast from the impact of the vehicle being struck on the driver’s side, and then pushed into the light pole. More tubes ran from her mother than she had from her own injuries only weeks ago. They’d had to re-inflate her lung as well, and only through the saving grace had a doctor been on that road, otherwise her parents may have died.

“They just took the tube out of her throat so she’s a little sore,” her Aunt Laci murmured.

Jaqui adjusted her bag behind her. “You don’t need to talk, mom. I’m just glad you’re going to be okay. You and dad both are.” She smiled down at the scraped face of the older version of herself, afraid to touch any part of her mother.

“Do you want some more water?” At her mom’s nod Laci continued. “We can dip these swabs in water and let her suck on them, but they don’t want her to have too much yet.”

Her aunt looked over at Tay, then back at her. “Mama, I’m gonna check on daddy, then I’ll come back. They have this silly rule about only allowing two of us in at a time. I’m already breaking rules and I’ve been home for less than two hours.”

Her mother smiled then grimaced. “When is she due for her next pain dose?”

While her aunt pressed the nurse call button, Jaqui and Tay went to check on her dad. Lance Wallace wasn’t as big as Tay, but to her he was a man above men. He had brown hair with natural blond highlights and gray eyes. Years of working construction had given him a muscular physique that most men twenty years his junior envied. Walking into his room was a lot different than the one with her mom. Her dad didn’t have as many tubes hooked to him, nor any visible casts. However his issue was the fact he’d been knocked unconscious and they had to drill a hole in his skull to release fluid that had built up.

“He looks so...still. My dad is never one to lay about.” That wasn’t the only thing wrong. His normal tanned skin had a pale, almost gray tinge to it.

Tay gave her a reassuring hug. “Hey, he’s a fighter right? I mean he has to be to have a daughter like you.”

“Damn right I am.” The scratchy voice, that sounded like he’d smoked one too many cigarettes, of her dad, had her stepping away from Tay.

“You scared the crap out of me.” She pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

Her dad reached up and held her head to his. “I always said you had too much crap in you, sprite.”

She’d always been his sprite. The familiar teasing made the tears she’d held at bay roll, wetting her dad’s face in the process. She tried to stand, but he held her with the strength she relied on. “Love you, Daddy.”

“Love you to the moon and back, my sprite. Now, who do you got with you?” Knowledge flicked in his eyes.

“Hello, Mr. Wallace. My name is Taylor Rouland, sir.” He came to stand next to Jaqui, holding a tissue in his hand.

She glanced at the tissue and then her dad, then laughed, using the tissue to dry the tears on his face first. She wasn’t sure if they were all hers. Was pretty sure he’d cried a little, but he wouldn’t admit it. “Tay, this is my dad. Dad, this is Tay.”

“You can call me Lance as long as you’re good to my baby girl. However, if you break her heart, then you’d better make sure you can run real fast,” her dad said with heat.

“No problem, Lance. I can guarantee you I’ll treat her like the precious thing she is.”

“Good,” he muttered.

“Hello, I’m right here.”

They both glanced at her, then shrugged.

After a little while she could tell her dad needed rest more than company. “We are going to drop our bags off, then grab some dinner and come back. By then, hopefully both you and mom will be moved to regular rooms.”

“You going to stay at the house?” He questioned, looking between them both.

“No, I want to be close to you and mom.” She stopped as he held up his hand.

“Now, listen to me. You can go home and sleep in your own bed for the night and be here in the morning. There’s no reason to stay at a hotel where thousands of people have stayed, and done god knows what on them beds.” Her dad gave his best no nonsense glare.

“Fine, but just so you know, I have stayed at hotels before.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

Lance put his hand on his heart. “My child has been corrupted. Go on. Give your mom a kiss for me before you go.”

She leaned in and gave him a kiss on his whiskered cheek. “I will. Love you.”

“Love you more.”

Walking back out, she felt lighter. Her aunt was still in with her mom. “We are going to drop our bags off at the house, grab a bite to eat, and fingers crossed, they’ll both be in a regular room when we get back. Dad wanted me to give mom a kiss, but since she’s sleeping I’ll give it to you.” She drew her aunt in for a big hug. “Thank you for staying with mom and being here when I haven’t been.”

Laci waved her words away. “Oh, palease. You are off serving our country. Girl, we are all so damn proud of you, especially your mama. And that hunk you have with you.” She nodded toward Tay standing in the hall. “If they made all Navy men look like that, I’d sign up right now.”

Jaqui slapped her aunt. “You’re bad, Aunt Laci. Besides, Uncle Dave wouldn’t make it in the Navy, he’s afraid of large bodies of water.”

Laci snorted. “I know. How silly. Oh well. It’s a good thing I love that man.”

She loved her family. They were goofy, loving, and all things a good family should be. If Jose Medellin had succeeded, she didn’t know what she’d have done. “Make sure you don’t go anywhere alone, and don’t accept things from strangers.” The need to warn against anything that might seem suspicious hit her.

“Jaqui, we better go,” Tay announced.

“Sweetheart, I am aware of my surroundings. Don’t you worry, I’ll see you in a few hours.” Her aunt winked outrageously.

Tay stood with the casual appearance of a man who knew two women were talking about him. He held a large, hard, black case that she knew held weapons of some sort. He gave a brief nod, then led the way back toward the SUV. The big SEAL was in place, his gaze taking everything and everyone in that they passed. Her own anxiety rose the closer they got to the vehicle, and she watched as Tay looked it over. When he opened the case and pulled a device out, she realized the threat to her parents and her life was real. Watching as he ran a wand over and around the vehicle, then unlocked her door.

She couldn’t believe her life had come to checking her vehicle for bombs. The reassuring heat of Tay’s hand over hers had her looking up. He looked tense, but in control.

“It’s going to be fine. I’m just taking extra precautions where you are concerned,” he rushed to reassure her as if knowing she needed it. He inhaled a deep breath then released it, which seemed to ease some the tension from his body. “I’ve got your parents’ address programmed into the GPS. You ready to roll?”

Nodding, she twisted her hand around and gave his a squeeze. “Yeah, I am.”

They remained quiet for the short drive from the hospital to the gated community where her family home was located. It dawned on her that an intruder would need to know the access code to get inside, or be very good at getting around the security guard, or kill him. The last made her shiver. “Should we warn the staff at the gate not to let anyone in, who doesn’t have a legitimate reason that is backed by a resident?”

The eyes lit up making them bluer, his expression turned thoughtful. It was one she recognized from when he was planning a mission, but now he was directing toward her protection. Everything inside of her that was a woman reacted to that heated gaze. Her heart that already belonged to him raced while her body ached to be possessed by him.

At the guard shack, he glanced down at her nipples, seeing how they were poking out against the yellow sundress and gave her a wolfish smile. When he met her gaze he gave her a wink. “I’m on it.”

The double entendre didn’t escape her. Heat suffused her, but she had to admit, the man definitely knew how to get her mind off the matter at hand. Passing her identification over to the young man at the gate, they waited while he ran her information through the system.

“Dang, this is a really upscale neighborhood,” Tay said under his breath.

“My dad worked hard to build up his construction business and if you listen to him, he got lucky. However, me and my mom can attest to the fact he busts his ass, and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty to this day.” She said a little more testily than she’d planned.

Tay leaned over the arm rest. “Sweetheart, I know you and your family are salt of the earth. I didn’t mean anything by my comment.”

Blowing out a breath, she gave him a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I think I’m a little on edge.”

****

T
ay was pretty sure he knew what was bothering Jaqui, but nothing short of capturing Medellin would completely ease her fears. Her calm, focus, and composed world, the same type of world he preferred was completely knocked off its axis, and she was struggling. He’d learned how to cope with upheavals in his life, whether it was on a mission, or personal. Now, he zeroed in on how he could help Jaqui relax.