She looked back up at Jake as he continued talking to his team. His words faded out as Olivia thought about the way he’d been with her in the cave before Shorty and Mateo had shown up. How he’d risked his life to keep his promise and free them both from those two monsters. And the way he’d pulled her into his arms and kissed her afterward.
He was so strong. So brave. Despite everything that had happened to them, Olivia’s lower body began to stir. Okay, so maybe there’s one more thing I want.
Jake turned and caught her eye. His brow lifted. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said, surprised when the word came out all husky. Damn. She really had zero control when it came to this man.
Jake gave her a slow, knowing smile and winked again before turning back to the conversation with his team. Olivia looked at the four men surrounding her. She’d never felt more grateful—or protected—in her life.
Trevor glanced down at her feet. “I’ll take a look at those when we get to the hotel. We’ll get them cleaned up, and I’ll get you started on some antibiotics, too.”
When she looked to Jake for understanding, he smiled and said, “Trev’s not just a hired gun, Liv. He’s also our medic.”
Jake had originally introduced Trevor to her as one of his military buddies. When she’d probed for specifics about what his job was, Trevor had given her the same song and dance Jake had. Former active duty, a few tours overseas, and then a desk jockey.
Trevor gave her an apologetic smile, and Olivia surprised herself by chuckling and shaking her head. At this point, she couldn’t care less that they’d both lied about their jobs.
“A fellow medical professional, huh? Well, I’ll let you take a look, but not until after I’ve had a shower.
Three of the men chuckled at that. Grant kept stoically quiet, and Olivia was struck with an odd sense of sadness for a man she didn’t even know. Something had happened to make him this hardened warrior, and Olivia found herself hoping one day, she’d get the chance to see him smile.
The next hour passed by in a blur. They finally reached the helicopter, and not a minute too soon. Jake strapped her in before taking the seat beside her. She couldn’t keep from moaning at the glorious feeling of sitting down on an actual cushioned seat. Within minutes, they were airborne.
Staring out the opening on the helicopter’s side, Olivia knew she’d never been happier to leave a place behind. She’d just leaned her head back against the padded seat and closed her eyes when Jake’s strong, calloused hand found hers. He rested their joined hands on his thigh, and they sat like that for the remainder of their trip.
Jake had given her a set of headphones after they’d taken off, and she half-listened as he finished filling his team in on everything. Well, almost everything. Thankfully, he left out the specifics about what they were doing when those two men found them in the cave.
The steady thump, thump, thump of the helicopter’s motor was oddly soothing, and soon, Olivia started to doze. She still managed to pick up bits and pieces of the guys’ conversation, like the part about their teammate who’d been injured.
Coop had been shot in the leg, but had already been treated back in the States for the through and through. He was recuperating at home with their other teammate, Mac, there to help.
When Trevor told Jake that Mac was making sure Coop followed doctor’s orders, Olivia heard a few low chuckles. She wondered what that was all about, but was too exhausted to ask.
A while later, the chopper bounced, startling her awake. Jake squeezed her hand a little tighter, and she turned to find him looking at her as if she were about to shatter.
“Okay?”
She stared at him a moment longer before turning her head toward his team. Derek was at the controls, Grant was in the other front seat, and Trevor sat across from Jake. “I will be,” she looked back to Jake. “Thanks to all of you.”
He brought her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips against it. That whole, heart-skipping-a-beat cliché? Turns out it’s not a cliché after all. Their eyes locked, and Olivia knew she was staring into her future.
A short time later, the chopper landed in a small field. When Jake helped her climb out, she saw a white, van waiting for them on a gravel road just a few yards away. She didn’t bother to ask where it came from.
A man who appeared to be local drove. Grant sat in the front passenger seat, and Olivia was nestled snugly between Trevor and Jake in the middle seat. Derek sat in the center of the third row with his arms stretched out to his sides.
He looked relaxed, as if they were on a Sunday drive, but she knew better. No one actually came out and said it, but from the way she was surrounded, Olivia suspected they were all still very much in protective mode.
The driver spoke up, his Hispanic accent thick. “The motel you will be staying at is not far, now.”
To Jake, Olivia asked, “We aren’t staying at the one you told me about?”
“Senior Ryker instructed me to make other arrangements for you,” the driver answered for him. “He did not want the men returning to the same place as before. So as not to draw attention to yourselves. Also, the rooms are accessible from the outside, just as he requested. Will make it easier to get the woman in and out without being seen.”
Apparently, this was a good thing because Jake nodded his approval. Olivia tilted her head up to him, her question showing in her eyes.
“The world still thinks you’re dead, sweetheart. For the time being, we’d like to keep it that way. At least
