“Hannah,” Ben called outside her door and knocked softly.
Hannah groaned in despair. “Yes, Ben?” She tried to sound normal.
“You okay?” He asked she could hear the concern from the other side of the door.
“I’m fine, just really tired.”
“Hannah, talk to me.” Ben tried the door knob twice then stopped. “Why is the door locked?” He sounded hurt and confused.
She was confused herself. Hannah stood up and unlocked the door and opened it a crack. She tried not to sigh when she saw Ben on the other side of her door. He really was too good looking for her piece of mind. “Sorry, I just wanted some space.” As far as lies went it wasn’t the best. Ben was a trained soldier and would see through it in a second. And he did.
“Don’t lie to me, I hate lies. You want me to keep your distance, fine but don’t lock me out. I told you that before. If you have a nightmare or someone breaks in I need to be able to get to you not break down my own doors to get to you.” His voice remained neutral but his words hurt. It hadn’t been smart for her to lock him out. She was having frequent nightmares and he seemed to be the only thing that calmed her. She was just being paranoid.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I’ll close the door but leave it unlocked from now on.” Hannah conceded and unlocked and opened the door.
“Did I do something wrong?” Ben asked concerned.
Why would he think that? “No, why?”
Ben shrugged. “We were having a good time and when the guys left you ran out on me.”
“I ran because…” She didn’t know why ran anymore, how could she tell him?
“Because?” He prompted, stepping closer to her.
“Because I like you.” She told him slowly. It was such a tame word for how she really felt for him but she would never admit that. He was probably used to women liking him and coming on to him. She was just another in a long line. She should have just kept her big mouth shut.
“I like you too.” He told her matter of fact. “That’s no reason to run from me.”
“And what good would it do? I’m going back home as soon as you find the Fox.” Hannah snapped, he had to see that getting close to her was pointless. She would be leaving and never see him again. What good would come of her staying? She had already given them the information they needed. She should just go even if her parents didn’t want her. The thought near crippled her.
“Hannah,” Ben said her name as if in prayer and closed the distance between them and enfolded her in his arms.
Hannah half-heartedly tried to push him away before clinging to him like ivy. She wanted comfort. She had been without it for so long. Tears leaked out of her eyes but she fought to keep them in. Tears couldn’t help her now. They wouldn’t do her any good.
“Do it.” Ben seemed to know what she was fighting and was telling her it was okay to lean on him for support. “I’ll be here for you, Hannah.” The gates opened and Hannah cried until she didn’t think she could cry anymore. When the tears subsided Ben picked her up and carried her to the bed and laid her down gently. “Get some sleep. We have a bad guy to catch in the morning.”
Hannah gave him a watery smile. Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Good night, Hannah.” With that, he left her. Hannah sat in her room feeling bemused. Ben had done nothing wrong and she treated him like one of her captors. He had done nothing but show her kindness. He had even told her he would have her meet with one of the base psychiatrists. Everything would be fine.
Chapter Seven
Hannah had another nightmare that night. Ben had come charging into her room and held her all night long. She refused to let him go. Alejandro’s men found her and dragged her back to Panama and were taking her to Alejandro’s office to punish her. It was his favorite place to torture his victims. She didn’t know why. As the men were holding her down to hurt her a new pair of arms grabbed her and shook her until she opened her eyes and saw Ben hovering above her.
Hannah sagged in bed and tried to compose herself. Just a dream. Alejandro’s men hadn’t found her. She was safe in Ben’s house and in Ben’s arms. Hannah fell asleep holding on to him, afraid if she let go the nightmares would come back.
The next day, Hound showed up with Tiny and Doc telling them that Blade, Hound’s informant was looking into the Fox and that apparently he was already on FBI’s watch list and that he should have more information soon. It wasn’t much but at least it was something.
Ben announced that he was taking Hannah out shopping for new clothes and toiletries she would need. The guys groaned about a woman and her shopping but tagged along and give Ben back up if he needed it. The statement of Alejandro or his men coming for her going unsaid.
“I’ll pay you back, I promise,” Hannah told Ben as they approached the mall.
“Don’t even sweat it.” He told her as he took her hand. His hand was warm and calloused. A warrior’s hand. A hand that had killed but also saved lives.
“Please,
