Page 90 of Sweet Betrayal

She had two broken ribs, was dehydrated, and the cut in her cheek required stitches, but all in all had come off pretty lightly considering what could have happened.

He hadn’t had a chance to talk to her yet. As soon as they’d arrived on board the warship, he’d been conferenced into a call with the Ministry of Defense, and she’d gone straight to the ship’s medic to be stitched up.

He desperately needed to talk to her—in private. In an hour, they’d dock in Abu Dhabi and be transferred to a military flight back to the U.S. There were things he had to say.

“Excuse me,” he said to the captain before making his way to the clinic.

The clinic was empty of patients, save for the one bed that Hannah lay in. She looked pale and gaunt with a dressing over her left cheek. The blue gown she was wearing showed up her bruises. Abdul Anwar had really done a number on her.

He clenched his fists. A quick death was too good for that fucker.

A Navy medic checked her pulse and adjusted the drip that rehydrated her. She turned and spotted him, and her face broke into a smile.

He felt his stomach flutter.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better.” She patted the bed. “Sit down.”

He glanced at the nurse. “Do you mind giving us some privacy?” he asked.

He gave a curt nod and disappeared into the adjoining office.

Tom sat on the bed. “I’m so glad you’re all right. You had me worried there, for a moment.”

“I’m fine, thanks to you.” She paused. “I was told you had help.”

“Yeah, there were two SBS units onboard. They helped bust you out.”

The way she was looking at him. It made him catch his breath. Damn, there were so many things he wanted to say, he just didn’t know how.

“I can’t believe you came back.”

“I never left.” He took her hand. “I told you I’d get you out. I keep my promises.”

“But the intel?” Questions filled her gaze and he realized she hadn’t been told what had happened.

“I relayed it to the captain from the dock. The marine frequencies were working. The captain passed it on to my CO who contacted the State Department. It’s all good.”

“The strikes were called off?”

“Yes.” He squeezed her hand. “We did it.”

She smiled and leaned her head back on the pillow. “You did it, Tom.”

He opened his mouth, but she held up a hand. “Please don’t tell me you were just doing your job. I don’t think I could bear it.”

He chuckled. “I wasn’t going to. I came back because…” He hesitated. Words had never been his strong point. “I love you.”

There. He’d said it. His heart was thumping like an Uzi, but he’d told her.

Her eyes fluttered. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” He was getting braver now. “I’d never have left you there. Even if I’d had to come to the mainland to relay the message, I’d have found a way back to you.”

“It’s so good to hear you say that,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “I feel the same way. I have, ever since. . .” She laughed. “I don’t know precisely when. Probably when you kissed me in the sandstorm.”

He laughed, suddenly absurdly happy. She felt the same! “Do you think you can find room for a cranky U.S. Marine in your life?” He stroked her face, damaged but so beautiful. “Because I don’t think I can leave you again.”

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