Page 11 of Edge of Desperation

“That’s right, pet,” Dmitri grunts and licks the wetness off my face. “Cry for me. Your tears just make me harder.”

I scream and thrash to get away from him, but it’s no use. I’m trapped.

“Aurora!”

My eyelids fly open. Jaxson is inches from my face and gripping my arms. I flinch back into the seat.

It was just a nightmare… right?

CHAPTER 3

JAXSON

“Don’t touch me.”

Aurora wiggles free from my grasp. I hold my hands up in surrender, not wanting to freak her out more than she already is.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” I say softly. “You were screaming and struggling in your sleep.”

“Looked like you were having a nightmare,” Hudson pipes up.

I share a look with Hudson. We don’t say it out loud, but we’re both thinking it. How could anyone go through what she did and not have fucking nightmares? I’m surprised she’s holding it together as well as she is.

“We’re beginning our descent,” the pilot announces over the intercom. “Buckle up.”

I roam my eyes over her face once more before returning to my seat.

Aurora’s shoulders slump, but she keeps a firm grip on the blanket around her. “How long was I out?”

“‘Bout ten hours or so,” Hudson replies.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re back on U.S. soil. Aurora attempts to stand, but her legs give out, and she crashes back into her seat.

“Let me help you.” I weave my arms under her and lift her gently into my arms. Tears well up in her eyes. “Hudson, are we taking out the IV?”

“Nah, we’ll keep it in.” Hudson takes the bag down from the hook. “She needs more fluids anyway. Now the hospital won’t have to poke her again.” He places the empty bag against her chest along with the extra hanging tubing. “Hold on to this, okay?”

She nods. “My dad?”

“He’s outside waiting for you,” I confirm. “Alpha team, go!”

My men exit the plane first. We might be on a marine base, but Aurora is our mission until she’s safe in her father’s arms. Hudson marches off the plane behind me, taking a defensive position just like the men in front of me.

“Aurora!” General Parks shouts, rushing toward me.

“D-D-Daddy,” Aurora hiccups, reaching for him.

An anguished cry erupts from her small frame as I transfer her to her father’s waiting arms. I want to pull Aurora back into my chest, but I know it’s not my place to provide the comfort that she’s seeking at the moment. The longer she’s in her father’s embrace, the harder she cries. The EMTs surround them, and Aurora grips her father’s jacket tighter, fighting to stay in his arms. The problem is the medical workers are all men, and Aurora is screaming while trying to get away from them. General Parks is struggling to keep Aurora in his arms as she swings at another pair of hands that reach for her. I can’t take it anymore and push my way through.

“Get the fuck back,” I roar.

My men quickly form a barrier around the general and Aurora, pushing everyone back. Aurora calms slightly and stops fighting her father. Her sobs hit me directly in the chest, and I fight the urge to turn and snatch her back where I know she’ll be safe.

“We need to assess the victim,” one jackass yells.

“Call her a victim again, and I’ll rearrange your face, motherfucker,” Carver sneers.

“Aurora’s a survivor,” Thomas hollers. “Fucking treat her with the respect she deserves instead of pawing at her.”

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