Page 53 of Maddox

Fuck.

I jerked up, taking gasping breaths. Immediately I reached for my weapon, my fingers doing nothing more than gripping air. As my heartrate slowed, I realized I was covered in sweat.

The sheets were twisted around my legs from the horrible fight endured in my fitful sleep.

Hell, sleep was rare, nightmares a mainstay. Why should tonight be any different?

After taking additional deep breaths, I glanced to my left.

Charmaine was still sleeping, unaware of the constant war I had with my mind. Good. The last thing I’d wanted to do was to disturb her.

One bed.

I should have stayed on the couch. I should have stayed awake. Instead, I’d allowed the hunger for her not only to fuel dark desires, but to keep me from doing my job. The one I’d been hired to do.

I hauled in an even longer breath, holding the stale air in my lungs. When I breathed out, I fisted both hands. Right now, I needed to engage in a fight, beating the crap out of someone. Doing so would curtail some of the anger, at least for a little while.

Frustration furrowed deep inside, swilling as it had done for years. I was fucking sick to death of being held hostage to the same nightmares, the same horrible moments.

There was nothing worse than the loss of control. Daylight was fine, but at night all hell broke loose.

Remaining as silent as possible, I jerked the covers free, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.

I’d sent Gray a text letting him know we were safe. The anticipated arrival of the plane? Tomorrow afternoon. That wasn’t soon enough for me, but there needed to be caution in flying into the country.

The only noise in the room was the slight whirling of the overhead fan. I tipped my head, taking another series of breaths as I studied the shadows on the ceiling.

I cradled my head in my hands, willing the images to stop. In accepting the assignment, I’d known the nightmares could worsen. I’d just need to learn to deal with them.

At this point, it was just better to remain awake and finish the day. I was hopeful we’d received news of a plane made available. At least from the apartment to the airport was only about fifteen miles. Enough to worry about, but not enough to alter any plans.

After standing, I took another look at her sleeping form.

Being close to Charmaine, while dangerous, had provided a limited moment of peace. For that I’d be grateful.

But this couldn’t happen again.

I think we both knew it.

I snagged the weapon from the dresser, my phone from the pocket of my cargo pants, listening for any other sounds coming from the apartment. There were none, although the activity on the street was still ongoing.

Santiago had kept his word, supplying us both with clothes and food. Although his twisted sense of humor had caused him to leave me garish shorts meant for tourists and idiots.

I was neither.

However, given the oppressive heat, they allowed some modicum of comfort.

The apartment was dark, lights from the businesses and streetlights creating an ominous glow several feet into the room.

I felt at a loss without the usual equipment I’d grown accustomed to while serving in the Navy, the state-of-the-artcomponents designed with extractions in mind. All I had were weapons, my cellphone including GPS, and my training.

Against a potential army.

By all accounts, there were over a thousand soldiers working for Alfaro. The man certainly wasn’t a fool and had no issue gunning down anyone who stood in his way.

Including those from the Honduran government. There was no love lost between them, but Alfaro created his own set of brutal rules. I’d learned that the hard way.

One of two missions that had taken its toll on my mind and my emotions.

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