Page 28 of ELITE Justice
She managed a smile. “If hurting me is what you’re worried about, you’ve forgotten I’m a trained Army nurse. I’ve treated men like you, in their worst pain, who wake up fighting.” She leaned in and held him. Her warm naked body against his was soothing, comforting this time, not arousing. “Sleep with me. It’ll be okay.” She laid her hand on his chest and gently pushed him back onto the bed.
They lay in each other’s arms, each stroking the others’ bare back. Whether it was the outstanding sex, or the emotions of his last confession that took its toll, Jonathan had the best sleep in years.
Feeling refreshed the next morning, razor in hand, he looked at the man in the mirror. He liked what he saw. It was as though a weight had been lifted. He’d been freed from bonds that leashed him to his past.
Gwen had done this for him. She was amazing. And his. As he scraped the reddish stubble from his jaw, he glanced at the door, her sleeping body on the other side, wondering if they had time for a proper morning wakeup. He glanced down at the tented towel around his waist and decided she could be late.
They had fallen into a routine. Men from Guardian would take turns eating at Up In Smoke throughout the day; no hardship, given the terrible cook at the center. Jonathan helped Griffin and Quin with the training, sat in on update calls from Alex, and protected Gwen every night while in her bed.
The teenage boys hadn’t shown at the diner but given the conversations their parents were having—information surprisingly shared by Homeland Security—it was no wonder. The adults surrounding the teens were deeply embedded in the Dallas terrorist cell. Although Friday had been confirmed as the intended date, there had been multiple choices as to the location. Dallas was a hopping city that liked to party on the weekend, especially in the promised good weather.
It wasn’t a surprise to anyone at Guardian when Alex showed up very late Wednesday night. What did surprise Jonathan was that he immediately wanted to meet Gwen. She was in charge of closing that night and agreed to the meeting as long as Alex came to her.
Jonathan glanced up at the big diner clock at eleven-fifty as Alex strode in, Quin and Griffin right behind him.
“Alex, nice to see you,” Jonathan shook his hand. “Has the threat level against Gwen increased?”
“No,” Alex smiled as Gwen approached. “I just wanted to meet the woman who discovered what might be the second most lethal terrorist plot against the United States. We weren’t able to stop 9/11 but thanks to five teenage boys gossiping in this diner, and the brilliance of one former Army lieutenant, we may have thwarted attacks in every major city.”
“Every city?” Her eyes were huge.
“Yes.” Alex explained, “From the cellphone calls, Homeland determined that this attack was directed by Caliph Ibrahim, the leader of the Islamic State. He wanted to prove he was better than al Qaeda by hurting the USA more than al Zawahiri’s predecessor, Osama bin Laden.”
Shock washed over Gwen’s face. “Did they…are they getting the others?”
Jonathan put his arm around her in support.
Alex’s satisfied grin said more than his words. “Over a thousand warrants are being served Thursday night by the FBI in every major city.” He sighed, “Except Dallas. They can’t find Aqil, the man the boys indicated planted bombs, and they don’t want to tip him off by arresting others. The FBI has brought in agents from all over Texas and has teams waiting throughout the city, ready to take down this cell.”
Jonathan quickly texted his friend, Archer Stillman, to see if he had been pulled into the area.
You in Dallas hanging out with handcuffs?
Not by choice. You know about this shitstorm?
Jonathan smiled. More than he would ever share, least of all in a text.
LOL. Right in the middle. Drinks afterward?
He would love to catch up with his friend and would need alcohol after this was over.
Definitely. Going to be a long few days.
Arch had that right.
Stay safe, my friend.
Jonathan hoped everyone would be able to return home safe and sound once they had resolved this mess.
You do the same. Looks like we’re moving out. Talk soon.
Arch had just given him some of the best news of the night.
The diner door opened, and a disheveled Kane entered.
“We’re closed,” Quin commanded and sneered.
“No shit.” Kane gazed at Gwen who nodded then walked into the back without another glance at the group of men.
