Page 61 of Rescuing Josiah
But there was no other choice.
Neither of them was armed, and while he knew Chelsea could shoot a gun with reasonable accuracy and had trained in self-defense ever since she started working at Prey, since Eagleinsisted on mandatory lessons for all employees with no prior military experience, she wasn't trained enough to come with him. He could kill with his bare hands without batting an eye, and as soon as he got his hands on a weapon, it would make things even easier.
Not that he planned on using one when he found Dr. Gant.
The doctor deserved a longer, slower, more painful death.
Keeping Chelsea with him would put her in greater danger, so as they’d walked the mansion today, they’d also kept an eye out for good hiding places.
Their room was out, because once Prey breached the estate’s perimeter, Desiree Tilly and Dr. Gant would suspect that it was him and Chelsea who had led them there. That meant he either had to stay in there and guard Chelsea or get her out of the room.
The anger that raged inside him insisted that he take an active role in bringing down the ring. He needed to shed blood, get his hands dirty.
Maybe he hadn't been able to get justice—or revenge—for his teammates, but he could get it for Ava, Isabella, Teresa, the woman slated to be Chelsea’s donor, and every other innocent victim the organ trafficking ring had claimed.
“How much longer do you think?” Chelsea whispered into the dark.
“Not much,” he assured her, unable to resist skimming a hand the length of her spine. In truth, he didn't know. There was every chance the trafficking ring was using some sort of jammer, and their signal hadn't been picked up, but he didn't believe that to be the case.
If it was and Prey hadn't arrived by morning, then he would take Chelsea and they’d run. He’d cut out his tracker and leave it close to the perimeter of the estate, and then they’d bring Prey back with them.
Whatever happened, protecting his girl was his number one priority.
And he wasn't even going to consider the fact that he’d just called Chelsea his.
Thankfully, he didn't have time to examine it because the hoot of an owl flitted through the open windows.
“Is that them?” Chelsea asked, already sitting up.
Another hoot followed the first, and then a third. Three in quick succession, the signal he and Alpha Team had discussed.
“Showtime,” he told her, the same words he’d uttered when they were lying in their bed at the townhouse waiting for this all to begin. Now it was almost over, and he wouldn't have any excuses left.
He would have to confront his future and decide what it was going to look like.
For now, though, he had a trafficking ring to destroy.
Both of them threw back the covers and climbed out of the bed. Josiah grabbed a pair of dark colored jeans and a black T-shirt from the clothing that had been provided for them. Not as good as the usual tactical gear he’d wear if he’d been with his SEAL team, but it would at least help him blend a little better into the darkness, and he had his Kevlar vest on.
Safe.
So long as he had that on, he was safe.
Too bad he didn't have one for Chelsea. Still, at least she’d be hiding away and not out where any bullets would be flying.
“You remember what to do?” he asked as he shoved his feet into shoes.
Chelsea was half dressed, but she paused to roll her eyes at him. “After we’ve gone over it at least four dozen times before we lay down in bed to pretend to go to sleep, do you really think there is any chance at all that I might have forgotten?”
“What do you do?” he asked, enunciating each word, because while Chelsea was obviously feeling good enough to be all sassy, he was not. There had not been a single mission he’d embarked on with his SEAL team, not even his very first, that he’d been this on edge, this afraid. There was always a bit of nerves, the knowledge he might not come home, but there wasn't this full-on fear that made it difficult to function.
“I wait fifteen minutes, because that was your plan with Alpha Team, and then I go and find the linen closet at the far end of the hall and hide in there until you or someone else I recognize comes to get me.” She parroted back what they'd gone over, amusement in her tone. There was a bit of trepidation there, too, and he knew she was trying to lighten both their moods with a little bit of humor.
“Smart Alec,” he muttered, but as soon as he was dressed and ready to go, he strode over to her, grabbed her shoulders, and dragged her closer so he could crush his mouth to hers.
The future was uncertain, but nothing could change the fact that he cared deeply for this woman.
Might even love her.
