His confidence and competence as he’d driven the moped down the mountain had been shockingly arousing.And the way he’d handled his gun…
Her cheeks heated.
But she’d seen a softer side to him as well.
His genuine concern for her when they’d first met.His fear when looking for Ethan.The no-nonsense way he cut through Vance’s bullshit.
All of it added up to a man she wanted to get to know better.
She trusted him when he said he’d get them out of here.His conviction was impossible to dismiss.And she knew enough about the special forces to understand if he couldn’t help her, no one could.
But she was the weak link here.If she couldn’t keep up and move when they had to move, she’d get them both killed.
And she couldn’t risk Damien like that.
With that in mind she turned her attention to sleep.
***
Dobby exhaled in relief as Mila closed her eyes and almost immediately fell asleep.Every time he thought he understood who she was, she did something that surprised him.Never in all his operations had his target cared about his well-being.
And despite her exhaustion, she was thinking strategically.He shouldn’t have offered her the water to clean herself.Not when they might be here for a few more days and would need it all for drinking.He’d been worried about her comfort.
Foolish, losing focus of the mission.
But after a few short hours, he cared for Mila more than he was comfortable with.
He closed his eyes for a second and exhaled again.
What a day.
The radio he used wouldn’t be able to contact the helicopter or the ship, and though he had a satellite phone, there was no point using it until he had a plan.For the moment they were on their own.
They had enough food and water for two days, and they could shelter in the forest.But soon the villages, waterways, and skies would be full of emergency response people searching for survivors.
If they were picked up, it would be obvious he was special forces, and he had no legitimate reason to be here.
Finding different clothes would be useful though he doubted anything the villagers owned would fit him even if it had survived.
He definitely wanted to get Mila new shoes.
Maybe something would wash up on the beach.He didn’t want to go far into the water with the rips and whirlpools from the tsunami.
What a mess.
Dobby glanced at Mila.Leaving her alone wasn’t the best option, but he had to scout the village and the ocean.
The salvage operation would be well underway and if there was a boat to salvage, he wanted it.
The rotors of the helicopter nearby whirled.He checked the canopy covered them as the noise increased.
Mila sat bolt upright with a gasp, eyes wide with terror.He placed a hand on her shoulders.“It’s OK.It’s the helicopter leaving.”
She nodded, but glanced towards the ocean, her eyes a little glassy.The sound was a little similar to the tsunami.No wonder she was terrified.He stroked her arm.
After the military helicopter flew overhead towards Batara, he said, “Go back to sleep.I’m going to scout the area, so don’t worry if I’m not here when you wake up.”
“Shouldn’t I go with you?”
