We leave Hell Island, hang a Louie, and minutes later, turn at a sign with an arrow pointing towardAl Dhafra Air Base.
The assholes were holding us less than a mile from US troops? Man, that… that takes balls.
While I ponder this, Suds gives no indication we’re a couple. He stares into the dark, his face void. Maybe, killing the two khaki-men weighs on his conscience. If so, I wish we could go back in time and I’d shoot them because I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Those guards were protecting the vilest of men.
At the security gate, a soldier grins and salutes Patten’s Four Musketeers. Driving past housing for thousands, we stop in front of a large structure where another serviceman opens the SUV’s door. When my bare toes touch free soil, my knees go weak, and I wobble until a strong arm wraps around my waist.
“Whoa there, sugar, I got you.” His soft warm breath in my ear contrasts his body armor digging into my side.
Sienna, still in heels, dashes across the drive and into her husband’s open arms. “Andy!”
I envy how they kiss, hug, and openly weep. My emotions will sit and fester until sometime next week. Out of the blue, while doing my nails or brushing my teeth, I’ll fall to pieces. When that happens, I know Suds will be there to help me put Humpty Dumpty back together again.
A woman salutes the guys and points the women to a long barracks. “Y’all will be staying there. We’ll wake you at six sharp and you’ll take off at six-twenty.”
My fiancé tucks a lock of hair behind my ear and catches my eye. “You ready to go? The Captain will want me to debrief.”
I wrap my hands around his neck, hug him close, and kiss him with all my might. “I’m fine. Go. Thank you for saving me.”
Shaking his head, he squeezes my hand, then turns all military, setting me aside. “I can’t believe I damn near lost you. I’ll see you in the morning. I love you, Samantha.”
“I love you, too, Sebs.”
The four SEALs stroll across the compound toward Andy, now arguing with Sienna. I catch a few phrases such as baby, medic, and hospital. Eventually, she follows a man toward a building with a red cross on it.
I understand her not wanting to leave. My heart is torn as they go one way while we women are led to a long narrow barracks. Inside, the young servicewoman switches on fluorescent lights to reveal two rows of pristine cots. At our end of the long room, a folding table is piled high with wrapped sandwiches. Nearby, water bottles float in a partially melted tub of ice.
“Grab whatever you need. There’s a change of clothes on the bed. One size fits all.” The dark woman steps back, standing in parade rest.
She waits while we eat and slip under the covers. Not until we’re all settled, does she turn out the lights. I don’t even remember hitting the pillow when a hand shakes me awake.
Adrenaline courses as I try to make sense of the surroundings. I kick, surprised my legs aren’t bound.Where am I?
The woman from last night pauses before daring to move closer. “I’m sorry, ma’am. The commander wants to speak with you.”
Crap. I feel like I got run over by a Mack truck.“Yeah, sure. Give me a sec.”
I rub my eyes open, then slide my feet out of bed and into a pair of flip-flops lit by the woman’s phone.
With plastic snapping loudly against my heel, we trot toward the edifice the men went into last night. We traverse a long hallway, go up a set of stairs, and end up in a roomful of headphone-wearing navy personnel, typing madly on keyboards.
A frowny-faced Suds and a bald brown man talk quietly at the back. As I near, the older guy holds out his hand.
“Ah, Ms. Russo. Welcome. I’m Captain Farooq.”
My fiancé closes the distance between us and slides his arm across my back, hand to my shoulder. “The commander wants you to answer a few questions.”
“What time is it?” Yawning, I try to focus on the nearest laptop but the digits are too small.
“Two AM ma’am.”The man responsible for me missing my beauty sleep holds up a peace offering. “Coffee?”
“Oh God, yes.” I take a big swallow, then manage a polite smile at the bitter brew. “Before we start, how’s Sienna?”
Farooq studies my face. “Fine. She’s resting. She told my staff everyone owes you their lives.”
“I didn’t do anything. You should’ve heard her singing and how she lifted everyone’s spirits.” A montage of memories fast forwards in my mind’s eye.
I recall each of the teenagers and worry they might be dropped off at a homeless shelter. “Can you believe some of the girls thought they’d be better off in Dubai?”
