The thermite triggered throughout the compound. Explosions killed numerous guards as the charges on the vehicles and in the munitions dump detonated simultaneously. Explosions rocked Whitney’s apartment, reducing it to nothing but splinters on the ground, with orange and red flames igniting everywhere.
At the same time, the explosives planted on all three of the guard’s dormitories ignited, lighting up the surrounding jungle and shaking the earth. The world turned orange and red as flames shot into the sky and raced through the shattered remains of buildings.
Inside the laboratory was instant hell as the charges in the communications center tore the building apart and lifted the roof. The walls blew outward, and fire raged in every corner. The force of the explosion threw Diego against the steel legs of the table Bridget was strapped to. Beams from the ceiling rained down along with drywall and boards, all on fire. Ian flung his body over Bridget’s as Diego staggered to his feet, looking for Whitney. The heavy beams, debris, flames and smoke made it impossible to see much. Already, the air was clogged with deadly smoke.
Diego used the knife he still gripped in his fist to slice through the straps holding Bridget prisoner. “Taking you home to Leila, kid,” he announced softly, fearing she might be so disoriented she would fight. They didn’t have time for that.
Bridget nodded and didn’t protest, even though it appeared to hurt her when Ian shifted her weight onto his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Diego tossed the blanket from her gurney over thelowest mound of flames and both men leapt through the fierce red and orange wall to the fiery outside.
“Do you need medical?” Joe demanded as they made it to the rendezvous point.
Ian gently lowered Bridget but kept his arm around her. “Do you?” he asked.
Bridget gave them a wan smile. “I need my sister.”
“Then let’s get the hell out of here,” Joe declared.
20
“Luther,” Leila whispered. “I can’t do this. I really can’t.” She backed away from her uncle toward the door leading outside. Escape. She was more than good at escape. She’d proven that many times over.
“I thought that man was your world, girl.” There was no reprimand. No judgment. Luther was stating facts as he saw them. “Was I wrong?”
“No. Yes. Meaning you aren’t wrong. I am in love with him. I want this more than he does, although he’d never believe it, but there are too many people. Where did they all come from? Who are they? I don’t know any of them, Luther.” She wasn’t in the least confused about loving Diego—or wanting to be his wife. She knew that with total certainty, but their wedding was supposed to be private. Small.
“You’re scared of a crowd? You’re a badass, Leila. He calls you ‘Warrior Woman.’ You can’t be afraid of those people out there.” He indicated the other door, the one he was supposed to walk through with her on his arm.
“I don’t like people staring at me. I stay in the shadows, Luther. This is too much. Nonny said small.”
“This is small in comparison to many of the Cajun weddings, Leila,” Luther said patiently. “From what I gathered, these celebrations can go on for days. Any excuse to party.”
“Days?” She knew her voice sounded faint because she felt that way. She absolutely couldn’t be in that crowd for days. “Go get him, Luther. I have to tell him.”
Luther studied her face. She hoped he could look beyond the perfect makeup Pepper had applied to see her very real distress. She needed Diego to understand she wanted to be his wife. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, but she couldn’t make herself walk out of the little room and face so many strangers.
And then he was there, pouring into her mind with his strength. With love. With absolute command. Her rock.What is it, sweetheart? I can feel your distress.
The moment she felt his touch, the instant he filled the empty places she hadn’t known she had until she’d been with him, the terrible knots in her stomach began to loosen. Her lungs began to work the way they were supposed to.
I’m having a panic attack.She was honest with him. She was always honest with him. No matter how difficult it was, they’d promised each other they’d tell the truth.I don’t mean to hurt you, Diego. This is about me. Facing so many strangers. All of them staring at me.
She felt him move through her mind, a careful assessment.I get it, Leila. I understand completely. We’ve been programmed to stay in the shadows, even if we’re in plain sight. I do know these people. They’re the men who went with me to bring your sister back to you. They’re the ones who took back Gracie for us. They’re the ones who backed our team when we needed to get out of the Congo. And yes, there are a lot of them.
His voice was low and velvet soft. The images and words heused could have been designed to make her feel guilt, but she could feel his sincerity. He was giving her the information because it was the truth.
The knots in her stomach tightened all over again. She wasn’t a coward. She’d never allowed fear to stop her from doing anything she wanted or needed to do. Those men had risked their lives without questioning why they should. Diego’s team members and men from the other teams had done night jumps into the Congo. They had defied General Pillar, going so far as to threaten him. The threat had been subtle, but it was there. The repercussions could have been immense.
I am not telling you who the guests are to get you to walk down that aisle, sweetheart. I wanted to reassure you that I wouldn’t let just anyone come to our wedding. If you want me to cancel it, we can do that.
Did she want that? Had Luther brought him to the room, that was exactly what she would have told him she wanted. Now, thinking about it, she wasn’t so certain. Those men had displayed tremendous courage going into enemy territory. They’d faced Whitney’s personal army of supersoldiers in order to get her sister to freedom.
What were they asking of her? A chance to celebrate. To see their friend Diego married. A chance to have a party. Laugh. Eat. Dance with their women. They’d brought their children with them, and even Gracie was having a good time playing with the other GhostWalker children.
No, we can’t cancel, Diego.She made the decision, and she meant it, but he couldn’t fail to read her trepidation.
Do you want me to walk you down the aisle?
She leaned on him too much. Ever since he’d performed the operation removing her spleen, she’d felt vulnerable. Intellectually, she knew it was because she wasn’t one hundred percent physically fit. She’d always been strong and agile. She hadn’t ever consideredthat she would be injured so badly that she couldn’t defend herself. She hadn’t realized what effect that had had on her mentally.
