He shrugged. “Maybe.”
She shook her head. “You are funny.”
“Thank you. I try.”
She wasn’t sure what to think about Link. She knew Marines, knew how hard they were, how strong they could be. But she’d heard tales of Delta Force operatives, or at least that’s what she thought he was, and they were a cut above. Delta operators were more intense than Marines, and some people called them crazy. This guy was more than she’d expected, and he didn’t seem crazy at all. Instead, he was incredibly focused, and she was glad he was on her side.
Link neededa place for them to hang out and wait for things to settle. Maybe the retaliation from the terrorists would be over, and they could reconnect with his team soon.
Ansley’s strength seemed to be waning. The surge she’d experienced after they’d gotten free must be wearing off. She would eventually stop and be unable to continue.
When they found the next set of stairs, he suggested they head up. Link had to slow down for Ansley and help her climb about halfway up. When they reached the top, Link stopped moving and turned to face her.
“We could stay in here for a while and let things settle down.”
She shook her head. “We don’t know where here is, do we?”
“No, we don’t. But you’re injured, and things are weird up there. I need to reconnect with my team. My coms were destroyed. I’ll have to get in touch with them some other way. Eventually, they’ll send someone looking for me. I’ll need to leave clues, so we’ll have to go out there, but we can rest for a bit right here if you need.”
Ansley didn't look convinced. He understood her hesitancy. She was military like him, but her training hadn't been as intense as his. No units in the military were as intense as Delta Force. SEALs came close, but no others did.
She worked in a unit, and so did he for the most part, but he had to know how to operate alone. If she wasn't here, this would be a cakewalk, but she was with him, and she happened to be injured. He needed to take care of her injuries, even if it meant he had to take on more danger just to keep her safe. Somehow, they would get back to his unit. He just hoped they could do it in one piece.
Chapter 3
Ansley satwith her back against the wall. Link had cut off the lower portion of her left pant leg and was looking at the damage to her ankle and calf.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I might need to amputate.”
Shock pulsed through her. “What?”
His laughter warmed her. “Just kidding. I need to clean it. The second cut, the one on your arm, you might need a stitch or two. The real issue is the first wound. There might be some foreign matter in there, and I’ll need to get it out.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
“I’ve got some alcohol. It’s going to hurt like a bitch.”
“That’s fine since I’m a bitch.”
He threw back his head, laughter spilling out, warming her. “I’m sure you’re not.”
“You don’t know me.”
“Truth. I don’t.”
Link handed her a small metal rod. “What do you want me to do with this?” she asked.
“Hold it. The alcohol is going to burn when I pour it on your wound. Squeeze that instead of screaming.”
She nodded and squeezed the rod with her hand. “Do it.”
He was right. Pain slid through her like lightning, sparking nerves she didn't know she had, and stealing air from her lungs. A scream wanted to escape, but she held it in by squeezing her eyes and mouth closed. Her body shook so much that her eyes rolled up in the back of her head.
“You okay?” Link asked.
She nodded as she tried to catch her breath. “Yeah. Never better.”
