She looked wrecked, barefoot, hair tangled, dirt smudged across her cheek, scrapes marking her skin. But she was standing. Breathing. Here.
The relief that hit him was so intense his hands shook.
She was stronger than he'd given her credit for.
Rachel looked up at him, eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I didn't know if you'd come."
Ghost's jaw clenched. "I will always come for you."
The words were out before he could stop them. Before he could think about what they meant.
His hand rose to her face. His knuckles grazed her cheek, finding a smudge of dirt near her jaw. His touch was rough but careful. Rachel's eyes closed and she leaned into his palm. He felt some of the tension drain out of her.
When she opened her eyes again, her breathing had evened out. Ghost let his hand fall away.
"They finally left around five a.m.," she said quietly. "I stayed hidden longer, just to be sure. Then I came back up to see what they'd done."
Ghost dragged a hand down his face. "Jesus Christ, Rachel."
She managed a half-smile. "Survival instincts."
He almost laughed but there was no humor in it. His eyes hadn't left her since she'd crashed into him, but now he really looked at her. His gaze traveled down and he stopped.
Stared.
"You did all that in... this?"
Rachel followed his line of sight and her face flushed. She was wearing a thin red nightgown, silk that barely covered her thighs, straps so delicate they looked like they'd snap if he touched them.
"I didn't exactly have time to change," she said.
Ghost's hand lifted before he could stop himself. His fingers brushed from her hip up along her waist. His knuckles grazed the side of her breast and he felt her breath hitch. Heat spread through him.
He caught one of the delicate straps between his fingers, rubbing the silk. "This doesn't leave much to the imagination."
Her voice came out quieter. "At least I had something on..."
Ghost's eyes went dark. His nostrils flared. For a second his hand pressed firmer against her hip. Every instinct screamed at him to pull her closer. He forced himself to step back instead.
He saw what it did to her, the flash of disappointment in her eyes before she hid it.
Ghost dragged a hand through his hair, forcing himself back into tactical mode. "Did they take anything?"
She shook her head. "No. I think they were looking for something specific."
"The evidence?"
She nodded.
"I put everything on a thumb drive. Wiped my phone and laptop clean before I flew back to San Diego."
Ghost's whole body went rigid. "You said something about illegal arms trade in your voicemail. Is that what this is about?"
"Yes."
His hands curled into fists. "Did you uncover this in Afghanistan?"
Rachel hesitated, then nodded.
