She thanked him, and they stood there talking a few more minutes, Luciana seeming content to enjoy his front yard.
She hadn’t had the freedom to spend time outdoors, he suddenly realized.Of course she hadn’t.He felt foolish for not noting that sooner.Even the littlest things had been stolen from her—enjoying a sunrise or sunset, feeling the rain or wind on her face.The fact that bringing her here to his home was the right thing to do was further cemented in his mind.It wasn’t orthodox in the least, but nothing about this mission had been.
He was lucky he’d escaped disciplinary action.His clean record worked in his favor, but Harrison knew he’d toed the line.Admiral Swenson wouldn’t be happy if he crossed it.
Harrison cleared his throat, his focus back on Luciana.“I’ve got a large patio out back.You’re of course welcome to spend time out there.The backyard is safe,” he added.“You can relax, read, enjoy the sunshine, whatever you want.”
“Si.Thank you.I missed the freedom of being able to go outside whenever I chose,” she said, her voice now holding a trace of sadness.“It’s funny the freedoms you don’t even realize you had until they’re taken away.”
“I just figured that out,” he admitted.“It’s easy to take something for granted without realizing how precious it truly is.”
She glanced over at him, and something passed between them.A moment.An understanding.They had a connection he couldn’t quite explain.He barely knew Luciana, despite the dossier he’d compiled on her background, and Harrison realized he wanted to know it all.What made her happy or sad.What her favorite foods were.How she spent her free time.What gave her joy.
“You deserve to be free,” he said, his voice husky.“They stole that from you.”
“They did, but I’m luckier than a lot of girls.My fate could have been quite different had your SEAL team not stepped in.”She looked at him quizzically for a moment, no doubt wondering how they’d gotten involved.
The sound of a car in the distance had them turning toward the road, that part of the conversation over.“That’s Ryan and Avery.I don’t get much traffic here, and my neighbors are further down the street.”
“Oh my gosh.I can’t wait to see her,” Luciana gushed, tears suddenly smarting her eyes.She swiped them away.
Harrison’s hands fisted at his sides.He had no right to touch her.
Luciana moved slightly closer to him as the car pulled up, and a funny feeling filled his chest.He liked that she felt safe at his side.He liked having her close, too, he realized.Harrison was protective of those he cared about, and while they might be near strangers, he felt protective of her, too.Luciana’s head only came up to his shoulder, and he noted in surprise how perfectly she’d fit against him.
Not that he’d be taking her into his arms.
Ryan pulled to a stop, and before he’d even turned off the engine, Avery had climbed out of the vehicle.Luciana froze for only a second, then was rushing toward her, both women crying as they embraced in the driveway.
“You’re okay, you’re really okay!”Avery said, clinging to Luciana.
“Si.I am safe now.We’re both safe.”
Ryan walked over to Harrison as they let the women have their moment.Harrison eyed the bags in his hands.“Commander, Avery and I bought a few things for Luciana—shorts, tee shirts, sweatpants, undergarments.This should tide her over for a bit.Av said she’ll take her shopping to get whatever else she needs.”
“I appreciate it,” Harrison said, taking the bags from him.He glanced down, catching a glimpse of a satiny bra inside.There were more utilitarian clothes, too, and he looked to the women again.He didn’t need to be looking through Luciana’s personal items.“If Luciana isn’t ready to go out in public, I can give her my credit card to order things online for now,” he mused.
“It might take some time,” Ryan agreed.“Avery was ready to pick up and move on with life rather quickly, but she wasn’t a hostage for nearly as long.”
Harrison grunted in affirmation, anger winding through him once more.It killed him to think about Luciana scared and helpless, at the mercy of men who were no better than animals.It was almost worse not knowing what specifically she endured, because his mind went to the worst things imaginable.
“How’d Avery handle the news of Luciana’s rescue?”Harrison asked, his gaze still on the women.“I’m guessing it was quite a shock.”
“She was ecstatic.I told her over the phone, and she was ready to go the second I pulled into our driveway.I had to convince her to let me change out of my uniform first,” he said with a low chuckle.
“It’ll be good for both women to be together so they can heal,” Harrison said.
“Absolutely.Avery’s been stressed ever since we rescued her.I think it was a bit of survivor’s guilt.She was happy we saved her but also worried about Luciana.It was gut-wrenching for Avery to have no idea where she was or if she was even alive.Now that Luciana’s safe, Avery told me that we should wipe those cartel members off the face of the Earth.”
Harrison smirked.“She might be on to something.I want to rip the balls right off those fuckers for ever touching a woman, but eliminating them once and for all sounds like an even better idea to me.”
