She didn’t let go of his hand until they landed, and the cargo doors opened. An MP, military police, escortedher away from Ben to the car. She looked back at Ben, and he gave her an encouraging smile and nod. Hannah was nervous. Last time she left him, she had a breakdown. What would happen this time? Hoping for the best, Hannah got in the car and watched Ben as he and his team disappeared. She sat rigid in the car watching the MP out of the corner of her eye the whole time. She didn’t trust anyone but Ben. She reached for the knife Ben had given her but realized too late that Ben had taken it from her when she had the break down in the hospital. Shit.
The MP drove easily to the office and escorted her to a room with a steel table and a one-way mirror. Hannah stopped dead in her tracks. No way was she going in there. This wasn't what she agreed to. Ben never told her she'dbe kept in a box. Hannah tried to back pedal and escape, but the MP stood behind her and pushed her in, closing the door behind her.
"Let me out," Hannah yelled hysterically while banging on the steel door and jiggling the handle. Ben lied to her. He didn’t want her help. He wanted her captive. Hannah knew she shouldn’t have trusted him. He was a soldier and supposed to be helping people, but now he wanted her out of the way. She knew to much about Alejandro and they wanted her out of the way. Luring her with false hope of just needing answers from her then taking her home. She had to find a way out. She looked around frantically for an exit. She had to get out. She had to escape.
~
Benand his team turned in their weapons and hastened to CommanderBrady’s office.Benwas in a hurry to get back to Hannah and check on her. She looked scared to be separated from him, but he hardened his heart to her and gave her a nod of approvaland watched her disappear. He couldn’t lose himself to this girl again. It would serve no purpose. She was just part of the mission. He needed to remind himself of that.
"Hey focus." Sunshine nudged him before they walked into the Commander's office.
Benshoved him back before knocking on the door and waited for the Commander to announce enter. They filed in and stood at attention.
"At ease," the Commanderordered. He was in his late forty’s and had been their commander for the past five years.
"What the fuck happened?" Commander Brady barked.
And he was obviously in a bad mood.
"Sir,"Bentried to explain but Commander Brady held up a hand staying him.
"Save it. I gave you a simple mission. Save the hostages, downloaddata from a computer, and get the shipment. I don’t remember anywhere in there you were supposed to bring one of those hostages here or blow up half of Alejandro’s base."
"Sir, she has critical information about our enemyand the smuggling of drugs out of the country. We were also ambushed as we were leaving."
"You think someone set you up? You’re god damn Delta Force. It shouldn’t matter what obstacle you face. You’re trained to handle it, not make up excuses. Furthermore, your job had nothing to do with drugs. Rescue hostages and get the data. Nothing more and nothing less. If drugs are involved that’s a job for the DEA, not you. I told you to retrieve the shipment there was never any intel that it was drugs." CommanderBrady’s eyes blazed fury.
"Sir, with all due respect."
"You don't know the meaning of the word." Commander Brady's voice boomed loud enoughBenwouldn’t be surprised if half the base heard him. "That woman leaves now. Do I make myself clear?”
"Sir, yes sir."Benbit out.
"Good." Commander Brady sat back in his chair relaxed. "Now, report."
Ten minutes laterBenstormed out of the office and paced the hallways. What the hell was Brady's problem? Hannah could help them stop a national criminal. Commander Brady will probably change his tune once he sees what’s on that flash drive.
"Hound, get this analyzed right away."Benhanded him the flash drive and immediately dismissed him. There had to be critical information on that thing. Something that would keep Hannah with him.
"Midas, don't do anything stupid." Sunshine stood in front of him blocking him from leaving. "You heard what the Commander said. She needs to go."
"I heard."Ben’sjaw clenched. That didn’t mean he had to listen. A plan was already forming in his mind. Commander Brady said she had to go, but he didn’t say where.Benhad a house off base. He would have her stay there and work on the assignment himself if he had to. He could talk her into seeing the base psychologist about her nightmares. Doc had helped keep his head on straight more than once.
"Good I'll arrange for someone to take her home. I think she said she’s from Portland."
"No,"Bensaid a little too loudly. "I brought her here. I'll take care of her." He had promised her, and he never broke a promise.
"She goeshome, Midas," Sunshine emphasized home.
She would. Eventually. "Why do you hate her so much?" His hostility towards her was out of character for him.
Sunshine looked taken aback by the accusation. "I have nothing against her, but I see the way you look at her, you want her. I don't blame you. She’s an attractive woman." Sunshine held his hands up whenBen steppedtowards him. "I'm not interested in her. But relationships don’t work well for Delta Forces. Women don't understand the secrets that come with our job. That we may never come home alive. That we can’t say anything about our job."
Something in Sunshine’s voice gaveBenpause. As if Sunshine had found someone, but they didn't accept him or the military life. He knew Sunshine had dated his neighbor, Cora for a long time. But she came from a military family, so understood their way of life. It was the other secretsBenwas sure Sunshine was keeping but using the military secrets as cover. Sunshine had a point but so did he. "Hatchet made it with Camille. Even adopted her kid. It's possible. I'm not saying I want to marry the girl and give her kids but I'm not ready to give her up." The sad part was he had thought about marrying Hannah, once. Having kids and settling down. But that wasn’t in his future. He just had to keep her safe until he delivered her to her parents.
Sunshine threw his hands up in disgust and stormed away grumbling the whole way out the door.
"Let him go," Cricket said with a comforting hand on his shoulder. "He'll cool down. So, what’s the plan?"
