“We need to go,” he announced, tucking her under his arm, hastening her down the street, keeping his body between her and road. He didn’t like standing out there in the open when that vehicle could come back at any moment. He cursed himself for not paying attention to the warning his body had been trying to give him. Destiny could have died if he’d been a second slower. The thought was terrifying. Once he had Destiny safe at home, he’d call Aaron. He could access the traffic cameras. Probably track down the SUV. He wouldn’t be surprised if it had been stolen.
“Mike, stop. You’re being ridiculous,” Destiny complained. She tried pushing out from under his arm, but he wouldn’t let go. Not until she was safe. His gaze swept left and right constantly, his senses now on high alert. “Slow down,” Destiny tried again, almost sounding out of breath. “I’m sure it was an accident.”
He didn’t. That car had come straight for her. She could lie to herself but not him. It had been looking for her. That’s why it sped up when it was close to her. He wouldn’t feel comfortable until he got her to safety. The sooner he got her home the better. It was just up a head. A few more minutes and she would be safe.
He barely breathed until they reached the door. He pushed her toward the door keeping himself between her and any threat behind them, still watching for another attack. “Get inside lock the door, I’m going to do a perimeter check. Do not open this door until I say.” He was barking commands at her, but he was now in Delta mode expecting his orders to be obeyed without question. “Destiny, go.” He growled when she didn’t move fast enough for his peace of mind.
The SUV could have followed them. If it had been looking for her, they might know where she lived. He had to make sure her home was safe.
She made a choking sound like she was crying, then blessedly, he heard the door open. He didn’t move until he heard it close. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure, then his body relaxed. She was safe. Now to figure out who was trying to kill her.
As he walked around her house, he called Aaron. “I need your help.”
“What do you need?” Aaron didn’t question him. He could hear the dire tone in Mike’s voice. He told him what had happened and gave him a description of the vehicle and the plate number. Aaron said he’d look into it and hung up.
Mike could hear sirens in the distance. He should have made sure others were alright, the fucker hadn’t cared who they had to hurt to get to Destiny. Mike’s only concern at the time had been Destiny’s safety, which was why his vision turned red when he spotted footprints in the grass heading toward the back of Destiny’s house. He’d talk to Destiny about installing security around her house.
He closed his eyes, hearing the tires squeal near his head. The stark fear in Destiny’s eyes as she watched the car come straight at her. It terrified him how close he’d come to losing Destiny. He probably should have been gentler with her getting her to safety, but fear and adrenaline had been his driving force.
He had never been so scared in his life. Running ops in enemy territory wasn’t half as scary as knowing how close he had come to almost losing Destiny. Never getting to hear her laugh again, watch her eyes brighten with excitement. Fuck, they hadn’t even made up yet.
Chapter 27
Destiny hadn’t made it further than the couch before her legs buckled. She’d almost been run over. The car had purposely swerved to hit her. She’d tried lying to herself, telling herself it had been an accident. The driver was texting and driving and swerved, but there was no avoiding the truth. That SUV had every intention of hitting her and killing her.
But who would want to harm her? She was a decoder for the military, but it wasn’t like she had enemies. The mugger could be chalked up as a random incident, but not this. Someone wanted her dead and what had she done? Stood there frozen like a statue. Thank God for Mike and his quick thinking.
Sure, she’d have a few bruises from rolling around on the concrete, but at least she was alive. To think if he’d only been a few seconds slower, she’d never have the chance to tell him she was sorry. To tell him she loved him. As soon as he came inside, she’d tell him. No more waiting. Life just proved how easily time could be taken away from you.
“Des,” Mike called out, opening the door. “I told you to lock the door,” his tone chiding but gentle. She’d completely forgotten. She was still shell-shocked from what had just happened.
“I’m sorry.” She was sorry for forgetting about the door. She was sorry for not accepting his apology. She was just plain sorry.
Mike’s stern face instantly crumbled and he came to her instantly sitting next to her and pulling her into his side. “It’s alright, baby.”
“I’m so sorry. I should have listened to you when you tried apologizing. I’ve just been hurt in the past and I let that old hurt confuse me. I know you’re nothing like the men I’ve dated before.” Her words ran into one another, and she didn’t know if she was making any sense. Mike stared at her blankly. She tried again. “Please forgive me. I’m sorry. I love you. I love you, Mike. Please tell me—”
Mike didn’t let her say anymore, silencing her in the best possible way – kissing her senseless. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said, finally pulling away. “I’m the one who fucked up. I should be the one begging for forgiveness. Not you. Never you.” His thumb stroked over her cheek before he pulled her in for another kiss. “You warned me about men of your past, using you and that you didn’t date because of them. You trusted me and I broke that trust.” There was such anguish in his eyes it broke her heart. “I never meant to. I wasn’t thinking.” He looked her in the eye, a steely look of confidence in them. “But I’m prepared to grovel for your forgiveness. I’m not walking away ever again. I love you. God, I love you so much.”
“I forgive you,” She said easily halting any further apologizing. She had forgiven him long before now.
Mike swooped down and stole another kiss. Destiny groaned against his mouth, opening for his tongue to dive in. Her fingers wrapped around the back of his neck, pulling him down. He hauled her close, not wanting any space between them. She felt the bulge in his pants pressing against her core. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.
His fingers caressed her back, sending shivers down her spine, a low heat started burning in her groin. Her nipples began to pebble. Was this a side effect of adrenaline or was it the fact she was in Mike’s arms again?
His teeth nipped at her bottom lip eliciting a moan. It was Mike all the way and she needed him – right now. She started pulling and tugging at his jeans, ready to shred them to ribbons to get to him.
“Woah, Des, slow down,” he said at the same time his hips thrust up against her. She was going to take that as a yes, keep going.
“I want you,” she husked before licking and sucking on his ear. Something she had learned that drove him crazy.
“Damn,” he groaned, his hands turning into fists against her back. “This isn’t you talking. It’s the adrenaline. I don’t want you to regret this when it’s over.”
Silly stupid man that she loved with all her heart. She’d never regret making love to him. While she could still feel the tremors of the aftershock from her ordeal, she was in complete control. She wanted to affirm she was still alive. She was alive because of this man. This selfless, brave man.
Destiny pulled back gripping both sides of his face to force him to look at her. “Stop trying to be so damn noble. I want you. Now you can either fuck my brains out or—”
Mike lurched forward silencing her again. Inside she did a cheer. Yes, the ultimatum thing worked. She’d have to thank her grandma for that inspiration later. Mike kissed her like a man possessed. As if he hadn’t seen her in months instead of days.
