Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
F leur’s hands gripped the wheel of the deuce and a half. The massive vehicle had power steering, thank goodness. She stayed on Ronan’s ass, just as he’d told her. Six new trucks and the truck they’d transported the drivers in were nose to tail, with Ronan in a Jeep in the front and Wolf in a new Jeep in the rear. Thankfully, there was air conditioning, so the trucks' dust didn’t fill the cabs and choke the drivers.
To say she was nervous was an understatement, especially when they drove around the vehicles that had been destroyed by the rockets Ronan had fired yesterday.
Fleur glanced at the burned-out, twisted metal as she drove. Was that only yesterday? Ronan and his team hadn’t been in the camp long, but he was under her skin in ways she couldn’t understand, and she really didn’t care to understand. Last night with him was a dream in so many ways. The sex was spectacular and beyond anything she’d experienced before. Sure, she’d had relationships, but never had a man made her feel so beautiful or wanted … almost essential. That wasn’t the right word, but trying to put words to the sensation of knowing for a moment that if you weren’t with him at that moment, neither of you would have reached the heights you reached … Last night was a pivotal experience. She had no lingering doubts about going back to the States. She’d done everything she could do here, and the last months had been harsh and gut-wrenching with the loss of the convoys, people, and friends. The year before that was beyond frustrating. Trying to stop the inevitable, the shuttering of a camp that was desperately needed had exhausted her mentally. Fighting people who couldn’t or wouldn’t help and getting shut down in every way had led her to the desperate ploy of using the tunnels. Thank God Shelly had called her on it and Ronan was making strides in getting the convoys back on the road. Yes, she’d happily go back to the States, and if Ronan offered a job again, she’d thank him for the open door and then work to prove herself to the people who would give her the opportunity.
When they crested the rise to the camp, Fleur flexed first her right hand and then her left. She’d been holding the wheel so tight that her hands ached. Scared. You bet your ass she’d been scared, but she and the other drivers had trusted Ronan and Wolf to protect them on the route, and they had.
Staff came out to greet them as the vehicles drove into camp. Ronan had told her not to park near the tents but to bring her truck to his camp. She followed him and parked it behind their tent, as requested. This truck held Guardian equipment and supplies, while the other six trucks were full of camp supplies.
Fleur grabbed the insulated bag Ronan had found her, which held the hamburger and fries for Shelly. Ronan walked back to her and leaned down for a quick kiss. “We made it,” she said with a smile after he leaned back.
“Did you have any doubts?” he asked.
“Doubts, no. But no one wants to be shot at, and I’m really glad they didn’t try today.”
“We were ready for them if they did. I’ve got to help unload this.” He nodded to her truck. “And then set up our tent. ”
She smiled. “I like that. Our tent.”
“So do I. Take Shelly the salmonella you bought her.”
Fleur laughed. “I will. See you later?”
“That’s a promise.” He swatted her on the ass as he walked by, and she spun around.
“You did not just do that.”
Ronan spun and walked backward. “What?” He held up his hands. “No witnesses, just saying.”
She lifted a finger and pointed at him. “That’s a hard no.”
Ronan smiled. “Noted for future reference.”
She shook her head and headed into the camp. Miller stopped her. “You didn’t have any problems?”
“Not coming back. We were attacked yesterday, but Ronan and Wolf used some rockets to fight them off.”
Miller’s eyes rounded. “Rockets? Are you fucking kidding me?”
Fleur shook her head. “No. It was intense. We wouldn't have stood a chance if they hadn’t been with us.”
“Jesus,” Miller said and rubbed his face. “What’s in the truck?” He nodded toward Guardian’s camp.
“Tents and stuff.” She assumed it was more of the same: ammo and probably rockets, too. “They brought some big ones and a couple of personal-sized ones—one for me and one for Shelly. There are a couple more for those who’ve given up their tents, too.” She snapped her fingers as she smiled at Miller and said, “And more candy.”
The man blinked and then shook his head. “Rockets and tents.”
“I know, right? Who would’ve believed we’d get to this point. I have to get this to Shelly.” She lifted the small bag. “I’ll be back.”
“Yeah, okay.” Miller crossed his arms and looked at the Guardian camp. “Fucking rockets.”
Fleur glanced at the man and then where Ronan and Wolf were working. Yeah, she was surprised by the rockets, too. That was hard to wrap your head around, especially working at an IDP camp. She shrugged and headed to the hospital tent. She waited until Shelly was free before pulling the bag out of the insulated tote. The gold arches were enough to make Shelly shout, “No way!”
Fleur nodded her head. “Ronan got an insulated bag from somewhere. It was in the fridge all night and here today, so I think it’s still good.”
“I’d eat it if it were seven days old and growing mold.” Shelly grabbed the bag from her and unwrapped the burger. Taking a huge bite out of it, she moaned. “Even cold, it’s fantastic.” Or at least that was what Fleur thought she said. The amount of meat and bread in the woman’s mouth muffled her words. Shelly dipped into the bag and pulled out some sad-looking fries. She shoved them in her mouth, too. “I love you.” She closed her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Hey, a pinky promise is a pinky promise. Ronan bought four of everything on the menu for all the drivers. I saved that for you. It was touch and go for a while. A real feeding frenzy.”
“I can imagine.” Shelly swallowed hard. “How was the trip?”
“The way back was good. We were attacked on the way there. Ronan and Wolf used rockets to get rid of them. We drove past the wrecked vehicles today on the way back.”
“Wait, go back. Rockets? Like real rockets?”
Fleur blinked. “Is there a fake rocket?”
“Smartass.” Shelly rolled her eyes. “That had to have been scary.”
“It was, but if I ever doubted Guardian could protect the convoys, I don’t now. You know how the convoys get stretched out when we drive?”
“Yeah,” Shelly said before taking another bite of the burger .
“Ronan made us drive nose to tail. I mean, there was less than ten feet between each vehicle. That was nerve-racking, and so was waiting for someone to drive at us with guns blazing. But as I said, it didn’t happen.”
Shelly swallowed what was in her mouth. “Pass my water, would you?” Fleur went to the small fridge, which held Shelly’s reusable water bottle and all the medicines that needed refrigeration. She pulled the bottle out and gave it to her friend. Shelly thanked her and asked, “How did you and Ronan get on?”
Fleur smiled and lifted her eyebrows. “Very well, thank you. Exceptionally, actually. What about you and Jug?”
Shelly cocked her head. “Did you know Jug is short for Juggernaut? But his real name is Colt.”
“I didn’t know that, and stop avoiding my question.” Fleur hopped up on the exam table and dangled her feet while waiting for Shelly, who was drinking water. Finally, the woman finished and capped the bottle. She sighed and shook her head. “Either he doesn’t like me, or he’s gay.”
Fleur’s surprised laugh wasn’t intended to embarrass Shelly, but the woman groaned. “Yeah, thanks, that’s what I get for telling you the truth. ”
Fleur jumped off the table and went over to her. “No, no, I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting that answer. Why do you say that?”
Shelly groaned. “Fleur, I’ve been an outright hussy. I’ve done everything except come out here in the middle of the night and attack him—nothing I’ve done works. I mean absolutely nothing . So, if he isn’t gay, he isn’t interested in me .” She carefully wrapped the remainder of her burger with the paper and put it back in the bag. “I’ll finish the rest for dinner.”
“Do you want me to ask Ronan if Jug is gay?” Fleur assumed Ronan would tell her the truth.
Shelly shook her head. “No, I’m just going to drop it and be frustrated. It’s gotten to the point that I’m embarrassing myself now. Such a shame, too. He’s everything I ever wanted and didn’t know I wanted. Shit, that didn’t make sense.”
“No, it did. Believe me, it did. Anyway, we have our tents now, so you can move your stuff tonight and not worry about him being three feet from you.” She pointed to Jug’s cot that was just on the other side of the canvas wall from hers.
“Yeah, that’s good.” Shelly nodded. “So, tell me about you and Ronan.”
Fleur winced. “It’s perfect and so damn good, and I feel bad telling you that now. ”
Shelly rolled her eyes. “Why? That’s fabulous news. I’m so happy for you. At least one of us is getting some loving.”
Fleur closed her eyes and sighed. “God, yes.”
“Wait, wait,” Shelly said and scooted closer to her. “Maybe if I get closer to you, I can get a contact orgasm, you know, like a contact high?”
Fleur laughed so hard she held her stomach. “Aren’t … you … a … doctor?” She had to force the words out between her laughs. Shelly’s giggles didn’t help. Tears fell from her eyes, and she wiped at them, laughing so hard her body ached. “Contact … orgasm.”
“Well, that’s how you get them, right? Contact? I can’t get that!” Shelly held her stomach and laughed just as hard as Fleur.
“What’s so funny?” Miller asked as he came into the tent. Fleur looked at Shelly, and they laughed even harder. The man looked at them and shook his head. He tried a couple of times to ask Shelly something but gave up and walked out. Fleur pointed to the empty doorway, and Shelly shrieked with laughter. Laughing, Fleur dropped to the ground because she couldn’t stand up any longer. God, it was great to have friends who got you.