CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Lucia sat on the edge of the bed and watched Eddie get ready for whatever was happening tonight. She understood why he couldn’t give her any details, and that made her even more tense. Her stomach felt like someone had ahold of it and was squeezing it as tightly as possible.
He’d changed into a pair of black pants with a bunch of pockets that showed off his tight butt.
Tactical pants, he’d called them. His black, long-sleeved shirt fit him like it was sprayed on.
Seeing him in this getup, looking sexy as heck, should be getting her all hot and bothered.
Knowing why he was dressed that way doused any lustful thoughts she might’ve normally had.
The bed sagged when he sat next to her and set his black boots on the floor in front of him. He leaned over, jammed his feet inside of them, and his biceps bunched as laced them up.
“Don’t forget, Isabella is going to sleep in here tonight.” He straightened the bottom of his pants over his boots and looked at her. “You remember everything I told you, right?”
“Don’t go outside unless absolutely necessary.
But if I do, make sure Mark or Josh are with me and stay close to the cabin.
If something happens, grab the handgun out of the biometric safe and take Isabella into the closet, lift the hatch on the floor, and head down into the crawl space beneath the cabin.
” He’d had her repeat his instructions so many times, she could recite them by rote.
“Show me how to open the hatch to the crawl space.” Her weight shifted when he pushed up off the bed and walked over to stand near the closet.
She hurried past him into the small space and bent over to hook her fingers through the metal handle. With all of the strength she could muster, she heaved up the door until she could see into the space below.
“Excellent.”
She put her foot on the first rung to go down, and he stopped her.
“I know you can get down there, so you don’t need to go down there again,” he said.
Thank goodness.
The first time she climbed down there, she’d been creeped out by all of the spiderwebs.
The second time down, she was careful to take a stick with her and used it to swipe away the maze of cobwebs built over the years.
She wasn’t afraid of spiders—much—but she absolutely hated snakes and prayed that if they had to go down there, they wouldn’t encounter any.
Especially since the only source of light at night would be a small, high-powered flashlight Eddie had given her.
He waited while she lowered the door shut. “Okay, now I want you to lie down and show me again how you’re going to open the biometric safe and retrieve the handgun.”
She didn’t complain, nor did she point out that he’d already had her do this same drill at least fifteen times.
If her opening the crawl space door and showing him how she could gain access to the gun a tenth time made it easier for Eddie to concentrate on what he needed to do tonight, then she would repeat the process as many times as he liked.
Lucia refused to be a burden or point of concern for him, Mark, or Josh. She would never be able to live with herself if something happened to any of them because of her.
“I’ll be Isabella.” He lay down next to her. “There’s a suspicious sound in the other room. Go.”
In one fluid motion, she rolled to her side and quietly slid open the top drawer.
She lined up the pads of four fingertips from her left hand on the sensors until there was a soft click.
She flipped the lid up with her left hand, reached in and grabbed the black pistol with her right.
Careful to hold it the way he’d showed her, she gave his shoulder a little shake, then snatched up the flashlight.
They climbed off the bed and dashed into the closet.
She took a last glance into the room, shut the door behind them and locked it, and started to lift the hatch.
“You don’t need to open it again.” He set his hand on hers.
They stepped back into the bedroom. He relieved her of the gun and locked it back in the safe.
“Remember, light can give away your location.” He tapped the flashlight in her other hand. “Keep that in mind before you turn it on.” His tone was ominous, as if he spoke from personal experience. “Only use it if you absolutely have to. Got it?”
She stared down at the flashlight in her palm, and images flashed through her brain.
Intimidating black guns in a drawer.
Her daughter trembling and terrified in a dark crawl space.
Eddie facing down a man who wanted to kill him.
Suddenly, the minimal weight of that small flashlight in her hand brought the reality of what was happening crashing down on her.
Her hand began to shake, and she tightened her grip on the flashlight, as if that would keep her from falling into a black abyss of fear.
Breathing was no longer second nature, and the room began to warp and move around her.
She must’ve whimpered or made some other strange sound, because Eddie was there in a split second.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m right here.” His calm voice seemed to come from far away, and his arm around her shoulder was comforting as he led her over to the bed.
“Here, sit down and put your head between knees.” His hand on the back of her head gently pressed her forward.
“Now take some deep breaths in through your nose and slowly blow them out through your mouth.”
She followed his instructions, and the fuzziness in her head began to clear.
“Better?” His hand glided up and down her back.
She nodded, feeling pitiful and weak.
“I’m sorry, I did not mean to lose it like that.” Heat of embarrassment flooded her face.
So much for not being a burden.
“Don’t you dare apologize.” He twisted at the waist and lifted her right up off the bed like she weighed nothing, then plopped her sideways on his lap.
“You’ve never been through something like this, so it makes perfect sense that you’re feeling overwhelmed by it all.
” With one finger beneath her chin, he tilted her face up to him.
“You are smart and you’re strong, Lucia, and I’m confident you can handle this.
” He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
“And you won’t be alone—Mark and Josh are here. ”
They sat there for a few minutes, just holding each other, their soft, steady breaths the only sound in the room, until there was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in,” Eddie said.
She tried to stand, but he tightened his hold, and she happily settled back onto his lap.
The door opened, and Mark stuck his head in.
“It’s time.”
“We’ll be out in a minute.” Eddie waited until the door closed. “You good?”
“Yeah.” She sniffled and mustered up a half-hearted smile. “I’m good.”
He wedged his arm beneath her thighs and stood, cradling her.
“I love you.” He looked her dead in the eyes. “And when this is all over, I want to talk in more detail about our future.”
“I love you, too.” The lump in her throat was painful, but she was determined he would leave this cabin knowing she wouldn’t fall apart. That she—and Isabella—would be there, waiting for him to return.
Eddie wanted to hold Lucia in his arms all night, but he reluctantly set her on her feet.
He pulled her in for a hug and kissed her in a way that would hold him over until the next time he saw her.
He slowly drew his mouth from hers, stared into her big brown eyes for a long minute, then gave her another last peck on her shiny lips before stepping back.
He turned his wrist to look at his watch, then bent down, grabbed his duffle bag, and swung it onto his shoulder. She picked up the rifle case and held it out to him.
“It’s almost Isabella’s bedtime,” he said. “While I’m loading this stuff in the car, why don’t you get her settled in bed, then I’ll come back in and say good night to her.”
He held out his hand, she laced her fingers with his, and they walked out to the front room together.
Isabella looked him up and down, glanced at the rifle case, then her gaze moved to the duffle bag and back up to his face.
“Where are you going, Eddie?” Her chin quivered, and tears welled in her eyes. “Are you … are you leaving us?”
Those four words, spoken so tentatively by such a precious little girl, made him want to beat the shit out of her father. She’d been left behind once, so it was no wonder she was worried it was happening again.
He slid his duffle off his shoulder and set it on the floor next to his rifle case, then crouched down in front of her and opened his arms. She ran into them without hesitation and wrapped her skinny arms around his neck.
“I’m going to work to catch those bad guys.” He emphasized his next words by tightening his hold on her. “But I’ll be back tomorrow, I promise.” He leaned back and waited until she was looking at him. “Do you believe me?”
She chewed her lip and hesitated a few beats, then nodded.
“I need to hear it,” he teased.
“I believe you.”
“Good.” He smoothed his thumbs across her cheeks to wipe away her tears, then kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you sleep with Mom tonight?” He leaned close and whispered, as if sharing a secret. “It would make me feel better knowing she’s not alone.”
“Okay, I can keep her company,” she whispered back.
“Let’s get you ready for bed.” Lucia extended her hand. “Eddie will tuck you in before he leaves.”
“Yay!” She threw her hands in the air and did her usual little happy dance.
“You’re such a goofball,” her mom said as she led her into the bathroom to brush her teeth.
Eddie smiled and waited until he heard the water running, then turned to Mark and Josh.
They followed him outside, and their footsteps clunked down the stairs before they headed to the SUV. The moon was full and high above them, and it sparkled on the river and lit everything in a bluish-gray hue. He was able to see the trees on the other side.
He pressed a button on the fob to open the back tailgate. It hissed as it swung upward. He set his bag and rifle case inside and shut the tailgate. He would wait to strap on his sidearm after he tucked Isabella into bed.
“I’m taking the first watch outside and will walk the perimeter. Mark will cover the inside of the cabin.” Josh crossed his arms. “We’ll switch it up every four hours until you get back.”
Like Eddie, his military experience had uniquely prepared him for long nights with little to no sleep and living with your head on a constant swivel.
Eddie stared over at the cabin.
As if reading his mind, Mark clapped his hand on Eddie’s shoulder and gave it a little shake. “Don’t worry, man. We’ll take good care of ’em.”
They discussed a few more details and then went back inside. Eddie headed straight to the bedroom and tapped lightly on the door.
“You can come in now, Eddie.” Isabella’s formality made him smile.
He swung the door open, and she was under the covers, sitting with her back against the headboard. Lucia was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding Isabella’s hand.
“All ready for bed?” He strolled over and checked the window to ensure it was locked, then sat next to Lucia.
“Mm-hmm.” She held out her hand, and her mom handed her the bunny.
“Did you brush your teeth?” He feigned a stern voice.
“Yeeees. See.” She gave him an exaggerated smile showing off her front teeth, then opened her mouth wide to show the ones in the back. “Ahhhh.”
He leaned down and checked them out, and straightened. “Good job. Now let’s cover you up.”
Lucia stood to give him room.
Isabella scooched down in the bed, held her arms up so he could cover her to her chest, then dropped her arms back onto the mattress.
“Do you remember when I told you that your mom and I love each other?” He waited until she nodded. “Well, guess what … I love you, too.” He tapped the tip of her nose on the word you.
“You, do? Really?” Her eyes widened, and her voice was filled with wonder.
“Yep. Very much.”
A slow smile lit Isabella’s face, and Lucia rested her hand on his shoulder.
“Then … I love you, too.” She levered up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a little peck on the cheek. “Now we all love each other.” She set her chin on his shoulder and gave him little pats on the back.
Eddie’s heart melted, and he knew without hesitation he would give his life for this child.
“Okay, honey.” Lucia ran her hand up and down Eddie’s back. “Eddie has to go to work now.”
“O-kaaay.” She let go of him and lay back down so he could cover her again.
“Sleep well.” He glanced back at Lucia, then leaned closer and whispered, “And take good care of your mom for me, will ya?”
“I will. I promise.” Her tone was serious, as if making a vow.
“Good night, sweetie.” Lucia kissed her cheek, tucked the bunny beneath the covers, and then held Eddie’s hand as they walked to the doorway.
She stepped into the hall, but he stopped and looked back at Isabella.
She snuggled her bunny, rolled to her side, and closed her eyes. She looked so small, yet she’d proven to be resilient and strong when confronted with adversity.
Eddie pulled the door shut with a soft click, and he and Lucia headed out to the front room.
“Josh is already outside.” Mark picked up one of the upholstered chairs and moved it to the back wall, positioning it to give him an unimpeded view of the entire front room, kitchen, hallway, and main door.
“What’s he doing out there?” Lucia asked.
“He’s going to be walking around the property, making sure everything’s okay,” Mark said.
“This is all so … bizarre and weird.” She chuckled, trying to put on a brave face, but he could tell it was forced.
Eddie checked the time.
“I’ve got to head out to meet the team.” He laced his fingers with Lucia’s. “Thanks, Mark.”
“You bet.” He turned to adjust the placement of the chair.
“Walk me out?” Eddie lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles.
“Absolutely.”
They stepped out onto the porch, and he pulled her into his arms.
“I love you,” he whispered close to her ear.
“I love you, too.”
Eddie speared his fingers through her hair, tilted her head to one side, and kissed her. Her hands fisted in the front of his shirt, and she kissed him with a sense of desperation—and hope—he felt in his bones.
Lucia Santos was the first and last woman he would ever kiss. The first and last woman he would ever lay with. And the only woman he had or ever would love.