Chapter 20
D ried blood and grit coated Mila’s skin. She trudged up Dana’s front porch, her bags on Ghost’s shoulder, his fingers wrapped firmly around her hip. White Christmas lights on the roofline twinkled, and a pretty flocked wreath with a red bow hung on the front door.
As beautiful as the house and festive decorations were, Mila wanted to bolt. To say she was socially awkward was an understatement, and that was when she was at her best. Right now, she was lower than her worst, evidence of her past splattered on her face.
The door swung open. A beautiful woman with rich dark hair answered. Her gaze flitted over Mila before shooting to Ghost. “Zain just called. Come in.” She stood back and opened the door wide.
Ghost urged Mila inside, then closed the door behind him.
Dana was an inch or so shorter than her. She wore a chunky ivory sweater, leggings, and thick cabin socks. She smiled warmly. “I was just about to make some tea. Do you want some?”
Mila stepped out of her boots and wrapped her arms around her waist. “Sure. Thank you.”
“Make yourself comfortable.” She looked at Ghost. “We’ll be fine.”
He shifted. “All right. Give us a minute?”
Dana didn’t seem put off by Ghost’s gruff manner. “No problem. I’ll start the kettle.” She disappeared down the hallway.
Ghost lowered her bags to the floor and then cupped her elbows. “I won’t be long. No one knows you’re here and I’m positive I wasn’t followed.”
“We’ll be fine.” She echoed Dana’s words because she couldn’t put together anything that sounded more convincing.
He tipped his head and seemed to be trying to read her face. “If you want me to stay, say the word. The guys can handle Hunter for me.”
“I’m good. Honest.”
His mouth firmed, then his arms came around her, pulling her against him.
Her body still buzzed with adrenaline. Her senses were frazzled and her pulse was jumpy.
In seconds, all of that melted away. His embrace covered her from shoulders to midback, cradling her.
One large palm cupped the back of her head, securing her face to his chest.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” The confession rushed from her lips like water through a broken dam. Emotion made her voice weak and almost as unstable as the rest of her.
His fingers dragged over the outside of her ear and down her neck. “I’m not going anywhere. Sit tight and I’ll see you in a few hours.”
He brought his lips to hers before letting her go. “Relax. Shower. Eat. Whatever.”
“Okay.” She forced a smile.
Dana appeared in the foyer again. Interest danced on her pretty face, and a hint of humor lit her eyes. “Sorry to interrupt,” she said suggestively.
Ghost threw her an annoyed glare. “Be good.” His words were directed at Dana.
She snickered and hooked her arm with Mila’s. “Always. Mila and I have lots to learn about each other.”
Ghost exhaled through his nose, shook his head in exasperation, then waved to Mila. “I’ll call when I’m on my way back.”
He disappeared out the door and Mila’s heart sank.
Dana steered her through the hallway and into a brightly lit living room. Large windows and plush, creamy furniture with wood accents filled the space.
“This is so pretty,” Mila breathed.
“Thanks,” Dana said happily. “We moved in about six months ago. It’s taken a bit for everything to come together, mostly because Zain complains about every décor idea I have—until it’s actually in the house. Then he realizes all over again that he can’t picture things the way I can.”
They entered the kitchen where the large, open-concept space stretched into the dining and living room.
Huge windows, pendant lights, and wooden cabinets made the room homey and warm.
Green, gold, and red decorations brought the holidays to life in the living room.
A large Christmas tree stood in the corner near the sofa, it’s colorful lights bathing the space in warmth and cheer.
Mila couldn’t help but feel unclean and tarnished in such an inviting house. “May I use your washroom?”
“Sure, down the hall to your left.”
“Thank you.” Mila moved over the light-colored hardwood floors to a pocket door.
After using the bathroom, she washed her hands, splashed soap and water over her face, and dried herself off, removing all the evidence she could and then putting the towel in the hamper.
A shower would do a better job, but that would have to wait.
She made her way back to the kitchen.
“Sit,” Dana called, pointing to one of the stools at the island.
Mila took the nearest seat. Her legs trembled as soon as she lifted them off the ground.
Dana set two bright-yellow mugs on the island and popped a tea bag into each one.
Her makeup was neutral, her eyes were bright, and her skin was glowing.
Mila couldn’t help the stab of jealousy at the seemingly picture-perfect life her new acquaintance led.
No visible trauma... then again, Mila’s wasn’t written on her face either. She didn’t doubt the guys had filled Dana in on some of her history, though.
The woman smiled. “So. You and Ghost. Honestly, never saw it coming.”
Mila blinked. “Saw what coming?”
The kettle whistled. Dana turned to snag the screeching appliance from the stove, then poured the steaming liquid into each mug. “Oh, come on. The way that man looks at you? It’s obvious he’s got it bad.”
Butterflies tickled the lining of her belly. “He feels sorry for me.” The humble words came out before she could stop them.
Dana’s eyes filled with understanding. She set the kettle back on the stove before leaning her forearms on the counter in front of Mila.
“I understand that feeling. More than you know. But if there’s one thing Ghost isn’t known for.
.. it’s compassion. Sorry to say,” she added with a shrug.
“My point is, if he’s shown you he cares—even if you think it’s just empathy or pity, well, that says a lot. ”
Mila lowered her gaze to the smooth, glistening counter. She wasn’t going to bare her heart, soul, and past to Dana. Didn’t know how to form that connection. With Ghost, some of that had been forced. The rest had come naturally.
“I don’t have any expectations.”
Dana grinned like a fourteen-year-old girl at a slumber party. “But you like him?”
Mila laughed. It was light and short, but a laugh regardless. “Have you seen him? He’s hot.”
Dana bobbed her eyebrows. “Well, I can’t comment on that, but I can say Zain does all that for me and more.” She waved herself off. “Anyway. Your secret’s safe with me. Just don’t break his heart, okay?”
Mila lifted one eyebrow. “Aren’t you worried I’ll make an attempt on his life?”
“ Ohh , I want to hear all about that! I bet that’s when things got hot between you two, am I right?” Dana winked suggestively.
Mila chuckled, unable to stop herself from liking the woman. “If you’ve got time, I’ll tell the story.”
Dana clapped. “Yay. I want the real version. I heard a very diluted male perspective.” She came around the island and plopped herself onto the stool next to her. “Tell me everything.”
***
It’d been almost an hour since Ghost dropped off Mila.
Darkness had fallen, but his headlights illuminated the stretch of winding mountain road.
Ghost drove behind Rami, Zain, and August. Which was a damn good thing because he probably couldn’t follow the GPS directions given the thoughts bogging his mind.
Getting that call from Mila had fucking shaken him.
Ten minutes. That’s all it’d taken for one of Hunter’s men to make a move on her. Hunter’s men must have been watching Mila’s place and vehicle, waiting for her to return.
He smoothed a hand over his face. They’d been so close to killing Mila. His chest tightened and the unfamiliar sensation of anxiety pinched his stomach.
Shit could have ended a whole lot differently.
He’d kill Irinia and whoever else was involved in Mila’s kidnapping, but he was grateful as hell they’d trained her so well.
His phone rang over the speaker, cutting off the music playing softly on the radio. Rami’s name lit the screen. Ghost tapped the answer button. “Yeah.”
“Hey. Just wanted to talk about a couple things as we get close to Hunter’s.”
Everything had moved quickly. Normally he and the guys would spend time going over entry and exit strategies, and usually they’d obtain blueprints before launching into a property to take out a target.
With Hunter’s place being out of town, it was less likely neighbors or witnesses would report their attack. Ghost didn’t give a damn if they took out everyone there. He wanted this done. In and out so he could get back to Mila.
That said, they needed to discuss some logistics before going in hot. “What’ve you got on his place?”
“Large acreage, underground bunker, helipad. Asher said Hunter keeps a handful of guys as security. So we should expect at least that.”
Ghost harumphed. “Probably more considering he just tried to take out Mila.”
“Don’t sweat it. There’s four of us.” He paused. “Zain said Mila’s doing all right with Dana.”
That piqued his interest. “Yeah?” He felt like an ass for leaving her. Not only had she just been attacked, but she’d looked lost and out of place at Dana’s. “What’d Dana say?”
“That they were bonding,” Zain said, enunciating the last word.
Rami’s chuckle ruffled Ghost’s feathers.
He snorted. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I dunno, man,” Zain said. “Just thought you’d like to know. Probably talking shit about both of us.”
“I’m sure they’ve got better things to talk about,” August said.
Zain shot something back at him, but Ghost ignored their banter.
All he could think about was Mila. Had she talked about him?
More importantly, had she showered and eaten?
Because that was what she needed right now.
And if he weren’t so hell-bent on retribution, he’d have made sure she’d taken care of those things first.
Turned out he sucked at looking after people.
“How much farther?” he asked.
“Not long. Couple miles. There’s a large forest backing his property. We’ll enter through there and split into twos.”
“How the hell are we going to get inside the bunker?”
“The entrance is located in the basement,” Rami said. “Hidden doorway behind a bookcase.”
“Good enough for me. See you in a few.” He hung up then quickly dialed Mila’s number.
She answered on the third ring, a laugh caught in her voice.
“Hey, it’s me.”
“Where are you?” Some of the laughter was gone, making him regret calling her. If she’d managed to relax and was enjoying the time with Dana, he didn’t want to throw a wrench into their moment.
“Almost at Hunter’s. Thought I’d check in to see how you’re doing.”
He heard a door click shut. “Good. Dana’s great. I really like her.”
“Glad to hear that. What are you guys talking about?”
“Umm. Nothing.”
“Nothing, huh?” He couldn’t have stopped the grin if he’d wanted to. “I wouldn’t call three times in less than twelve hours nothing.”
She laughed, rich, feminine and all Mila. “Who says I told her anything like that?”
“Word travels.” A beat passed. “I’m really happy you’re comfortable there. Did you eat?”
“Dana just ordered pizza. I was about to jump in the shower.”
“Good. I’ll let you do that. I’ll call you when I’m on my way back.” Fuck, he just wanted to be with her. He hated this separation.
And whatever that meant wasn’t something he was prepared to dissect. Not now. Maybe not for a long time. But Mila meant something to him.
Something he didn’t want to let go of yet.
Rami’s brake lights came on, and Ghost followed him as he turned onto a gravel road lined with thick woods. A sense of foreboding crawled up his neck as he bumped over the loose stones.
“Be careful.” Her voice hitched.
He grunted. “I’m fine. Hunter’s failed twice now—with me and then you. He’s gonna need an angel to survive the next hour.”
Mila was silent.
“Have a hot shower and relax. I’ll see you soon.”
“Just come back.” The plea came out rough and strangled.
“Honey, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you. Let me finish this shit with Hunter and we can plan that trip to Mexico, okay?”
She chuckled. “’Kay. Be safe,” she added, and clicked off.
Rami pulled to the side of the road and Ghost got out, pocketing his keys and phone. Rami, August, and Zain spilled out of the truck as Ghost went to his rear door. His large duffel bag waited. He took off his flannel and situated his bulletproof vest over his torso.
Next, he slapped night-vision goggles on top of his head, pulled out the little case holding his earbud for coms, and placed his SIG in his waistband at his back. After grabbing his AR-15, he slammed the door shut. The guys were geared up and waiting.
August fitted his piece in his ear. “Test, test,” he said.
“Copy,” Ghost replied, with Zain and Rami.
Zain jerked his head toward the forest. “Let’s move.”
Ghost fell into step with his team. His movements were fast, silent, and chock-full of rage. More than anything, he wanted to see a bullet in his old boss’s head. Being that it hadn’t worked the first time, he’d ensure a few other kill shots were delivered.
They moved through the trees, guns in hand and their steps strategic and in sync. In situations like this, boots on the ground, he had fucking brothers.
Ones who’d kill for him and his own.
Just as he’d done for them and theirs.
Zain’s voice came through the bud in his ear. “Ghost and I will head west. Rami and August, you go east to the front and take out whoever’s in your path.”
“Copy,” August said.
They reached the property line and Ghost immediately took the lead, veering toward a gardening shed. He didn’t need to glance over his shoulder to know Rami and August had gone in the opposite direction.
Ghost rounded the backside of the shed and kept his shoulder blades against the wall. Zain fell into position next to him. He held his rifle tightly to his chest as he listened for any indication that they—or Rami and August—had been noticed.
“Spotted two guards,” Zain said quietly. “One by the pool, the other near the east side of the house.”
“I’ll go for the pool guy. You get the other.” Ghost pushed away from the wall and skirted across the lawn. He kept his AR-15 pointed at the ground. The longer they waited to fire shots, the better their chances of getting close to Hunter unnoticed.
He pulled his switchblade from where it was hooked on his pocket. Snapping out the steel, he grasped the handle firmly.
The guard near the pool had his back to Ghost. His breath was visible in the cold air.
Ghost approached on silent feet, but the second his boots hit the cement, the man wheeled around.
Ghost lunged, but not before the man screamed, “Code red!”