Chapter 14
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LUCIANA SAT UP, DRENCHED in a cold sweat, her heart racing.
She was disoriented for a moment, wondering why the bedroom looked different.
There was a strange white noise in the background, and it felt like she was moving.
In a flash, everything came back to her.
The rescue. The drive in the middle of the night. The airfield.
“Ms. Rodriguez—Luciana,” Commander Madden said, crouching down beside her. “Are you okay?”
“Si,” she said, her heartbeat slowing as she met his brown eyes.
She blinked. Stubble covered his jaw, giving him a gruffly masculine appearance, and his gaze was serious as he studied her.
His pine scent washed over her again, and she clutched at her blankets, still nearly in disbelief that she’d been saved after over a month.
“It was just a nightmare,” she told the Navy SEAL commander, once again somehow feeling soothed by his presence. He had a calmness about him that quieted her racing thoughts. He was confident and sure, and once more, she only felt nothing but safe at his side. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Most of the flight,” he admitted, his voice a low rumble. “You needed your rest, so we let you sleep. We’re touching down in about forty-five minutes.
“We’re almost in Hawaii?” she asked in shock.
“We are,” he said, looking slightly amused.
His gaze ran over her. It wasn’t unnerving like when the cartel members eagerly eyed her body.
He was assessing her to make sure she was indeed well.
Apparently satisfied, he met her eyes again.
“We have water and MREs on board. If you can wait until we land, however, we can get you something more appetizing in the way of food.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’ll want to eat something,” he told her. “Get some fluids in you, too. I don’t know if you remember, but you refused an IV.”
She studied him a moment, flushing. She had refused anything of the sort. “I’m a nurse,” she patiently explained. “I would know if I was dehydrated. They kept me fed, despite the circumstances.” Her gaze landed on his forearm. “How is your arm?”
“Good as new,” he assured her.
“You will need to change the bandage and clean the wound.”
“Understood,” he said, looking slightly amused that she was giving him orders. “We’ll have you assessed by our medical staff when we land. No arguments,” he said as she opened her mouth in protest. “You’ve been through a lot, but let’s make sure you’re okay.”
Surprise washed over her. It was somewhat strange for a man she didn’t even know to be so concerned about her wellbeing.
Then again, he’d been tasked to save her, had he not?
Maybe he felt it was his job to ensure she was healthy before leaving his military base in Hawaii.
She bit her lip, feeling worried. It might not have been safe to remain in Panama, but was staying in the home of a U.S.
military commander smart? She didn’t think he’d take advantage of her, but she also had learned long ago that she needed to stand on her own two feet.
“What’s wrong?” he asked gently.
“I—I just didn’t think anyone was searching for me. I’d given up hope.”
“I imagine us storming the home was a bit of a shock.”
“A bit?” She shot him a look of disbelief, and he chuckled.
She was surprised to hear his laughter, but she found she enjoyed it.
This was a man who was serious all of the time.
She knew his type—loyal and steadfast, devoted to his career.
He gave orders, and people followed them.
Luciana had the sense that he didn’t normally make small talk or attempt to make people feel comfortable in his presence, like he was currently doing with her.
Her gaze drifted down. He’d taken off the gloves he’d been wearing during her rescue, and she noted he didn’t have on a wedding ring.
That meant little. It wouldn’t surprise her if the men removed their rings before a mission.
Just because he hadn’t mentioned a wife didn’t mean he didn’t have one.
Luciana had no business wondering about his personal life anyway, except she would be a guest in his home. Her heart suddenly began to race again.
“Maybe it’s best I stay in a hotel, no? I will be an imposition to you.”
“It’s no imposition. We should’ve rescued you a month ago with Avery.” A brief flash of anger crossed his face, but she could tell it was because of the situation. He wasn’t mad at her.
“What made you come for me now, Commander?” she asked.
“Harrison,” he gently corrected. “The delay was only because we didn’t know where you were being held before,” he admitted.
“I’m surprised a U.S. military team would involve themselves in this. I’m not an American.”
“No, but you were Avery’s roommate. No one deserves to be held prisoner,” he added, his voice growing darker.
A brief bout of turbulence had her jostling, and Harrison gripped the seat with one hand, his other reaching out to steady her.
Warmth washed through her at his touch, shocking Luciana to her very core.
He had a gentle grip on her arm, but his hand was warm.
Strong. She briefly glanced at it, noting the veins trailing over the back.
Harrison was pure male, but rather than being frightened, she found herself curious to learn more about him.
He removed his hand after they were flying steadily again.
“Things are going to happen quickly when we land. We’ll get you off to medical, and my team will be unloading supplies and stowing our gear.
When you’re cleared to go, I’ll bring you to my home to get settled in.
It is unconventional,” he said, correctly noting the question in her eyes.
“If you’ve changed your mind and would rather stay at Ryan and Avery’s, their offer still stands. I won’t be offended in the least.”
“Avery doesn’t even know I’ve been rescued,” Luciana pointed out.
His lips quirked. “That’s true, but I can guarantee she’d welcome you. At any rate, she’ll come by my home to help you get situated. Avery will bring clothes and other necessities to tide you over. Ryan is planning to contact her the moment we land.”
“Commander,” Luciana said.
“Call me Harrison,” he replied, giving her a pointed look.
“Right.” A wave of embarrassment washed over her.
How many times had he already told her that?
She was still clutching onto the blanket, and Harrison looked perfectly at ease.
Luciana was probably a rumpled mess, and the fact that she’d even had that thought shocked her.
All of these men had seen her at her worst, but they’d done nothing but try to make her feel comfortable.
When they’d boarded the plane, one of the men had gotten blankets and pillows for her.
She was surprised they’d had any such thing on a military plane, but then again, it was quite possible they transported the injured.
These very men who’d saved her had risked their lives, and that thought was humbling.
“Did you have a question?” he prodded.
She flushed slightly under his intense gaze. “I just wanted to say thank you. I don’t think I did before, but I thought I’d be held hostage in that home forever. So, truly, gracias desde el fondo de mi corazón,” she said, holding a hand to her chest. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
He looked at her for a moment, surprised.
“You’re welcome,” he finally said, his deep voice sending a rumble through her insides.
No doubt he’d been on countless missions, and she wondered if anyone had thanked him before.
Her heart stuttered as his eyes met her own.
“I only wish we’d gotten to you sooner.”
***
HARRISON EYED THE DOOR to the medical wing and turned away, striding purposefully down the corridor.
He’d escorted Luciana there himself after they’d gotten off the plane, making sure she was comfortable before he left—as comfortable as she could be after being held prisoner for a month, that is.
He felt a weird reluctance to leave her.
Once again, it made no sense. She wasn’t his.
That didn’t stop all his protective instincts from rising anytime she was near.
Listening to her cry out in her sleep had been gut-wrenching.
He could imagine the memories bombarding her—the nightmares that came anytime she closed her eyes.
She’d been nervous getting off the airplane. She hadn’t said as much, but he could tell by the hesitancy in her step, the waver of her voice. And while Harrison had been barking out orders to his men, he’d made sure to gentle his tone with her.
They were safe on a secure military base in Oahu now.
It wasn’t like the cartel would be lying in wait, but he knew it might be a long time before she felt comfortable being out in the open or around other people.
Briefly, he worried about leaving her alone in his home.
Should he have insisted she go with Ryan and Avery?
Maybe the other woman would convince Luciana to stay with them once they were reunited.
He headed back toward the airstrip where his team was unloading their gear.
Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, he swiped the screen.
Just as he’d been briefed when they’d left Panama, the media was already reporting the killings of several Gulf Clan members.
His jaw ticked. He didn’t like attention being brought to the matter, but given the recent spree of kidnappings, more focus was on the cartel than usual.
As he scanned over several news reports, he didn’t see Luciana’s name mentioned.
Harrison let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
A thought had niggled at the back of his mind after he’d escorted Luciana to the medical wing.
Wyatt had made a comment earlier on the plane that maybe she’d been bait, brought out to the nightclub for someone to see.
But who? The cartel had enemies, but he couldn’t imagine why they’d care in particular about Luciana, unless it somehow involved her wealthy father and his real estate venture.
If they wanted money, why not just demand a ransom? Why parade her around at a nightclub?
Another thought flashed through his mind. Had her father known about her kidnapping and simply left her there in the clutches of the cartel?
Anger burned through him.
He had a number of questions to ask Luciana, and they needed an official statement from her as well. She’d been through hell, however, and his priority at the moment was to make sure she was in good health, both physically and mentally.
His men were talking as he moved toward the ramp of the plane, and as he rounded the piles of gear ready to be returned to the lockers, he came face-to-face with Admiral Swenson.
Harrison saluted as Admiral Swenson glared at him. “At ease. Commander, I didn’t expect you to be as hot-headed as your men and use your personal leave to fly to Panama.”
“Sir,” Harrison said with a nod. “I had business that needed to be taken care of.”
The admiral flashed him an irritated look.
“Business my ass. I covered for you this time given your impressive record of service and lack of disciplinary action along the way. You’re a respected commander on this base, but I won’t have my orders ignored.
Make sure we don’t have a disagreement like this again, or it will end very differently. ”
“Understood, sir,” Harrison said.
“Job well done,” the admiral acknowledged, and then he turned on his heel and strode away without another word.
“Holy shit,” Sawyer said from behind him, dropping his duffle bag onto the ground with a thump.
Harrison shot him a glare. “Watch your mouth, sailor.”
Sawyer tried to keep a straight face. “I never thought I’d see you get scolded like that, sir. Usually, I’m the one in trouble.”
Hudson walked over, slinging several bags of gear to the ground, and chuckled. “As it should be, Saint,” he razzed.
Harrison muttered under his breath, watching the admiral’s retreating figure. He knew he’d gotten off easy. Fortunately, he had a long history with the man aside from an impeccable record of service. If he betrayed his trust again, however, it would be a different outcome altogether.
Wyatt cleared his throat as he came over. “The supplies are almost all unloaded from the plane. Are we debriefing this morning, sir?”
“Negative. Ms. Rodriguez is in medical, but I need to get her settled in. It seems I have a houseguest for the time being.” The reality of the situation slammed into him. While he knew Luciana would in all likelihood actually feel more comfortable at Avery’s, he’d leave the decision to her.
“I’ll contact Avery as soon as I get my phone,” Ryan said.
The men kept their personal electronics stored in their lockers when deploying on an op.
Harrison never worried much about it when he served as a SEAL because he didn’t have someone waiting at home.
It had been all the more reason it was best he stayed single.
“Is Avery working at the hospital today?” Wyatt asked.
“Negative. She has the day off, and I know she’ll want to see Luciana as soon as possible.”
“Luciana doesn’t have anything with her,” Harrison said, his voice growing serious. “She doesn’t have anything except the borrowed clothes that she’s wearing.”
“We’ll handle it,” Ryan assured him.
The other men gathered around, and Harrison filled them in on the day’s plans. “After we get everything into the storage lockers, take the rest of the day off. We’ll be debriefing at oh-eight-hundred tomorrow morning. Dismissed.”