Chapter 16
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“I CAN’T BELIEVE WE’RE both here in Hawaii,” Luciana said an hour later, the two women settled on Harrison’s back patio.
He was right. She did like the outdoor space.
For some reason, it made her feel more at peace.
She didn’t like being confined to one room with no freedom to leave, no choice about anything in her life.
She needed the fresh air. The sounds of nature.
The breeze in her hair. Inhaling, she smiled, loving the salty scent of the ocean.
“You look good,” Avery told her. “I didn’t know what to think when Ryan called and said you’d been rescued.
I had no idea they’d deployed to look for you and probably haven’t ever been more shocked in my life.
When Ryan told me you were in medical on base, my mind instantly went to the worst. I could hardly fathom that you were okay after all this time. ”
“Si. That is understandable. I think if your commander had his way, I would still be there in the medical unit,” she admitted with a smile. “He questioned the doctors again and again if it was truly safe for me to leave.”
Avery eyed her curiously.
Luciana shrugged. “He feels responsible for me. While the entire team was there and involved in my rescue, Commander Madden—Harrison—was the one to rush into my room.”
“I’m shocked he went to Panama,” Avery admitted. “Normally, when the team is deployed, he’s running things from base.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. While I don’t know the ins-and-outs of their operations, I know for certain that he stays in Hawaii.
We all have his contact information in case of emergencies.
Ryan can’t call or otherwise reach me when he’s deployed.
I never know where he is and have to hope that he’s safe.
The other guys on his team all have girlfriends or fiancées.
We sort of have to lean on each other when the team is gone. ”
“That is no doubt difficult,” Luciana said. “I’m used to being on my own but am not sure I could handle worrying about another person that way.”
“It’s rough,” Avery agreed. “I know that Ryan loves his career. I have to trust that his training and teammates will keep him safe. They rescued me, too. You and I both have firsthand knowledge of how they operate in that sense. If Ryan and the others didn’t do what they did, would other innocent people be left in danger and horrible situations?
Would there be more terrorist attacks or horrible things I can’t even imagine? I can’t fault him for doing his job.”
“That is a good way to look at it. We are different, though. You have family to lean on. Your brother is also military, no?”
“He is. They’re teammates, and no, he wasn’t happy when Ryan and I started dating. But Commander Madden? I’m shocked he was directly involved in that capacity.”
“I wonder why he was in Panama then,” Luciana said, glancing toward the glass doors leading into the home.
“Me too. And Luciana, Ryan said you didn’t want to barge in by staying with us. You would never be a burden! We can bring you back to our place and get you set up so you don’t have to stay in the commander’s home.”
“You deserve your time,” Luciana softly told her. “I know how much you missed your Ryan when we were in Bajo Chiquito. I was planning to find a hotel or something before the commander offered his guest room.”
“You were not!” Avery protested.
Luciana laughed. “Si. I don’t mind being alone. Luckily, we got along as roommates, no?”
“You were the best roommate,” Avery promised.
“Better than Ryan?” Luciana teased.
Avery blushed. “That’s not really a fair comparison, is it? But the commander? How did you end up deciding to stay here?”
Luciana lifted her hands. “Who knows? He offered, and I accepted. It is not forever. I need to get identification, new credit cards, and see if I can access my bank account. He arranged for me to get a passport before we left Panama. I will need to decide where I want to go from here. I will be fine to get my own temporary housing.”
“How long can you stay here in Hawaii?” Avery asked.
“I believe a few months. I need to see what kind of visa I was granted to visit your country. I was in so much of a panic when they rescued me, I went along with it. I didn’t have time to think anything through. If I had, I’m sure I wouldn’t have agreed to come to the commander’s house.”
Avery smiled. “Knowing you? You’re right. He doesn’t seem like the kind of man you’d want to spend time with. You’re both too stubborn,” she teased. “But I can guarantee you’ll be safe at his home. Ryan told me that it’s not safe for you in Panama anymore.”
Luciana shook her head. “No, it is not. I know too many of the cartel members’ faces.
The homes of the leader were not exactly a secret, but I know some of their inner workings now.
They go out at night and kidnap unsuspecting teenagers or young women.
Aside from identifying the cartel members, I could identify the women as well—provide confirmation that they were kidnapped by the Gulf Clan.
The cartel would probably kill me on sight—or else kidnap me again,” she said, her voice choked.
Avery reached over, putting her hand on Luciana’s arm. “The guys will never let that happen. Never. You’ll see. They’re protective of those they care about.”
Luciana shot her a pointed look. “I believe you, but I am a stranger to them. I’m your former roommate, si, but it’s not the same. You have a brother and boyfriend among these men. Of course you needn’t worry.”
“I swear you don’t need to worry either.”
They continued talking, the minutes stretching into another hour as the sun slowly moved across the sky.
Harrison and Ryan were inside having a beer, leaving the women alone to catch up.
“The team is all briefing in the morning,” Avery confided.
“Commander Madden gave them the day off. He never takes time for himself, but clearly, he wanted to see to it that you were all right.”
Luciana worried her lip. “Hopefully I’m not keeping him from his work.”
“I think you are his work now,” Avery joked.
Luciana let out a huff of laughter. “I suppose so. He’s the one that found me, so he seems to think I’m his responsibility.” She looked into the vast backyard, smiling. “This almost feels like a dream—us here together, relaxing outside without a care in the world.”
“Yeah—we couldn’t exactly do that while down in the Darien Gap.”
“Do you miss it?” Luciana asked.
Avery grew quiet. “Yes and no. I’m glad we helped the people that we did, but I’ve got a great new job lined up here already.
I’m managing the nursing staff at the hospital.
It’s perfect timing, really. I was ready for a change, and they had an opening.
It’s part-time at the moment but will be ramping up soon as the previous manager retires.
And I couldn’t wait to finally be in the same place as Ryan. ”
“Good for you,” Luciana said, flashing her friend a smile. “I’m glad you’re happy. You deserve it.”
“You could work here,” Avery pointed out.
“Perhaps. I’m not licensed to practice medicine in the U.S., however, so it would take some time to get everything in order.”
“Valid point, but I’m sure you could get the paperwork straightened out and line something up. I’m stressing you out,” she noted, realizing Luciana was suddenly feeling overwhelmed. “There’s no rush. You’re just enjoying your first day of freedom, and here I am planning the rest of your life.”
“Si. I can hardly believe I am here,” Luciana admitted.
“Just take things one day at a time,” Avery advised. “And we’ll talk more. There’s no need to hash things out now, but I’m sure at some point we’ll want to talk about...it.”
The women exchanged a glance, Luciana’s heart pounding. She knew her friend was worried about her but had no interest in talking about the fear and panic she lived with each and every day.
The men finally came out to check on them, and Luciana noted how Harrison’s gaze scanned over her.
Once again, it wasn’t leering. He was assessing, making sure she was okay.
How often, as a nurse, had she quickly sized up her patients?
It was strange to have another person so watchful in regard to her.
She didn’t mind it though. It felt good to know he was checking in to see if she was well.
Luciana had been on her own for a long time, and Harrison’s concern was something she appreciated.
Avery and Ryan eventually said their goodbyes, Avery insisting Luciana contact her if she needed anything before she came by in the morning.
“I’ll get you a cell phone tomorrow,” Harrison said. “I have a landline, which of course you’re welcome to use. I’ll write down a few numbers for you.”
“You have work tomorrow, no?”
“I do. I’ve got to debrief with my SEAL team. We’d like to speak with you at some point, too. Some of the knowledge you now have may be helpful in the U.S. government’s dealings with the Gulf Clan.”
She swallowed, worry shooting through her.
“Hey,” he said, lifting a hand but thinking better of it, pausing before he touched her. “We’ll only do whatever you’re comfortable with. If and when you’re ready, I’d be interested to find out what you know. It could be helpful to the U.S. and our allies.”
Luciana wrapped her arms around herself but met his gaze head on. “Si. I will share the horrible things they do. I want to stop them from hurting other girls and women.”
His jaw ticked. “You don’t have to share your own story,” he told her, his voice serious. “Not unless you want to. I would like to hear about the number of men involved, the operations they took you along on. We know of two instances.”
“There were only two that involved me,” she replied, briefly searching his gaze before looking away.
She looked over his yard, taking in the beautiful hibiscus and plumeria blossoms; the lush, green grass; and the swaying palm trees.
She waited for her heart to stop racing and noted that he was watching her, giving her a minute to calm down.
It was a surprise how attuned to her Harrison seemed to be. His job was like hers, however, in that he needed to assess people. She was treating patients and his no doubt was literally a matter of life and death.
“This looks like it should be a movie set,” she finally said, her voice quiet.
He let out a small huff of laughter. “I’m not sure I want Hollywood knocking on my door.”
Luciana glanced over and smiled, once again noting the tiny crinkles around his eyes as his lips quirked in the hint of a smile.
Stubble coated his strong jaw, and his hair was shortly cropped.
Harrison had changed out of his uniform and had on a polo shirt and shorts.
He was as muscled as she’d imagined him to be, with bulging biceps and thick forearms. She flushed, recalling as she’d tended to him earlier.
She’d felt that warm, male flesh over his muscles.
There was a tattoo peeking out beneath his shirtsleeve that she hadn’t expected, but otherwise, he looked as she’d imagined—gruffly masculine, confident, with eyes that saw too much of her fear.
“I will check your bandage later, no? See that we cleaned it well enough?”
“I can change it,” he told her in a low voice.
“Si, but you have a nurse staying with you.”
“Later.” His gaze fell to the plate of mostly untouched food. She’d eaten a few crackers and some fruit, but that was all. “I’m going to have some groceries delivered. I usually shop myself but don’t want to leave you here alone.”
“Can I look online at the grocery store website?” she asked.
“Of course. We can also order anything you need. It’s on me,” he said, studying her. “I’m guessing you don’t have access to any of your accounts. You might need to cancel your current credit cards if the cartel took you wallet,” he added with a frown.
“I will need to do a million different things,” she murmured.
“It’s okay,” he said, clearly trying to soothe her. “We’ll take things one step at a time.”