Chapter 7
Silently, Joran moved through the quiet, dark neighborhood, his attention fixed on the one house with lights still on. It was just past midnight, and he knew that he should be searching the shadows for danger, but he couldn’t seem to take his mind off Tila and his babies. They were in danger, he knew. He couldn’t identify what that danger was, but he’d felt it in his gut as soon as they’d parked their vehicles a mile away.
So, now he was doing what he’d vowed never to do while out on one of these missions; he was allowing his team to guard his back. His mental distraction told him that he should be more careful, but he couldn’t stop the increasing awareness that something wasn’t right.
Back at the palace, he knew that Raj, Marianna, Khal, and Tasha were helping to get everything set up and ready. It was a monumental task to prepare the palace for a baby and doubly difficult to get it ready for twins.
The night air was cold, but there was no dampness. The arid nature of this region meant that even sweat evaporated quickly. Looking around, Joran felt the expected adrenaline spike as his senses alerted him to danger.
Nearing Tila’s home, he searched the area, trying to understand what bothered him so much. Something was definitely wrong, but nothing moved. The shadows were still, the birds silent, and the trees tranquil.
Tila’s small home was set back from the road, like most of the homes in the area. It was an older neighborhood, the homes built perhaps a hundred years ago. So, the yards were larger, the landscaping more mature.
Nothing moved, so what was bothering him? What was making his muscles twitch? Lifting a hand, he gave the silent signal for his team to stop. Immediately, everyone crouched low, twisting around so that their field of vision created a three hundred and sixty degree view of the area.
Nothing moved. Everything was silent. The only light came from the moon and Tila’s windows.
He saw the curtains move inside Tila’s home and knew that she was still awake. Had she slept since that hour last night…uh…early this morning? Probably not, he thought with grim determination. He wanted to protect Tila not just from outside dangers, but also from her need to do this all alone. Raising twins alone was possible, but it was killing her. Had she eaten the food he’d had delivered? After his assistant had found the food delivery service, he’d made the call himself, describing Tila’s favorite foods, as well as things he remembered she disliked. He’d demanded that the delivery service describe their meal options and he’d personally chosen what would be sent to her.
Focus, Joran mentally admonished. He couldn’t think about what Tila ate for the past eighteen hours. Once he got her back to his home, he’d ensure that his staff fed her whatever her beautiful heart desired. And he’d make sure that she slept for more than an hour at a time. He’d personally take care of his sons, so that she could sleep, if that would give her the reassurance that would allow her to relax enough to do so.
Damn, he’d been dreaming about having her in his home while his team waited silently for his signal. He wasn’t focusing. It was time to get this over with.
He moved his gaze over the area one more time, then lifted his arm, giving the hand signal for the next step in the mission. Immediately, his team moved into position. He tapped the radio button that sent the signal to the team waiting with the vehicles.
When he saw his men were in their assigned positions, only then did Joran move in.