Chapter 22
“Why can’t we see out?” she asked, turning toward where Levi sat beside her in the absolutely posh SUV. There was a small fridge on one side with cold drinks and even prepared food.
He smiled and squeezed her hand. “Because no one knows where this place is actually located. It's the best-kept secret in Guardian.”
“Not even you?”
“I’ve been there three times, and I still don’t know where it is.
I have a general idea … maybe, but no, it isn’t disclosed or discussed,” he confirmed, and she heard the slight smile in his voice.
“I know we're somewhere in the desert, but that doesn’t matter because the facility is primarily underground.
The exact coordinates? That's stratospheres above my clearance level.”
Willow absorbed that information as the vehicle continued to drive. Levi pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to her. “The food is usually good. Are you hungry?”
She shook her head, and he immediately was in front of her. “Do you need a pain pill?”
“No, I’m okay.”
He stared at her. “You’re not. You’re being stubborn.”
“I’m not. Poet told you the IV meds would last for a while, and honestly, I don’t want to feel so … fuzzy.”
“But Maliki told you we need to stay on top of the pain, not play catch-up.”
“And I will. But for now, I’m fine.” She lifted the bottle of water. “Except I can’t open this.”
Taking it from her, he opened the twist top and handed it back to her. “Promise me you’ll let me know when you need your medication?”
“I have already promised you that, but yes, I will let you know.” She took a long drink of the water and handed it back to Levi, who capped it and put it in a drink holder. “This facility, why’s it so private?”
Levi made a face. “Probably because of the Siege.”
“The what?” She dropped her head to his shoulder and yawned.
“You remember when Guardian’s building in D.C. was bombed?”
“Yeah, everyone remembers that. Well, everyone above the age of fifteen.”
“Well, other things happened that weren’t publicized.
One of our facilities in the middle of the country was also attacked.
That period of time is known as the Siege now.
Just how we refer to it. Since then, and as far as I know before that, this facility has been hidden from the public and even us. Even more so now.”
“That doesn’t seem weird to you?” She adjusted her position to alleviate the pain that the bouncing of the vehicle was causing.
“Not really. Guardian is a private company, so they don’t have to disclose any information to politicians or pundits. Their goal isn’t playing hide and go seek with their assets as much as it is protection against those who would stop what we are doing.
“Ah, which leads to other questions.” She looked up at him. “Which I won’t ask until we’ve done all the paperwork.”
“Thank you.” Levi kissed her forehead. “Ready for that pain pill now?”
She chuckled. “Yeah, the bumps in this road are not for the weak.”
He took the tablets out of the small tote Poet had given her and shook one out into his hand. “Thank you for being a good patient.”
“Thank you for being a sexy doctor.” She smiled at him as she took the pill and then took a sip of water.
“Now, love, you need to be careful,” Levi growled. “Let’s not wake the sleeping beast. It would be better for all of us.”
“The sleeping beast?” She blinked at him, and her eyes slid down his chest to where his manhood rested. “When did you give your cock a name?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “How do you know I named it?”
She turned her head and adjusted her body a bit. “Because no woman in her right mind would give someone’s cock that name.”
“Ah, what would you name it?” Levi asked, a rakish grin spreading across his face.
She cocked her head and considered his question. “Hmmm … Mr. Happypants?”
Levi’s eyes popped wide. “Definitely not.”
“Sir Sexy?”
“Better, but still … no.” He shook his head. “You’re giving me a complex now.”
“How about the best time I’ve ever had?”
“That will do,” he said and leaned closer. “But the best thing needs to wait until you’re medically cleared.”
“Bullshit.” She snorted. “I’m not asking a doctor for permission to make love to you.”
“I am,” he said and grabbed her hand. “Because I don’t want anything I do with you to cause you pain.”
She leaned against his shoulder. “The only pain that would be caused is embarrassment. Believe me, I know I’m not ready today, but I will know when I am ready, so leave that decision to me, okay?”
“We’ll see.” Levi’s comment came as the SUV slowed, then stopped. A moment later, the rear door opened, and bright desert sunlight flooded in, making her squint. Levi climbed out first, then turned to help her down, his grip careful not to move her healing shoulder.
They stood at what looked like a small farm in the middle of nowhere. Sand stretched in every direction, broken only by scattered Joshua trees and rocky outcroppings.
“This way,” their driver said before heading toward a small building. He opened the door and waited for them to enter.
“I’ve got it from here, mate,” Levi said as he opened a closet and put his hand against a scanner. The shelving unit slid to the side and exposed an elevator. After they entered, the elevator descended, carrying them down into cool, climate-controlled depths.
The facility was nothing like Willow expected.
The underground area sprawled in multiple directions, all polished concrete and reinforced steel that was softened by warm lighting and unexpected touches of greenery.
Actual plants grew in recessed sections of the wall, fed by UV lights.
It felt more like a high-end research facility than a secret training compound.
A woman with long red hair and a wide smile waited for them at the bottom of the elevator. Her hair was pulled back in a practical ponytail, and her kind eyes assessed Willow with obvious medical interest. She wore tactical pants and a fitted t-shirt, comfortable and professional.
“Willow Tucker,” the woman said, extending her hand. “I'm Dr. Ember King. I'll be overseeing your rehab while you're here.”
Willow shook with her good hand, noting the firm but gentle grip. “Thank you for having me.”
“Of course.” Ember's gaze shifted to Levi with obvious warmth. “Z. Good to see you again.”
“Always a pleasure, Doc.” He nodded respectfully, then glanced around the entrance area. “Fury around?”
“In the pit, where else?” Ember smiled, then turned her attention back to Willow. “Let's get you settled in your quarters first, then I'll do an initial assessment. We'll start PT tomorrow morning.”
Two days later, Willow sat on a padded therapy table in the Rose’s medical wing, rotating her shoulder through the prescribed range of motion exercises.
The wound was healing cleanly, but the muscles were tight, and the joint was stiff from limited use.
Ember stood nearby, watching with a clinical eye, occasionally adjusting Willow’s form.
“Good. Now, let’s try a small amount of resistance.” Ember handed her a light therapy band. “I want you to pull across your body, slow and controlled.”
Willow followed the instruction, gritting her teeth as the stretch pulled at the tissue around the wound. The pain was manageable, but frustrating. She’d always been strong, capable. This weakness in her own body felt like betrayal.
“You’re pushing too hard,” Ember observed quietly. “I can see it in your face. This isn’t a test, Willow. It’s healing.”
“I know.” Willow released the band, flexing her fingers. “It’s just difficult to be patient when I know what I used to be capable of. I should be able to do more.”
“Should is a dangerous word in medicine.” Ember pulled up a stool, settling in with the easy comfort of someone about to have a real conversation. “Your body went through trauma. It needs time to rebuild. Rushing that process will only set you back further.”
Willow nodded, knowing the doctor was right even as frustration simmered beneath her skin. She picked up the band again, starting the next repetition with more control.
They worked in companionable silence for a few minutes before Ember spoke again. “You’re handling this well, all things considered. A lot of the people I see struggle when they’re sidelined.”
“I’m trying.” Willow set the band aside, reaching for the water bottle on the table. “It helps that Levi’s here. He keeps me grounded.”
“Some men are really good at that.” There was something knowing in Ember’s tone, a shared understanding. “Though it isn’t easy, loving someone who does what he does for a living.”
The words hung in the air between them, honest and unexpectedly vulnerable. Willow met Ember’s gaze and saw the same struggles reflected there, the same hard-won acceptance.
“I haven’t got my clearance yet. I’m not supposed to talk about it.”
Ember laughed. “Everyone here has a clearance. Yours is being transferred, true, but you wouldn’t be here if the brass didn’t think you were going to be approved. That I can absolutely guarantee you.”
She glanced at the doctor and sensed the truth to her words.
She sighed, “No,” Willow admitted. “It won’t be easy.
We’ve got a lot of thinking to do. Our future isn’t clear at the moment, but I know what he is and what he does.
” She paused, rolling the cold water bottle between her palms. “I knew what I was signing up for when I fell in love with him.”
“I didn’t know when I fell in love with my husband.
I learned later after a lot of heartache.
” Ember’s smile was soft, tinged with years of experience.
“But knowing intellectually and living it emotionally are two different things. It takes a certain kind of strength to build a life with someone who operates in the profession Z does.”
“How do you manage it?”