Chapter 11 #3
The roar of a high-performance engine sounded as a bright red low-slung Ferrari rounded the corner of the mansion, skidding sideways. It came to a stop a few feet from Delgado.
Hank and Swede marched him to the passenger side of the vehicle, shoved him in and slammed the door shut.
“Good luck,” Hank called out to Carson.
Carson revved the engine and shot out of the compound, speeding away into the night.
Alana leaned into Chase’s embrace and rested her cheek against his chest. “I didn’t think you’d come after me. I thought you wouldn’t find me.”
“As you might’ve noticed, Carson has connections. That’s how we found Delgado’s place. We took a risk and bet everything on Delgado taking you to his compound.” He held her close. “Thank God we were right.”
She pressed her face into his shirt, her body shaking against his. “I was trying to get loose, so you wouldn’t have to save me. I almost made it.”
Chase chuckled. “Sweetheart, you did a good job saving yourself. I have no doubt you’d have gotten free without our help.”
“I’m not so sure,” Alana said. “But I wasn’t going to go down without a fight.”
“That’s my girl.” Chase kissed the top of her head. “Brave and feisty. I love that about you.”
“Where did you come up with all these people?” she asked and pushed away far enough to look at the men gathered around her and Chase.
“This is my new boss, Hank Patterson, the founder of the Brotherhood Protectors.” Chase held out his hand to Hank. “Thanks for coming so fast.”
“Glad to help.” Hank turned to the others in his group.
“Guys, you know Trevor Anderson already. And this is the newest member of the brotherhood, Chase Flannigan. I knew him as Salty Dog when we served together.” Hank pointed to a tall man with broad shoulders and blond hair.
“This is Swede, he’s our computer guy.” Hank nodded to the next guys and went down the line.
“Meet Taz, Viper, Maddog and Boomer. Fortunately, they were able to cut loose long enough to come down and help out on this job. You’ll meet the rest of the Brotherhood Protectors team when you get to Montana.
” He nodded toward Alana and smiled. “And you must be the reason for our mission. Do I get a formal introduction?”
“This is Alana, my wife.” Chase’s arm tightened around her, and he pressed another kiss to the top of her head. “One of the bravest people I’ve ever met.”
Hank grinned. “I saw how you handled Delgado. If you ever decide to go into the protective service, I might have a place for you in the Brotherhood Protectors.”
Alana laughed. “Thanks, but I think I’ll stick to something less intense.
” She leaned into Chase. “Although I will be job hunting now that I’ve decided to quit my father’s firm.
I’m skilled in scuba diving and large corporation management, not that I want to continue down that path.
” She shrugged. “But that’s for another day.
I’m just glad to have survived tonight. Thank you all for coming to my rescue. ”
Chase turned to the others. “Hank, this is Gina, Alana’s friend,” he said, reaching out to pat her shoulder. “She’s prior Army.
Hank shook Gina’s hand. “Good to meet you. Thank you for joining the mission.”
Gina nodded. “It was my pleasure.
Hank turned toward Chase. “Let’s get out of here before any more of Delgado’s men come looking for him.” He faced Chase. “Are you ready to leave paradise and come to Montana? If so, I have an airplane waiting to take us home.”
Chase stared down into Alana’s eyes. “I just got here. As long as Delgado’s people aren’t gunning for me, I’d like to finish my vacation before I start work.”
Alana met his gaze, a smile curving the corners of her lips.
Gina leaned close to Alana. “You need to get in touch with your father as soon as possible. I’ll bet he’s contacted the Mexican government, the US Embassy and the French Foreign Legion by now.”
Alana’s smile slipped. “He’ll want me to go back to Maui immediately.”
“You don’t have to go, you know,” Gina pointed out. “Carson said he’d take care of Delgado. I have no doubt he’ll make that happen. The man has some wicked connections.”
“I would like to stay,” Alana said. “We didn’t come all this way to turn around and go home after only two days.”
“I’ll be here all week,” Chase said. “I could use a good dance partner.”
Gina nudged Alana with an elbow. “You hear that? How can you pass up an opportunity like that? The man can dance. And it will give you all week to figure out how to annul the marriage…” Gina winked. “Or not.”
“I promised Lana she’d get to put her toes in the sand. I’m staying,” Trevor said. “I’ll be here as backup.”
Chase cupped Alana’s cheek. “What do you say? Want to hang out on the beach for the rest of the week?” He held his breath, hoping. After all they’d been through, he wanted to get to know this amazing woman better.
Alana glanced down at the ring on her finger.
She touched his hand with the ring on it and finally looked up.
“I don’t want to go back to the Maui yet.
I’d like to get to know Cabo a little better, as well as a certain groom, who apparently swept me off my feet in a few short hours.
Do you suppose we could take it slow…and sober? ”
“What? And take all the fun out of it?” Gina laughed. “You really do need to loosen up, Alana. You only live once. Take a chance.”
Chase lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss into her palm.
“We can go as slow and as sober as you like. I’d like to get to know the bride who made me want to get married when I had no intention of ever doing so.
” His heart swelled with the hope and joy of getting a second chance with this amazing, brave woman.
He hoped the week didn’t go by too fast. He wanted more time with Alana than one week would provide.
But he’d take all he could get and then work on convincing her to give him more.