FIRE (Elite Forces #2)(17)
“I know you do, but I promised you a trip and we are taking one.” Maybe if I sound demanding enough, it’ll work.
“How about Bali?” Holy shit, that sounds perfect. Of course, I’d say anything is perfect compared to this hospital in southern Texas.
“Tell Kase, and he’ll get us out of here. That f*cker can plan anything.”
“That is very romantic. Have your friend plan our trip, while you just lie around here and bark orders.” There’s my sarcastic girl. She smiles and leans in for another kiss, and I watch her soften again before my eyes. She runs her fingers through my hair and pulls her mouth from mine, allowing only about an inch of space between us.
“Kaleb Maverick. Fire. Commander. Sir. Whatever it is you want me to call you. I love you too.” There’s a knock at the door, interrupting her, but she kisses me once more before she stands. “And if you ever f*ck around on me, I’m going to shoot you in the dick just like I did those other guys. So think about that as you move forward from here.” I watch her ass through my swollen eyes and smile. That’s my ass. That’s my woman. Even with that feisty f*cking mouth, I wouldn’t change one single thing about her.
CHAPTER EIGHT
JADE
Whoever is behind that knock on the door has the worst timing. There’s more to be said between the two of us. Kaleb needs to talk. He needs to tell me what he remembers. The mere idea of him having to relive the savage things done to him sends another sharp spear of anxiety that lies dormant in the center of my chest. I’ve worked out the details with my superior. Thank god, they don’t have me training or scheduling me for a mission as of yet. Our time off could be days or weeks at a time. I do have to check in daily or report to work in other areas when I’m not deployed, but I was granted personal time off because of what I’ve been through in the past few weeks.
I’ve been sitting by his side for almost a week, talking and pleading with him to come back to me. Crying. Me, Jade Elliott, whose heart used to be hard as a block of ice until he brought his fire into my life and melted it. I’ve cried more times in the past week than I can remember throughout my entire life. All over this man I’m in love with.
Even though anxiety is consuming my body, I can honestly say I don’t feel the need to take a pill to calm me. Knowing Kaleb is safe is all I need. Love is the bond and the strength to get a person through anything, especially when it’s this obvious it’s mutual.
Love, a word never on my radar, has now taken over my existence. My world revolves around this man.
I’m in love with him because of the deep connection I’ve felt with him from the second I laid eyes on him. Dealing with the torture of this week has only intensified my feelings towards him. My mind went crazy, thinking of everything he went through, as I examined all of the marks on his body. I can tell he was whipped many times. The wounds are starting to heal, but I’m afraid the surface scars will always be there. And I don’t even want to think about the internal scars something like this would bring.
I don’t care what he looks like or how much this will torment him. He takes me and I take him just the way he is. He’s been point blank about wanting me from the first day we met, and now it’s time I match his determination. His blastoff introduction to have me on my knees that first day could’ve so easily gone a different way. I’m just glad I felt the connection the second I laid eyes on him.
I shove these feelings aside as I make my way to the door. I swing it open, only to be swept off of my feet by Jackson.
“We heard the princess is awake.” He comes barreling in, followed by everyone else. I could laugh right now at the term Jackson used to address Kaleb, but I won’t. That’s Jackson’s story to tell.
“This princess is going to turn into an evil queen if you don’t get your filthy hands off of my woman. Now, motherf*cker.”
I laugh. Right along with everyone else when they all stroll in with their big bodies, filling this small room to the brink where I actually smell testosterone over the bitter odor of the disinfectant I’ve been smelling for days.
“She’s a hell of a lot lighter than you are.” Placing me back down on the floor, Jackson winks then goes to Kaleb, who raises his brows in uncertainty.
“Man. You look a hell of a lot better than the last time we saw you. You holding up okay?” Harris, my rock for the past few days, stretches out his arm to shake Kaleb’s hand. He takes it, and their eyes meet. Kaleb says thank you, while Harris replies with his welcome.
“I’m good. Ready to get the hell out of here.”
“We’ll make it happen. Before we go, brother, you need to fill us in. We need to know what the hell happened to you. I’m not asking you to relive the hell they put you through. I’m asking if you know any of those motherf*ckers. You kept talking in your sleep, and we’re all trying to figure out what’s going on here. Did they manage to break you and get any information?” It’s Kase who’s blunt and straight to the point.
“Do I look like they broke me? I’m still alive, f*ckers. Of course, they didn’t break me. I would’ve died first, and all of you know that.”
“We’ve got the President up our asses. These two have the Army up theirs. This is all kinds of f*cked up.” He points to both Harris and I. I’m about ready to tell him to calm down. That Harris and I are fine with our commanding officers. Yes, they want us back, but they know we need to be ready before we go back in.