Password to Her Heart (The American Soldier Collection 9)

Chavez smiled. “If you are successful in getting her here to me, I will share her with you as well.”

Emoy widened his eyes. “This is unexpected, Chavez.” He bowed his head and Chavez smiled then walked closer, placing his hand on Emoy’s shoulder.

“It’s the least I could do. You saved my life. You were right about Montoya, and I should have listened to you. Shawna will be more than a replacement of Monique, she will be our everything.”

“Monique was supposed to be that.”

“Monique failed us. I’m just glad I caught her before she killed us both. Shawna will be different. Without her brother, Keith, with no family, no ties to anyone, we can make her into the woman we both desire.”

“I’ll make the arrangements and prepare a plan. It may take some time to coordinate.”

“Do what you do best, Emoy. I know you will bring her to us, that you will be successful, and waiting will make having her even more enjoyable as a reward.”

* * * *

Shawna tried to be brave and remain in bed. But the sound of fierce thunder rocked the house, and lightning illuminated her bedroom. In her quest to feel in control and independent, she didn’t take the medicine the doctor gave her to sleep. She had asked him about it at the hospital after visiting Keith, and he had given her samples of stuff.

Instead she cuddled in the corner of the walk-in closet, door closed to block out the bolts of lightning and to feel the safety of the walls against her back and side. Every time she closed her eyes she thought about Mexico and pictured Cuadrone. Even though she knew he was dead, the way he taunted her and touched her flashed into her mind. She tried to think of better things, happy things that would destroy the images in her head and take away the chills running rampant through her body. She thought about the drive home from the hospital today and the way she fell asleep against Stitch. It was the best thirty minutes of rest she had since escaping Mexico. But she couldn’t go to Stitch now and ask him to hold her. That would be succumbing to their control and letting down her guard that was the only protection he had left to hold on to.

More thunder rocked the house and she squeezed her eyes tight. In her head she saw the explosions at the compound in Mexico, heard the mumbled Spanish voices and then the sound of Cuadrone’s voice.

He was touching her, caressing her breast and ripping the shirt from her body.

“No, no, please.” She whimpered aloud. She wanted to run from the closet but where would she go? Who could she feel safe with?

When her five American soldiers popped into her head, all together, all standing side by side waiting for her, she gasped, covering her mouth.

I can’t let my guard down. I can’t depend on anyone but me.

She urged the desire to call to them or go to one of them away and she gripped the comforter tighter, holding it snug against her chest. She cried, and then she screamed when the closet door burst open.

* * * *

Lee and Stitch were in a panic as they searched Shawna’s room and saw no sign of her. The national weather service issued a tornado warning for the nearby area. They needed to take precautions and head downstairs to the safety of the basement and an area they built as a tornado shelter. Tiek opened the door, and the sound of Shawna’s screams drowned out the sound of the fierce thunder.

A bundle of white comforter, small and compact in the corner shook as cries came from underneath it.

“Shawna?” Tiek whispered her name as Mercury, Tex, and Stitch came running into the room.

“What’s going on? Did you find her?” Mercury asked, gun in hand, just like Tex and Stitch. “We heard Shawna scream.”

“Shawna?” Tiek got down on his knees and slowly crawled closer. He gently pulled the comforter away, and there was Shawna, lying in the fetal position, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Aw, baby, it’s okay. Don’t be scared. Come on now, I’ve got you.” Tiek reached for her. She was a sight, wearing only a flimsy white tank top that barely covered her large breasts. She wore a pair of tight, tiny pink shorts that more resembled underwear than clothing. Her long, toned, tanned legs remained glued together. He reached out and caressed her hair away from her damp cheeks. Her eyes blinked open.

“Go away. Just let me get through this,” she stated in a shaky voice. She was shivering and her expression looked so angry yet lost.

“Please let me help you. We need to go downstairs. Do you hear the sirens in the distance? There’s a tornado warning,” Tiek told her.

She eased her body up, the tank top stretched across her breasts, the mounds peeking out on either side. “Tornado warning?” she asked.

“Yes. Let Tiek carry you. We need to get downstairs,” Mercury ordered. His voice was firm, and by Shawna’s immediate reaction, she knew she had to go with them. She allowed him to lift her up into his arms, so Lee grabbed the comforter, carrying it along with them.

Tiek held her in his arms all the way through the house with the strikes of lightning and sounds of thunder getting closer and closer.

“Damn, can you hear that wind? It’s fierce,” Lee said as they entered the basement. The men began to light the lanterns. The electricity flashed on and off, and then there was a large noise and the place filled with darkness. They continued to light the lanterns that now cast a low glow of light throughout the room.

“Oh God.” Shawna cried out and pressed her face against Tiek’s neck, holding him tight. He caressed her and turned his face to lay kisses against her damp skin.