Password to Her Heart (The American Soldier Collection 9)

“

I know. And I will always protect each of you, too.” She smiled when he raised one eyebrow at her in challenge.

They heard a moan, and when they looked toward the bed, they could see Keith moving around as if he were going to wake up.

Shawna hurried toward the bed and Mercury went to grab the nurse.

She held his hand and stared at Keith. “You’re okay, Keith. I’m right here.”

The nurse, Mercury, and the doctor walked into the room just as Keith blinked open his eyes. He cringed in pain, but Shawna’s eyes welled up with tears. Then a small, low sound of relief escaped from her lips as Mercury pressed against her from behind, his presence, his strength an added bonus to the relief she felt.

“He’s going to be okay, Shawna. He’s going to make it,” Mercury whispered and she smiled, knowing life was only going to get better and nothing would break this family apart ever again. Not if she had anything to say about it.

* * * *

Tex was the first one to see Shawna as Mercury opened the front door. She looked tired, but happy, and the moment her eyes locked onto his she hurried to him.

He lifted her up into the air and she straddled his waist. With her arms wrapped around his shoulders she kissed him. “You heard?” she asked, pulling back.

He ran his hands along her ass and thighs. “I heard, baby. I’m thrilled, and can’t wait to see Keith. This is what we’ve been waiting for.”

Her big blue eyes sparkled and her smile lit up his heart.

“I love you, baby. I love you so much.”

“And I love you.” She kissed him again before hugging him and laying her head on his shoulder.

Tex smiled and winked at Mercury as Stitch, Lee, and Tiek entered the room. Tex remained holding her as Stitch, Lee, then Tiek each kissed her and said they loved her.

“You both must be starving from staying at the hospital so late,” Stitch asked.

“We are,” Mercury replied and then headed to wash up. Tex carried Shawna to the kitchen and set her down by the sink. She washed her hands and then Tex wrapped his arm around her waist and smiled.

“What did the doctors say?” he asked, as Lee and Stitched heated up some leftover chicken from dinner.

“Well, he said Keith’s vitals look good and strong. That it seems he’s taken to the surgery and healing well. They’re going to run some tests the next few days. I’m feeling really good about this. He’ll make it. I’m going to make sure he makes it, by talking to him, whispering in his ear, and getting his ass moving to full recovery.”

Tex chuckled. “There’s not a doubt in my mind you will accomplish that, Shawna.”

She turned in his arms and hugged him again.

He caressed her back and held her close. But he couldn’t wait until this was all over and they could stay safe and secure here on the ranch and they could move on with their lives together, and maybe start working on that family they all wanted.

* * * *

Stitch sat on the couch in the living room with Shawna. She had her head on his lap and was wrapped in a cream-colored blanket. He was stroking his fingers through her hair. He stared at her, absorbing her beauty from the chocolate locks that cascaded down her back to her shapely figure. His cock hardened beneath her and she stirred.

The floor creaked, and Stitch saw Tex standing there sipping a glass of ice tea. He gave a small smile and Stitch smiled back. He glanced around the room at the others. Mercury had his feet up on the coffee table, his hand over Shawna’s body above the blanket. Tiek was watching the television, something about a chain store potentially coming to the area and the hype over it, and Lee was watching Stitch caress Shawna’s hair.

It was all so normal, and like nothing he ever could have wished for or even thought to wish for. Stitch spent the majority of his adulthood in the Marine Corps. He didn’t have a family, lost both parents to a car accident when he was sixteen. He raised himself with help from the Corps and that was where he met these four men around him. Tiek, with his deep voice and Polynesian background, had been his first good friend to make in the Corps. They served together and went through boot camp together, where they met Lee.

Later, after a mission where a few special teams were called into assist, Stitch, Lee, and Tiek got to work with Mercury and Tex. Mercury had gained his own leadership position and could pull together a team of men he wanted. They were chosen. That was when Lee introduced them all to Keith, the youngest of the team, but the kid fit right in. From there, they had one another’s backs and never parted. Each of them had their own personal stories of life struggles, no families, just good friends from the Corps, and their bond formed. They were more than a team. They were brothers. Now, here they were, living together, sharing Shawna, a woman who came out of nowhere, but snagged their attention immediately. When Stitch thought about Keith’s notes to Lee in case he died, he wondered if Keith intended, or perhaps hoped that the rest of the team would fall in love with his sister. Keith was like that. Quiet, but he always had a backup plan.

If it were true, and Keith did plan this, and hope that his team would love and cherish his sister, then Stitch owed him everything. More than what he could ever pay him back. Shawna was a blessing.

So he leaned back and looked around at everyone, absorbed the feelings of contentedness, and knew that life didn’t get any better than this. As he thought the words, he felt a slight twinge in his gut. It was enough to lessen the power of the happiness he was feeling momentarily. He couldn’t help but to squeeze her tight.

“Stitch? You okay?” Lee asked him.