Password to Her Heart (The American Soldier Collection 9)

“My pleasure.” Tex chuckled as he disconnected the call. He worried about her being alone for only a second, then reminded himself that they were in Texas, not Mexico, and that she wasn’t in any danger. But he also wondered what package was being delivered and shipped out. Could the feds catch Chavez’s partner and would it lead to Chavez? Tex sure hoped so. He wanted this to be completely over, and until Chavez was captured or killed, he wasn’t going to let his guard down.

* * * *

Shawna stood up to stretch. She walked toward the window, looking out at the sunny day slowly coming to an end. It was going to be a warm night, and the guys had plans for her to meet their friends. She felt nervous despite the fact that some of those friends were in ménage relationships, too. But she wasn’t outgoing unless it was at work to get tips. This was different. She didn’t want to answer questions about her life, or her experience. She just wanted to be with Tiek, Lee, Stitch, Tex, and Mercury. Maybe she would remain between Mercury and Tiek. They

were the least conversational of the bunch and they would make her feel safe and secure. She smiled just thinking about them. She loved them. Heck, she loved making love with them. They were all so passionate, yet for big men, gentle and compassionate.

She adjusted her knee-length beige skirt and pulled down the soft, pink T-shirt she had worn with it. She had to admit that she was surprised at Mercury’s ability to pick out such nice clothing. Most men seemed to hate shopping, never mind having to dress a woman and find interesting things. But somehow, from panties and bras to lingerie, sleepwear to everyday wear, he was successful in choosing gorgeous things. By the names on the tags they were high quality and expensive.

She chuckled. Since complimenting Mercury, Lee and Stitch got in on buying her things, and this morning she found red-and-black lace lingerie, with thigh-high stockings, garters, and panties that were missing the crotch. She felt her cheeks warm. Maybe she’d wear it for them one night when they least expected it.

Chuckling, she heard the door to the room open and thought it would be Lee. He should have been back by now.

Her heart raced and she covered her mouth. Standing in front of the closed door was one of the Hispanic men who’d nabbed her off the streets on her way home from work that night.

“What are you doing here?” she asked and then looked toward the bed at Keith. She stepped closer and the man smiled.

“If you want your brother to live, and the Marine who is here with you, then you’d better cooperate.” He opened his light jacket and revealed a gun with a silencer.

She shook her head. “Don’t hurt him. What do you want?” she asked.

“You. It’s time to go. Move now, cooperate, and don’t make a scene or the man I have watching Lee will kill him at the gas station.”

She knew he was telling the truth. There had to be someone watching Lee.

She glanced at Keith and the Hispanic man raised the gun, pointing it at Keith.

“No. Please don’t kill him. Please. I’ll go. I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t hurt them.”

“Then move it.” He reached his hand out, and she glanced over her shoulder at Keith. She prayed that he would be safe.

“They’ll kill them all. He has men watching the others, too.”

“No. Please. Don’t hurt them.”

He held her gaze. “Just know that I can, and that you better cooperate or they’ll all die.” He shot the gun, making her jump. She turned and saw the bullet in the pillow directly next to Keith’s head. A half an inch closer and he would have killed him right there. She was shaking in fear, wondering why this was happening. The man took her hand and walked with her down the empty hallway.

Shawna wondered where all the nurses and people walking around were. All other days the floor was kind of busy. Minutes didn’t pass without a soul walking by. Just as they got to the staircase, she saw the nurse. She was heading inside to check on Keith. Shawna hoped that she saw the bullet hole. Looking up at the cameras on the wall, she wondered if someone were watching. “Help me,” she stated and then felt the smack to the back of her head. She gasped, and the man gripped her neck.

“Not too smart. One call and the boyfriend at the gas station will blow up.”

She couldn’t let that happen. She loved them all too much. She had to cooperate.

Chapter 16

Lee didn’t like the way the sports car with the dark-tinted windows seemed to be following him. He picked up on the sports car as he left the gas station and headed back the block over to the hospital. As Lee pulled into the parking spot, the car stopped on the side of the road. He debated about what to do when the phone rang.

“Lee, tell me that you have Shawna?” Tex asked, sounding frantic.

“No. She’s inside the hospital. I just got back.”

“Fuck!”

“What? What is it?”

“Someone who works for Chavez is in the area. The hospital called the police. There was a bullet hole in Keith’s pillow and Shawna is missing. I was hoping she was with you.”

“Oh fuck. What do I do?”