Password to Her Heart (The American Soldier Collection 9)

“Move, now,” Lee stated. Tiek led the way and Lee held Shawna tight, covering her like a human shield as they walked as one unit against the building and out of the area. She dared not look up. She concentrated on Tiek’s black combat boots and following closely and keeping up with their pace. They headed into the darkness, only the fire from the building’s blaze lighting some of the area ahead of them. Before long they were in complete darkness, and the smell of burning building became less and less.

Lee spoke into his mic.

“Got Shawna and Keith. I need Stitch immediately. Keith is down.”

They walked through some brush and woods-like area and came upon a Jeep she hadn’t even seen. How did these men know where they were and where the Jeep was?

Tiek lay Keith in the backseat then jumped into the front driver’s side.

“Come on, Shawna,” Lee told her as he lifted her up and held her in his arms in the front seat. She clung to him, her skin now cold and fully exposed. It wasn’t until they drove out of there and she saw the other two vehicles in the distance that she sensed the possibility they would survive.

The cold air collided against her skin and she turned into Lee’s embrace. He held her tight and caressed her hair as she cried.

* * * *

Lee glanced at Tiek, who looked angry, yet determined. They had heard what the one man was doing to Shawna and were preparing to enter when they saw a figure in black enter the room. Shots were fired, and then more men came barreling inside. He couldn’t help but wonder if Shawna had killed her attackers herself.

He held her close, immediately feeling protective over Shawna, not only because she was Keith’s sister, but also a beautiful woman who had been tortured and abused. She needed medical attention, too.

The Jeep jerked and bounced a few more times and they finally came to a stop.

“Leave the Jeeps here, someone will take care of them. We’re boarding the Mi-17. There’s a medic on standby along with Stitch. How is the woman?” Mercury asked.

She didn’t turn to look, and Lee felt her shivering in his arms. As he got out of the Jeep he locked gazes with his team members. “She needs medical attention, too.” Tiek was already carrying Keith to the chopper.

Lee didn’t want to let Shawna go but he passed her to Tex and they all got into the chopper. Lee pulled off his jacket the second they began to take off and wrapped it around her shoulders. “You’re safe now, Shawna. We’re going to take care of you, and Keith.”

Stitch was looking over Keith. There was blood everywhere. On Keith’s shoulder and over his belly. Stitch looked at them.

“How is he? Is he going to be okay?” Shawna asked, voice quivering.

Stitch ran his hands over his mouth. “It’s bad, Shawna. I don’t know if he’ll make it.”

Chapter 5

Keith was brought to a hospital near Dallas. There was a van waiting for them all when they exited the chopper.

“We’ll look over her injuries on the way,” Stitch said as he eyed the voluptuous woman in Lee’s arms.

They climbed in, all

having heavy hearts as their concern for Keith intensified. There was only so much Stitch could do for him on the way to the hospital. The bullet to his shoulder was still embedded. The one to his stomach was more serious and would entail major surgery if he didn’t bleed out before they could operate.

But Stitch now focused on Keith’s sister. She clutched the military jacket and remained against Lee. He locked gazes with Lee, who seemed not only taken aback by her need to cling to him but also had a look of possessiveness.

“Shawna, my name is Stitch. I’m the medic of the team.” He knelt down in front of her. He could see all the cuts and scratches on her legs, her ripped shorts, and how she wore no shirt. Her skin was bruised and battered, her face swollen and bloodied from being struck. It pissed him off and he needed to rein in his anger, knowing that they killed the fuckers responsible for this shit. Plus the other facility where the missile was located was under US control. The only negative was that Chavez was still missing. But at least the teams were able to catch and kill Montoya and Guazipan.

“Shawna, it’s okay, he knows the password, too. Keith told us to take care of you and protect you,” Lee whispered.

She slowly lifted her head. The jacket fell slightly from her shoulders, revealing more bruises and a ripped bra. He took a deep breath and gave her a reassuring smile. At least he hoped it was reassuring.

Her eyes darted to the others.

“That’s Tex, he held you in the chopper. The other one is our team leader, Gunnery Sergeant Mercury.” Stitch gently touched his fingers to her chin. She looked at him, one eye swollen, her cheek and jaw badly bruised, but it was her ribs that appeared to be the worst.

“You’re going to need X-rays. We’ll have the doctors check you over at the hospital, too. What hurts the worst?” he asked her.

She lifted her arms, showing him her forearms and the lines of red marks.