Password to Her Heart (The American Soldier Collection 9)

“Shawna, we’re all here to watch over you and take care of you now,” Mercury stated.

“I’ll be fine alone. I just want Keith to be okay. There seems like so much to figure out. I have to contact work. I have to take care of the rent for my apartment, and the medical bills here.”

Mercury covered her hand and held her gaze. “We got it covered. We moved your things out of the apartment and into the house on the ranch. We spoke to your boss at work and told him that you won’t be coming back.”

“What? Why would you do that?” She swallowed hard.

“Shawna, Keith had a plan in mind, no matter what the outcome of the incident in Mexico,” Tiek told her. “We’re to protect you, take care of you now so that you no longer have any worries. So don’t fret about the bills. They’re covered.”

“I still need to work. I’m trying to finish college.”

“Honey, you will be able to finish college. You can grab a job if need be in town where we live. It’s a beautiful ranch in the country. We even have a place set up for Keith when he’s all better. But all you need to concentrate on right now is getting better.”

Mercury could tell that she was getting emotional. Her blue eyes glazed over with unshed tears.

The door to the room opened and a nurse and the doctor were there. The doctor, Lawrence Fisher, smiled wide. “How wonderful. You’re sitting up. That’s a good sign.” He walked closer to the bed. Mercury stepped away, but still remained close by, as did Tiek.

He checked her pulse and then pressed his hand over her forehead. “No fever. How do you feel today?” he asked her.

“Better.”

“Good.”

“I want to see my brother.”

The doctor nodded.

“How about we go downstairs and run those last tests to be sure that you’re in tip-top shape? Then we’ll see about visiting Keith.”

She nodded.

“One of you can accompany her downstairs if you like,” the doctor stated.

Mercury looked at Tiek.

“You go, Commander. I’ll go call Lee and Tex.” Tiek walked over to Shawna and clasped her hand. “You do what

the doctor says and just relax. I’m sure you’ll get the all clear so you can go see Keith.” He winked at her and she smiled.

“Thank you, Tiek. And thank you for staying here and watching over me.”

“Always, darling,” he said then walked from the room.

* * * *

Shawna was feeling overwhelmed with emotions. She was supposed to be strong, independent, and self-sufficient, yet these men, her brother’s team of soldiers, were making her feel special. She couldn’t help the attraction she felt to each of them. It was so crazy, but since Lee arrived with Tiek at the compound to save her and Keith’s lives, she hadn’t been then same. She thought of herself as pretty damn smart. She knew from experience the many times that Keith visited her when he was going through post-traumatic stress disorder. She recognized the signs, knew he needed reassurance, and she was certain to make lots of noise and never approach him while he was sleeping in fear that he could hurt her or worse.

Right now she was feeling pretty on edge and just wanted to be out of the hospital and safe in her apartment. But even when she thought of that, she knew it wasn’t a safe neighborhood and she would more than likely end up in a psych ward if she isolated herself from society. The best thing to do now was to focus on Keith and getting him better. She’d survive her own fears and misery someday, but Keith was most important to her.

“Are you up to sitting in a wheelchair?” the nurse asked. Shawna nodded her head. After she moved her legs over the side of the bed, the nurse assisted her into the wheelchair.

Mercury remained by her side the entire way. He was quiet but his presence and demeanor drew the attention of just about everyone. He was very tall, like Tiek, maybe six feet three. He looked older, if the lines by his eyes and over his forehead were any indication of his age. But he was handsome in a very stern, mature way. He seemed experienced and tough as nails. She swallowed hard. All five of the men in Keith’s team were intimidating. But she felt safe with them nearby. Thinking about leaving them and going back to her lonely life brought on an instant feeling of anxiety. She needed to get a grip.

She felt the hand on her shoulder as the nurse indicated that she was to get up onto the bed in the exam room. Before she could get up, Mercury lifted her gently in his arms and placed her down onto the long, narrow bed. She locked gazes with him. The feel of hard muscles beneath her palms elicited something in her that she was beginning to feel whenever one of the men were near her or touched her. She looked above her at all the elaborate devices and machinery. The large machine above would come down and determine whether or not she was still bleeding internally.

She clasped onto Mercury, relieved that he was here with her, and obviously affected by his move of compassion.

“Thank you, Mercury. I’m okay.”