Tar eased inside and softly latched the lock. He studied the tiny figure on the bed. She was restrained to the bedrails on each side. What he couldn’t be sure of was if Keeley was the woman lying there in excruciating pain. Her moans and the thrashing of her feet told him, whoever she was, pain meds were needed. Stat. He sidled up to her and his breath caught. His heart hammered in his chest and ears, bringing all focus there. No. That led to mistakes. He forced calm over himself that left a sting along his skin, as if ants were biting. With eagle like precision, he surveyed her injuries. Good. He could move her. Not wanting to drug her, he chose a rather barbarian way to keep her quiet. The makeshift gag brought those wide brandy colored eyes to his. He leaned in. “Be the silent viper I know you are. You can strike me later.” He sealed that promise with a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Keeley attempted to rail at him but the effort proved too much for her, and tears leaked as defeat settled into her muscles. She was out of fight. Really…what was she fighting? She knew he’d come for her, proving once more just how much he loved her. No, she wasn’t any good for this brave warrior, but that was a battle she’d fight another day. For now, she leaned in and inhaled deeply the clean sweat of the man she loved. Might as well be honest with herself. He could never know, but that was beside the point. Later, she’d make sure he wanted nothing to do with her.
Tar eased them toward the exit as he heard the last thing he ever expected.
“Get down. Now.” Mitch’s command came from the floor above.
Next thing Tar knew; all hell broke loose. The SEAL rose to the occasion. Let’s dance.
Bullets zinged by as he carefully placed Keeley down, then pulled his firearms out and joined in. Leith met him in the hallway, reloading as he squatted down to ensure the woman behind Tar was unharmed by the latest party poppers. He nodded as Tar peered over his shoulder.
Mitch joined the festivities, taking place on the lower level, after the all clear upstairs. The team was well-versed on one another. Each man moving left or right of the other and returned the love from the enemy on the premises. Afterwards, he joined Tar, Leith, and Keeley, addressing, “McNeil. You dumbshit. What is the first rule you learned when you enlisted?”
Tar smirked. “Never go in without an escort.”
“Fucking right.”
“Sir,” Leith spoke up, “under the circumstances, I believe he deserves a little understanding.”
Mitch growled, “I’d have your ass, boy, if this were still a platoon.” His features softened slightly. “However, I feel ya.”
Tar chuckled while swiping the hair off Keeley’s furrowed brow. “He’s all pomp and circumstance, Leith.” He then leaned down to stroke Keeley’s nose with his. “You doin’ alright, Viper?”
Her attempted hiss around the gag told him all he needed to know. She was pissed, yes. But he also saw the relief etched in her expression. All the thanks he needed. Tarius McNeil was no fool, though. He’d just won the battle, but, acknowledged, the war still raged on with the beautiful woman holding his gaze. She thought herself weak, a victim of circumstance. What she didn’t yet realize about herself, she was one of the bravest warriors he’d ever had the pleasure of knowing. Operation Time for Keeley to Recognize She was a Fucking Survivor was now underway. God help him.
Chapter Eight
Mitch and Leith assisted Tar with Keeley while the rest of the team took care of business in the makeshift hospital. Keeley fell asleep in the backseat of the Suburban on the ride. Tar removed her gag once she slipped into dreamland. They entered the building Tar recognized from the time before. He laid Keeley on a gurney, then stood staring down at her, wondering if she’d be pissed or grateful when she came to. He didn’t have to wait long.
Keeley sat up with a hiss. “What the ever-loving hell?”
“Shh, Viper. You’re safe,” Tar reassured, stepping back when she took a swing at him. Fuck. He loved her crazy ass more and more, especially when she let that tigress temper out to play. He chuckled, which earned him a kick he didn’t prepare for. “Damn!” He ran his hand over his cock. “You just about broke it.”
She glared. “As if.”
There was no holding back the full-on laugh that erupted. Keeley tried to stay pissed off, but it was no use. The man was beyond handsome when he was serious and down to business. But when he smiled or laughed, he was breathtaking. Her pulse raced; her lower stomach tightened. He was the only man that could turn her on just being himself. His eyes told her he knew that, too. Tar regained composure when he saw desire flash in those brandy pools. A hand now over the family jewels he leaned in and declared, “Keep looking at me that way, Tigress, and I’ll fuck you senseless right here.”