Hot Protector(31)
“And if they don’t?”
“I kill them.”
A chill skated down her spine. He was serious. Deadly serious. “What happened to bringing them to justice?”
“What I do is war, Sophie. Innocent lives depend on me and my team. If someone takes Americans hostage, we’re not making sure they get due process before we bust in and take the hostages back. It doesn’t work that way. Due process is a bullet in the brain of our enemies and no man or woman left behind.”
The hair on her arms stood up as another chill rippled through her. Somehow she hadn’t understood how deadly he was until that moment. How frightening. “You seem awfully certain.”
“I am. Not everyone in this world is kind, and not everyone believes everyone else has a right to live. Some people think killing innocent Americans is justified—well, I’m there to make sure they don’t get to do it.”
She knew what he did was necessary, and yet it pained her to think of him taking such risks. Making such choices.
His phone rang and he answered. Her heart thumped as she imagined all kinds of bad scenarios. But then he broke out in a big grin and relief coursed through her.
“Yeah, come on. We’ll be ready.”
CHASE OPENED the door to Hawk and Dex “Double Dee” Davidson.
The latter smiled and shook his head, his Kentucky twang pronounced as he spoke. “Shoo-ee, boy, what kind of trouble did you get into now?”
Chase rolled his eyes in mock disgust. “The kind you can’t handle, cowboy.”
Hawk and Dex came inside and shut the door behind them. Sophie had gone into the bedroom to get dressed and hadn’t yet returned. He was glad for that because he wasn’t sure what Hawk would have to tell him. If it was bad, he didn’t want Sophie to know.
“How did Mendez take it?” Chase asked.
Hawk snorted. “About as well as you’d expect. He can’t provide support, but then we knew that. He may have a connection to work—no promises. He’ll probably also take his pound of flesh out of your ass when this is all over. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
The colonel was a hard man, a scary man in many ways, but there was no doubt he cared about his men. When Ice had been on the run with Grace Campbell, Mendez had put everything he had into helping them reach safety. And then when Gina was kidnapped and Hawk had nearly been killed, he’d sent the team into action to extract Gina and her son even though the mission would take place in the fancy neighborhoods of Northwest DC.
Again and again, Mendez did what it took in support of his warriors. Chase admired that about his colonel—though he also wasn’t looking forward to the ass-chewing he was very likely going to get when this situation was over.
“Got some clothes for you both,” Hawk said, handing over a hanging bag. “There’s a carry-on in the car with a couple of days’ worth too.”
“Sophie needs shoes,” Chase said. “Hers are ruined.”
Dex held up a bag. “Right here.”
Chase took everything and laid it on the table. Hawk came forward and pulled an envelope from his jacket. He dropped it on the table as well.
“Passports, plane tickets, and a short-term rental apartment a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower where Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Chandler will be spending their honeymoon. Oh, and plain gold rings to complete the illusion.”
Chase picked up the envelope and opened it. He didn’t like having to play mister and missus with Sophie, but he was grateful that Hawk had thought of an apartment rather than a hotel. It would make sleeping in separate beds a whole lot easier. And after this morning and the raging hard-on he’d had, sleeping in separate beds was a very good idea.
“There’s some cash and a couple of credit cards too.”
“Thanks, man.”
If this were a HOT mission, he’d expect this kind of thing. But it was personal, and his guys were right there with him, giving him everything he needed.
“We called the team,” Dex said. “Everyone’s out of town, but they’re on standby if needed. They wanted to come back, but we told them not to.”
Chase’s throat constricted. “Why aren’t you somewhere, dude? It’s R & R.”
Dex shrugged, though the corners of his mouth tightened for a second. “Nowhere I wanted to go. Besides, this is more fun.”
He grinned and Chase shook his head. “Adrenaline junkie.”
“And you aren’t? Hell, we all are.”
“Yeah, that’s the truth.”
The door to the bedroom opened and Sophie came out. She was wearing her clothes from last night, though she was shoeless. She hadn’t put on her jacket and the tank top molded to her, showcasing her fabulous rack and impressive cleavage. She stopped, her gaze going to his.