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CHAPTER 172
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Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 173
RackAfter Dr. Santos examined me and shot me full of more antibiotics, he shook his head while rewrapping my chest and told me to rest for the next few days. He was well aware that would never happen. I slept around the clock. One day of sleep and I craved the gym, tender wound be damned.The stitches pull during my workout, so I take it easy—two miles on the treadmill, push-ups, chin-ups, sit-ups. Gomez attended a meeting with Moon this morning and I have the gym to myself. I’m finishing my workout and thinking about a hot shower when Celina walks in. I rise from the floor after my last ten push-ups and try to grab my shirt before she sees the blood seeping through the gauze.Her hands go to her small waist. “Don’t bother. Carlo told me what happened.”Carlo is Dr. Santos. “Whatever happened to doctor-patient confidentiality?” I grumble.She ignores my question. “He told me to keep an eye on you and make sure you take it easy. I’ve already failed and you should be ashamed.”I pull t
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 174
I’M KEEPING A FIRM grip on Danny’s arm. “If you can’t walk, I’m putting you over my shoulder,” I tell her as she stumbles a bit.“Nope, that would hurt my ribs, pretty boy.”Okay, she’s really drunk. Danny never admits to pain and she usually only calls me pretty boy over the phone. She stumbles again and I’ve had enough. “Arms around my neck; I’ll cradle you.” I sweep her up and she giggles, which is totally unlike her, as she places her arms around me. “Are you putting me to bed shoo, pretty boy?”I don’t bother correcting the shoo into too. It won’t make a difference. “That’s the plan, Danny girl.” God, she smells good. Soap and woman. No perfume. Her body is hard and muscular, and I think of this to remind myself I like soft and voluptuous. Now that I’ve taken notice of Danny, it’s hard to turn that notice off. I keep reminding myself that Danny’s a friend—one of the guys. For some reason, carrying her in my arms this way no longer makes me think of the guys. She wiggles a bit and
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 175
RackThe firepower I have in the Jeep forces me to abide by speed laws. I push it when I can, long desolate roads where I can see car lights in the distance. I pull over twice and doze for thirty minutes having learned the art of catnapping in the military. It keeps me alert. About fifteen hours into the trip, the weather takes a drastic turn. I hate the fucking cold and my thin Arizona blood isn’t happy. I’m in jeans and a light cotton T-shirt. My flak jacket is in the trunk. It has no sleeves but the Kevlar will help keep me warm when I put it on. For now, the Jeep’s heater does the trick.I try to mentally block the pain from my wound. The stitches pull and even with the shitload of antibiotics shot into me, it feels like my side is on fire. I’ve survived worse injuries and continued fighting—this is no different. It’s better to dwell on the chill in the air. I’m a complete pussy when it comes to the cold.Rain hits at the Montana state line. Camp Springs is two hours northeast of
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 176
BethFrom: Nick.Hoffman@us.gov.orgTo: Beth.Hoffman@mymail.comDear Bethiboop,Rough times here and we had a close call yesterday. I worry about you if something happens to me. I know you’re all grown up but it’s important to me that you have someone great to spend your life with and care for you. Rack is that guy! He’s made for you. If the unthinkable happens, you can rely on him. He will get you out of any scrapes you find yourself in. I promise. The man is a daredevil with the luck of a leprechaun. Your children will be the hellions you deserve.Your melancholy brother,Nick***No lady friends visited Angelo tonight, so he concentrates on me. With methodical precision, he cuts his meat and takes small bites while watching me. He finally wipes his mouth and places his fork on his plate. “You’ve gained weight. It’s not healthy for my child.”I’m pregnant for fuck’s sake. It’s not healthy to be a beanpole in your eighth month. I keep this to myself. “I think walking helped keep the w
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 177
RackThe curtain of the master bedroom is partially open. I check inside the dark room and see no movement. I take out my phone and pull up the app to blow the barn. With the phone in one hand and my finger hoovering over the control, I lift the gun. My finger presses down and I swing the butt of the gun against the glass as the explosion rocks the balcony. I’m in the house before flying debris settles.I’m about to enter the hallway when a voice yells up the stairs and running feet move closer. “Lock her in the damn room and get your ass back here.”I move behind the door and watch one of the guards run past. I don’t move as he locks the door to the room where they’re keeping Beth. I wait for him to charge back down the stairs before I run to the door he just secured. I remove a metal wedge from one of my vest pockets and put it against the door to pry it into the lock. The door snaps open without much force. The room’s dark and I flash the tactical light on the Glock at the bed. Emp
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 178
BethFrom: Nick.Hoffman@us.gov.orgTo: Beth.Hoffman@mymail.comDear Delusional Beth,This Kevin guy is not for you. You need to trust your older, wiser brother on this. Kevin has no idea the spirit you carry inside you. He can’t. I can tell by your emails that he’s a stodgy prick. And yes you read that right. I don’t need to meet him. You need to meet Rack. He’ll blow all thoughts of this other man out of your head.Your wiser, older brother,Nick***Rack came for me. A man I’ve met one time. A man Nick said was the best person on the planet. I should have had more faith in my brother.My stomach cramps and I dig my fingers into my side. I know it’s not the baby coming. I should have exercised more while I had the chance. Even with the pace Rack sets, I’m freezing and my teeth are chattering. I know he’s moving much slower than he wants to. I put one foot in front of the other and refuse to stop. Ignoring my frozen toes, the ache in my side, and the terror living in the center of my
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 179
RackI lift her into the passenger seat of the Jeep. It’s barely warmed but anything is better than outside. I have the Mylar blanket ready to go and tuck it in around her. I didn’t want it shining through the trees while we headed to the Jeep in case Angelo circled back looking for the person who blew up the house.She’s shivering. I shut the door as quickly as possible and move to the driver’s side. I throw the Jeep in gear and pull onto the road. I chose this spot so I could move forward and hit the road in case we were in a hurry. With everything involved, the extraction went good. Maybe too good.Beth moves her hands to the vents to heat them. I’m as cold as fuck but hey, I’m tough. I refuse to act like a pussy in front of her. I head back to the long stretch of road I came in on and see no vehicle lights in front or behind us. I head east at the intersection. I don’t have a plan that involves a pregnant woman. At least not yet. I’ll check my phone when I’m sure we’re out of dang
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 180
BethFrom: Nick.Hoffman@us.gov.orgTo: Beth.Hoffman@mymail.comDear Stubborn Beth,You’re not listening. This guy is bad for you. You’ll be bored within a year if you marry him. I know he hasn’t asked yet but I can read between the lines. You can’t marry him without me there, so I may never come home. I know in your stubbornness you will react irrationally if I try to tell you what to do. You have always been the most obstinate baby/girl/woman I know. I’m asking you to take things slow and wait.Your equally stubborn brother,Nick***I wake up cramped and needing to pee again. The Jeep stops moving and I peer out the window. We’re at a rest stop. Rack reaches into the back seat and hands me a small travel pouch.“Make it quick. The toothbrush is mine, use it. I’ll give you five minutes. Leave everything behind if I tell you to move. I don’t expect trouble but we need to be prepared.”I cover my mouth. “My breath is that bad?”He smiles and I think my heart stops. He has dimples. “No,
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