Delta Salvation (Phantom Force, Book 1) (19 page)

Alexa shook her head, drawing her knees up to her chest.

“I’ll be back shortly. There are guards outside the door, but nobody should come in except me or the doctor.” Kai kissed her forehead. “It’s going to be fine. Trust me. I know it’s hard because I promised to keep you safe and I’ve failed miserably, but I won’t again.”

She grabbed his hand. “It wasn’t your fault. I went with them because they threatened to kill Tay and Oz. If I hadn’t opened that door when I did, he was going to put a bullet in each of their heads. I couldn’t stand there and let that happen.”

Kai felt the wind go out of his lungs. He knew she’d gone out voluntarily, he just didn’t know why. Hearing she’d done it to save his team members made him weak in the knees. He strode back to the bed, placing his arms on each side of her hips. With her knees in front of her body it was hard for him to get close enough, but he got in her face. “Woman, you are the most courageous, beautiful being in the world. I...my men, owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you for saving their sorry asses. They are more than just my team, they’re my brothers.” Careful of her stitches and the small incision on the back of her neck, he weaved his fingers into her hair and kissed her long and hard. She may deserve better than him, but he poured all his heart into that kiss.

****

A
lexa’s eyes watered at the emotion welling in her heart as Kai kissed her. She’d never been kissed as if she meant something to someone. She didn’t fool herself that he loved her, but he must truly care about her, or maybe it was his way of saying thank you for saving his friends. Yes. She decided it was the latter. When he pulled back she ducked her head, hiding her tears from him.

“Thank you Alexa Gordon. We owe you.” Kai left before she could tell him she was the one who owed him. They’d saved her countless times.

“Men can be so obtuse.” Laikyn walked in with her arms full of clothes, and a small bag.

She wiped the back of her hand across her face. “He was just being nice. I mean I got myself kidnapped while they were guarding me. I sorta offered myself up in exchange for two of his guys so he thinks he owes me.”

Laikyn nodded. “Oh, yeah. Men always kiss me like I hung the moon when I save their sorry asses.” Working silently she removed the IV and put a band-aid over the small wound.

Alexa pretended to agree, unfolding her legs. “Can I shower now? I feel fine. No headache or too much pain.” She winced on the last words. In reality the side of her head ached like a bitch, but she didn’t want any drugs. They made her woozy.

“I know you’re fibbing about the pain, but I’ll let it slide until after your shower. Once you’re clean you’ll feel a hundred percent better, then I will give you something that won’t knock you out, but will take the edge off the pain. Come on, let’s get you to the shower. There’s a seat in there so you don’t have to stand. I can get in there with you if you’d like. PS. I am sooo not into girls, so don’t think it’s a ploy to get you nekkid or anything. I am all hetero,” Laikyn laughed.

She couldn’t help but smile while the gorgeous red head helped her to the large bathroom that was nothing like a normal hospital one. “Well, if you were into me I’d have to break your heart as I’m also not into women, but if I was you’d be one I’d go for.”

They both laughed while Laikyn showed her how to work the controls and placed a couple towels on the shelf. “Remember to try to keep the bandage dry. I’ll be right outside if you need help, just holler.”

Alexa looked at the clothing the doctor had procured for her. A pair of red boy short underwear, with the clubs logo on it that still had the tags on them were on top, with a black t-shirt sporting the same logo and a sports bra along with a pair of jeans. She was pleasantly surprised to see they were all in her size, except the jeans may be a tad too tight, but they were clean, so she wouldn’t be complaining.

The shower felt heavenly as the warm water pummeled her back until she turned and the spray hit on the bruises, reminding her she’d been through quite an ordeal. Her legs shook, making her glad there was a bench for her to sit on. She wanted to stay in the spray for hours, but made short work of lathering up the shampoo, being sure to keep away from the incision and then rinsing before conditioning. She used the razor to shave and felt as if she’d ran a couple miles.

Alexa didn’t think she had the strength to shut the water off, let alone dry and dress herself. Standing, she turned the knob, then grabbed the towel and sat back down. Breathing heavily she patted her face dry, and after another ten or fifteen minutes, she was dressed with her hair on top her head in a towel.

Laikyn came in with a frown on her face. “You look exhausted. I should’ve come back in earlier, but I got a call. Here, let me help you back to the bed.”

“It’s fine. I’m just still kinda weak I guess.”

“You need to eat. I ordered you some breakfast.”

They walked out together to see a small table set up with two plates piled high with eggs, bacon, toast and an array of fresh fruit.

“Are more people joining us, cause that’s a lot of food for just two people.” Alexa moved to the table, inhaling the scents.

Smiling, Laikyn pulled out a chair and sat. “Girl, you ain’t seen me eat. I could eat most people out of house and home. At my practice in Kansas City, my two partners used to complain that I ate more than the two of them, so I should pay for two instead of one. They were total porchdicks, but damn they were hot as fuck. Too bad I wasn’t into threesomes,” she sighed, filling her plate up.

Alexa nearly choked on the piece of bacon she’d taken a bite of. “What?”

Laikyn chewed on a grape. “You know what a ménage is, yes?”

“Of course.” Alexa read books, actually loved to read stories about them. One of her favorite authors wrote a series about threesomes that made for some really hot fantasies.

“Well, the men I worked with were into that sort of thing, I entertained the idea for like a hot minute, but my heart wasn’t in it. They really didn’t take no for an answer very well. Have you ever had two men pursue you at once? I mean holy shite. I’d have one in front of me, one behind me, and they were hard all over.” Laikyn fanned herself.

A growl sounded from the door leading out to the hallway.

Laikyn’s eyes widened. “Hello, Kellen. Our patient is doing much better. Can you inform Mr. Swift she will be ready in about thirty minutes? I’m going to help her dry her hair after we finish eating.”

“Oh, I’ll tell Mr. Swift, and then you and I are going to have a nice, long conversation, Dr. O’Neil.” Kellen stomped away.

“He sounded very angry.”

Laikyn smiled. “That’s his normal voice. Anyhoo, don’t worry about him. Are you done?” Laikyn indicated Alexa’s empty plate.

She looked at the half empty plates in front of them, and realized she and Laikyn had devoured most of the food. “Yikes, I keep eating like that and I’ll never fit into any of my clothes.”

“Girl, you have a figure most women would love. All hour glassy and shit, so hush your mush.”

Alexa decided she really did like Laikyn, and for the first time she might have a female friend.

“Well being a glamazon like yourself would be awesome, not to mention I love your red hair.”

Laikyn snorted. “Yeah, well being five foot nine sucks when you’re a teen girl, and most boys are shorter than you.”

“Do you have a boyfriend now,” Alexa asked.

“No. I’m sorta in between places, and not wanting to settle down. I want what every girl wants. A man who can’t live without you, and is willing to give up all other women for you. The one who is meant to be mine has denied me for years, and I’m done beating my head against a brick wall. I’ve decided to put my big girl panties on and settle for Mr. Right Now, instead of Mr. Right, if you know what I mean.” Laikyn winked.

Not really sure what she meant, Alexa nodded.

“Let’s get your hair dried before Kai gets back here. You don’t want to look like something the cat dragged in, when your Mr. Right comes back.” Laikyn stood and began clearing their breakfast dishes, taking the tray outside. She returned a few minutes later with a cart loaded with all the things from a portable salon.

“I borrowed one of the staffs stuff.”

Great, so she was using some chick named Cinnamon or something like that’s stripper gear. Beggars couldn’t be choosers, and Alexa didn’t judge a woman for taking off her clothes. She suspected the club was probably one of the better places to do it in. Alexa thought it best not to ask.

Chapter Twelve

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K
ai’s mind was spinning. The intel they were getting back on the couple, who were supposedly Alexa’s parents, were reported to be dead, and were indeed Russian. They’d gone off the radar shortly after an assassination attempt on them and their young child Alexia Smirnov, had gone wrong. Then reports of their bodies being found were given to multiple governments, case closed, until now.

“From what I’m piecing together, the Smirnov’s were Russian officials who knew too much. Somehow they got out, but didn’t get out. I don’t know how they got separated from Alexa.” Rowan shook his head.

Looking at the image of Katalinia, she was the striking image of Alexa. Kai didn’t understand how parents could abandon their child to the foster system, unless they thought she’d get lost making it virtually impossible for the Russians to find her. Even then to give up a child was not something he could see doing. Not when they’d stayed together all this time. Or at least it appeared that way from the image they’d been able to procure with the facial recognition.

“Any leads as to where the Smirnov’s are as of now?”

He hated the unknown. There was a shit storm going down, and it was being brought onto U.S. soil. With two factions, the French and Russians, add in the bastard who betrayed them, and Kai feared if Tyler was in cahoots with the men who’d held Alexa, he’d be throwing his career away when he killed the man without a fair trial.

“I should have more within the next couple hours. Believe me, these two are smart. If they entered the country, they aren’t gonna come in looking like themselves.” Sitting back with a sigh, Rowan crossed his arms over his abs. “You can’t go off halfcocked, man. I know you want to, I’d do the same in your position for Lyric, but you can’t. Think with your head, not your heart.”

“I’m heading to the hospital to check on Tay and Oz. Can I get an escort and take your rig?” Kai ignored Rowan’s words.

“You’re a stubborn sonofabitch, you know that right?”

Flipping Rowan the bird, he waited.

“Of course you can use my truck. I’m going to see if Kellen is cool with sending a few guys for backup, and before you say shit, remember our boys are hard to kill, and you need it.”

“See, you don’t know shit. I was going to say thank you.” Kai smirked. He wasn’t taking Alexa’s safety for granted ever again, nor did he want to leave her behind.

“Asshole,” Rowan growled.

He left the space his ex-team member had claimed as his own, hurrying toward the clinic where he’d left Alexa.

His heart nearly stopped at the vision she made in a pair of tight denim jeans with strategic rips, and an even tighter T-shirt, that should be illegal for a woman who was built like his Alexa to wear. “Fuck me running.” He ran the back of his hand across his mouth, sure he was drooling.

“Laikyn brought me these from the club. They’re a little snug.” She plucked at the top.

A little snug his foot. He wanted to rip the outfit off and bury his dick into her tight sheath. The outfit fit her like it was made just for her. He knew the men outside the club would all be salivating when they caught a glimpse of Alexa. Jealousy and the need to make sure they all understood she was his rode him. “Come here,” he ordered.

Alexa crossed to him, allowing Kai to pull her into his body. He sealed his mouth over hers, taking possession while his hands gripped her ass in his palms. The fullness filled them. Her lush breasts pressed against his chest, the hard peaks of her nipples tempted him to lift the T-shirt and taste them, but time wasn’t their friend. The next time he made love to Alexa, and there would be a next time, he wanted to do it in a bed where they had more than a few stolen moments.

“God, I want to say screw everything and make love to you,” he said between kisses.

Her breath sawed in and out. “Me, too. You make me horny damn it, and I only have one pair of panties.” She blinked up at him.

He liked that she teased him. “Let’s go before I forget my good intentions.” The large bed they shared the night before mocked him. “How are you feeling?” The bruising on the side of her face ate at him.

“A little sore, but Laikyn gave me some high dose ibuprofen. I told her I wouldn’t take anything stronger. I hate being loopy.”

Kai understood her need for control. Taking a step back, he kept hold of her hand and walked toward the door. “We’re heading to the hospital to check on Tay and Oz, then we’ll go back to Rowan’s cabin. I don’t think the men who came at us will think we’d use the same place again. With the tracker gone I’m hoping they won’t have an upper hand.”

“That’s a lot of supposition and hoping.” Her hand flexed in his.

“We have more backup this time. Ones who don’t rely on sight and who know the lay of the land. Don’t worry. I’m not letting you out of my sight for a minute.”

“Really?” She looked up at him with a look of promise in her eyes.

He stopped next to the truck. “Not even for a second. Where you go I go. Where you sleep, I sleep. Feel me?”

She nodded, a blush covering her from every exposed inch he could see.

“Good. Now in you go.” He lifted her easily, before climbing in next to her on the driver’s side. He fastened her seat belt before doing up his own. Coyle and Sully climbed into the big king cab pickup with them without a word. Two vehicles filled with men lined up with blacked out windows. Kai had spoken with Rowan and agreed one would lead and one would take the rear. All three rigs looked alike, so anyone tailing wouldn’t know which one held who.

“This is like the presidential thing, only not,” Alexa joked.