Healing Hearts 11: Tell Me You Love Me Read online

  “Go in and grab the package. I’ll get Morris,” he ordered just as the men reached Morris, and then the shots rang out from the ground. His brother was alive. Morris shot the men coming to kill him.

  “Morris!” Blade yelled, and saw the blood on his brother’s thigh. He got shot in the leg, it was clear through he determined as he ripped the pant leg and saw the damage. He reached into his bag and hurried up to apply bandages. His brother moaned and groaned but kept his gun on the building. Blade jerked as he heard the gun go off several times. Morris was shooting men coming at them. Another explosion erupted.

  “We need to fucking move,” Morris commanded.

  “In a second. Fuck,” Blade said, and finished up and then pressed his mic.

  “The package?”

  “Secured. We are on route to truck through the northeast side of building,” Vetter said.

  “We’ll meet you,” Blade said, and then helped his brother up.

  “Fuck!” Morris yelled, and then Blade heard gunfire. Morris fell to the ground and they turned and fired. Blade took two hits to his vest and one to his arm.

  “Fuck!” he roared, and then fired his weapon, along with Morris, and took out the last—he hoped—of the enemy soldiers.

  They headed toward the pick-up point to meet their brothers. It was a fucking struggle to say the least. Blade’s adrenaline was pumping. He wasn’t going to die out here, and he wasn’t going to let his brother die either. When they got around the first building to the clearing, and before the second set of buildings and the truck, more shots rang out. It was darker now, visibility worsening as night was setting in. As they approached the truck, he saw Vetter tossing a grenade. The explosion rocked another area, but the gunfire stopped. Vetter got behind the wheel. A man, beaten and out cold lay in the back. They got in and took off down the dirt road and to the pick up point.

  “How fucking bad?” Trek asked, holding his arm. Blade saw the blood.

  “I’ll be fucking fine. Tell me you’re all okay,” Morris interrupted, and cursed as he grabbed the bandages and pressed against his gunshot.

  “We’d be lying,” Trek said.

  “You got hit?” Blade asked, holding his gun out the window, ready to shoot anything in their path as his arm bleed and throbbed from the pain.

  “My side. Clear through,” Vetter said.

  “Arm,” Trek said, and hit a few bumps.

  “What a fucking mess,” Morris said, sounding disgusted.

  “Who the fuck is this guy we risked our lives for anyway?” Trek asked, and Blade looked at the unconscious man in the back of the truck. He looked to be about forty, was bruised and swollen.

  “I don’t know, but he owes us his life,” Blade said.

  It was another thirty minutes of intense fear, worrying that they could be ambushed or simply blown up by a roadside missile or something as they made their way out of danger and closer to their pick up. Blade glanced at his brothers, all injured, all bleeding, and for what? For this fucking guy who was important to someone willing to spend three hundred grand on them? “I’m done. I’m fucking done,” Blade whispered.

  * * * *

  Cavanaugh heard his phone buzzing. It was four a.m. He reached for it and saw it was Ace. He slid out of bed. Joanna moaned softly and Flynn pulled her into his arms and locked gazes with Cavanaugh as he squinted. “Ace,” he whispered, and then answered the call as he exited the bedroom.

  “Ace?”

  “Cavanaugh, sorry about the time, but wanted to give you guys the heads up before Jo gets the call from her brothers’ commander. Their mission didn’t go as planned.”

  “No. Fuck, how bad?” he asked and heard the floor creak, then looked and saw Knight and Leif there, buttoning their jeans.

  He covered the mouthpiece. “Morris and his team’s mission didn’t go as planned. Ace is filling me in.”

  “Go ahead, Ace.”

  “Seems they were ambushed. More terrorists than expected I guess. All four were injured.”

  “Jesus, are you fucking kidding me? All four of them. How badly?”

  “Morris is pretty bad, in the upper thigh, too close for comfort, but he’ll pull through. Was in surgery three days ago and it looks good.”

  “Three days ago?”

  “They have a rule about Jo and us getting any information until at least one of them is conscious and can make the decision, or five days after. I don’t know. It’s their control bullshit.”

  “And the others?”

  “Trek and Vetter have flesh wounds and needed stitches, but are in the best shape. Blade needed stitches in his arm, took two to the vest, so he is bruised up and has broken ribs from that.”

  “Where are they now, Ace?”

  “Pushing to get transported home. Danny is talking with their official commander to make plans to get them here. They’ll need a lot of help, and apparently are insistent on being in their own home and not the hospital.”

  “Well, they will need to listen to the doctors.”

  “Jo is going to lose it,” Ace said.

  “We’ll take care of explaining things to Jo. Just make sure to keep us updated as we know what to tell her. She’ll want answers and to see them.”

  “Of course. They’ll be holed up in a military hospital hopefully in South Carolina. We’ll know in a few hours. I’ll call you back. She’ll get a call from a higher up as requested through her brothers’ files. I’ll call if I get more info.”

  “Got it, and thanks.”

  “Take care of our sister. When she’s ready, we’ll come by later today and deal with it as a family.”

  “Okay, not a problem.”

  He ended the call and exhaled.

  “How bad?” Knight asked.

  He explained.

  “That’s a close fucking call. All four injured, nearly killed, and they needed surgery? Jo is going to be hysterical with worry. She loves them so much, and worries about them all the time. She’s been emotional since they left,” Knight said to him.

  “I know what you mean. She said she’s usually calmer but figures because of the abduction and what was done to her, she’s more sensitive. She tries to fight that.”

  “Should we wake her now?”

  “I don’t want to, but I think she’ll be pissed if we wait to tell her,” Cavanaugh said to him.

  “Then we’ll wait until five.”

  * * * *

  Melina finished typing on the computer when Meredith, her assistant, entered the room.

  “Hi, you have a minute?” Meredith asked.

  Melina looked up from her desk where she gathered up files for a meeting in a few minutes.

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  “Man trouble.”

  Melina smiled softly. “What did Gary do this time?”

  Meredith exhaled, and then sat down in the chair next to Melina’s desk. “We aren’t getting together until Friday night. I missed him so I called and got no answer. When I called thirty minutes later, a woman picked up his phone.” Melina’s eyes widened. “I know. I was pissed and of course I was like, who the fuck was that? All bitchy.”

  “Understandable.”

  “Not to him. He totally told me I was cramping his space, and I’m too needy. That I don’t need to talk to him constantly or call every five minutes because he doesn’t answer. He went on and on. So I said, well then it sounds like you want to break things off. So stay with whatever bimbo you’re with and I’ll see ya around.”

  Melina widened her eyes. “You told him that?”

  “Yup.” She leaned back in the chair.

  “Did he try calling you back?”

  “Better than that?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He showed up at my apartment, fierce as anything, and demanded that we talk things through.”

  “So did ya?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “What do you mean not exactly?”

  “He told me I was frustrating a
nd got under his skin, and the next thing I know I’m shoving him in the chest and telling him that I need respect, a commitment, and should be the only woman in his life and in his bed.”

  Melina whistled.

  Meredith looked toward the door to make sure no one was there to see or hear. “He grabs me by my blouse, pulls me close and kisses me. We’re hot and heavy, all over one another, tearing clothes, and well, you can figure out the rest.”

  “Holy crap, so what’s the problem then?”

  “My friend Dee texted me while we were busy all night and I didn’t see it until the morning. She said he was with some blonde and kissing her neck as she was sliding her hand up his thigh.”

  Melina gasped. “That scum bag. Did you kick him out?”

  Meredith shook her head as tears filled her eyes. “I love him,” she said, and started to cry.

  Melina got up. “Oh God, Meredith. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe that happened. Shit, you know you’re going to have to confront him.”

  “I was thinking I can just send the text I got from Dee.”

  “Not a mature way of handling it.”

  “Then what do I do?”

  “Ask him about the blonde, and if he admits to almost cheating, then tell him last night was the last time he was allowed in your bed. You deserve better. To be put first and to not be treated like some sexual object or play thing. You need to be strong. You’re beautiful, smart, and any man with a working brain can see that. Don’t sell yourself short.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “Of course you are, but don’t be scared of change, of being alone, and not having him. Think of the opportunities you’re missing out on and the chance to miss meeting Mr. Right. If he can flirt or even sleep with another woman, then he isn’t worth your time.”

  Meredith nodded. “Thanks, Melina. I guess we should get back to work. Are you ready for the meeting?”

  “I am.”

  “It’s getting down to the line. Just another two weeks, and then the trip to NY.”

  “I’m kind of looking forward to that. I hear they’re going to be showcasing the new computer software program at the convention there. I may have to check those out for myself,” Melina said.

  “Right up your alley,” Meredith said, and smiled.

  Melina stood up and prepared for the meeting. New York? Just a couple of weeks away.

  She thought about Morris again. She wondered if he would be back by the time she left, or maybe when she was gone, he and his brothers would return. Her stomach clenched and she felt like an idiot. They weren’t thinking about her. Morris wasn’t. Perhaps like Gary, Morris and his brothers were after sex. No commitments, nothing more than lust. That was definitely the situation with Meredith and Gary. They were sexually attracted to one another. The chemistry, the lust was there, but nothing else. No bond, no connection, and definitely not love. At least on Gary’s end. If he loved Meredith, he wouldn’t cheat on her. That really pissed Melina off.

  Allen cheated on her, and God knew how many times before Melina wised up. It was also another reason why Allen’s father felt he could hit on Melina, too. Allen told him Melina was fantastic in bed. Seriously that was sick. It was his father. Then for Jovani to try to seduce her, to corner her in the office like he had? She shook the thoughts from her head. That was over a year ago. She didn’t have to see those men, and she had been lucky enough to get this job despite their lies.

  These were all reasons why she shouldn’t have let her guard down with Morris. He wasn’t any better. He didn’t really want her, or care about her. It would have been sex. Sure, at the time Melina would have been all right with that because the lust was so strong. Not now though. Now, weeks later, and feeling used and alone, she knew she had to get back on track and live for herself and what she wanted. Like the advice she gave Meredith. I’m worth more than these men have offered to give me. I mean more. My body is mine to give and not feel used. I want to be the center of a man’s universe. I want to be loved and cherished for who I am, not used for sex.

  Melina’s cell phone was buzzing and she reached for it as she glanced at the clock. It was noon time.

  “Hey Jo, what’s going on?” She heard her crying and then a sniffle. Melina sat forward in her seat.

  “It’s…it’s Morris, Trek, Vetter, and Blade. The mission went badly.”

  “Oh God, are they okay? How bad, Jo?” she asked, instantly tears filled her eyes, her throat felt like it closed up and she covered her mouth with her hand.

  “All of them were shot. All needed some kind of surgery. Morris is hurt the worst. Bullet to the upper thigh, and needed major surgery. He lost a lot of blood. He could have died. They all could have died. They said Vetter took a bullet to his side, clean through. Blade was shot in the arm, but also took shots to his chest and is bruised up and has broken ribs.”

  “Oh God,” Melina replied, and the tears fell.

  “Then Trek was shot in the arm, but the bullet went clean through. Oh God, I’m so scared.”

  “Where are they now?”

  “This happened a week ago. We were just informed. They’ll be flown to the base locally and then plans will be made for them to come home to recover. Cavanaugh and Corona and my brothers are all making arrangements for care at the house. They’re refusing to remain in the hospital.”

  “Jesus. What can I do to help? I can come over if you need me,” Melina said as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, but Meredith saw and came in, eyes squinted. Why was Melina so upset? Did she really instantly care so much for Morris and his brothers, or was she just emotional because Jo was upset and concerned? Melina was a good-hearted person. She would feel for anyone going through this, but why did she feel like she could get hysterical with worry?

  “I know you’re at work. It’s okay. My men are here and my brothers are keeping me updated. I’m hoping to speak to Vetter or Trek soon.”

  “Once you do, you’ll feel better. I can come by. I’ll leave in a little while.”

  “Thanks, Melina.”

  Melina ended the call.

  “What’s going on? Who got shot?” Meredith asked.

  Tears rolled down Melina’s cheeks. “Oh God. Friends of mine. These guys I know that are soldiers. My best friend Jo’s brothers. They could have died.”

  Meredith hugged her. “What did she say? Will they be okay?”

  Melina eased back and wiped her eyes. She sat down in the chair. “It sounds like they’ll be okay. They needed surgery. Morris…he was the worst and got shot in the leg,” she said, and more tears fell.

  “It will be okay. Your friend said they’re safe, on US soil, and coming back this way?”

  Melina nodded.

  “Then you’ll see them and see that it’s all right. You can visit them and see for yourself.”

  She thought about that. About seeing them. Like she had a right to? Morris would probably be pissed off about that. She didn’t know. She would be there for her friend. That’s what mattered most.

  * * * *

  “How was the event?” Jovani Pinioli asked his son, Allen.

  “Boring. I left early,” Allen replied, then poured himself a drink at his father’s home office wet bar.

  Jovani looked at his son. “The Miranda Contract? How is that looking? I’m hoping to wrap things up by end of week, and I need to move some new product to a different location.”

  “They’re signing today. Should have the completed contract momentarily,” he replied, and then sat down and sipped his Jameson while looking at his cell phone. “Nothing yet.” He placed it down.

  “Plans this evening?” Jovani asked him.

  He held his father’s gaze over the rim of his drink as he took a sip. “Not yet, but the night is young.”

  “Priscilla hasn’t checked in. She still out there at the hotel?” Jovani asked.

  “I wouldn’t know. Saw her day one and she was well into networking and the nightlife.”

&nb
sp; Jovani gave a hard stare at his son.

  “You tap that while you were there?”

  Allen squinted.

  “I’m just asking. She has a great ass. I’m surprised you haven’t moved in on that,” Jovani said, and his cell phone buzzed.

  “Our tastes are different.”

  “Says who?” Jovani asked, then looked at his cell. He didn’t recognize the number.

  “I try not to fuck anyone you want to, Father.”

  Jovani chuckled. “Well you fucked up the best thing both of us could have enjoyed. Which by the way, she’s making quite the name for herself at Renaldi Technologies. Melina came up with her own software system and it’s in a pilot phase. She’s bound to be a millionaire soon enough. Brains, beauty beyond any other woman I’ve ever met, and you had her in your hands. What ever happened to that woman you cheated on Melina with, anyway? She had a nice rack on her,” Jovani asked.

  His son gave him an exasperated look and leaned back and took another sip. This one longer than the others. Whenever Jovani brought up Melina, his son got this way. He had fucked up. If it weren’t for Allen, Melina would be in Jovani’s bed, by his side, and ultimately making him money, too. Not that it was money he wanted from her. He had plenty of his own. It was Melina. Her long brown hair, sweet, yet sensual smile. Those bold, glowing hazels eyes and tan complexion. Her breasts were fucking huge too, and her ass, made for fucking. She looked like some European goddess, but she wasn’t. Men looked at her and thought about sex. About her naked and pleasuring them. He licked his lips.

  “I was thinking about hiring someone from Renaldi Technologies to handle the Mercanan account in the Caribbean. The restaurant is under construction with major renovations, and we’re getting closer to the inside being complete and putting in all terminals for wait and kitchen staff. The technology that Renaldi currently has is impressive. Most high-end restaurants are now changing over to their program. What do you think?”

  “It won’t be Melina to install them.”

  “No, it will be Melina to oversee operations because this is going to cost over a half a million to install. The least they can do for my investment is send the woman who created the software. It will give me some time to get into her good graces. You know, make her an offer she can’t refuse.”