Breaking Rules (Delta Force Strong #2) - Elle James Page 0,18
handle and opened it a small crack to find one of the bodyguards standing there.
“We’re getting ready to roll,” the guard said.
Dash nodded and whispered, “I’ll inform Miss Daye. Who does the driving?”
“I will,” the guard said.
Dash nodded. “I’ll be sure to secure anything that might fall.”
“Thanks.”
Dash closed the door and turned toward Sunny. He’d rather she was buckled into a seatbelt, but he didn’t have the heart to wake her when she needed the sleep. Still, she’d be better off in bed than on the couch directly behind the driver’s seat.
He reached down and scooped his arms beneath her.
When he straightened, she wrapped an arm around his neck, and her eyes fluttered open. “Hey,” she said.
“I thought you were asleep,” he said, looking down into her clear blue eyes.
“I was, until you woke me.” She looked around. “Where are we going?”
“You’re going back to the bed.”
She shook her head. “Can’t sleep back there when the coach is moving,” she said, her voice slurring slightly. “Bounces too much. I’ve launched into the air over a foot. It’s not much fun, nor conducive to sleep.”
“Then I guess you’ll sleep right here on the couch.” He deposited her back on the sofa.
She nodded and yawned. “I’m getting up.”
“If you have another show tonight, you need rest,” he said, concerned about the dark circles beneath her eyes. “Get some sleep now, while you can.”
She yawned again. “I do have a show, and I will get rest. But for now, I could sure use some coffee and food.” As if on cue, her stomach rumbled. “I haven’t eaten since noon yesterday.”
He frowned. “Why didn’t you say so? You can’t survive on one meal a day.”
Sunny stretched. “I’ve survived on less.”
“You relax and let me see what I can rustle up.” He started to tuck the blanket around her.
She grabbed his wrist. “Really, I’m awake. I can fend for myself. You’re my bodyguard, not my servant.” She swung her legs over the side of the couch and sat up. “At least, let me help.”
He grinned. “What? Don’t you think a Delta Force operative can whip up an egg?”
“Oh, I’m sure you can, but I like my eggs the way I like my eggs.”
“Not at all picky, are you?” He laughed. “We’d better do it quickly before they crank this baby up. It’ll be hard to cook on bumpy roads.”
A knock on the door interrupted Dash as he rummaged through the cabinets searching for a skillet.
Sunny started for the door.
He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I’ll get it.”
She nodded and went back to the little kitchen, taking eggs out of the refrigerator and a skillet out of the cabinet below the counter.
Dash opened the door to find his team leader standing on the ground by the steps.
“I’ll be right back,” he called out to Sunny and joined Rucker outside, closing the door behind him.
“Good news,” Rucker said.
“You found the man in charge of the human trafficking?” Dash asked.
“No,” Rucker said, “but the team is going to escort the USO tour to its next stop.”
Dash grinned, relief washing over him. “Glad to hear it. I wasn’t convinced the USO’s security was strong enough to keep them safe.”
A knowing smile spread across Rucker’s face. “In particular, to keep Miss Daye safe?”
Dash nodded. “Especially.”
“How did it go last night with the pretty singer?” Rucker asked.
Dash was glad of the shadows that hid the heat creeping across his face. “All right.”
“I hear you paid a visit to the refugee camp.”
“We did.”
“I also hear Miss Daye sang for the women and children.”
“She sang a lullaby to a little girl who was distraught.” Dash smiled. “It was amazing. No band, no flashy lights or stage. Just her voice.”
“I’ve heard some of her acapella work.” Rucker shook his head. “She doesn’t need a band. Her voice, alone, is remarkable.”
Dash couldn’t agree more with his team lead.
“The guys are collecting available transport from the motor pool. They’ve commandeered a couple of vehicles with mounted machine guns.”
“What happened to the original escorts?” Dash asked.
Rucker’s lips thinned. “They’re being given the day off.”
“Great,” Dash said. “Instead of adding to the security forces, they’re replacing them with Deltas.”
Rucker pounded Dash on the back. “Got that right.”
“No worries.” Dash sighed. “I trust our guys more than I trust anyone else.”
“Thought you might,” Rucker said. “I almost think it might be better to send the crew with the equipment ahead and fly Miss Daye out to her next gig instead of driving her across country.”
“I thought