Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,113
than most so Levi has to stop really fast. You’re safe.”
She said the words as she signed them.
Addy knew very little about Levi. He’d always been the quiet shadow at Jesse’s side. She admired him for everything he’d done since rescuing Jesse.
The taxiing to the hangar didn’t take long since the landing strip was so small. Levi exited the cockpit and offered a warm smile as his gaze swept from her to Kristof and Olaf. “I think the entire compound is outside the hangar.”
Great. Just what poor Olaf needed. Addy undid her seatbelt and stood. Kristof’s warm gaze swept over her as he unbuckled his belt. “We’re here, Olaf. Let’s get your bag.”
The backpack she’d given his cousin in Germany had a couple changes of clothes and some toiletries—nothing worth much, but Olaf had clutched it like a lifeline. Olaf swayed when he stood but kept both arms wrapped tightly around the bag.
Addy’s gut tightened. He was in for a long road. That was the bitch about captivity. Everyone thought the worst was over when the person was freed when, in truth, the real hell had just begun.
Kristof squeezed her hand and wrapped an arm around her. “What’s wrong?”
His hot breath trailed along her ear. A shiver rolled through her as he caressed her back. “We’ll talk later.” He needed to be warned the next few weeks wouldn’t be pleasant ones for Olaf. Hell, it’d likely take years for him to fully recover from whatever he’d endured in Kostya’s camp.
A cluster of people awaited them nearby. Mary, Vi, Bree, Rhea, Riley, and Kamren were toward the right of the large crowd. The Masons conglomerated around toward the front with Gage, Jud, and Fallon.
Her team stood to the side. Grins spread across their faces when she spotted them. They all waved, but none moved forward, as if sensing that Olaf needed space.
Raul and Dom stood between them and the women, as if unsure where they fit in. She hadn’t spent much time with the two brothers, but knew Dallas admired them both. Good enough for her.
A golf cart pulled up near the huddle. Doctor Sinclair and Doctor Logan exited and approached. Relief filled Addy when she saw the two. Doctor Sinclair offered a smile, then looked at Jesse and nodded.
Dallas and Nolan thumped him on the back as he separated from the group and approached Addy, Kristof and Olaf, who shrank deeper into the space between her and his cousin. She widened her stance and took a half-step to place herself fully between her approaching friends and Olaf.
Jesse froze first. He reached out and snagged both of the doctors by the arm and shook his head. Concern reflected in his eyes. “Sorry about the crowd. I tried to keep everyone away, but that’s like herding wet cats.”
Caution reflected in his voice as he took another step forward, his attention on a point behind Addy’s shoulder. Tension coiled within her when she heard Olaf’s garbled sounds and Kristof’s quiet assurance.
“You’re safe, cousin,” he whispered. “These are Addy’s friends. My friends.”
“Thinking some of you should get gone,” Addy said, raising her voice.
“It’s okay,” Sinclair said. She took a couple steps forward and stopped beside Jesse. “Olaf, my name is Amanda Sinclair. Everyone calls me Sinclair, but you can call me Amanda if you want to. Jesse and I wanted to welcome you to The Arsenal. I know it’s a scary place with lots of strangers, but you’re safe. Kristof can stay with you, if that makes you feel better.”
Olaf gripped the back of Addy’s shirt and dragged her closer to him and Kristof. Okay, what the hell was she supposed to do now? He was scared. He’d been hauled to a new country with a bunch of strangers.
No.
Her team had chatted with him a lot since the rescue. Shep had played chess with him.
Addy whistled. Beast approached. Her entire team moved forward. She lifted her chin. They fanned out around her.
Around Olaf.
Approval resonated within Jesse’s gaze when it settled on her. “Welcome home.”
She took two steps forward and hugged Jesse. “It’s good to be back. Thanks. For everything.”
Then she remembered that he’d been lead on Olaf’s rescue. Had it brought back too many painful memories? Her gaze swept the area. The only one not there was Ellie.
“Where’s your better half?” Addy asked.
“Baking enough cookies for an entire country,” Jesse said with a smile. “She’s putting a few final touches on Olaf’s cottage.”