Technical Threat (Westin Force #4) - Julie Trettel Page 0,92
watched. My heart was breaking for the big guy.
When Ben and Grant heard what was happening, they quickly dropped everything and ran over to join us, leaving Charlie and Delta to deal with the survivors.
“What’s going on?” Grant asked prying his mate from my arms as she explained what had happened.
“About a dozen or so Raglan escaped on the northside. Jake was among them. That explosion was loud enough that human emergency services should be coming in soon. We need to get out of here.”
“She was his mate,” Taylor said.
“And we’re all going to end up in a human jail over this if we don’t move out soon,” Ben argued with a level head.
I ran back to my truck and grabbed the device that Elliot had trained us on.
“If she’s still alive, I’ll find her,” I said.
The debris was hot against my feet, but I pushed back the pain and got to work. I searched everywhere in the vicinity and as quickly as possible.
“There’s no sign of life here, Silas. I’m so sorry.”
With the sirens blaring in the distance, it still took all of us on full adrenaline to remove him from the scene. We were driving off as the lights came into view. There was a solemn feeling in the air.
To many, our mission would be hailed a great success. We’d saved a lot of people, but not a personal one that had mattered most to Silas. I knew every single one of us would have nightmares about this day. I feared for my leader and what his future would now hold. It was too unbearable to even think about.
In light of the situation, we passed the remainder of the mission off to Charlie. Silas was furious that he’d been overridden on the detonation command, and blamed them for Vada’s death. Nothing good would come out of us staying.
Baine retrieved Olivia and Macie. I took Sonnet, and the ten of us returned to San Marco in virtual silence.
Sonnet was withdrawn and confused when I tried to talk to her. I knew it was going to be a long road to recovery ahead of her, but she was alive and relatively healthy which was more than we could say for others.
I had driven myself to the airfield and was glad my SUV was parked there. I didn’t wait around and let the others handle Silas who had gone into a full rage during the flight causing Grant to sedate him.
I took Sonnet and we left. I drove straight to the Lodge. The poor girl hadn’t even had time to shower or clean up yet. She didn’t ask any questions, but when she saw we were going into a hotel room she started to freak out a little.
“Relax. I’m not going to hurt you. I promise. You’re safe now.”
When I opened the door to our room, Susan was sitting at the desk working on her laptop.
“Sweetheart, a little help here,” I said.
She looked up and her jaw dropped. She froze in place and for a moment I feared she was going into shock too, but then the tears started. She jumped up and ran to her sister throwing her arms around her.
Sonnet was a mess, she was still in shock herself, and completely overwhelmed. I managed to usher them into the room and close the door.
In number of days, the mission had been short but emotionally, it had been the longest of my life. All I wanted to do was hold my girl tight, but I couldn’t begrudge her these crucial moments with her sister.
I gave them their space as they reconnected, and Sonnet slowly came back to life, while holding onto Susan like a life preserver.
After a while she asked to take a shower. Susan gave her some clean clothes and encouraged her to do just that.
As soon as the door was shut, she turned and threw herself into my arms kissing me all over.
“How? When? Did you know ahead of time?”
“Slow down, there’ll be time for questions later. I just want to hold you.” I hugged her tight, never wanting to let go. “You are my everything now. Nothing else matters.”
If I’d had any doubts in that before, they’d been laid to rest at the heartbreaking scene of one of my closest friends losing his mate. It would have destroyed me.
A new realization dawned on me. I pulled Susan back to look her in the eyes. “I love you,” I said and then I kissed my mate.