“Nice to meet you, Miss Mitchell.” Apollo held out his gloved hand for her to take.
“Likewise.” Evie shook Apollo’s hand. “Apollo and Digger…I’m assuming those are nicknames?”
“You assume right.” Apollo nodded.
“I’m also guessing you’re really good at fighting, and you’re really good at…” She turned her pointed finger toward Digger and guessed, “Digging holes?”
Beckett threw his head back and laughed as Evie handed him back the water bottle. He softened his tone when he told her, “That’s a story for another day.”
This wasn’t the time to explain the other man’s nickname stemmed from Dig’s number of enemy kills, and it wasn’t his story to tell. Aside from that, the woman had already borne witness to enough violence and death. He wasn’t about to pileeven more onto the haunting images she’d already be forced to live with.
“Do you have a nickname, too?” Evie glanced back up at him.
He nodded. “The guys call me Bones.”
“Bones?” The light chuckle that shook her shoulders was like music to his ears. “Are you a doctor or something?”
“Or something.” He shrugged. “Among my many,manyother talents, I also serve as the team’s medic.”
“Bones.” Her full lips curved, and her adorable twin dimples deepened beneath the moonlit sky. “I like it.”
The woman was filthy and bruised, her clothes and hair in total disarray, and dried blood was still present beneath her cute as hell button nose and the corner of her mouth. And still, she was the most beautiful, intriguing woman Beckett had ever seen.
She’s also just survived being kidnapped and held captive by a bunch of Taliban pricks. So maybe don’t be a dickhead by thinkin’ of her in ways you shouldn’t.
As usual, his inner voice was right.
A few short moments later, they fell into a comfortable silence as the four of them followed the same path Beckett and his team had previously taken. As he studied Evie’s attire, he considered how much cooler the desert had grown since he and his men had first arrived.
She was dressed in skinny jeans that were so dirty they looked more brown than blue, a stained white V-neck t-shirt that was torn at the collar and seam of one shoulder, and a pair of brown lace-up boots. But it was getting colder by the minute, and he worried she might be frozen by the time they reached their ride.
“Hey, hold up a sec.”
Without question, both Apollo and Digger halted their forward movements. Beside him, Evie stopped in her tracks, her unspoken question in her furrowed brow.
“You’re cold,” he muttered low as he slipped his rifle strap up over his head.
Understanding erased the adorable lines between her brows, and Evie quickly tried to politely decline. “That’s really nice of you, but I’m okay.”
“You’re shivering.” Beckett motioned to her exposed limbs as he secured his weapon between his thighs before making quick work of his protective vest. With efficient movements, he removed the vest, and then the Multicam Crye G3 combat field shirt he was wearing. “It’s dirty and probably smells like sweat”—he held it out for her to take—“but at least you’ll be a bit warmer.”
Evie’s hazel gaze lifted to meet his. “You didn’t have to do that.” She slid her arms in the oversized sleeves. “Thank you.”
With hurried movements, Beckett replaced his vest, securing the Velcro straps easily, before repositioning his weapon. The cool night air felt refreshing on his dampened skin, and though he knew he’d be cold by the time they reached the chopper, his muscle mass and natural body heat would be enough to get him there with relative comfort.
Regardless, knowing Evie would be more comfortable made being cold totally worth it.
Her hands trembled as she struggled to get the buttons through their designated holes. Without saying a word, Beckett stepped directly in front of her, moved her frigid fingers out of the way, and finished the task for her.
“Thank you,” she whispered softly. “I guess I’m a little colder than I realized.”
“Adrenaline dump doesn’t help.” He secured the top button near the shirt’s collar. Rather than releasing it, he left his hands there as he stared down into her big, beautiful eyes. “I can only imagine what you’ve been through, but you’re going to be okay. You and the girls are safe now.”
“I feel safe.” Evie held his gaze. “With you.”
Beckett grinned, but her eyes grew wide. Almost as if she realized what she’d said could be misconstrued as something more meaningful—and crazy as it was, part of him wished like hell she had—she immediately slid her focus away from him and over to where Apollo and Digger waited.
“I feel safe withallof you,” Evie clarified. “And I know it’s not nearly enough, but I just wanted to say…” Those eyes found his once more as she uttered a heartfelt, “Thank you.”