But the danger had passed, and they were less than half-a-mile from their extraction point. Evie and her students had been rescued, and soon, they’d all be far away from the place where nightmares lived. And still, it seemed as if she were too afraid to share the whole of what she knew.
Maybe she just needs more time.
Maybe his inner voice was right. Hell, it had been less than an hour since they’d freed her from the cavernous prison. What he really needed to do was to cool his boots where she was concerned and focus on doing everything he could to ensure she truly felt safe.
“Don’t worry,” Beckett rumbled low. “You’ll be back in the Hamptons before you know it.”
Evie took three full steps before glancing up at him with that same frozen smile. “Great,” she offered cheerfully. “I can’t wait.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Evie sat on the examination table with her legs dangling over the edge. The paper runner lining the black cushioned table crinkled beneath her every movement, the sound seemingly echoing in the otherwise silent space.
Unlike the sweltering desert heat they’d been forced to endure, the room she was waiting in now was cold to the point of being downright frigid. Of course, the gown she’d been instructed to change into didn’t help matters any. But like most other times in her life, Evie followed the directions exactly as they’d been given.
Maybe you should’ve listened when Dad told you not to come here in the first place.
In hindsight, her subconscious thoughts were probably right. Maybe sheshouldhave gone against her own desires and taken heed to her father’s stern warning.
To be honest, there was a small part that wished she had. The part that yearned for the memories of the last few days to disappear.
At the same time, Evie also couldn’t bring herself to regret the fact that she’d been the one with the girls the day those men had come. That it washerwho’d been there to offer words ofcomfort and solace during what was, without a doubt, the most terrifying moments of all their lives.
But thankfully, that time was over. And like Beckett had said during their hike through the Afghan desert, they’d all be going home very soon.
Too bad I no longer have a home.
Not the kind that mattered, anyway.
Evie blinked the disheartening thought away and forced herself to become hyper-focused on the room. It was equipped much like the emergency rooms at regular hospitals, complete with tiled floors, bright overhead lights, and the unmistakable scent of antiseptic.
The space was much larger than she’d expected to find on a ship, but that was probably because this wasn’t justanyship. The chopper had flown them to a U.S. Naval hospital ship that was stationed a few miles off the coast of Pakistan. She and the girls were the crew’s newest patients.
Thank God, they’re safe.
Evie anxiously shifted her lower body, nervously kicking one of her feet back and forth in a slow, rhythmic motion. An hour had passed since they’d said their goodbyes just before her sweet, precious students left the ship for good.
Upon her insistence, they’d been checked out by medical personnel first. Each girl having been given a clean bill of health, minus some minor dehydration and the need for a few good, hearty meals.
Once they were good to go, they were escorted back onto the chopper, and under the watchful eye of what Evie could only assume to be four very capable Navy sailors, the girls were now on their way back home, where their parents were anxiously awaiting their arrival.
Be well, sweet girls. I’m going to miss you like crazy.
A sad smile lifted her lips as she recalled their last moments together. She’d forever remember the looks of pure elation that had spread across their smiling faces when she, Beckett, and his teammates had arrived at the helicopter hours before.
They’d been sitting in their designated seats but hadn’t been buckled in. And when they saw her and the others crest the small hill leading to the valley where the massive metal bird sat waiting, all four had practically jumped from their seats to greet her.
Several hugs and tears later, they were in the air and on their way here. Evie couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt such relief as she’d sat next to Beckett while they floated up and away from hell.
Her heart ached for what they’d been through, though she was grateful beyond words to know they hadn’t suffered any physical abuse at the hands of those awful men. The fear and terror they’d all experienced the past several days were bad enough without adding that level of violence into the mix.
They’re okay, now. Beckett’s team got them out of there, and they’re going to be okay.
Evie’s thoughts turned to the man who’d saved her life. Beckett “Bones” Stone was tall. Strong. Kind.
Part of her still felt embarrassed by the way she’d gone all warrior princess on him back in the cave. But how the heck was she supposed to know he was a real life, honest to goodness American hero?
Pretty sure he tried to tell you that right before you kneed him in the goods.