Page 17 of Rescuing Mary

“And my thanks too,” Beatle piped in from next to Casey. “You thought fast, and I’m grateful.”

Embarrassed now, and not used to people praising her, especially not lately, Mary simply nodded.

“I told you, I’m fine,” Emily complained from the floor behind them. Everyone turned in time to see Fletch pick her up as if she weighed as much as a child, rather than a seven-months-pregnant woman.

“And I heard you, but you’re still going to the hospital,” Fletch countered.

Emily rolled her eyes, but didn’t complain further as her husband carted her out of the vault and into the bank on his way to an ambulance.

“You want to meet the other Delta team?” Truck asked Mary.

“Hell yeah!” she exclaimed. Mary was fascinated by the dynamics of the Special Forces teams. The men were the best of the best and they were extremely loyal. To each other and the Army. She’d never pass up the chance to meet more men like Truck.

They walked hand in hand through the lobby of the bank, which looked remarkably normal. There were only a few papers on the floor and a couple of handbags, but otherwise it could’ve been any other day. Mary didn’t see any of her coworkers or her boss.

Seeing her confused look, Truck informed her, “Most of the employees and some of the customers were taken to the hospital. They seem to be okay, but some had elevated blood pressure and the paramedics just wanted to be sure they didn’t have anything else going on.”

“And my boss?”

“She went too.”

“Oh. Okay. I should stay and lock up then…I guess,” Mary said.

Truck kissed the side of her head. “No, the manager called in someone from corporate. I think that’s him over there.” He motioned to a man in an expensive three-piece suit standing next to a group of police officers.

“Already? That was fast,” Mary commented.

“I guess when your bank gets held up by armed thugs, damage control is implemented immediately,” Truck said dryly.

Mary shrugged. “I guess.”

“Come on, the others are over here.”

Mary let Truck lead her through the parking lot toward a group of men standing on the outskirts. As she got closer, she snorted in disbelief.

“What?” Truck asked.

“Seriously?”

“What?” he repeated patiently.

“They’re all hot. I mean, really hot. What is it with you Special Forces people? Are you all good-looking?”

Truck chuckled. “I don’t know about that, but we’re all in shape. We kinda have to be, considering what we do for a living.”

“It’s not just your muscles,” Mary protested. “It’s everything. You’re all tall, handsome, and built. Shit, you could all be movie stars.”

“Present company excluded,” Truck said, gesturing toward his face.

Mary stopped abruptly and put her hands on her hips as she scolded him. “Don’t. That scar on your face does nothing to take away from how hot you are, Ford Laughlin.”

Instead of frowning at her, Truck smiled indulgently.

“And don’t laugh at me!” Mary told him huffily.

“I can’t help it. You’re so fucking cute,” Truck told her.

“Whatever. I am not.”