Page 62 of Wounded Hearts

Chapter 28

Mara stood with Drew;his arm was around her as he stubbornly refused to leave her side. She was glad of it, despite telling him he should go and sit, she needed his presence.

“You don’t have to do this.” He looked down at her with imploring eyes as he said the same words again.

Mara lifted her hand to his cheek. “Should I let those children die?”

Drew shook his head and pulled her tight to his chest in a crushing hold. He knew there was no choice. Nate and Mitch had hastily been pulled in and put on overwatch to keep her safe, but it was her job to make sure those kids stayed alive.

Drew released her as the car carrying Nazareli pulled up. Jack and Reid stepped out and from the expressions on their faces both men looked fit to kill. Jack pulled Nazareli from the vehicle and the woman looked at Drew and smirked.

Mara felt Drew tense behind her, and he growled.

Jack pulled Nazareli closer to Mara and looked at Nazareli. “You walk in beside her and my men will be watching. You so much as move too quickly and they’ll put a bullet in your head, fuck the consequences.”

Mara was a little surprised by his vehement anger towards the other woman.

“I won’t run or touch the mouse.”

Mara bristled at the insult but stayed silent.

Drew however didn’t. “She’s no mouse; she’s a warrior. Not some pathetic bitch playing soldier. She’s survived more than you can imagine, and she’s not fallen to the depths you’ve sunk to.”

Nazareli smiled. “I’ll see you soon, Drew and next time I’ll won’t mix up my bullets and I won’t miss my mark.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Jack remarked as he pushed her forward. “Get moving.”

Mara kissed Drew hard, a quick goodbye before she stepped beside Nazareli as Jack fell back at seeing Watcher men moving into the car park. Mara stayed silent, having nothing to say to this sick woman.

Nazareli had plenty to say though. “How can you be with a man who carries the blood of a killer?”

Mara paused in shock at the words, then continued. “Are you kidding me? Your boss, your mentor, is threatening to kill sick children and you judge me? Fuck you and the horse you rode in on.”

Nazareli didn’t reply as they entered the café at the front entrance and saw her mentor. Nazareli rushed to her as she stood, and Mara witnessed Rhea touch her cheek in a tender moment before lifting her bag and striding towards her.

Rhea and Nazareli reached her moments later.

“My men will stay for thirty minutes allowing me time to make my exit and then they’ll retreat.” With that, she and her young protégé left. Mara’s legs turned to jelly as the adrenalin hit her and she dropped heavily into the nearest chair. Her hand shook as she brought it to her lips to stem the tears that wanted to flow. People all around her went about their business having no clue how close they’d just come to a massive disaster.

It wasn’t over yet, either, for the soldiers still moved about the ward undetected. Mara saw Drew as he ran into the hospital, searching worriedly until he locked on her. His movement showed none of the pain she knew he must feel, only his concern for her.

“Thank fuck you’re okay,” he said as he pulled her into his arms and Mara let the few tears fall as her endorphins crashed. “It’s okay, beautiful, I have you. You’re safe. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”

Mara heard the vow in his voice and her heart relaxed for the first time. She was safe with him, more than that, she was cherished. He showed it with every word, every action and every touch. “I love you so much, Drew,” she rushed out wanting him to know how she felt without a doubt.

He smiled down at her, with a tender smile full of feeling. “Of course, you do. I’m amazing.”

She laughed knowing that was what he’d wanted. He pushed a strand of hair away with his finger as he gazed at her with so much love. “I love you too, my Mara.”

She knew then all would be well in her world because she had him by her side, and if for some reason bad things happened, and she knew they would, she’d have him by her side holding her and supporting her just as she would him.

* * *

Paediatric Ward

Smithy’s breathing increased as he walked on to what should be a secure ward and spotted men in black uniforms walking the halls. He couldn’t believe how this had happened. This was a secure unit and yet men with guns were patrolling the hallways and the nurses were going about their work.

As he approached a nurse he took in the vacant expression on her face and realised exactly how this had happened. The staff had been drugged somehow and had no clue this wasn’t okay. He knew they could still function enough to do their jobs, just not enough to comprehend right and wrong, or to defy any order given to them.