Page 68 of Her Tempting Protector

“Well every single one of Carys’ particular team were on it. Not all the DWB group that came in from the states, just the nine who were assembled by Carys.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Cullen protested. He dropped down into one of the uncomfortable waiting room chairs. “Explain it to me.”

“It turns out that a doctor by the name of Joyce Dandekar was instrumental in getting Carys’ team invited over here. Joyce and Carys studied together in the States. She was the fiancée of one of the generals in the Transitional Military Council.”

“Was? You’re not going to tell me they had a bad break-up, are you?”

Raiden sat down across from him.

“No, I’m not. When that general was overthrown during one of the many coups, she was declared an enemy of the state, as was Carys’ team. Joyce has been captured and killed. The only ones left alive on Carys’ team are a Nurse Harris and a Dr. Phong. They’ve both been evacuated.”

“What about the two that were missing? Any hope for them?”

“No, their bodies were found with Doctor Dandekar’s.”

This was going to kill Carys when she found out.

“How long did the nurse say until the surgery wraps up?” Cullen asked.

“Twenty to thirty minutes,” Raiden answered.

Cullen really looked at his friend, and saw he was showing signs of wear and tear too. “Let’s go grab a cup of coffee, and you can fill me in on some good news. There is good news, right?”

“I do have a couple of pieces of good news,” Raiden agreed. They both pushed up from their seats at the same time. Raiden looked down at his watch, “We maybe have ten minutes. Leila gave me a piece of paper with that mythical uncle in Egypt that Shada had told us about, and I gave it to Kane. Turns out he’s real.”

“No way,” Cullen was stunned. That kind of shit never happened. “Did Kane contact him, is he willing to help?”

“He is. He doesn’t have much, but he has a shop, and Shada and her little family could live in the apartment above the store. He wants to come and meet them after things settle down.”

Cullen thought his heart might beat out of his chest. Now that’s the way a book should end, with a happily ever after. They never did, but that’s the way they should.

When they got to the front of the line, the clerk asked them if they would like their coffee in to-go cups or mugs. They chose cups and headed back upstairs. Raiden looked at his watch. “So, you’re sure Leila doesn’t have any lasting effects from the almost-kidnapping?” Cullen asked.

“Yeah, sure, like I’ve had time to check on that.” It was one of the few times Raiden Sato sounded sarcastic and Cullen laughed.

“I guess I’ve gotten into babysitting mode, instead of SEAL mode. I’ll talk to Faizah. Raiden, this has been a weird mission. I’m now into Daddy-duty.”

“I don’t know, Lyons, I think it did more than that. I saw how you were looking at the good doctor. You’re reminding me of Kane with A.J. when we had the mission in Oman.”

“Ah, he didn’t know he was in it for the long haul right from the get-go, the dumb son-of-a-bitch. It was funnier than hell to see the writing on the wall and have him so oblivious,” Cullen said over his shoulder as he looked toward the door leading to the operating rooms.

“What do you mean?” Raiden asked. “He knew he wanted A.J. from day one.”

“Yeah, but he didn’t realize that she was the one for him. The one he was going to make a life with.”

Cullen tossed his empty cup in the trash and crossed his arms, willing the door to open.

Raiden grasped his shoulder to turn him around. “Are you telling me that you’re in love with Carys?”

“Yep. Not only that, I’m going to marry that woman.”

Raiden just stared at him and gave a half-laugh. “Are you kidding?”

“Nope, I’m serious as a heart attack.” Cullen replied.

“I don’t understand you at all. That makes no sense.”

“Sure it does,” Cullen laughed. “It’s a tradition passed down throughout the men in my family.”