Page 81 of Her Fearless Warrior

“He’s the lieutenant of another Virginia based SEAL team,” Kostya explained. “So, I’ll call him before we all talk again tomorrow morning.”

“Thanks. Talk to you tomorrow,” Leila said in the most upbeat voice she could give. Which was nothing. She sounded like she’d run a marathon.

When the call was disconnected, Leila dropped her head on Linc’s chest.

“I can’t help but feel this is all my fault,” she said in a soft voice.

He cuddled her closer. “It’s not. You’re a victim, the same as your parents. Now, let’s go to bed. We can worry about this tomorrow. Okay?”

He tipped her chin up and gave her a tender kiss.

“Okay?” he asked again.

“Okay.”

21

Yesterday, she felt like she was sleepwalking. By noon the next day, she felt like she was in some crazy fast-forward video.

“Leila, you need to come with us,” her mother said again.

“No, anne, it’s important that you and dad have time alone so that you can take care of him and he can recover. You know he does best when he can see you.”

Miray Cloud nodded. “This is true.”

Leila looked around and saw Paul Fullerton talking on his mobile phone as he came over to where she was standing next to her mother.

“Miray, it’s time to go,” he said gently. “Grant’s been helicoptered to the secure private hospital upstate. Now we need to get you there with him.”

“Shouldn’t Leila come?” her mother said for probably the twentieth time.

Paul glanced over Miray’s head at Leila and Linc. Leila gave a slight shake of her head, and Paul nodded.

“No, right now it’s best to keep her with Linc, who will manage her safety. Trust me, it’s all under control.” He went to take Miray’s elbow and escort her to one of the three SUVs.

“Hold on, I need another hug,” Leila said. She forced back tears as she gave her petite mother a fierce hug. “You keep dad on the straight and narrow, you got that?”

“Of course. I love you, Bebek.”

“I love you too.”

She watched as Paul helped her mother into the backseat and then got in beside her. As soon as they started driving down the road, she felt like a boulder had been lifted off of her shoulders. She turned to Linc.

“Okay, let’s go catch this motherfucker.”

Linc laughed. “I like your attitude. Jase is locking up your parents’ house. Gideon has arranged for us to be staying at another home while all of this shit is being sorted out.”

“Hence the need for me to pack,” Leila said, nodding at his truck where her suitcases were stored.

“Yes. Gideon and Kostya are already there. We’re going to have a strategy session. Gideon says he has even more information.”

“Is he just like a slot machine that always pays out?”

Jase laughed as he came up beside them. “You’re talking about Gideon, aren’t you?”

Leila nodded.

“Leila, you don’t know the half of it.” Jase grinned.