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I catch a faint whiff of dispersed gunpowder as I sit here waiting for Travis to return. I keep my gaze forward, refusing to turn around while desperately trying to ignore the smell. I look down at my hands to find them still shaking and notice the engagement ring Travis had placed there mere minutes ago. The brand new diamond shimmers and sparkles, even with my back turned away from the light source. What was he thinking proposing to me? I promise you, I was exposing the real me. I gave you all of me. I held nothing back.
“Jules.” I flinch and lose my breath, startled from the sound breaking through the deep silence of the room. It’s Travis. I slump my taut shoulders, thankful he didn’t run into more trouble within the house, or at least that I know of. I turn my head around to find him standing in the doorway with his gun drawn.
My jaw drops at the sight of him. How the hell he managed to scope the house and get fully clothed in camo gear, I’ll never know. I bet he could give a fireman a run for his money, getting dressed in full gear.
I don’t recognize this Travis. Gone is the soft, passionate man I got to know, and in his place stands a real warrior. He looks so dark and ominous; everything about him screams confident, professional, hardcore killer, and it rolls off him like a massive tsunami. His jaw is set, his eyes are hard, and his every movement calculated. He looks totally in his element as he emits a silent, comfortable sureness, appearing to be in control of all the uncertainties and danger that surrounds us.
His military-style boots quietly echo against the hardwood floor as he quickly makes his way to me. His eyes stay locked on mine while he secures his gun and then holds out his hand to me. I look up from the floor, flicking my eyes back and forth from his hand to his eyes. He stands like a mountain above me. I slowly reach up and take it, and immediately, he pulls me up off the floor. I notice he's holding a vest in his other hand. He lets go of me and begins to slip the vest on my body over my t-shirt. My lungs squeeze with asthmatic pain, the vest reminding me of the perilous danger, and what is about to head our way.
“Travis, I’m scared,” I whisper on a shaky breath.
“We’re going to be fine, Jules,” he confidently assures me. “Stick to me like glue, and we will get out of this alive.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the bunker. You know the way blindfolded,” he says, and his tone is all business. “You also know the code to gain access, should something happen to me.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not leaving you.” A shooting pain stabs at my heart, knowing something could very well happen to him.
“We don’t have time to argue, but you will do as I say.” His tone is hard and cold, and brooks no argument. Yes, this Travis definitely scares me, and I’m glad to be on his side. His eyes narrow as he holds up his index finger in front of my face. “Discussion is over.” I swallow hard as I stare into his impenetrable eyes.
He then leans down and grabs his backpack from the floor, quickly putting it on. He secures the nylon strap in the front with a plastic snap lock. Then he looks to me while taking my hand, giving it a light squeeze. “You did good. I’m proud of you,” he says in all seriousness, and then takes a step backward, pulling me along with him. “Come on, we gotta roll out now.”
He’s on high alert as we make our way through the cabin, and when we reach the back door, he pulls us both to the side of the window to keep us out of sight. While focusing his gaze on our surroundings, he looks through the edge of the window as he talks. “You remember what to do if we get separated, right? If I go down, you’ll have to go on without me.”
“Travis, I’m so scared.”
“I know, baby. C’mere.” He steps back from the window and pulls me into his arms. “You can do this. We both will make it,” he says with confidence. My God, how is this man always able to hold himself together? I’m astounded at the amount of inner strength and fortitude he carries. He looks so indestructible.
He leans down and captures my lips, and I pray it won’t be our last as I kiss him back. His lips are like a balm to my soul. I breathe in his familiar musky scent and savor it. He makes me feel so protected as he looks so invincible. The kiss is over quickly, and then he pulls away to place a pistol in my hand.
