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Chance laughs, obviously as shocked as I am at Hawk’s nonchalance about his brush with death. Speaking of a brush with death, “Chance, I think we almost died. It’s a miracle that drone didn’t open fire.”
He reaches behind and tucks me closer. Although I can’t see his face, by Hawk’s response, I have a feeling Chance is giving off some very possessive facial expressions.
My pulse is still jackhammering in my carotid over our wild ride and brush with danger, but I can’t help but feel a flare of pride that my guy is staking his claim on me. I shiver at the feeling.
There’s a flurry of activity from the military guys as someone calls the colonel to give him an update. Despite my shaking hands and pounding heart, I must admit, it makes me feel good to hear my dad over their comms as he inquires about my safety the moment they mention I’m here.
I should jump off Chance while we get everything sorted, but I can’t force my limbs to comply. I just want to sit here, plastered to his back, my arms clinging to his chest, and feel the reassurance of his heartbeat beneath my fingers.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chance
My heart is beating so hard and fast it feels as if it will pound right out of my chest. The entire ride here, I worried the drone would open fire and I wouldn’t be able to keep Jo safe. I’m glad she won’t remove her hands from around my chest. It’s reassuring to know she’s right here with me.
Over the din of all the activity, I turn to ask if she’s okay.
“I’m terrified.” Her green eyes are wide with fear. “But I’m relieved we both made it.”
The colonel must have driven fast because he’s jumping out of his Jeep and jogging toward us before my heartbeat slows to normal. It’s only been a few minutes since I barreled toward the barracks with Jo on my back shouting for help.
Perhaps he was still awake when he got the call, because Slater looks every bit the commanding officer. His uniform is ironed, his gray brush-cut hair immaculate.
“Jo, are you all right?”
So many emotions are warring inside me right now, but a surge of happiness flies to the top of the pile. The military part of Slater should be taking command of the scene, firing questions about what happened, and securing the perimeter. Instead, he’s taking a minute to check in on his daughter. He really loves her, which delights me for both of them.
“Yes. Shaky, but fine.”
His gaze roams her up and down, checking, I guess, to make sure she’s truly okay. To my surprise, he gives me a thorough visual inspection as well.
“Corporal Evans,” he barks as he motions the soldier over. “I want a full report.”
Because Evans has few answers, Jo and I add to the story, though there’s not much to piece together. Slater comms the men back at the command center, telling them he wants a full report on his desk about not only this drone’s flight path, but to go through all previous airspace violations with a fine-tooth comb.
“If it’s bigger than a honeybee, I want it included in the report,” he barks.
“Now, I’m going to escort you two back to your dorms and you’re going to tell me what the holy hell you were doing here. And young lady, I don’t want any bullshit lies like you used to give me when you were a teen. I saw through them then and I’ll see through them now.”
I feel Jo’s muscles tighten behind me, but she doesn’t argue. She contritely says, “Yes, Sir,” which not only startles me, but surprises the colonel to the point he barks out a laugh.
He climbs into his Jeep, motions for me to keep up, and we leave the area via a gravel road.
On the colonel’s side of the open-topped Jeep, I keep pace with him as we meander home.
“Care to tell me what you two were doing there at…” he pointedly glances at his wrist, “0143?”
I’m about to explain when Jo interrupts.
“It’s all my fault. Chance mentioned he missed his buddies at the rej— southern barracks and I convinced him we should visit.”
Colonel Slater gives me a pointed glance, his expression speaking volumes about how slim my chances are that he will let me off the hook.
“And the idea of simply asking to go during daylight hours never crossed your minds because…?”
I explain how I was forbidden to even say goodbye to my friends when I moved to the males’ dorm from the southern barracks. “I didn’t think you’d allow it, Sir.”
“Thanks for not even giving me a chance to say no.”
