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“Yeah, his drill instructor was aware of his history,” Lisa begins. “The man made a comment about his hacking skills not being useful on the obstacle course. Some of the other recruits over heard the comment, and it spread like wildfire. The name just stuck.” The women continue to talk for a while. Lisa informing Ruby about the other women in the tight knit group of Hawk’s teams. Ruby is shocked to learn so many of the women have experienced trauma much like she is dealing with now. Kidnappings, rape, torture, hiding from the police, but they’d still managed to find their happily ever after, or so it seems, they have. She just hopes she and Tucker will find their happy ending.
While they haven’t known each other long, Ruby wants Lisa to be happy, too. Lisa is a nice person, and she deserves to be happy, the same as anyone. It doesn’t matter if Hack is younger than her, if her son is a mere few years younger than Hack, or what demons are chasing her. Ruby decides to try again to get Lisa to rethink her method of handling her relationship with Hack.
“You can tell me to butt out if you want. I will still be your friend, because I do get where you’re coming from in regards to Hack.” Lisa glares at her, but Ruby isn’t deterred. “However, you deserve to be happy and so does he.” Lisa’s eyes widen as if she hasn’t thought about his happiness. “If you continue to push him away, he’s going to be sad and lost. I don’t know you or him. I understand that, but I’ve been around Straw and Abigail. I’ve seen first-hand how he is with her, and I know how Tucker is with me. Charlotte with Hawk, and the other men with their women. I know if Hack cares for you like Tank cares for me and Straw cares for Abigail, he isn’t just going to forget about you and move on.” Lisa stares at her. The poor woman’s eyes are wide in shock. “Just think about it, okay?” Lisa nods stiffly, her eyes unfocused as she’s thinking about everything they’ve talked about. They continue in a comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts.
Before long, they hear footsteps on the stairs. The women look toward the stairs to see Tank walking toward them. Looks like the men are finished with their meeting. What happens now? Ruby wonders to herself as he approaches her. Hack is not far behind.
47
TANK
Tank is itching for this informal team meeting to be over. Hawk is commanding their attention, and while what he’s saying is important, Tank can’t keep his mind on Hawk. His mind is on the red-haired beauty upstairs and the filthy things he’d love to be doing to her. He blows out a breath. She’s likely going to be sore and having his cock in her may not be an option for a few days, but there are other ways he can have her. He loves the taste of her and enjoys hearing her moans and the breathy way she calls his name when she comes. Yeah, he can’t wait to get her home.
“We have word the asset is in fair condition,” Hawk says. “The informant said she’s being held in Guerrero’s compound about one hundred clicks west of the place you scoped out. At this point, she still alive. The informant said, Guerrero’s planning on moving her next week. He’s supposed to fly to New York mid-week to meet with Russo, Sr. and Jr. to finalize the arms deal. Brass wants us to get her out before they realize who she is or better yet, who she isn’t. We will have to get in and get out quickly without alerting them we are there until it’s too late. The girl’s life depends on it.”
“How is it they haven’t figured out she isn’t Ruby?” Worm asks. “I’m sure she’s tried to tell them her name isn’t Mary Catherine Amato.” Hawk’s face is stoic, grim even.
“According to the informant, she tried, but Guerrero didn’t believe her,” Hawk replies. “Which for her sake should be a good thing as he’d likely kill her if he knew the truth about who she really is, because he’s a brutal asshole. She put up a good fight, but all it got her was a beating for denying being Mary Catherine. The informant has been assigned as her guard several times. He’s done his best to lessen her discomfort and shield her as much as possible without blowing his cover. He recommends getting her out when they move her. Guerrero will be taking her by truck to an airstrip roughly five clicks north of his compound. Satellite images show a two mile stretch of a wooded area along the road to the airstrip. I think this will be the best place to ambush the convoy. It won’t be easy. He usually has several guards everywhere he goes. He’s a very intelligent man and plans for possible scenarios. We just have to hope he isn’t prepared for us to show up to rescue the girl.”
“Time frame on departure?” Hack again asks. Hawk shoots him a hard look, as if trying to fetter out Hack’s obsession with when the team will be heading out. Hack’s jaw ticks as he bears Hawk’s scrutiny.
“No,” Hawk finally answers “Nothing definite, but I’d expect in three to four days which will give us a couple days to prep and get into position prior to her being moved.” Hack gives a chin lift indicating his understanding. Hawk looks around the room. His unspoken question understood by all in attendance “if there’s a question voice it now”. No one else speaks up, and Tank is thankful as fuck. He’s beyond ready to get to Ruby and take her home. “All right, if there are no further questions, you’re dismissed until 1300 hours. We’ll meet in conference room H. Travel safe gentlemen.”
Tank is on his feet as soon as Hawk finishes speaking. He sees Hack jump to his feet, too. However, Hawk calls out to Hack before he can take a step. His shoulders hunch. His posture stiff as he turns. Tank is sure the man is going to break a tooth. His jaws are clenched so tightly. His irritation is plain as day, but he walks over to Hawk who leans in and begins a tense, yet brief conversation with him. Tank proceeds to the stairs. He’s about three-fourths of the way up the stairs when he clocks Hack hitting the first step. Tank clears the last step and catches a glimpse of Ruby and Lisa to his left in the living area.
Ruby looks up at him, smiling when she sees him entering the living room. Tank lifts her up out of her seat. She squeals in shock. Tank takes her seat and settles her on his lap. A warm, loving feeling washes over him when she wraps an arm around his neck and settles her head on his shoulder, with a contented sigh. He tightens his hold briefly. God how he loves the feel of her in his arms.
Hack has followed Tank up the stairs. He comes to sit beside Lisa on the loveseat. He throws an arm across the back. Lisa straightens stiffly as if she’s uncomfortable at the familiarity Hack is exuding. Ruby looks over at Lisa and gives the woman a big smile. They seem to share an unspoken secret between them. Lisa finally relaxes back into her seat. Tank doesn’t make a big deal out of it, but he notices Hack’s hand slip down to caress her right shoulder.
“What did Hawk have to say?” Lisa asks when they’ve all gotten settled. Tank and Hack share a look. “I’m not asking for classified information,” she snaps, glaring at Hack “I just wondered if you were getting sent out?” His face softens.
“Not today,” he replies softly. Lisa nods, her gaze dropping to her hands clasped in her lap, her knuckles turning white she’s gripping them so hard. Hack seems to notice. He brings his arm out from behind her, reaching over to take her left hand in his right one. She raises her head to look at him. More silent communication passing between them. Tank begins to feel like he and Ruby are intruding on a private moment between the couple. He glances at Ruby when she squeezes his shoulder.
“Are you ready to go home?” Ruby asks. Her question shocking him for a brief moment, but it makes him a very happy man. He wants her to think of his home as her home, because if he has anything to say about it, she’ll never leave it again. Unless they buy their own place someday in the future. While they all get along well and he and Straw have a large home, he doesn’t feel like there’ll be enough room for all of them once both couples begin having children.
“Yes, I’m ready,” Tank answers. “Straw and I will have to go to the meeting on base, this afternoon. I’d like for you to stay with Abigail while we are gone.” He isn’t sure if she’ll argue about it or not, but he’s ready to argue until the cows come home if needed to keep Ruby safe. If Tony was able to find Ruby, it stands to reason Russo, Jr. could easily find her, too.
“Okay, Tucker,” Ruby answers. His heart continues to fill with more love for this woman. She’s constantly surprising him. She’s definitely going to keep him on his toes, which is fine with him. He’s going to love trying to keep up with her. She climbs out of his lap, allowing Tank to stand. Lisa and Hack both stand as well. Ruby holds her arms out to Lisa who Tank has always viewed as standoffish, but Lisa steps into Ruby’s hug. The women share a few whispered words before breaking apart with a shared look. Lisa nods, and Ruby smiles before she turns to Tank.
“Let’s go home, Tucker.” Ruby’s quiet request stealing Tank’s heart. He takes her hand before leading her out to his truck, where they meet Straw who seems as anxious to get home as Tank. He lifts her into the passenger side of his truck and buckles her belt. The drive home passes in silence. Tank is full of curiosity about the exchange between Ruby and Lisa, but he isn’t going to push. He knows Ruby will fill him in when the time is right. He’s looking forward to getting Ruby home. They won’t have a lot of time, but he’s going to make it quality time.
However, Tank’s plans would have to wait. The driveway is full. Cars sitting everywhere. Well, fuck! The women are here. He’d forgotten they were all here looking after Abigail while they were dealing with Tony. Tank huffs out a growl unconsciously when he sees all the vehicles in the driveway. Straw’s chuckle from the backseat prompts him to look up into the rearview mirror and flip his friend the bird. Straw laughs harder.
“What’s wrong Tucker?” Ruby asks from the passenger seat. “Where did all these vehicles come from?”
“It’s the women,” Tank mutters grumpily.
“The women?” Ruby looks over at him in question.
“Yeah, beautiful,” Tank replies. “You met them at the first fundraiser meeting. Charlotte, Elise, Emma, and Daisy. They came by to look after Abigail while we were at Hack’s. Straw didn’t want her here alone while we were gone not knowing how long it might take. They came over to spoil her and Ellie. And undoubtedly, they’ve gotten wind about you staying here last night, and they’ll want to bombard you with questions and spoil you, too.”
“Me?” Ruby asks excitedly. “They don’t know me why would they want to spoil me? I haven’t been injured like Abigail.” Tank smiles, thinking the women didn’t need an excuse. It’s just who they are, kind, thoughtful, and loving.
“Babe, they don’t need an excuse other than you are important to me, so you’re important to them,” Tank tells her. “And even if we weren’t together, if they knew you were in need of anything even just a friend to talk to, they would be there for you. It’s just the kind of women they are, fiercely loyal, giving, and full of love for all.” Tank’s heart melts a little more seeing the tears forming in Ruby’s eyes. “Now don’t cry. It kills me to see you cry, beautiful.” She gives him a wobbly smile and swipes the tears from her cheeks.
“Guys, we better head inside,” Straw says from the backseat. Tank had forgotten his friend is still back there. “I saw Daisy peeking out the window. She’s surely told the other women, and they’ll be…yep here they come.” Tank looks toward the front door, and sure enough Charlotte, Emma, Elise, Abigail, and Daisy are coming out the front door.
“Brace yourself for lots of hugs and nosey questions,” Tank says to Ruby as he opens his door and hurries around to help Ruby out of his truck. He’s barely gotten her feet on the ground when the women descend on them.
