My mind had an unvoiced argument with Hallie and it wasn’t until her body relaxed in my hold that those voices quieted.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
I hugged her tighter and buried another kiss on the crown of her head. “I’m always here for you, babe.”
Silence lulled us both toward sleep, and I made sure Hallie was well and truly asleep before allowing myself to succumb to the unavoidable pull. I’d just slipped into slumber when my phone vibrated in my pants pocket. I let it ring out, then again when it rang a second time. Then a third.
Cursing under my breath and prying my arm out from under Hallie without waking her, I extracted my phone before the call went to voicemail.
“Avery,” I whisper-barked while hastening from the bedroom.
The woman launched into the reason for her call without preamble. “Avery, this is Claire McGregor. I’m Hallie’s boss. Her team returned from a mission today, but Hallie has gone AWOL. Have you heard from her?”
I leaned my ass against the kitchen counter and scrubbed a hand across my forehead. “She’s with me.”
A loud huff of relief came through the phone. “Thank fucking Christ for that. She wasn’t answering her phone and her team said she took off without explanation. I’ve spent the last two hours scouring San Diego for her. Wait—she can’t be with you; there’s no way she would have reached Fort Irwin since landing.”
“I’m currently in San Diego,” I drawled, then narrowed my eyes. “How’d you get my number? And how do you know my location?”
“You were one of Hallie’s known confidants, so to speak.”
I snorted at that. “We’re more than confidants, Miss McGregor.”
“Mrs.,” she corrected me. “So, Hallie’s safe? I have huge concerns over her mental well-being. I need to know that you’re taking care of her, otherwise I’ll come and collect her and bring her back to—”
“I’m looking after her,” I cut in. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, either.”
Claire paused for a second, then her tone changed. “Seriously, Avery. I’m worried about her. Her past…”
I let out a heavy sigh. “I know about it, and I’m worried about her too. She’s currently asleep, but from what I see, she’s gonna need a couple of days leave at least.”
“At least,” Claire echoed. “I would like her to attend counseling as soon as possible. This sort of thing can’t be left to fester.”
“I understand. I’ll talk with her once she’s ready, then be in contact with you. What’s your number? This one came up as private.”
“That’s on purpose,” she deadpanned, then rattled off a number that I hastily scrawled on the nearest scrap of paper.
After exchanging pleasantries and reassuring Claire that I’d keep her updated, I left the phone on the counter and made my way back to the bedroom. The sight of Hallie curled on her side in a deep slumber stopped me at the threshold. I leaned my shoulder against the door frame and smiled softly.
I’d told her I loved her in the heat of the moment, but I meant every single syllable. And that vow I made to not let her walk away again? Well, the day had come to make my words true.
Chapter Eleven
Avery
Muffled screams broke into my dream and urged me to rouse. The bed shook violently from Hallie thrashing in her sleep and another internal scream made a strangulated exit through her nose. I sat bolt upright and flicked on the bedside light, then frantically tried to wake her without creating more psychological scarring. It took several long seconds to sever the nightmare’s grip, and it left us both breathless after she finally startled awake.
“Avery,” she panted, agitated eyes darting around the room.
“I’ve got you, Hells.”
Her fingernails dug harder into my forearm. “I had a…” She trailed off and her face scrunched, then she shook her thoughts free. “I was dreaming.”
“I know, babe. Here, have some water.” I handed her the bottle and scrutinized her face as she drank.
My chest burned from seeing her so fractured. For all intents and purposes, the hostage extraction had been a success. There was always collateral with any mission, but fuck, it broke me that those innocent women and children had been caught in the crossfire.
Hallie’s eyes snagged mine and she slowly lowered the water bottle from her lips. “I think I’m broken.”