He’d had many nights where he could remember praying desperately. Throughout most of basic training, or Recruit Training Command, as the Navy termed it. Before or during combat missions while he was deployed. The night his grandma died and he thought Grandpa Moyle was going to die from crying so hard. He’d never seen his grandpa cry before that night or since.
He prayed as deeply and sincerely, lying next to Maddie on that bed, as he ever had. He prayed for her to know her value to God. He prayed for her to respond to Braden’s fumbled pleas and to give him a chance. He prayed for her to talk to him. He prayed for her and all the Deltas to stay safe. He prayed for any loved ones who were sad because they thought he was dead. He prayed for Admiral Seamons and all the people King Frederick was hurting. He prayed for America to stay safe and free. He prayed that he could hold and comfort Maddie because somehow he was certain she was hurting inside and he could hardly stand to lie there and let her hurt. He prayed if he got the opportunity to hold her that he could keep his thoughts pure. The way she’d looked at him when he’d walked out of the bathroom in only a towel made his body heat up just thinking about it.
Blowing out a breath, he rolled over for probably the dozenth time. Maddie’s breathing had evened out, and she was obviously asleep. That was good. She needed rest. Maybe she’d be more open to talking in the morning, when they weren’t in a too-intimate position sleeping on the same bed. Neither of them had crawled under the covers.
He was concerned she wouldn’t talk to him in the morning. She’d be even more in control in the light of day and after a good night’s sleep. She’d be focused on the mission and on her Delta duties, whatever they were. He had probably missed his one and only chance to strip off the sarcastic, funny shell Maddie showed the world and be close to the real Maddie. He’d failed. Not for lack of trying. He should’ve probably risked taking her in his arms. She might have kneed him, punched him, or taken out an eye. But if she hadn’t …
He shook his head to stop the longing. It didn’t help. He wished he could sleep. Punching his pillow several times, he dropped it and laid flat on his back, staring at the dark ceiling.
This was insane. He didn’t really know Maddie Delta. Why did he feel like she was his soulmate? Insane thinking for sure. He’d made a fool of himself saying everything he had, but he wouldn’t take it back. He’d meant it. All of it.
When she’d first said she had a boyfriend, he’d thought his heart would cease functioning. Dramatic, but sadly true. Then she’d started describing her supposed boyfriend and he’d known she was describing him. His heart had felt light and happy and raced out of control. He’d tried to get through to her after that, but she hadn’t responded. Dang it.
He pressed the heel of his hands into his eyes.Please help me, he begged his Father above.If there’s no chance for Maddie to trust and turn to me, please help me let this infatuation go.
But it wasn’t infatuation. It was much, much deeper than that. Maddie wasn’t just another beautiful woman to him. She was meant to be his. He realized at that moment he’d known she was the one for him from the first time he’d looked into her blue eyes. She’d probably break his hand for sure this time if he tried to tell her that. What if he just went for a kiss and convinced her of his sincerity that way? He’d probably end up on the ground. It would be worth it.
“No, no, no, no,” Maddie whispered in a fierce, urgent whisper that sent chills down his spine.
“Maddie?” Braden sat up in bed and looked over at her. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness enough to see her shape. She was still on top of the covers, and she was writhing back and forth.
“Please, please, please … don’t do it, no, please no.” Her voice was still quiet, too quiet, and so full of anguish it dug at him.
Braden couldn’t let her suffer, even if she was asleep and probably wouldn’t remember this in the morning. He pushed across the space between them. He should’ve been more cautious disturbing a sleeping warrior, but he had to help her, even if she lashed out at him in her sleep.
He slid his arm under her neck and shoulders and lifted her up slightly. “Maddie.” He gently shook her. “Maddie, wake up.”
“No, no,” she moaned.
“Maddie, you’re dreaming. Wake up.” His voice sharpened, and he wrapped his other arm around her waist and cradled her against his chest.
She didn’t fight him or jab him with an elbow. She didn’t wake up at all. She kept moaning “no” and she was obviously in the throes of an awful dream. He touched her face, rubbed her arm, tried to shake her, talked to her. Nothing worked. What kind of nightmare was she caught in?
“Dear Father,” Braden begged. “Please help Maddie. She is your daughter and needs to feel your love and light. Please give her peace, healing, and strength. Please help her to feel thy love and be surrounded by angels.” He took a deep breath and felt power surge through him. An unearthly power. “Take the powers of darkness from Madison’s mind. Amen.”
Braden opened his eyes, expecting to see a miracle unfold. Maddie didn’t open her eyes and reassure him she was all right. Disappointment filled him.
But then he realized she wasn’t moaning or moving. She was sleeping peacefully in his arms. Her breathing was even and her body was warm, soft, and perfect against him.
He pulled her in tight and slid down onto the pillows, cradling her close.
“Thank you, Father. Thank you for helping her. If it be your will, help me get through to her and be the one to love, strengthen, and comfort her. Amen.”
Tenderly kissing Maddie’s forehead, he settled into the bed. He felt at peace. Despite his house being blown up, his career maybe being a mess, his country in danger, his admiral being a suspect, his parents and sister dealing with the anguish of thinking for a short time that he was dead, and his extended family, church family, and friends still thinking he was dead, he felt like everything was settled and all was right in the world in this quiet, peaceful room with this incredible woman in his arms. His woman. His future.
Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep. Madison Delta, the woman of his dreams that he hadn’t known was in existence until a few hours ago. In his arms. Where she belonged. She held his heart in her tough, capable hands. She could destroy him. But right now, she was calm and he was at peace. He was holding her. Nothing could be more right than that.
ChapterSeven
Maddie burrowed against something warm and somehow soft and firm at the same time. She was in a blissful half-asleep state and tried to remember where she was and what had happened in the night that had made her sleep so soundly. She was safe and loved. Of that she was certain. She wasn’t ready to open her eyes and face the day, the pain that was always lodged inside her, and what she might have to do today to keep innocent people safe.
She didn’t want to look but could swear it was light outside. That made no sense. She never slept through the night. Had she even had her nightmares? She thought she had, but it had been brief and then had somehow disappeared. The killing in her dreams hadn’t tormented her most of the night and then woken her in a cold sweat. How had that happened? Most nights she couldn’t go back to sleep, couldn’t stand to close her eyes as the gruesome images were right there, waiting to torment and taunt her. How had she not gone through that last night?
Warm hands moved against her lower back and suddenly she was fully awake. Who was holding her?
She should be terrified. She should be pushing her way free and then coming back in with fists a flying to pummel whatever too-confident man dared hold her close without her permission.
Opening her eyes, she could clearly see because of the light leaking in from the blinds … the handsome, sculpted, irresistible face …