She’d punched Braden and he wasn’t going anywhere.
His breath warmed her neck. Could anything be more tantalizing than that warm breath? She tensed her body so she wouldn’t turn and hug him fiercely.
“The right man for you will be as incredible as you are,” Papa said. “And he’ll help you feel all the love your Savior has for you.”
Dang. Why was everybody going there? Had Braden texted Papa to gang up on her? After the—she guessed she’d have to admit it was a miracle—of her nightmare being stopped, she was having a difficult time eradicating God from her thoughts. Was the nightmare gone? Or would it come back if Braden and his faith weren’t wrapped around her?
Braden’s hand softly touched her arm. It was all she could do to not lean back against him and ask him to wrap her up tight. She yanked her arm free and then shook it out to stop the tingly feeling.
“Do you have an assignment for us?”Please, please, Papa, have an assignment. No way could she stay holed up in this room with Braden much longer without letting all her defenses fall.
“Yes.” Papa’s voice was resigned. He knew when not to push her. “Is Lieutenant Moyle right there?”
“Yep.” Maddie stepped to the side and back and pushed the speaker button on the phone. Braden edged closer and their arms brushed. Tingles and warmth were instantly created. Dang him. “We’re both here, Papa.” She tried for chipper. “Awaiting our tough, intense, and death-defying assignment.” She should’ve winked and grinned at Braden to complete the façade, but she couldn’t look at him right now.
“Good morning, Lieutenant Moyle,” Papa said. “Thank you for being respectful of my girl, just as I knew you’d be.”
Maddie noticed the veiled threat.If you aren’t respectful, I’ll come and kill you.She couldn’t help but smile, and unfortunately she glanced up at Braden. He wasn’t smiling. His blue eyes were intense and smoldering. Yikes.
“I will always treat Maddie with respect, sir. She is the most incredible and impressive woman I’ve ever met.”
Maddie’s heart pounded. He meant it. He meant all the beautiful things he’d said to her. But he didn’t really know her. If she told him a tenth of her dark deeds, he wouldn’t be looking at her like that.
Papa chuckled, which startled her. “Did she give you a concussion or break your hand?”
“Both, actually,” Braden said easily. He finally smiled at her, his gaze softening. “I usually don’t meet someone who’s better at hand-to-hand combat than me.”
Maddie’s chest swelled with pride. She was an expert at all forms of combat, a lethal weapon. She was proud of her skills. If only she could somehow forget all the dark things she’d seen and done.
“I thought you claimed you met most of the Delta family,” she said to him.
He nodded. “Luckily, Colton didn’t take me out for talking to Bailey.”
Her smile slid away. She’d almost forgotten Colton’s jealousy of Bailey and Braden’s relationship. Was it a relationship? Bailey said no.
“He was tempted to,” Papa said. “Now, Moyle. I need your impressions on Admiral Seamons.”
“Sir, my admiral is loyal to his country and the Navy. He’s one of the best men I know and would never let down his honor or collude with the likes of King Frederick.”
There was a pause after Braden’s declaration. He hadn’t said it intensely, but she could feel he meant each word. Maddie knew Papa hoped his longtime friend wasn’t involved in the mess his wife had created, but it would’ve been easier if it was Admiral Seamons. She’d rather deal with the beast they knew than an unknown beast supporting King Frederick’s efforts on this side of the pond and wreaking havoc in their own military or government.
“I appreciate your loyalty to Ross,” Papa said. “I want to believe you’re right.”
“I am,” Braden asserted.
“Ross requested I send someone I trust to meet with him in person,” Papa informed them, not confirming or denying Braden’s words. “He doesn’t dare communicate over the phone. I’m sure his phones are tapped. You two are not only closest to him in location, but I trust you both and I think seeing Braden alive will throw Ross for a loop and might make him reveal any information he has more readily. He’ll have a table on the outdoor patio at River Roast. Noon. Maddie, I don’t want observers to know he’s meeting with a Delta, so please hide your hair and your eyes.”
“Okay.” Papa was always trying to protect her. The last interaction Seamons had with the Deltas was Chandler coming for his granddaughter Kylee after the admiral’s wife had shot Seamons in the leg as she’d tried to kill Kylee. From what Maddie had heard, Papa hadn’t spoken to Seamons that night as the man had been hauled away by paramedics, and also because they had no idea if they could trust him. He’d willingly allowed King Frederick into his home and stood in a receiving line with the corrupt dictator.
Everyone from that party was claiming innocence, but why hadn’t they left, reported Frederick was there, done something? Papa was checking into each of their activities and associations and keeping close tabs on anyone suspicious. Their government still wasn’t willing to do anything and was trying to avoid nuclear winter at all costs. Maddie couldn’t blame them; she was the last person in the world to want more death. But it was frustrating they wouldn’t send in an elite Special Ops team to eliminate Frederick. Her cousin Aiden volunteered regularly.
“Okay. Be careful. The family is all praying for you both. Talk soon.”
Papa was gone before she could respond. It was just as well. Her family always told her they were praying for her. She hadn’t outright admitted to anybody she’d set aside her relationship and communication with God. She even went to church with them when she was visiting home, risking a lightning bolt striking her down for the duplicity of such a move. They probably all knew she’d turned her back on heaven, but none of them had called her out or smacked her upside the head yet.
She pocketed her phone and, without thinking about it, looked up at Braden. He was studying her intently. All thoughts of faith, family, Admiral Seamons, King Frederick, the danger they might be in, and anything but Braden was shoved away.
He gave her a searching look and then bent swiftly and gathered her close. Maddie gasped in surprise, but her first instinct wasn’t to hit him. She had no comprehension of how to resist him. She wrapped her arms around his lower back and laid her head on his chest. Oh, Braden. What was he doing to her?