it was her turn. That she’d escaped the compound seconds before it went up, and ran into Kyle only to have him offer her shelter was no coincidence. It reeked of Alhasan’s scheming.
He’d be watching, expecting her to follow his orders and infiltrate the Scorpion team by any means necessary so that she could gain access to their headquarters. Then she was to take out the entire eight-member unit. Even though he hadn’t said as much, she believed there was something important he needed. Through all the years of trying to brainwash her, Alhasan’s rage toward the Scorpion team had always seemed a bit too personal. There was something else going on. She’d pressed him for more answers once. Incensed, he’d insisted she knew all she needed to do her part. And that if she didn’t, Joseph would die.
“Ready?” Kyle’s gravelly voice interrupted her troubled thoughts. Shivers sped down her spine, and Ella steeled herself to face her rescuer.
Their gazes tangled, and she sucked in a breath. As she stared into what seemed to her familiar gray eyes, she couldn’t answer. She struggled to hold on to the faintest of memories the worry on his face sparked. But it was as fleeting as dust in the wind.
“You’ll be safe here,” he assured her, his warm breath fanning her cheek. If only that were true. She couldn’t imagine a time when she didn’t feel hunted.
He jumped from the chopper with its engine still running and held out his hand to help her out. After years of surviving unspeakable torture, she’d learned that human touch always resulted in pain. Joseph’s gentle hugs were the only type of contact she could bear anymore. Would it always be this way?
She ignored his hand and jumped to the ground, the effort sending jolts of agony through her damaged body.
“Let’s get you to the hospital,” he said after a moment. “Once the doctor takes a look at you we’ll talk more.”
“That’s not necessary. I just want to...” She looked away. Ella fought back despair. She had to stay strong for Joseph. She’d find a way to save the boy.
She tucked a stray hair behind her ear, her fingers rough against her skin. Beside her, Kyle pulled in an audible breath. What had she done? Did he find her appearance repulsive?
Her hair was clumped with dirt and dried blood. Her skin as dry as the desert. Her face slashed. She couldn’t even imagine how bad she must look. She hadn’t seen a mirror in years and she’d lost track of her injuries. The scars over scars. She held her palms up. The crippling pain she’d endured always resurfaced when she thought about the pleasure Alhasan had taken in removing her fingerprints. That was the last time she’d cried until today.
As if reading her thoughts, Kyle stopped and turned to her. “You’re beautiful, Ella. And no amount of torture inflicted by a person lacking in humanity can take that from you.”
She closed her eyes. She didn’t trust his kindness. She’d give just about anything to let down her guard for a second. Trust another human being to be kind. Believe Kyle when he told her he could keep her safe. She couldn’t.
She shook her head. “Kyle, I...” She glanced up and stopped when she got a good look at his shell-shocked expression.
“What is it?” What had she said?
“How did you know my name?” he uttered in astonishment, and she realized she’d slipped up. He had no idea that thanks to Alhasan, she knew lots of things about him and the rest of the Scorpions.
“I don’t know. Someone must have mentioned it.”
She could see him struggling to recall the possibility.
“The base has some of the best doctors on staff,” he said absently. “You’ll be in good hands here.”
They reached the hospital and he went inside and waited for her. With nothing left to do, she followed him in and glanced around nervously. She’d just get her injuries treated and then she’d leave the base. They couldn’t hold her against her will. She’d find Joseph and save him, because there was no way she could take so many innocent lives, especially Kyle’s.
A midfifties man wearing a doctor’s coat tossed over his fatigues came forward to greet them as if he’d been expecting them. He hid his shock at Ella’s appearance with difficulty.
“I’m Dr. Anderson,” he said with a kindly smile. “I heard you two had a close call out there in the desert. We have a team out there now,” he told Kyle.
“Is there any news yet?” Kyle asked.
The doctor shook his head. “No, I’m sorry, there isn’t. They just arrived at the scene of the attack. It could take a while.”
Kyle turned to Ella. “Doctor, this is Ella Weiss. She managed to escape from the compound before it went up.”
The doctor nodded in appreciation. “I’d say someone was looking out for you. If you’ll come with me, let’s take a look at your injuries.” When she hesitated he added, “I promise I’m going to take good care of you.” The doctor glanced at Kyle’s bloody and burned back. “Once I’m finished with Ella, I’d like to take a look at those injuries, Agent Jennings.”
Kyle shook his head, dismissing the request. “I’m fine. Look after her. She needs you the most.”
The doctor reluctantly nodded.
Ella hugged her arms around her body. She wore her mistrust like a well-worn coat. With one final glance Kyle’s way, she followed the doctor, but not before she noticed the frown on Kyle’s face. A look that jumped out of her memory as if she’d seen it yesterday. If only she could understand how that was possible.
* * *
With so many questions rattling around in his head, letting Ella go was difficult. He didn’t understand why she had been so determined not to leave the desert. Who was she protecting? Yet if he’d learned anything while being in her company this short time, it was that he had to move slowly. She carried around more than the physical scars on her body.
He glanced at his watch and his impatience multiplied. Treading slow was not in his DNA. Especially now, when every second that slipped by without answers meant the chances for rescuing Sam and his team alive were slim. Alhasan had dozens of hidden tunnels beneath the desert surface that allowed him a fast escape.
Kyle’s body ached from the minor injuries he’d sustained in the blast. He was mentally exhausted. Thinking clearly had become a near-impossible task. He needed sleep, but with so many lives on the line such a luxury would have to wait.
It felt like hours had passed before he spotted Dr. Anderson heading his way. He shoved aside his uneasiness over Sam’s safety and got to his feet.
“Is she okay?” he asked gravely. From the frown on the man’s face, he expected the news to be dire.
“Surprisingly yes, considering what she’s been through. She’s suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration.” The doctor shook his head. “I’ve given her IV fluids for that.”
So far, nothing the doctor said was surprising. It had probably been years since she’d had a decent meal. “Did she tell you anything about what happened to her?” If she wouldn’t talk to him, perhaps she would confide in her doctor.
“No.
