Oscar
I held Cami close, keeping my eyes on Ivy as we reached the treeline, just as the guards came over the horizon. Levi shouted for us to run, and I took off with Ivy at my side. Gunshots rained down around us, but we were out of their reach within seconds. Levi and Cade laid down cover fire as we ran through the trees to our rendezvous point. I just prayed we’d make it there before the bad guys caught up with us. Cami was light, but after running half a mile with a little over a hundred pounds in your arms and forty pounds of gear strapped to your back, it was tiring.
Ivy kept up, which was surprising since she looked pale and anemic. I assumed they’d bled her dry while she was there that morning and that she was possibly teetering on needing a transfusion. We’d take her and Cami to Lydia’s clinic, and hopefully they’d be better soon.
We reached the vans, finding Jolie and Javier there with the jeep.
“What’s he doing here?” Ivy pointed the gun at Javier, who was standing next to the jeep with Jolie. Jolie lifted her hands.
“He’s here for his sisters.”
Ivy looked over her shoulder to Cruz and Ryder, who were still carrying the two girls.
Javier rushed over, his concern for the little ones evident as he cried out, tears pouring down his face. I put Cami down in the back of one of the vans equipped with a stretcher as Cruz laid one of the girls down next to her, followed by Ryder. Cami’s coloring was still green, and she shook with chills, while the two girls slept soundly.
“There’s no time, Javier,” I heard Jolie say. “We’ll get them to Lydia. I’m sure they will be just fine.”
Javier’s broken sobs nearly tore my heart out. As angry as I was at him for betraying us and Ivy, I understood it. He’d felt like he had no choice. Ivy sat down next to Cami, and the little girls and looked up.
“I’ll take care of them, Javier. Go with Jolie. We’ll meet you at the clinic.”
Javier stared back at Ivy, a mixture of relief and guilt plain to see in his expression. “I’m sorry, Ms. Ivy. So sorry.” Tears trickled down his cheeks, and Ivy smiled sadly.
“I know. It’s okay. I understand. We’ll work it out, okay?”
He nodded and followed Jolie.
We heard shouts coming from the woods, and I closed the back door to the van, running to the side to jump in as Cruz took off. The others piled into the other van, and we were all safely away from the danger in minutes.
“Did Levi call it in to Washington?” I asked Cruz as he raced down the rural drive.
“Yeah. I doubt there will be anyone left to interrogate, but our first priority was getting the hostages.”
I moved back to sit next to Ivy, who held Cami’s head in her lap while keeping a diligent watch on the two little girls.
“Are they going to be okay?” Her voice was a soft whisper as she nodded to them.
“I don’t know. It looks like they’re drugged but unharmed.” I moved closer to the two girls and felt for their pulses at their necks. Both were strong and regular. “Pulses are good. Hopefully they’ll wake up none the worse for wear.”
“Except dealing with the ramifications of being kidnapped at ten and twelve years old. How do they cope with that?”
“We’ll make sure they get the help they need. And they have their mom and Javier. We’ll make sure they all get help.”
Ivy smiled and squeezed my hand. I was so damn grateful to have her alive and mostly well. A little blood loss, but otherwise in perfect shape.
We arrived at Lydia’s half an hour later, and she and her father Esteban were waiting for us outside.
“What do we have?” she asked as we piled out of the van.
“My sister was injected with something. Some sort of terrible virus—but Dr. K said it wasn’t deadly. Temporary, maybe twenty-four hours.”
Lydia nodded as I lifted Cami from the back of the van.
“And these two?”
“Not sure. Looks like they’re drugged with something. Vitals are strong, from what I could tell when I found them,” Cruz answered while I strode to the door with Cami in my arms. Esteban told me which room to go in, while he rushed to help Cruz and the girls.
I laid Cami on the hospital bed in the room where Ivy had been just days before. Cami’s eyes were closed; she was clearly exhausted from the vomiting and fever.
Lydia bustled in right behind us. “I’m starting her on IV fluids and something to take away the nausea. We’ll run some blood tests and see what we find. If it’s a twenty-four-hour virus, we’ll know by morning.”
Ivy stood next to the bed, her hand resting on Cami’s forehead. “So, you think she’ll be okay?”
Lydia nodded. “Now, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Really? Is that why you look dead on your feet?”
As if in reply to Lydia’s words, Ivy swayed, nearly passing out. I caught her before she hit the ground. “Next door. She may need a transfusion.”
I rushed Ivy over to the room next door and laid her carefully on the bed. Lydia had given most of her staff time off with pay since we’d brought Ivy and Lola to the clinic. Since we didn’t know much about the virus they’d injected into them, it was hard to know how contagious or what risk factors there were. So far, it seemed Lola hadn’t spread it to Lydia or to Esteban, but they’d been very careful, taking precautions to keep themselves safe. However, it appeared Lydia had reinstated a couple of her nurses now that they knew more about Lola’s condition.
The nurse brought in a needle and vial. I watched as Ivy bristled slightly at the sight of it. The nurse must have noticed, too.
“I’m only taking one vial, to determine if you need a transfusion. Barely any.” She smiled sweetly, and Ivy nodded. The nurse took care, checking both arms, before resorting to the back of Ivy’s hand. She’d removed any bandages from her arms, and I could see the severe bruising left after those monsters had held her captive.
When she was done, she covered Ivy with warm blankets and left the room.
“What can I do for you?” I moved to Ivy’s side, brushing back the hair from her face.
She reached up and took my hand, holding it tightly in hers.
“Thank you, Oscar. I can never repay you for what you’ve done for us.”
“Shh… I don’t want you to repay me. Just get stronger. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“You think Cami will be okay, too?”
“Yes. She’s strong, like her sister.”
“I need to go be with her.” Ivy started to get up, but I pushed her back down.
“You need to get stronger, too. You can’t help her if you’re passing out.”
“Will you check on her for me?”
I hated to leave Ivy’s side, but I understood her need to make sure her sister was okay. So, I nodded and squeezed her hand, leaving the woman I loved with all my heart lying on the hospital bed.
Cami was awake when I reached her room, and she looked far better, although still slightly pale and green. Lydia looked as if she was finishing up and caught my eye.
“She’s going to be fine, I think. We’ve given her something for nausea and vomiting and something for the fever.”
“You look better.”
Cami shrugged. “How’s Ivy? Lydia said she almost passed out.”
“Yeah. They took a lot of blood. They’re testing it now to see if she needs a transfusion.”
I took Cami’s hand, much as I had Ivy’s. “She’s lucky to have you. We both are.”
“And I’m just as lucky. Get some rest. I’ll let Ivy know you’re feeling better.”
“She would have sacrificed herself for me. I know that. I don’t take it lightly, Oscar. I want her to be happy.” She glanced down at our joined hands. “You make her happy.”
But could I keep her that way for the rest of our lives? I hoped so. I wanted to. If she’d give me a chance, I’d spend every day making her happy, making her laugh, loving her, worshiping her.
“She makes me happy, too.”
Cami closed her eyes, drifting into sleep, and I let go of her hand. Lydia stood just outside the door. “How are the girls?”
“I was just going to check on them.”
I followed Lydia into the room, where they’d brought in two beds next to each other. Both girls were sat up in the middle of them eating popsicles. When I entered, they stopped eating and darted their eyes quickly around the room looking for something. Javier came out of the bathroom, and they visibly relaxed.
Javier smiled and sat down on one of the girls’ beds. “Oscar, this is Maya and Amelia, my sisters. Girls, this is my friend Oscar. He’s the one who helped us find you.”
Both girls looked at me shyly until the older one, Maya, straightened her shoulders and stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Oscar. Thank you for helping us.”
I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, too. It was my pleasure.”
Javier motioned outside the room, and I followed behind him.
“I can’t say enough how sorry I am. Or thank you. I’m just so sorry.”
I clapped Javier on the back. “I know, man. I get it. You did it to help your sisters—but I hope you learned something from this. You can’t trust evil men. Ever. They’re not bound to their word. They don’t care about you or your family. All they care about is the end result.”
“I know. I decided I want to be like you guys. What do I have to do to learn the skills to be a part of the team?”
“Well, you proved your loyalty today. We’ll talk more. See what we can do. Until then, I’m going to talk to Levi about getting you and your family into protective custody until this thing with the Cabs is resolved. Better safe than sorry.”
Javier nodded.
I also planned to speak to Washington about getting Javier into a program where we could put him through the training he needed—CIA, FBI—some school that would help him to hone his skills and make him an effective member of our team. He’d proven he had heart, and I’d take that over knowledge any day.
“Thank you again, Oscar. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“Stay out of trouble.”
Patting him on the back, I left to go back to Ivy’s room. She was asleep when I walked in, so I pulled up a chair next to her. Lydia came in after I was settled.
“Her tests came back. She’s anemic, but I think we can do without the transfusion.”
“Great.”
“I’d like to keep her here tonight for observation. Hopefully in the morning, Cami will be better too, and we’ll release them.”
Ivy woke and shook her head. “How’s Cami?” Her voice was tired, her eyelids still heavy.
“She’s better.” I took her hand in mine. “The girls are fine, too.”
Ivy smiled and rested her eyes. “Good.”
The rest of the day passed with me watching Ivy sleep and making occasional trips back to see Cami. At dinnertime, Ivy woke to eat something.
“Are you going back to HQ tonight?”
I could tell this frightened her, but she had nothing to worry about. No way was I leaving her. I’d given most of my weapons and gear back to Cruz to take to the gym, and I was left in my cargo pants and black T-shirt. I didn’t exactly blend in with the crowd, but it would do.
“No. I’m staying here tonight.”
“Where are you sleeping?”
I glanced down at the chair I was sitting in and pointed. “Right here.”
She shook her head and scooted over in the bed, patting the vacant space beside her. “You can sleep here.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
Ivy batted her eyes at me and poked out her bottom lip, making her look adorable and completely irresistible. “Please.”
I chuckled softly and moved onto the bed, pulling her close beside me. “Okay… I’ll stay here with you.”
She snuggled closer, and within minutes she was out. I lay there for a while, savoring her every breath, stroking her hair, until finally, I followed her in sleep.
***
Cami was better the next morning, and Ivy looked refreshed as well. We left with strict instructions from Lydia to bring Cami back if she started to feel sick again, and with iron pills for Ivy.
When we arrived at HQ, Ivy showed Cami to their room. I wished I could invite Ivy to stay in mine, but I wasn’t sure that was where we were yet. I’d broach the subject when the time was right, even though all I wanted was for her to be mine, for good.
We left Cami to settle into her new accommodations, and Ivy and I walked over to the office area to meet with the team. Everyone was there when we entered the conference room.
“Ivy, we’re glad you and Cami are okay,” Levi started.
“Thank you all so much. You’ve risked your lives twice now on my behalf, and I don’t know how to thank you.”
“There is no need to thank us. It’s what we do.” Levi turned back to the team. “As you all know, there was no sign of The Vicar, Santos, or Angel at the barn.”
“They were there, before you all arrived. When Javier dropped me off with them, Santos was driving and there was another man, I’m assuming Angel.”
Ryder pulled up a picture of him and connected to the projector that put it up on the wall.
“Yep, that’s him. And The Vicar was in the car with me.”
“Did he say anything important?”
Ivy looked as if she were thinking through their conversation. “Yes. He said he was exacting revenge on a nation who’d raped and pillaged his family. I don’t know exactly what he was talking about. But he said they needed my blood, that it was key to making them a ton of money. And that I would be the ultimate sacrifice.”
My blood boiled at the thought of Ivy being a sacrifice for their evil plans. They’d made a mistake when they’d chosen to use someone I love. I would hunt them down and make them pay for all the suffering they’d put her through—but most of all, I’d make sure they never got their hands on her again. Never.
“Who is this guy?” Cade muttered.
“Geez, so, basically Vicario is exacting his revenge on America for something done to his family.” Cruz shook his head. None of us understood that level of crazy.
“Yep. Looks like it,” Ryder answered.
“And creating a virus that will kill people while also creating an antidote. According to what he told Ivy, that means he’s planning to release the virus and then own the only antidote known—is that correct?” I tamped down the anger that accompanied the thought of them using my wife as a blood bank.
“From what I can determine, yes.”
“And we have no idea what the final form of the virus is. Unless Lola recovers, we also have no clue how to fight it. That is if it remains in the same form that she received it,” Levi added.
“She’ll recover. She has my blood, and I didn’t die from it. Surely they’ll be able to help her.” I squeezed Ivy’s knee under the table, lending her my support. She reached for my hand, holding it tightly in hers.
“I believe so, too. Lydia is the best. She’ll figure it out.” Cruz never questioned his wife’s abilities, was never intimidated by her brilliance. They were a team, and I very much longed for Ivy and I to be in that same boat. It was clear to me now where I’d screwed up all those years ago.
“So, what now?” Ivy asked.
“We need to keep an eye on that other compound. They don’t know that we know about it. I’ll mention it to Washington and see if we can get another rescue team out there. I’m afraid they’ll close up shop and go elsewhere, and I’m sure there are more hostages in need of our help.”
Levi turned to Ryder. “Keep plugging away. See if we can find any connections between Vicario and the US. Is there someone he’s targeting? A certain group or neighborhood?”
“On it.”
“Everyone else, get some rest today. We need to be ready to act if Ryder finds something. Also, we’re locked down completely. No one goes in or out unless you’re accompanied by a partner. Is that clear?”
We each murmured our agreement as we stood, and I ushered Ivy out of the room. Jolie bounced up next to her. “Want to work on your sparring some more?”
I pulled Ivy tighter under my arm. “She needs to rest.”
“She is standing right here and can answer for herself.” Ivy gave me a wink, letting me know she wasn’t really angry at me, and turned her attention to Jolie. “Yes. I do. Because even though I was able to give someone a bloody nose and another guy a black eye, they still were able to inject Cami with that crap. I want to be able to hold my own in a fight.”
I sighed, but I couldn’t say I didn’t understand. And frankly, it would make me feel better to know Ivy was capable of defending herself if the need ever arose.
“Fine. I’ll see you in the dorms around dinnertime. Don’t work too hard. Your iron is low, so you’re going to tire quicker.”
Ivy reached up on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “I’ll be fine.” The words were whispered against my lips, and all I wanted to do was drag her back to my room. Instead, I grabbed the back of her head and pulled her close, kissing her with all the pent-up passion, fear, and relief coursing through my body.
Whoops and whistles echoed in the gym, and I pulled away, satisfied to see that Ivy was as affected by that kiss as I was. Good.
I smiled and kissed her one last time. “I’ll miss you.”
I walked away, leaving a stunned Ivy standing in the middle of the room. I heard Jolie laugh and say, “Come on, girl. You’ve got a bit of drool hanging from your mouth.”
Risking a glance back over my shoulder, I caught Ivy’s gaze. She smiled and blew me a kiss.
I caught it in my fist and placed it over my heart.