SEALs of Honor: Markus (10 page)

“Because you won’t allow yourself to say you need a rest,” she said, patting his head, almost stroking his short hair as if she could impart some of her imaginary strength to him.

“That’s because I
don’t
need a rest.”

“But you should,” she said earnestly. “Admitting defeat is a sign of a good man.”

“Good men don’t admit defeat,” he snorted. “They change tactics and try again.”

He shook his head, his thick hair rubbing up against her arm. There was a leaf stuck on the side. She reached down and plucked it loose.

“Your hair is so soft,” she said in wonder. “So much nicer than mine.” She couldn’t resist, he was so damn male and yet that hair of his was so silky. She slipped her fingers over his scalp in delight. “My hair is just starting to recover. It didn’t like the medication I was forced to take. I didn’t lose all my hair, but what little remained went thin and flat so I cut it very short as I was too tired to deal with it all the time.”

“Understandable.”

She heard an odd note in his voice.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he said in exasperation. “No, I’m not tired. No, I don’t need a break and no I don’t need to put you down.”

“Well, you definitely need a nap of some kind,” she snapped. “Because you’re beyond crabby.”

He groaned. “Sorry.”

“No,” she said, her fingers on his hair again, but it was more of a pat than a stroke. “It’s okay. I’m probably not at my finest either.”

“You’re doing great. Just hold on. We’ll be there in about ten minutes. Can you handle that?”

“Yes,” she said softly. “I can handle anything for that long.”

And this time she was determined to show herself in better form. How hard could it be? She was the one being carried after all. But it was amazingly difficult to keep her body straight and not slump over Markus’s head. He was a hell of a man. She sighed and propped her elbows on the top of his head, her chin in her hands.

“Are you comfortable?” Markus chuckled.

She grinned. “Actually I am. As I’m using your head to prop my arms on and hold my chin up, I might actually be able to sleep.”

“Sleep?”

He sounded so outraged she burst into laughter. “Well, okay maybe not sleep, but I could doze. But you are walking a little too rough to do that, I suppose.”

“Sorry, I’m more concerned with staying out of sight than walking smoothly enough for you take a beauty nap.”

“Beauty sleep. Yeah, I could use some of that.”

She was tired, but it was almost impossible to close her eyes and not lose her balance. “Are you married?” She almost fell off when she realized what she’d said.

He was silent for a long time.

“Oh my God.” Bree gasped, hating that she’d not put two and two together earlier. “I’m so sorry. She’s the one who died in the diving accident, wasn’t she?” At his nod, she added, “That’s how you understand death so well and the shock of those left behind.”

“Does anyone understand death?” he asked.

“I think some people at least find peace with it.” She studied the geography ahead of them. “I think I recognize this place.”

He stopped. “The cabin is just on the other side of that tree line. We’re less than a hundred yards away.”

“Yeah, and see, no shooter,” she cried. “We’re safe.”

*

She had no
idea. Markus smiled inside.

Several of his team had been searching the woods on either side of them for miles now, keeping them safe. If there had been a shooter in this area, these men would have taken him out already.

He kept on walking. His shoulders were aching but his loads were balanced, so he was doing just fine. And knowing his team was watching his progress, he’d be damned before he’d show any weakness.

The cabin loomed in front of them before she realized it. He heard the catch in her voice. As soon as they approached the yard, two men came out of the small building.

When Bree caught sight of the men she clutched at him.

“It’s okay,” he said. “They are my teammates.”

Her hands eased but the grip of her thighs around his neck didn’t. He’d had a hard time trying to keep his errant thoughts off the very female form on his shoulders.

He handed Jake over to Shadow. “Thanks, Shadow.”

Swede stood at his side. Shadow disappeared with the injured man while Swede smiled at Bree. “Hi, I’m Swede. Can I help you off of there?”

He didn’t give her a chance to answer before he reached out and swept her off Markus’s shoulders. She gasped but had no chance to cling.

Markus straightened and stretched, loving the way his muscles felt.

“I’m sorry, Markus. Did I hurt you?” Bree asked. She was still lying in Swede’s massive arms.

“I told you before you weren’t hurting me. That hasn’t changed. Swede, you can put her down now, she’s not injured. It was Jake who was shot.”

“He already asked if I wanted to stand on my own,” Bree explained. “But honestly I’m good like this. I’m so tired. Besides, he’s bigger. I won’t hurt him.”

Swede snickered. “Yeah, I’m big enough to handle it.”

“Well, of course, you’re only carrying me and not Jake too,” she said apologetically.

This was a ridiculous conversation. One of many he’d had with her. He shook his head and walked into the cabin for water. Inside he threw back several glasses then turned to face Mason, who leaned against the counter beside the sink. “Jake?”

“He’s been taken to the ambulance waiting down the road. Can’t drive all the way up.”

“Right.” He knew that. “He’s a tough bugger. Let’s hope he makes it.”

“They are prepped for him.” Mason nodded toward where Swede and Bree were laughing and walking toward them. “How is she?”

“She’s as fine as she can be.”

At the odd look on Mason’s face, he added, “She was fighting a major illness, apparently she almost died and her body is still weak. This excursion hasn’t helped. She lost everything to cover her medical bills and decided she needed to reconnect with the world around her now that she’s alive. She only landed in Alaska a few weeks ago.”

“Not exactly a good welcome.”

“No, but she’s a trooper. She kept apologizing for not being able to walk anymore.”

Markus watched as Swede brought her inside and set her on her feet.

“Bree, do you need an ambulance?” Mason asked.

“Oh my goodness,” she cried. “No, I’m not hurt.” She beamed at Markus. “He was wonderful. Kept me warm and safe the whole time. Definitely a keeper.”

Markus, in the act of taking a drink from his glass, choked and coughed.

“Oh dear.”

Before he knew it Bree was pounding him on his back. “Are you okay?”

He grabbed her hands before she hit him again. “I’m fine. I just swallowed the wrong way.”

But she didn’t look like she believed him. “Maybe you are hurt from carrying Jake and me. Maybe there is something more seriously wrong,” she cried. “I’ll never forgive myself if you’re hurt because of me.”

He shook his head. “I’m fine.”

She threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad. And thank you so much for saving me.”

He realized that was the first time she’d actually expressed her thanks. “You’re welcome.”

She pulled back and beamed up at him. Then she turned to the others on his team and said, “Markus really is a sweetheart.”

He glared at the guys. If they said one damn thing wrong…

Swede nodded solemnly. “Thanks for telling us. It’s important we understand what kind of man he is when we have to put our lives in his hands every day.”

Ah hell. They were going to milk this to the end.

“Oh my yes,” Bree cried. “He’s wonderful. So thoughtful, caring. He wrapped me up in a blanket and when I still couldn’t warm up he held me in his arms all through the dark hours.”

The guys hid their grins. Markus groaned. “They’d all have done the same for you, Bree. It wasn’t anything special.”

She spun to look at him, her eyes huge. Then her shoulders slumped. And he felt like a heel. Shit, he should have kept his mouth shut.

“Of course, that makes sense. Sorry.” She turned away to the kitchen sink and using a glass left on the counter she washed it and then filled it with water. An awkward silence filed the room. The men glared at Markus. He glared back. He didn’t know how to fix this. Hell – who could?

B
ree walked outside
to where there were yet more men standing and talking in groups. Was anyone looking for the shooter? Poor Jake. Poor her. No, she was done with that whole self-pity thing. She’d tried it out when she’d first gotten sick, but that hadn’t worked for her. It wasn’t her style.

She’d bucked up soon after.

So if she slipped a little, especially when she was tired and exhausted as she was today, surely that was understandable – not acceptable but as long as it was only a tiny slip? Recoverable.

It had to be the trauma that had made her so sensitive. She couldn’t do that to them. Markus was right. All his team would help her out. It’s what they were trained to do. It’s what they’d do naturally. It had nothing to do with the fact that it was
her
. She wasn’t special – other than a special kind of idiot for getting lost in the first place.

She had to stop looking at Markus like a friend. When had that started anyway? During their heartfelt conversations? While he held her close in her arms?

He’d been doing his job. Nothing more.

That she might want it to be more wasn’t the issue. She couldn’t place her loneliness on his head. It wasn’t his responsibility, it was hers.

And she needed to remember that.

When she heard a door slam behind her, she straightened. It would be Markus. He was going to apologize to her. That was the kind of man he was.
Just get it out, Bree. If you do it fast, before he has a chance to say anything, then it will be easier.

Right and pigs flew in her dream world too. She took a deep breath and spun around. “I’m sorry.”

His eyebrows shot up. He gave a half snort. “I thought that was my line.”

So, she’d been right. Her gaze widened at the hangdog look on his face. “You’ve done nothing to apologize for,” she cried. “You’ve been wonderful.” At the shake of his head, she closed the distance and reached out to pick up his hand. “You have been. You not only rescued me, you kept me warm, fed me, and put up with my weakness…” She peered earnestly into his eyes. “Honestly you’ve been very honorable, and I’m sorry for assuming there was more to it than your job.”

This was horribly embarrassing.
Finish. Just get it all out.
She stared at a blank space behind his shoulder. “I don’t really have an excuse except it seemed like we connected and…well, I guess I was lonelier than I thought. Then being lost in the middle of nowhere…and you showing up when you did…”

His face split into a huge grin.

The corner of her mouth twitched into a half smile. “So you forgive me?”

He started to laugh and shook his head at the same time.

“Why not?” she cried. “Honest it won’t happen again. I promise to not cross that line.”

“What line?” he spluttered, mirth shaking his chest.

“The line between friendship and rescuer.” But she was starting to get confused herself. “I mean I promise not to read anything into it.”

“Into what exactly?” But his massive shoulders were shaking.

She glared at him. “I’m trying to apologize here,” she snapped. “This is serious.”

“No, Bree, this can’t be serious.” He laughed outright. “Because this is too damn funny for that. For one,” he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, “You have nothing to apologize for. Two – we are friends. Three – I’d have rescued anyone, but I’m glad it was you.”

He tilted up her chin and smiled down at her. “Yes, you had a tough night and yes, you were happy to see me, but it’s also true that we connected.”

She opened her mouth to speak and he placed a finger across her lips and dropped the lightest of kisses on her forehead. “Shh. We’re friends. Enough.”

A huge sigh worked up her chest and out. “Thanks, I was feeling pretty embarrassed.” She threw her arms around him and hugged him. “I am so happy you found me.”

“Me too.”