Chapter 11

Hunter was flirting with her, right? She couldn't quite believe it when she heard it, but he told her she was beautiful. And he'd said he cared about her and wanted to protect her. Holy vapors. She suddenly understood why Southern women used to carry fans. She was practically panting with the desire to swoon right into his arms. His very buff, muscular arms.

No. Maggie stood up straight, giving herself a mental pep talk. A few pretty words weren't going to make her forget he'd been a jerk to her. Then there was heat on her lower back. Maggie glanced to her side to see that Hunter had put his hand on the small of her back and was walking slightly behind her toward Landry's room.

"Why are you touching me?"

Hunter glanced at her and she realized he'd been looking around the hall and not at her. "I'm sorry. I was protecting you in case Pablo wasn't alone. That way, I could get between you and the threat."

Hunter didn't drop his hand, but he removed the small amount of pressure he'd been exerting. Maggie felt the loss of that pressure like a wrecking ball taking down a building.

"No, it's okay. Thank you for looking out for me. I never thought of a second attacker."

Hunter again let his hand rest on her back then, heavier than before. Heat raced up her spine and down her spine straight to her . . .

"Maggie? Are you okay?" Lydia asked. "Your face is all flushed."

Hunter's thumb began to stroke her skin at the top of her shorts, right below her camisole. Maggie shivered. It wasn't on purpose. It was because Hunter made her whole body hyper-aware of his touch.

"Oh dear. Your flush has moved to your chest." Lydia seemed concerned, but Blythe seemed to pick up on what was going on and was trying to hide her smile. "Should we call Jen?" Lydia asked.

Maggie refused to be embarrassed, and when Hunter chuckled under his breath at Lydia's words, Maggie decided two could play this game. She'd never backed down from their war of words. She wasn't going to now over this.

Instead, she turned toward Hunter, causing his hand to skim along her waist. "I'm okay, Lydia," she said as she met Hunter's eyes. She leaned forward, placing her hand on his chest, and used her nails to press into way more muscle than she'd ever felt on a man before. Hunter stopped breathing. He stopped laughing. His jaw tightened. His fingers flexed into her hip. "I was just so overwhelmed by having to save Hunter's ass, again, that I needed a moment to compose myself."

Then she looked up at Hunter, ran her tongue seductively over her lips, and leaned forward enough that her breasts brushed against his chest. "Poor guy. He's so shaken up he can't even talk," she said, noticing her voice had a breathlessness to it. This might be tormenting Hunter, but she was also tormenting herself.

"Yes," Hunter said, keeping his eyes locked with hers. "Magnum has once again proven herself to be bedpan-worthy."

Maggie snorted and Hunter smiled down at her. Then, neither was smiling because they realized their lips were a breath away from touching. Neither moved. She wasn't sure who was leaning closer, but they were leaning into each other. Her breasts were pushing against his chest. His hand was sliding around her waist.

"Okay, make room," Olivia said as she came to stand beside them. "Or I'll have to pay you for the show you're about to put on."

Maggie jumped back, but Hunter's hand didn't let her move too far away from him. Instead, he kept his hand on Maggie's hip as she turned to face the room. His hand on her felt nice—real nice.

Peter followed Olivia into the room and looked at Lydia. "I'm sorry. We need to move your husband again. I'm not sure where he's safe. I'm sure my friends in Keeneston, Kentucky would take great care of him."

Hunter nodded. "They would, Lydia. I spent some time there recently for a training exercise and they are definitely prepared to protect Landry."

"No. I'm not leaving him," Lydia said, gripping Landry's hand.

"Home."

The word croaked out and it took Maggie a moment to realize where it came from.

"Landry!" Lydia gasped.

Maggie rushed forward along with everyone else except Hunter, who ran into the hall and yelled for Jen to get the doctor. Then he was back and Maggie felt his steadying hand on her shoulder as he watched quietly from behind her.

Lydia was running her hands over Landry's face, fighting back tears. "Landry, open your eyes for me. Please. I'm here, honey. I'm here."

Jen and the doctor rushed in right as Landry's eyes fluttered open. They didn't try to move Lydia, but instead headed around to the other side of the bed to administer their exam.

"Water," Landry croaked out.

"I'll get it," Blythe said, moving quickly away.

"Where am I?" Landry asked, looking around before his eyes stopped and bore into Hunter's.

"You're in Charleston, honey," Lydia said as silent, happy tears ran down her cheeks. Maggie noticed how Landry hadn't looked away from Hunter.

"You," Landry croaked out, his voice rough and thready from the lack of use, "saved me. How's my team?"

Maggie's own emotions got a hold of her at the look of gratitude in Landry's eyes, combined with the way she felt Hunter stiffen behind her. His fingers tightened on her shoulder in a move he probably didn't realize he was doing. But Maggie noticed. It was the feeling of heartache from a man who would never admit it.

"I know I told you during the rescue, but I'm Olivia's brother, Hunter Townsend. You lost four teammates," Hunter said before listing their names. "Their families have been notified and I had them attach a letter of condolences from you. I hope you don't mind, but I gave permission for your name to be signed to it. I know I would want that if I were in your situation."

Blythe quietly walked to the bedside and put the straw to Landry's lips. He sipped and sighed as if it were the best thing he'd ever tasted.

"The rest of your team is on leave and with their families after debriefing," Hunter said, continuing what sounded like a very succinct military report. "We snuck you out of the country on a private jet. However, whoever was responsible for that ambush found me in Shadows Landing and just now tried to get to your hospital room. I don't know what they want because, so far, the men who are after us are from a mix of groups and countries. Which leads me to tell you we need to move you again for your safety."

"Move him to my guest house," Ryker's voice said from the doorway.

Maggie gasped in surprise, but Hunter hadn't reacted. He'd probably heard him while she'd been so engrossed in the report.

"No," Landry said, his voice sounding a little stronger. "Too dangerous."

"They won't look for you there, Landry. There's room for your whole family to stay and Blythe, who is private security. I won't change my mind. Move him now." Maggie was startled at the commanding tone Ryker used. She knew he was powerful, but he was always just Ryker back in Shadows Landing. This voice sent the doctor scrambling to order medicine and to get Landry prepared for the move.

"No . . ."

"We can put him in my car," Ryker said, ignoring Landry's protests. "My back windows are tinted."

Landry began to argue, but this time Lydia stopped him. "No, Landry. You're not in charge anymore. I am. You're going to Ryker's where your family and friends can look after you." Landry opened his mouth, but the glare from Lydia made him shut it. "Don't think for one moment that waking up is going to save you from the fact you lied to me about your job for our entire marriage."

"Not all of it. Just the past thirteen years or so," Landry grumbled. Maggie sucked in a breath along with all the women in the room as all the men cringed at the way Lydia's eyes narrowed.

"Let's get this straight," Lydia said, sounding as if she were scolding her children. "I love you with all my heart, but right now I'm so mad at you I could kill you myself. Don't. Push. It. You need to regain your strength so you can grovel like you've never groveled before."

Landry then smiled and winked at his wife. "You're so sexy when you're mad. I look forward to getting on my knees and begging your forgiveness. If I recall, that's how Levi was conceived."

Lydia blushed, but her glare never wavered. She was strong because Maggie would have melted into a puddle of goo if Hunter looked at her like that. The doctor came back in with a bag of medication and handed it to Lydia along with a printout of all the instructions.

"Kenzie is getting the house ready," Ryker said. "Let's move."

Maggie finally moved when Hunter's hand gently nudged her to the side. She stood back as Hunter moved forward to the bedside where Jen was pulling off cords left and right. "Ready?" he asked Jen who nodded as Blythe came back with a wheelchair.

"Sorry," Hunter said to Landry a moment before he scooped him out of bed as if the man didn't weigh close to two hundred pounds.

"I could have done it myself," Landry protested after Hunter set him gently in the wheelchair. But Maggie didn't believe it. Landry's face had gone white from pain and sweat was covering his brow.

"I know you could have," Hunter said. "But we don't have time right now."

"Follow me," Ryker ordered.

Lydia grabbed the wheelchair and Hunter stepped back. "Blythe, take the lead. I'll take the rear," Hunter said to the bodyguard.

Then their troop hurried from the room.

"Maggie," Jen called out, rushing from the nurses' station with a white plastic bag. "These are his personal effects from Millevia. Nothing much left since they cut off his uniform, but it's all in there."

"Thanks, Jen."

Maggie took the bag and found Hunter watching her.

"What happened to your wrist?" Hunter asked quietly as they walked behind Landry.

"A bad date."

"Who hurt you, Magnum?" He wasn't asking. It was a clear order, but she didn't take orders from him.

"Don't worry. I took care of it with Detective Chamber's help. I'm okay but thank you for your concern. Let's just get Landry to safety."

Maggie got into her truck and looked in her rearview mirror to see Hunter watching her. She felt an intense gaze even thirty feet away with cars between them. The look in his eyes was different. No longer with disdain. They'd reached some kind of understanding. He'd come for her. Or maybe for Landry. Either way, he'd come to save them and she knew he would. Loyalty and bravery were never qualities Hunter lacked. The problem was that Maggie was starting to see a lot more good qualities in Hunter Townsend that were investing her heart in a man who had made it clear he wasn't interested in her.