Chapter Ten

“O h, shit,” Brand said.

The air tensed and Wes frowned. A Broken Arrow was the code name for a lost nuke.

“Shit’s right,” Mitch stated solemnly. “The last thing we want is for someone to get their hands on it and sell it to China.”

“What’s the location?” Wes asked.

“That’s where things get tricky and why we need to move fast,” Mitch said, eyeing the team. “According to CIA analysts, it’s sitting at the bottom of the sea, dangerously close to shore. We need you to retrieve it before anyone else does.”

“I hope you former frogs still have your fins,” Lex said with a smirk, “because this op sounds right up your alley.”

“You might have to get your wings wet on this one, Maverick,” Brand said.

“Not if I can help it,” Lex grumbled.

“Here’s what we know,” Mitch continued. “Intel states there could be more than ten thousand wrecks littering the ocean floor in and around Indonesia. Last year’s tsunami stirred up wreckage and renewed interest, attracting looters who don’t care about historical preservation. Even local fishermen are finding valuable items.”

“Salvage for profit,” Xander commented.

“Exactly. Someone is going to stumble onto that weapon, most likely sooner rather than later, because a lot of people are actively looking for lost treasure. I know Wes and Corey have diving experience from their SEAL days, but what about the rest of you?”

No one commented.

“That’s what I figured. I have a name for you—two actually. Dylan and Hollis Ford are renowned treasure hunters who discovered and salvaged the Santa Lucia, a sunken Spanish ship laden with billions of dollars worth of treasure. Hollis is the daughter of the late Chaz Quinn, a well-known and respected explorer, second only to Mel Fisher. They’ll give you sound advice.”

“Nice name,” Chaz murmured.

“Roger that,” Brand replied, and Wes copied the phone number down that Mitch sent.

Wes wasn’t exactly sure what help a couple of treasure hunters could give them, but ten minutes later, the team was talking to the Fords. Wes was impressed as hell with their vast knowledge when it came to history, wrecks, salvage law and diving. Plus, the way Dylan and Hollis looked at each other reminded him so much of the way he and Ellie used to—with stars in their eyes.

“Indonesia put a moratorium on underwater archaeology in 2010,” Hollis told them, “but the Southeast Asian seabed is too big of a temptation. The black market of found artifacts is alive and well.”

“Definitely,” Dylan agreed. “Especially after the discovery of the famous Tang Treasure that was sold to Singapore in 2004.”

“How much was that worth?” Brand asked.

“Thirty million?” Dylan looked over at Hollis for confirmation.

“Thirty- two million.”

Lex whistled under his breath.

“The Indonesian fishermen are your new best friends,” Hollis said. “They know those waters better than anyone. Work with them if you can and take advantage of their knowledge.”

Dylan nodded. “We’ve got some hi-tech equipment, the latest ROVs, and you’re welcome to come down here and borrow whatever you need.”

“You’re in New Orleans?” Brand asked.

“Yeah. I’d be happy to show you what’ll work best for your situation. Just be careful with my babies.”

“Thanks, Dylan, appreciate it.” Brand looked over at Lex. “Let’s have you and Xander fly down, meet Dylan and Hollis, and pick up the equipment we’ll need for our search.”

As they were wrapping up the call, a little boy with dark hair and eyes ran into the room, calling for his mama, a shepherd right on his heels.

“Charlie, honey, give Mama a minute,” Hollis said softly, running a hand over her son’s head. Dylan reached down, ruffled the shepherd’s fur then plucked the boy up, sitting him up on his lap.

“Say hi, Charlie.” Dylan pointed to the camera. “These guys are like superheroes.”

“Like Spider-Man?” the little boy asked, dark eyes growing big.

“Yep.”

“I prefer Captain America,” Lex said with a bright, white grin.

The shepherd let out a woof and everyone laughed.

“You agree, Fish?” Hollis asked, petting the dog.

“Nah, I think Fish said Wonder Woman,” Chaz teased, and Lex punched his shoulder.

While they wrapped up their call with the Fords, Wes wondered what it would’ve been like if he and Ellie had children. Even though she’d assured him she didn’t need anything but him, right now she didn’t remember saying that. He studied her face, searching for any sign of longing, but she only smiled. The beauty she radiated took his breath away. When she glanced over at him, their gazes locked. Her eyes shone brightly and his heart nearly exploded with love.

Beneath the table, he pinched himself. As impossible as it seemed, he had his Ellie back. And he planned on keeping it that way.

◆◆◆

“I want to go back. I can help you.” Ellie looked up into Wes’ brown eyes, ready to convince him to allow her to return to Indonesia with the team. “I know the area pretty well and I made friends with some of the local fishermen. You heard Hollis—they can help us.”

They had just left Old Glory and were on their way back to Wes’ house. She was preparing for him to say no when he surprised her.

“Wherever I go, you go.”

She blinked in surprise. Well, that was easy. Maybe too easy. “I thought you were going to put up an argument.”

“About keeping you by my side? Never. The last time we separated, I lost you. Not doing that again.”

As nice as his words were, she knew they were unrealistic. “Wes, you can’t always be with me,” she said, keeping her voice gentle.

“Wanna bet?”

His stubbornness was sweet and, she had to secretly admit, she liked the overprotective caveman vibes he was exuding. It made her feel safe and…loved. She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile. She was doing that a lot lately. Smiling. But she couldn’t help it. Every single time she met Wes’ deep brown, unwavering gaze she felt like a schoolgirl with the giggles, crushing on the cutest boy in class.

Of course, he would have to let her out of his sight at some point, but one thing at a time. Shifting her attention out the windshield, she focused on the gathering storm clouds. It had grown considerably darker outside and the smell of rain hung heavily in the air. Ellie breathed deeply, loving the ozone scent.

“Do the storms get violent here?”

“They can,” he said. “But I like them.”

“Me, too. Everything here is so raw and rugged. It’s wild and beautiful.”

As they pulled into the driveway, raindrops began to splatter against the car. Wes parked, turned the engine off and muttered a curse under his breath.

“I left the umbrella in the hall closet.”

But Ellie only smiled at him as the rain began to pound down harder. “Who needs an umbrella?” she asked mischievously, then threw the door open, stepping into the deluge.

Stretching her arms out, she tilted her head back and laughed. For the first time in a very long time, Ellie felt alive. Wes moved up beside her, rain streaming down his face, and she couldn’t miss the hunger in his eyes.

They were soaked in minutes. Clothes plastered to their bodies, Ellie fell back against the hood of the car, raising her arms to block the water streaming out of the hose. She’d been innocently washing the vehicle when Wes turned the spray on her. Playful moments like this were one of the things she loved most about him.

Absolutely drenched, she looked up as Wes leaned over her, closing the gap between them, and then captured her lips in a passionate kiss. God, she loved this man more than anything.

The memory hit Ellie out of the blue, and when she opened her eyes, Wes stood before her, dripping with rainwater. Just as wet and handsome as he’d been in her mind. But the passion had been replaced with concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked, reaching for her elbow.

“I remembered something,” she announced breathlessly. “We were at a car wash and you sprayed me with the hose. And we kissed.” Holy hell had they kissed. Her lips felt swollen just from the memory.

“That’s right,” he said, eyes lighting up. “I started working at a carwash to make extra money. You brought your car in and we got a little crazy with the soap and water. And then the manager yelled at us and said to get a room.”

Ellie burst out laughing as Wes closed in.

“What else do you remember?”

“Just…” That I loved you. So much it was like a beautiful ache. Instead, she said, “That you were, um, a pretty good kisser.”

“Pretty good?” he growled, eyes narrowing, cornering her against the hood just like he had in her flashback.

Stepping back, her rear end bumped against the SUV. “I don’t know. I don’t really remember.” She tossed him a devilish smirk.

“Maybe I should refresh your memory.”

“Maybe you should,” she challenged. He moved fast and before she knew it, Wes had her pinned against the Explorer. Their bodies were flush, clothes soaked, and Ellie could feel the hard lines of his firm chest, strong hips and muscled thighs. Melting against him, noses touching, she licked rain off her lips and nearly moaned when his mouth crashed against hers.

Even though he’d kissed her already, this kiss was different. It felt more intimate, more intense on every level. Completely epic. Her arms wound around his neck and his hips rocked against hers. There was no missing he was hard as steel, but she wasn’t scared or nervous—no, she was excited. Everything about him felt right and oh-so good. When he deepened the kiss, his tongue delving into her mouth, Ellie whimpered, her body arching against him.

The kiss seemed to go on and on. Wes finally pulled his mouth from hers, but she hung on to him for dear life, refusing to let go. She wasn’t letting this man go for anything in the world.

His hands slid down over her ass and when she jumped up, he easily caught her. Wrapping her legs around his waist, holding on like some kind of lovesick octopus, she buried her face against his t-shirt as he carried her toward the house. Once they were safely inside and out of the rain, she reluctantly unwound herself from him and slid down the length of his body, enjoying every hard, wet inch she came into contact with. When her feet were firmly on the floor, he released her.

He was always there to steady her, she realized. Overwhelmed by emotion, she swallowed back tears. Weston Murphy wasn’t exactly a stranger anymore and Ellie found herself wanting to get to know him much better.

“Sorry, I’m dripping on your floor,” she said, slipping her shoes off.

He turned to face her, brown eyes intense. “You think I give a shit about my floors? All I care about is you, here with me.” He closed the distance between them and pressed his forehead against hers. “You…breathing…in my arms…warm and alive.”

Ellie shivered and he stepped back.

“C’mon. Let’s get you warm.” Taking her hand, he led her down the hall and straight into the guest bathroom. “I’m going to run you a bath.”

While Wes bent over to turn on the water and adjust the temperature, Ellie shimmied out of her soaked pants then pulled her wet shirt over her head. She dropped them on the floor with a splat. Why be shy? This was her husband, and he’d seen it all a million times before.

After adding some bubble bath, Wes turned and froze. She stood there wearing only her pink bra and panties, feeling extremely vulnerable, but also like a siren ready to seduce her mate. His gaze skimmed down her body and an unholy fire burned in his eyes.

“Kiss me again,” she pleaded.

“Ellie…” His words came out strangled.

“I think it’s helping me remember. Don’t hold back. Kiss me like you used to.”

She didn’t have to ask twice. In a second, Wes had her bent backwards at the waist as his mouth captured hers and he drank deeply. Every one of her nerve endings lit up as she kissed him back fiercely. And when he groaned, she felt that possessive, purely male rumble all the way down to her toes.

“Touch me, Wes. Please…” Ellie begged, flicking her tongue against his. “I need your hands on me.”

His large palm covered her breast then slid into the satin cup. Squeezing her flesh, licking her neck, he pushed his hips against hers.

“You have no idea how much I missed you. How I almost died without you…”

“Wes…” She moaned as he toyed with her nipple then began nibbling on her ear. No doubt about it—he knew exactly how to touch her and her body began overheating. Running her hands up his muscled arms, she felt goose bumps on his skin. He was still in his wet clothes and she grabbed the hem of his shirt, tugging it up and over his head. Her eyes dipped to admire his sculpted chest and abs. He might be forty-six, but he obviously hadn’t slacked off on maintaining his physique, remaining mobile and strong despite his prosthetic. Or, maybe because of it. Either way, she was going to touch every single flexing muscle.

“Into the tub,” he murmured, nipping her shoulder. “Before you catch pneumonia.”

Ellie grabbed his hand and tugged. “Only if you come with me.”

His nostrils flared at the invitation.