Lydia glanced around the room. The pressure in the air was thick. Lydia hesitated as she studied the questioning looks from her sisters’ stares. She pushed from the table. “Is there somewhere Rick and I can talk in private?”
Emma replied as she walked into the room, holding a squirming toddler in her arms. Her husband, Jake, followed dutifully behind, making faces at the toddler. “You can go on out on the deck. It’s nice and peaceful out there.”
Mike glared at Emma.
“What? She wants privacy, and I think after everything she’s been through that we should give her some.”
Rick smiled at Emma. “Thanks.”
He took Lydia’s hand in his and walked out through the double doors to the deck. The sun was just starting to set over the horizon. It was a beautiful sight, and after her near-death experience, she was going to appreciate it. Lydia dropped Rick’s hand, walked over to the railing, and leaned against it. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Not as beautiful as you.” Rick walked up behind her and placed his arms around her waist. He put his chin on her shoulder. “Tell me you don’t really want me to leave.”
Lydia sighed and glanced down at the hands clasped around her. If she was going to be honest with herself, she didn’t want him to leave, but he had to. “I don’t want you to leave, but that’s the only way I can ensure you stay safe.”
Rick kissed her cheek. “I’ll take my chances. Besides, the decision was taken out of your hands.”
Lydia turned in Rick’s arms. “Says who?”
Rick let his hands fall and walked over to one of the lounge chairs. He motioned her over. “Come sit with me.”
Lydia did as he asked. She had questions of her own.
“Now tell me who told you not to leave.”
Rick placed his arms around Lydia’s waist and pulled her back to lean against his chest. His voice was calm as he whispered his response. “The general.”
“I don’t understand. The general has to realize the danger you’re in,” Lydia muttered.
“Well, for starters, he might have come to that conclusion because I’m a potential threat.”
Lydia turned to face Rick. “How does he figure that?”
Rick shrugged. “Might have something to do with the fact that psycho-Floyd shot me up with an unknown substance when he was holding me.”
Lydia grabbed Rick’s arm. “Oh god no!” Her heart fell to her stomach. It was her fault that Rick had been taken in the first place. “Does he know what it was yet?”
Rick leaned over and pressed his lips to hers before he answered. “Not yet. They took some of my blood after my debriefing. They’re running tests on it now.”
Lydia leaned against Rick’s chest and whispered, “I’m so sorry.”
Rick stroked his fingers through her hair. “I’m just glad it wasn’t you that they got a hold of.” He kissed her hair. “At least now we know what Floyd wants and also that there is a mole in the compound.”
She turned back toward the lowering sun and leaned into his chest. “He told you there’s a mole? Did he say who it was?”
Rick tightened his hold around her waist. “Nope, but the general is looking into it. Hopefully he’ll have some answers about everything by the time we get back.”
Lydia closed her eyes. She could stay like this forever. This was the most relaxed she’d been since finding her family. “When do we have to go back?”
Rick rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “From what Briggs told me, you almost died trying to save me. I think you need to rest, and when you feel up to it, we’ll go back…together.”
Chapter 19
Rick had listened in fascination when Lydia tried her best to explain about Momma Mae. The entire Bennett clan had sat in silence as each of them digested the new information on the apparition. To make things worse, he’d had to clue in the entire family about Floyd. Getting the Bennetts to let her return to the base had been almost impossible, but they’d finally relented. Rick and Briggs now sported new watches just like the rest of the Bennetts. The tracking systems gave them a little peace of mind.
Briggs had accompanied Rick and Lydia back to the base. The giant’s newfound fondness and protectiveness over Lydia would have normally brought out the green monster of jealousy, but not now. No, Rick welcomed the extra help in keeping her away from Floyd. Hell, Briggs had already proven himself once by saving Lydia’s life. Briggs deserved Rick’s loyalty, nothing less.
Rick dropped his bag just inside his door and ran a hand through his hair. His nerves had been on edge since Floyd had stuck the needle in his arm. It was the unknown that was making it worse. He just hoped that the general had some answers for them. He turned and pulled the door open and left everything where he’d dropped it.
Rick knocked on the open door to the general’s office. “You got a minute for me.”
The general looked up from the report he was studying and motioned to the chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat and shut the door behind you.”