Tactical Deception: Silent Warrior, Book 2 by J.L. Saint Read Free Book Online

guy. Rationally he knew the officers were right to prevent anyone without ID from approaching the access gate, especially with this kind of crowd seething at the entrance, but roughing Mari up and pulling out the heavy club was way out of line.
    He clamped his jaw shut and let Dekker handle the situation because anything he could say at the moment would have gone over like a nuclear explosion. Other than put her hands in her lap after being uncuffed, Mari didn’t move. She sat gasping for air, either from crying or from fear. He didn’t know which. She had her head bowed to the point that her midnight curtain of hair covered her face. He set his hand on her shoulder and squatted down next to her. “Are you hurt?”
    She shook her head. “I’m sorry…I can’t stop…this is all my fault.”
    He exhaled hard, not even sure how long he’d been holding his breath. “It’s all right. We’ll get you to the doctor and have you checked. Come on.” He went to pick her up, but she turned away from him, clearly embarrassed.
    “Please. My shame is so great already. I can walk.” She still gulped for air, but her voice sounded a little steadier.
    “Are you dizzy at all?”
    She nodded again. “But I must walk.”
    He clenched his fist, determined to hold back his frustration. Inside he wanted to shout at the world and curse the rules that had her so constricted…so afraid that she couldn’t even accept…damn… He couldn’t even think he was so furious. A pregnant woman, in a foreign culture, surrounded by a mob and being harassed by the police should NEVER consider it a SHAME to accept help. “At least let me help you stand, okay?”
    She nodded, still not raising her face to him. She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t want anyone to see her face. It was considered a sin. Her so-beautiful-it-made-him-ache face was not to be seen. Creamy skin the color of warm honey, a smile that could light the darkest dark, and wide-set golden eyes that haunted him day and night were all to be hidden from the world.
    He helped her rise. She wavered a few moments then steadied. He still kept hold of her elbow and glanced at the others.
    The officer uncuffed Holly, who snapped General Dekker a salute. “Good to see you, sir. I can explain—”
    “At ease. Save the explanations for later,” Dekker said. “SFCs Hunter and Walker, accompany Senior Airman Gear to her vehicle for whatever possessions she needs until the local police can clear up this incompetent mess.”
    DT, Beck and Holly left at a run.
    Delta didn’t wear uniforms or regulation haircuts. Roger had on jeans and a button-down shirt over a sleeveless T-shirt. He slipped off his shirt and placed it over Mari’s head. She made a grateful moan and clasped the edges of the shirt about her. She still didn’t look up, but her breathing noticeably eased.
    Dekker eyed the officer’s badge who’d claimed to be in charge. “Officer Clayton, I suggest you set up barricades on both sides of the street and call the post’s provost marshal for tips on effective crowd control. You have one hour to make this demonstration civil or I will be in contact with your superiors.”
    Roger left Dekker to the job and urged Mari toward the access-control gate. Holly, DT and Beck ran up just as they reached the guardhouse. Holly handed Roger Mari’s ID. She appeared as if she was about to explain what happened and he shook his head. At the moment anything he could say would only upset Mari more. His anger and curiosity as to why in the hell they’d left the base when Dugar was still at large could wait until after he was sure Mari was all right and she was comfortable and safe.
    Once they were past the guard station, DT set a hand on Roger’s shoulder. “Unless you need us, Beck and I are going to hang with Dekker and see you later.”
    “Fine,” Roger said, still finding it hard to speak past his emotions.
    DT squeezed his shoulder. “It’s hell, but it gets better.”
    “What?” Roger