The Midnight Hour - Brenda Jackson [24]
When they reached the top of the stairs, she glance around him, straining her eyesight to see into the darkness. At the far end of the hall they made out moonlight that was filtering in through a small window, deciding that some light was better than none. After taking a few steps Drake paused and she felt his warm, gloved hand on her thigh. "It's the last room," he whispered. "Stay behind me and protect my back."
She nodded. Although she would protect his back, he would be stationed in front of her, using his body as a shield to protect her as well. If something went wrong and there was gunfire, he would take the bullet instead of her. She just hoped and prayed the protective vests they were wearing did their jobs.
Outside they could hear the wind beginning to howl, indicating the possibility of a coming storm. Sudden and unexpected thunderstorms in this area were not unusual but unwelcome, especially tonight. Tori's only consolation was in knowing that no matter the weather, a group of Recons were stationed nearby, ready, on alert, poised for action, if things went wrong. And if things went right, that same army of men would be there, strategically placed in the jungle, waiting to get word that Robin had been rescued before moving in for an attack.
Barely breathing, Drake moved forward knowing Tori was right behind him. His dark eyes focused, his ears sharpened when he got closer to the room and heard the sound of a woman moaning. His mouth tightened. Had they gotten here too late? Had those bastards already…
Tightening his grip on the pistol he held in his hand he tried to get his mind in check. The one thing he could not tolerate was the violation of a woman. Through the small window he could see lightning flash. Damn. Either way it would be a rather messy night, he thought, easing into the semi-darkened room.
The room was dirty and cluttered. Guards, who'd been drinking, probably celebrating what they thought was a victory to kidnap the president's daughter, were sprawled everywhere, unconscious from the combination of both alcohol and the drug they'd been given.
Behind Drake, Tori heard the sound of a woman's gasp when Robin saw what she perceived as a huge, giant of a man walk into the room. Tori quickly moved from behind Drake to ease the young woman's fears. "Shh, we're here to help you," she said in a soothing voice, releasing a deep sigh when she saw the woman was still fully clothed. Although it was apparent she was shaken up pretty badly, there was no I signs that she'd been raped. Evidently the rebels had been given orders that she remain untouched until their leader arrived.
She sat huddled in a dark corner of the room on the floor, 1 with tape over her mouth and with her hands and feet tied; | obviously frightened, confused, scared out of her wits. The | effects of the drug were wearing off, leaving her disoriented, woozy.
Not knowing if the young woman would resort to hysteria if they removed the tape off her mouth, Tori began talking. She needed to make her understand they were there to J help her.
"We've come to take you home. Robin, are you injured in any way?"
The woman shook her head that she was not. Satisfied with that response, Tori then asked. "Can you walk?"
Tears burned the woman's eyes when she nodded that she could walk. "Good. We're going to release you but-"
"No time," Drake said, crouching down beside them* "The storm is about to break. Besides, it will be easier for £ me to carry her out the way she is. And keeping her gagged will assure she doesn't go into a state of hysteria and alert anyone of our presence. I heard the phone ring downstairs I just now. Chances are that's the call to tell them they nabbed 1 the wrong woman so we need to move out."
Tori nodded, knowing Drake was right. She took Robin Thomas's hand in hers soothingly, to assure the