She stiffened, her heart suddenly racing. "You're talking about leaving me. That's what you're saying, isn't it?"
"Lily, I'm saying I'm willing to take on your promises to your father. I'm willing to live here with you if that's what you need to be happy. I'm willing to make Arly and Rosa and John my family. All I'm asking in return is the same thing from you. Take on me and my family. Those men out there who have nowhere to go without help. Feel about them the same way I do. Lily, make a commitment. Is that so damned hard?"
He saw it in her eyes first. Deep down, where it counted. His heart nearly exploded right out of his chest. His mouth found hers and took the words from her, swallowed them so they could find their way to his soul. Lily. His Lily for all time.
She laughed and kissed him back, locked her legs around his waist to hold him deep inside her.
Ryland lifted his head alertly. Swore. "We've got company coming." He rolled off of her quickly.
Lily clutched the sheet up to her chin. "What do you mean?"
"I mean the children aren't in their beds sleeping." The door to the room burst open and several of the men strolled in.
"What in the world is going on? Don't you people have something to do besides harass me in my own bedroom? You happen to be interrupting a marriage proposal here." Lily tried outrage, hoping they would all get the hint.
Kaden shrugged carelessly. "Everyone knows you're going to marry him. He always was a little slow getting around to the actual doing."
"I asked her a dozen times," Ryland protested. "She was the one hesitating."
Lily glared at Ryland. "Why didn't you lock the door?"
"I did lock the door," he said. "That doesn't slow any of them down. Our children are masters at breaking and entering."
"Great. And did no one teach them the fine art of knocking?" She switched her glare to the men and treacherous Arly, hoping to wither them on the spot.
Several threw their hands up as if for protection, grinning like apes as they did so.
"Ian's got a bad feeling," Kaden announced when the laughter had died down. "He thinks something's going down with General Ranier right now."
Ryland sobered at once and handed the phone to Lily. "Call him. Gear up. We'll head over there now. We can check it out and see if there's been a disturbance."
"No one is answering at all, Ryland," Lily said with a small frown. "Someone is always there. Day or night there's staff. It isn't normal and that worries me."
"I just have a very bad feeling," Ian agreed. "We might be too late if we wait any longer."
"That's good enough for me, Ian," Ryland said as he shrugged into his gear without the least bit of modesty. "Get moving, Lily, I'm not leaving you here. I don't trust Higgens. Arly can keep Rosa and John safe but no way would he be able to stop the colonel from getting you."
Lily rolled her eyes. "He's only saying that to look macho in front of all of you. He knew I'd come whether he okayed it or not so he issued the big command. And, Mr. Big Shot, I happen to be ready. And a little privacy would help." She caught up the sheet, wrapped herself in it, and started toward the closet.
"Night gear, Lily, that means black." Ryland stuffed a tight one-piece black spandex suit into her hand. "This will work fine. I found it in that house you call a closet. And wear tennis shoes-you do own a pair, don't you?"
"At least ten pairs, sarcastic one. I'm not certain I can fit my body into this thing," she said but hurried into her bathroom to clean up quickly and try to squeeze into the pantsuit. "I'll look like a sausage."
"I'll help," Gator offered.
"I do appreciate your offer," Lily said, "and I may take you up on it."
"I'll shoot you first," Ryland warned Gator.
"He's so touchy, Lily," Gator said.
Lily came around the corner making a face at Ryland. "He's a big baby, is what he is," she told Gator and fell into line beside Ryland as they hurried toward the tunnel. She leaned close to him. "There's no possible way to wear underwear in this outfit."
He covered her mouth and sent a steely glare toward his men. Not one of them had the audacity to make a comment but they all smirked at him.
IAN rolled under the hedge and scooted close to Ryland. "I don't like the feel of this place at all, Captain. Someone's in there and if it's the general, he's not alone."
I count four in the house and two guards on the north side. It was Nicolas checking in.
I've got two in the house and one guard on the balcony on the east side. This was Kaden giving his report.
Sniper on roof. One on roof across the street, Jonas added. That is two snipers, two separate buildings.
Ryland assessed the situation. We need to be in the house. Any evidence that the general is inside?
Man down in kitchen near the table. I can't see him well enough to know if he's staff or an aide. Best guess, the general's in the house and he has unwelcome company, Kaden offered.
Then we have no choice. Nico, clear the rooftops. Kaden, Kyle, and Jonas, take out the guards. If you don't know whose side they're on, make it soft. Otherwise make it clean and no guns. Absolute silence. Signal when you're clear and we have a go.
Lily hunched in the corner of the car, making herself as small as possible. She was a block away from the action. She knew Ryland had left one of the men close. She suspected it was Tucker and he had a way of making anyone feel absolutely secure. She couldn't see him, but he was out there making the night safe again. Arly sat in the front seat, betraying his own anxiety by tapping his hand on the steering wheel.
"You shouldn't be here, Arly," she said nervously. "I can't believe you came with us. John and Rosa…"
"Are safe. Rosa would have my head if anything ever happened to you. She told me to see to it personally that you returned safely. Well," he hedged, "you and your young man."
"Someone set guards around the general's house. Ryland's men are clearing them out now," Lily reported. She leaned over the seat. "Arly, how long have you and Rosa been an item?" She tried to sound very casual.
He looked at her sharply. "How long have you known?"
"Why did you want to keep it a secret?"
"I didn't want to keep it a secret. I've asked her to marry me a thousand times. She won't. It was always because she couldn't have children."
"Rosa's too old to have children, Arly, why would that matter?"
"That's what I told her yesterday. Not that I mind sneaking around-it adds a little spice. But I'm getting too old to be climbing in windows and creeping down hallways."
"Did she say yes?"
"I told her with the things we did together, she'd burn in hell if she didn't marry me. So she said yes."
"That must have been a charming proposal." Lily leaned over the seat to kiss him. "I'm glad, you need someone to keep you in line." She took a deep breath. "I'm really afraid this time. For Ryland. For the general. For all of them. And for us."
Arly squeezed her hand. "So am I. But I've seen some tough men who deal with some rough situations and I'd stack up your Ryland and his crew with them any day of the week."