Free Sniper Fire (Love in the Crosshairs) by Kathy Lane

her cold and shaking inside. She knew what Joshua meant. This right here was one of the reasons she’d broken things off with him when he joined the Army. Death always seemed to be the answer to a soldier’s problems.
    “Farrah?”
    He wanted her to answer, but she wasn’t sure what to say. Then she caught sight of Jeffery Waterhouse’s strained face. They’d talked for a bit after Kyle’s surgery while she was sewing up Sam. He’d told her about his terrifying capture and about his more terrifying rescue. How Joshua and his men had literally shot their way out of a trap meant to kill them all. They’d saved his life, these men who seemed ready to kill at the slightest provocation. She glanced around at each man she could see. All of them seemed to be holding their breaths, watching her, waiting for her answer. Their eyes told her they expected her revulsion, maybe even her condemnation.
    “Yes, I understand,” she said, feeling like she did understand for the first time in her life. A solider didn’t have to be just a killing machine. Not these soldiers. These men valued life just as much as she did. They killed in order to keep innocents safe. They killed, so people like her and Jeffery Waterhouse didn’t have to. “I’ve got it,” she said more firmly, finally meeting Joshua’s gaze. “You do what you have to, Joshua, and so will I. We’ll get Kyle out together.”
    The corner of Joshua’s lips kicked up. His gaze never left hers as he said, “See guys, that’s how they grow ladies in North Carolina. Tough and loyal to the bone.”
    Farrah choked on a laugh and shook her head as she turned away. “Stop making me sound like a hound dog, Colby.”
    A few chuckles followed her to the large garage door. She took a deep breath to steady her hands before unlocking and pulling on the handle. The one-piece door rose on its track. Farrah tried not to wince at the sharp squeal of metal on metal. She half-expected a row of terrorists to pop up in front of her, guns raised. Fortunately, the small street outside appeared empty of threats. She motioned for Rashid to pull the van out. Part of her was aware that this was the perfect opportunity for Joshua to leave her behind. She didn’t think he would, but she wasted no time pulling the door back into place and hurrying to the ambulance. No sense tempting the man.
    She’d expected to drive, but Rashid waved her to the passenger side. He had the vehicle moving before her door was closed. She glanced over at him and did a double take when she saw he’d donned one of the WHO coats. She didn’t ask him where he’d found it. The buttons were done up over his sandy gray fatigues. Instead of an American soldier, he looked like any other Egyptian man the clinic might hire as a driver. With a quick little bow in her direction, he reached to the dashboard and flicked on the lights and siren.
    ****
    Kyle knew without a doubt that he was dreaming. For one thing, he was lying naked on a blanket in a secluded glen he knew was on the other side of the world from his last location. The sun was high overhead, warming his skin just this side of uncomfortable. He was thinking of moving into the shade when a figure leaned over him, blocking the light.
    Yep, definitely a dream. Not that he minded one damn bit. The scraps of emerald green lace that Farrah wore might be called a bra and panty set in some circles. To him they were pure seduction. He let a welcoming smile tug his lips up. Only in his imagination had he ever seen her like this; red-gold curls tumbling around her face and shoulders, caressing bare, sun-kissed skin. Smoky hazel eyes heavy with passion, lips plump and slightly damp, as if they’d already been thoroughly kissed. He sucked in a breath and felt himself harden.
    His dream Farrah raised a leg and straddled him, her fingers flexing on his chest like a purring kitten. Oh yeah, this was what he needed. She settled down over his hips; her slight weight so near his