Rescuing Emily (Delta Force Heroes Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

knowing if there was one thing in the world her daughter disliked, it was needles. “Ink is put into the needle and it’s pushed into his skin over and over until the drawing is under his skin and it won’t come out.”
    “Needles?” Annie asked in horror.
    Emily nodded solemnly.
    “Yuck. Why?”
    “Some people use them as decoration, others use them as a way to express themselves.”
    Annie scrunched her face up. “His are pretty, but I don’t understand.”
    Emily had to agree with her daughter on the first part, Fletch’s tattoos were pretty, not that she’d ever admit it. She changed the subject. “Do you remember what we talked about tonight?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “What?”
    “That I’m never ever allowed to let anyone into our apartment. That it’s our house and our safe place.”
    “That’s right, baby. And what about the door locks?”
    “That I should always lock the door behind me when I come in. Including my own special chain lock.”
    “Good. And why should you do that?”
    “Because this is our house and no one is allowed in unless we invite them in.”
    Emily nodded. “Yes. I don’t want you to be scared of people, honey, but there are some bad men and women in this world that want to take what doesn’t belong to them.”
    “Like robbers?”
    Emily nodded, knowing her daughter didn’t really understand. “Exactly, like robbers. When we’re here in our apartment, we’re safe from robbers. It’s our home.”
    “And like the scary men where we used to live…right, Mommy?”
    Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes. She kissed the top of her daughter’s head to try to hide her emotions from her too-observant eyes. “Yes, Annie, like the scary men at the other place. But they aren’t here. It’s just a good habit to get into, locking the door behind you. Right?”
    “Right, Mommy. But Fletch isn’t scary.”
    “No, he’s not. But, Annie, you should really leave him alone when he’s working. He might not like you interrupting him.”
    “He said his friends call him Fletch. I’m his friend. He doesn’t mind when I interrmupt him.”
    Emily leaned down and kissed her daughter again. “I love you, Annie.”
    “And I love you, Mommy.”
    “Sleep well.”
    “Okay, you too.”
    Emily pulled the covers up on her daughter’s side of the double bed they sometimes shared. Annie liked to feel snug when she slept, so Emily would tuck the covers in as tightly as she could, then throw a blanket over herself when she went to bed. Most of the time, however, Emily found it easier to sleep on the couch so she wouldn’t disturb Annie when she went to sleep after her bedtime. She turned on the small table lamp she’d found at a yard sale for a dollar and left the room, closing the door behind her.
    She puttered around the small living area, wiping down the kitchen counter and washing the few dishes that were in the sink. She put some crackers into a small baggie, packed an apple and made a sandwich for Annie’s lunch the next day. She eyed the last two apples sitting on the counter and shook her head. She needed to save those for Annie’s lunches. Emily knew she’d get paid again at the end of the week, so she’d be able to splurge and get them both a treat.
    Stomach growling—it seemed like she was always hungry, but there was no way she would ever take food away from her child—Emily went to the small hall closet and pulled out a blanket. She walked to the couch and lay down, covering herself with the fluffy blanket she’d found last year at the church rummage sale. She clicked on the small television Fletch had put in the apartment sometime between when she’d toured the place and when she’d moved in.
    He’d left a note that said simply:
    Had an extra TV. It’s hooked up to my satellite dish. No extra charge. Enjoy. -F
    Her thoughts turned to Fletch. He’d surprised her. She’d become too jaded since Annie’s father had left, painting all soldiers with the same tainted brush