She holds her hand out for mine, and I thread my fingers through hers, bonding us together and lead her away. The ground is soft and sandy, so the going is slow.
She asks, "Are we alone? I don't hear anyone else."
"Affirmative."
"May I ask you how you know Cash?"
"He was my training officer during BUD/S."
"Oh." She answers, then walks along silently for less than a minute. "Did you pass or wash out?"
I chuckle. It's a legit question. Roughly 70% don't make it through. "I passed."
She stumbles and grabs my arm with her other hand, causing her tits to press into it, which causes a surge in blood to flow below. Damn. I'm going to walk in and challenge the Board with a hard-on. Well, at least the reason I'm willing to fight to keep her will be evident.
She continues walking, holding on, and it begins to feel more like a stroll with my girl than a kidnapping victim forced to comply with my wishes.
"How old are you?"
I shake my head. Girls! They are always talking. I can't imagine living in their headspace. "Twenty-eight. You?"
"Twenty-three." She adds, "I'm here alone because I lost my best friends in a car accident a few months ago. We had scheduled this trip to celebrate our graduation. Our last hoorah together before we went our separate ways."
I squeeze her hand. That's why she was crying on deck.
"Before anything else happens," she stops and turns to face me. "I want to thank you for rescuing me from survivor's guilt. I was wallowing in when you showed up."
Watching her lips move, forming her words because her eyes are covered, sends another surge of blood flowing below. Damn. The thought of those lips wrapped around my cock and sucking my brain through my vein nearly drowns out the sweet words of gratitude she says. Then she adds, "Do you believe in destiny? I do."
I reach up, pinch her chin, then trace my thumb over perfect lips. The urge to kiss her again sends my hand to the nape of her neck, and I put our hands behind her back to pull her to me. She falls forward, landing on my chest, and her free hand slides around my waist.
"Mmm," my tongue thrusts slowly into her appreciative mouth. After the kiss, I tell her. "I'll let you thank me properly later if you still feel the same way."
She licks her lips and nods. "I'm going to be brave."
My heart feels the weight of her words, and I know she's going to do her best to pull this off and survive. My job is to keep her mental scarring from what's about to go down to a minimum. Regardless of what happens between us after this mission is over, she belongs to me now. I will protect her from the evil within the walls we are about to enter. I kiss her forehead, then begin walking toward the headquarters to be debriefed by the Board.
After a few seconds, she says, "My name is Marie Daniels, by the way."
"I know." I smile, and I feel her surprise in her hand when she pulls slightly against me. "Cash warned us not to fuck around with you. You were off-limits. 'Jailbait' is the exact word he used."
She laughs, and the sound is melodic, not cackling. "That was a long time ago, Alejandro." Then she hugs my arm up between her tits again. "Alejandro isn't your real name, is it?"
I don't respond, and she lets the question go unanswered.
"We're here," I tell her. "No more talking. Not even if you're asked a question. I am the only one you are to look at, respond to, answer, obey. Do you copy?"
"Copy that." She says, "I can do this. I will do this. I want to live, but more importantly, I want to live with you."
I remove the bandana from her eyes and stare into them as I wrap it around my head again. "Stay frosty."
6
Meanwhile, at the Chicken Ranch.
Cock Blockers, Inc. Headquarters
in Las Vegas, NV …
Jeff Crockett
“Cash Cohen! What a surprise, brother!”
“Crockett, it’s good to hear your voice, man.”
“It’s been too long. You need to come by Suds After BUD/S and let me buy you a beer.”
“I will. But first, I need to ask you if the rumors are true that you’ve put your team back together and are hunting human traffickers.”
I missed the tension in his voice before, but clearly, he is stressed out over something. “That’s affirmative. You need our services?”
“I’m afraid so. My little sister was on a yacht in the Virgin Islands, and she’s missing.”
“Missing or taken?”
“I’m sorry. I’m rattled. Taken. My dad just called and told me.”
“Hang on.” I snap my fingers, and both Nina and Meghan’s eyes focus on me. “I’m going to have Nina record your call.”
Nina rushes to the conference room where the media control console is, and when she comes back to stand in the doorway, I tell Cash. “Give me what you know so far.”
“Not a whole hell of a lot.”
“Every little bit helps.”
“My dad said he got a call from the police in the Virgin Islands. My sister was vacationing on a yacht. About five hours ago, a crew of pirates boarded. They took the young females off. Marie was one of them.”
“Was anyone killed?”
“He didn’t say. He was pretty shaken up. I could hear my stepmom wailing in the background. She’s Marie’s mom.”
“Okay. I’m going to call our FBI contact and see what I can learn. I’ll call you back.”
“Rocket, count me in on the mission.”
“No, man. That’s not a good idea. She’s family. Let us handle this.”
“I’ll go alone then.”
I look at Nina, and she tilts her head and smirks. It was worth a try, but no one excepted him to agree to stand down. It’s not what SEALs do, ever.
“Take the first flight out to Las Vegas. Text me when you know your arrival time. Someone will pick you up and bring you here. We won’t leave without you.”
“Copy that. Cohen, out.”
Meghan calls Zane Lockhart. He answers on the first ring. “Ambassador, to what do I owe this honor?”
She rolls her eyes, despite the seriousness of her call. Meghan is single, and although Zane is happily married, he used to be a player and enjoys teasing her. “Zane, Meghan. You’re on speaker.”
“Ha. Thanks for the warning, babe.”
She rolls her eyes again, and that’s my cue to speak.
“Zane, Rocket. Just got a call from Cash Cohen. His little sister Marie has been snatched off a yacht in the Virgin Islands. We need you to find out all you can about what is happening down there. The team will fly out as soon as Cash arrives.”
“Roger that. I’m on it.” He hangs up.
Nina comes to stand by me. “I’ve sent the team a text alert. Wheels up in four. Tropical gear.”
I nod. “Meghan, you up for a trip to the Virgin Islands?”
“Oh, abso-fucking-lutely. I’ll go pack my gear.” She smiles, then walks out.
Nina says, “Are you playing matchmaker too?”