Page 112 of SEAL's Promise

After what seemed to be an eternity, Rachelle coughed and expelled water. Cal rolled her to her side while she got rid of the rest of the river water.

Thank God. Cal gathered Rachelle into his arms and held her close. “You’re all right. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

“Love you,” she whispered.

“I love you, Rachelle.”

“You okay?”

He smiled, holding her tighter. “I’m fine now that you’re in my arms.” After a quick, gentle kiss to her lips, Cal rose with Rachelle cradled in his arms. “Let’s get out of here.”

She shivered. “Sounds good. Cold.”

“You’ll be warm soon.”

He headed toward his teammates at a fast clip, alert for more of Hale’s men. No one intervened, and the gunfire had ceased. The Fortress teams had taken care of business.

When he returned to the place where Linebacker shoved Rachelle into the water, Rafe was standing guard over the man. The jerk had become acquainted with Rafe’s fists. The man cast a hate-filled gaze Cal’s direction.

Cal glanced at Rachelle. “Okay if I put you down for a few seconds?”

Rafe’s eyebrows rose.

“I’m all right. I can walk.” She hesitated. “Maybe.”

“You’re not walking anywhere.” Cal set her on the ground. When she was steady, he eyed the man who hurt Rachelle. “Get him up,” he told Rafe.

His teammate hauled the man to his feet without a word.

Cal slammed his fist into the thug’s jaw in the exact place where he’d punched Rachelle. The audible snap told Cal he’d broken his jaw. The man’s eyes rolled back in his head. He would have fallen to the ground if Rafe hadn’t kept him upright.

Rafe rolled his eyes. “Now I’ll have to carry him to his buddies. Want to trade?”

“Not on your life.” Cal scooped Rachelle into his arms again. “Tell Eli we’re clear.” His comm system had stopped working after being submerged in water.

A moment later, his teammate said, “I’ll dump this guy off with the others, then intercept the feds. They’re swarming over the grounds. An ambulance is waiting to transport Rachelle to the hospital.”

“I’m fine,” she protested. “Cal, I don’t want to be separated from you.”

He tightened his grip around her. “I’m going with you.”

“Won’t the FBI want to talk to you?”

Definitely. He’d be lucky to stay out of jail. He planned to contact Maddox and have him send one of the company lawyers to D.C. “They need to interview both of us.”

“Won’t you be in trouble if you leave the scene?”

He shrugged. “They’ll know where to find me. I’m not leaving you.”

“No hospital. I’ll be fine with a heated blanket.”

“We’ll let a doctor tell us you’re healthy. I need the peace of mind, Rachelle. You almost drowned.”

After a long look into his eyes, she gave a short nod and laid her head on his shoulder.

When he reached the ambulance, Jackson was waiting for them. He inclined his head toward the rig. “You’re riding in the back with Rachelle and one of the EMTs. I’ll be up front with the driver.”

“How did you swing that?”

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