Page 29 of SEAL's Promise

Once the jet lifted off and leveled out, Eli called the operatives together to make security plans for the safe house. Only the medics were exempted from the planning session.

Cal squeezed Rachelle’s hand briefly. “While we’re working on the security details, call Micah and get his take on your situation.”

“Good idea.”

Yeah, she said that now. The lady might not be so enthusiastic when Micah didn’t back down from his recommendation that she go into hiding. Cal kissed her cheek, then joined his teammates at the conference table.

Every step of the way, he felt her gaze on his back. If she knew how much he longed to share a real kiss with her, would she be shocked?

As Jon brought up the schematics of the safe house and satellite images of the area surrounding the house, Cal was aware of Rachelle’s low-voiced conversation with her boss. Although not close enough to hear the words, he recognized the tone easily. She was irritated. A few minutes later, she got up and walked to the bedroom at the back.

Rafe gave a low whistle. “Your lady isn’t happy.”

“I’m glad she’s ticked off at Micah instead of me.”

The operatives chuckled, then the teams debated the best places to set the perimeter and the guard rotation.

Jon tapped the screen. “This bedroom will offer the best defensive position for Eric’s safety. It has the advantage of being a suite. Amy won’t want to be separated from her boyfriend. She’ll also be close to the panic room if the terrorists track us down and slip past our perimeter defenses.”

“Where do you want Rachelle?” Cal asked.

“Second floor. There are multiple ways off that floor. Cal, you’ll take the room next to hers. The rest of Wolf Pack will be in rooms close by to offer another layer of protection. Texas will be on the first floor. Phantom is already on site and setting up perimeter alarms.”

He frowned. “Shouldn’t we take Rachelle to the second safe house?”

“That was the original plan.” Eli rubbed the back of his neck. “Maddox might have to reassign Phantom to another hotspot.”

“What about the Shadow unit?”

“Deployed this morning. We can handle this ourselves.”

No question about that. His main concern was protecting Eric since the agent wasn’t mobile. Good thing the safe house had a panic room. With the way things were heating up, they’d need it.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Rachelle tapped lightly on the jet’s bedroom door. Her gaze shifted to the man on the bed. “How’s Eric?” she asked Amy.

“In pain.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “We should have remained in Bayside until a clear threat emerged.”

Waiting until trouble arrived with guns blazing, then moving an injured man in a hurry wasn’t the best plan. While Rachelle understood Amy’s concern, she saw the wisdom of using a safe house off the grid since the terrorists were in southern Texas, searching for Amy. “You’re too valuable to risk, Amy.”

“My father’s valuable, not me. I was on the goodwill tour because Dad was in meetings. Fortress could have doubled the guards at the clinic instead of moving Eric again.” Her gaze shifted to her boyfriend. “What if I lose him, Rachelle?”

Jesse laid his hand on Amy’s shoulder. “You won’t. We’re keeping a close watch on him. If we think Eric is in trouble, we’ll transport him to a hospital.”

“But he’s in horrible pain.”

“We’ll keep him as comfortable as possible,” Jackson said.

“Amy.” The rough whisper drew their attention.

She rushed to Eric’s side. “How do you feel?”

“Like a truck ran over me. Glad to be in the US.” Eric turned his gaze to Jesse. “Where are we headed?”

“A safe house in Tennessee. We need you and the women off the grid.”

A frown. “Why?”

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