Page 130 of SEAL's Resolve

“Yes, sir.”

The buzz of conversation between Wolf Pack and Dan Adams became background noise as Kristi followed the navigation directions to the address the kidnappers gave her. She contemplated the conversation she and Rafe had earlier that night. What was Rafe’s secret? Was it possible he had serious feelings for her?

Butterflies took flight in her stomach. She hoped one day he might come to love her as much as she loved him. Rafe Torres was the only man for her. If he rejected her, no other man would measure up.

Ten minutes from their destination, Eli said, “Kristi, go to the rest stop ahead. Rafe needs to change vehicles.”

Although she wanted Rafe to stay with her, Eli was right. Hale and Fleming weren’t likely to trust her.

“Everything will work out. We have your back and your father’s.”

“Backup is ten minutes behind us,” Jon said. “Trust us to do our job.”

Two minutes later, she took the exit Eli had indicated and parked. The other vehicles pulled in on both sides of Rafe’s.

After exiting the SUV with his equipment, Rafe handed the duffel to Jackson, opened Kristi’s door, and kissed her, hard and fast. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Listen for our instructions. Obey them to the letter. If we tell you to drop, do it.” Another hard kiss. “Be safe, baby.”

“Be careful, Rafe.”

“Always. I have the best reason in the world to keep breathing.” He flashed her a grin. “You.” With that, he closed the door and climbed into Cal’s SUV.

The operatives waited for Kristi to back out, then fell into line behind her. Five minutes from her destination, Wolf Pack pulled off the road and into the cover of trees near the roadway.

“Drop your speed, Kristi,” Rafe said. “Give us time to move into position.”

“Okay.” She eased up on the accelerator.

“What do you think about attending a rodeo?”

She smiled. “Sounds like fun.”

“Have you been to one?”

“I watched one on television a few months ago.”

“Not as good as being there in person. The music, the clowns, and the crowd make the experience worthwhile.”

“What’s the best part of the rodeo?”

“The food,” Jackson chimed in.

“The horses,” Cal added. “I’m taking Rachelle this year. She’s never been to one, either, but she asked me to take her when she saw an advertisement for one.”

“What do you think about a double date with Cal and Rachelle?” Rafe asked Kristi. “Would you like that?”

“I’d love to go with them. I’m looking forward to meeting Rachelle as well as Jon and Eli’s wives.” She slowed and turned into a graveled driveway. “I see the cabin.”

“Go as slow as you can,” Rafe whispered.

For the first time since Rafe had slipped the communication device into Kristi’s ear, no one spoke. She would give just about anything to hear Rafe’s voice right now.

He wasn’t far away, she reminded herself. Her job was to stall as long as possible and stay alive. If anything happened to her, Rafe would never forgive himself. She didn’t intend to die because she had plans of her own that included a life with the Navy SEAL who had captured her heart.

As ordered, Kristi slowed her speed. She remembered being at this home several times before she left for college. This wasn’t a rental cabin. The Wards had built a vacation paradise for when the family wanted to get away for a weekend and frequently invited their friends to join them.

Kristi parked under tree cover. “I parked halfway up the driveway.”

“Copy,” came a whisper of acknowledgment through the ear piece.

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