Page 22 of Covert Mission

An ache hits my chest. I’ve always had a thing for hazel eyes.

She jabs a finger into my chest, snapping me out of my trance. “You’re also going to try to force me to call my boss and tell him that I need to pull out.Trybeing the key word.”

I cross my arms. Something I do a lot. It helps me think. Also looks intimidating. Which everyone else seems to see. But not this woman.

Nothing intimidates her.

“Why are you disregarding personal safety for some bullshit company that thinks you're expendable?”

That makes her flinch.

I’ve touched a nerve, so I hone in. “Clearly, they don’t value your life. I get your mission and all, but damn, they need to give your team protection. Otherwise, you need to quit.”

Her chin rises, her shoulders tighten. “This is how it works. FamFind doesn’t have the means to send armed guards. Now, I have a job to do.”

“So do I, and you’re keeping me from it.”

She stands up and yanks the elastic band out of her damp, copper-red hair.

My throat goes dry.

Fuck, that hair.

“Look, mister. I didn’t ask you to rescue me. I didn’t ask you to do—” She waves a hand around. “Whatever this is. So, you can just go about your merry way with your bunch of jarheads.”

“SEALs.”

A crease forms lightning fast between her brows. “You’re SEALs?”

I nod.

Something flickers behind her eyes. It’s quick. But has the hallmarks of concern. “Why are you here? Is this some kind of official military operation?”

“We’re here looking for a missing woman. Her father is concerned there could be foul play.”

The cogs in her head start spinning, and she stops working on her hair. “You’re not here because of the earthquake?”

“Yes and no.”

A frown snaps into place. “That’s cryptic.”

“That’s all I can disclose. I’m on a private rescue mission for a paying client who wants discretion.”

Her teeth start to nibble on her bottom lip.

God. Damn. My blood starts pumping. A raging river of hormones is coursing through my veins.

“So, you’re not here on Navy business?”

“I’m a field operative for a private organization now.”

Is that relief?

“Your other men?” she asks.

“Look. This is beyond the scope of what I should be talking to a stranger about.”

She huffs and pinches her lips together. “We’re hardly strangers. You did threaten to spank my ass.”

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