Page 7 of Holiday Hijinks

“Understood, sir. However, there’s another problem aside from the marriage license being posted. While the hackers weren’t able to obtain your flight data again, given the airlines increasing their network security after last year’s breach, your name and the hotel you’ll be staying at in Seattle were posted on the dark web as well, including the specific dates you’ll be there.”

“Motherfuckers,” Slate ground out. “The men in the terror cell we dealt with last year were all arrested or killed. How the hell is anyone still tracking me? I haven’t even taken a goddamn vacation since then.”

“Someone with connections to the group must’ve still been tracking your name and what they could find out about you. While the FBI arrested a large number of men, you and I both know how wide their network is spread. Some members were dormant, part of sleeper cells. They’ve been waiting for retaliation.”

“This is bullshit,” Slate ground out. “What the hell kind of lax security do the hotels and airlines have? That’s a major data breach and violation of customer privacy.”

“Their databases aren’t strong enough,” Ace agreed. “They’re not classified networks like our secure systems. Given that you’re in the same secluded location with Ms. Moore again, I wanted to keep you apprised of the situation. West was able to delete the data with your name and hotel destination in Seattle, but it’s already out there. It could mean nothing. You’re easy enough tolocate in San Diego if someone truly wanted to do you harm, but I wanted to warn you that the information had been posted.”

“I appreciate it,” Slate said, his fists clenching. “I’ll have Jett and his team get on it. I’m going to change our hotel reservation in Seattle as a precaution. The cabin we’re in now has cameras around the property as well as alarms. Jett updated security here after the last incident. It’s not even listed as being owned by him anymore, instead showing in online records that it was sold to a corporation. It’s a shadow company, but those men tracking me wouldn’t know it.”

“Hopefully they’ll think it’s no longer in your brother’s possession,” Ace agreed. “I’ll set up an alert for that as well. If the address shows up with any connection to you, however, we’ve got a problem. Given the sale to the shadow company was relatively recent, Jett’s name may come up in any searches they make as well.”

“His name is already on his own company’s website,” Slate pointed out. “It’s no secret. He’s got security at his home in New York and Shadow Security Headquarters. Ashleigh and I are alone.”

“We’ll cover your movements,” Ace assured him. “Like I said, we’ve deleted the hotel reservation posted online that showed you’d be in Seattle later this week. As far as they know, you’re still in sunny California right now.”

“I already made sure the vehicle I rented can’t be tracked.” Slate said, his thoughts churning. “That doesn’t do a damn bit of good if they already have this address from last year and assume I’d come here again at some point. Jett thought about selling this place and buying a different property, but with the enhanced security measures and those terrorists dead or behind bars, weweren’t concerned. As you noted, it’s easy enough to find me in San Diego if someone truly wanted to do me harm.”

“It is,” Ace agreed. “But the fact of the matter is, they’ll know you’re isolated and possibly distracted in a hotel room. Someone is still looking for you, no doubt seeking revenge. Don’t let your guard down.”

“You know I goddamn won’t,” Slate said, irritation roiling through him. He’d protect Ashleigh no matter what, but he certainly didn’t need this complication.

“I already spoke with Commander Williams, so he’s aware of the situation,” Ace said. “We’ll continue to monitor things to see if they post anything else. Given West’s team already deleted the data we found, they’ll be tipped off that we’re aware of their actions. In the meantime, watch your six.”

“Thanks for the intel. I’ll be in touch,” Slate replied before ending the call.

He grumbled under his breath as he called Jett. The last thing he needed while attempting to surprise Ashleigh with a wedding were some goddamn homegrown terrorists after him again. Hadn’t she just mentioned her concerns earlier when they were getting a rental car? Women seemed to have a sixth sense about things, but her hesitation earlier had to simply be nerves. There was no way she’d have some intuition about their being in danger when he’d only found out about the issue moments ago.

He needed to ask Lena to make new hotel reservations. Slate had booked a luxurious suite for Ashleigh and him to enjoy, but clearly, that had been a mistake using his own name. He’d cancel that reservation and have Lena make a different one in another name. If affiliates of the men he’d brought to justice a year ago had been waiting for Slate’s name and travel itinerary to show up online in order to track him when he was away from SanDiego, thinking he’d be more vulnerable then, they’d be in for a surprise. That didn’t mean they’d get the drop on Slate or his fiancée—far from it. He’d bring Jett into the mess and end this bullshit once and for all—then marry the woman of his dreams.

Chapter 4

Ashleigh scanned over what she’d written, a smile playing about her lips. Slate had often teased her that she wrote romances the way some women devoured them, but she’d always loved to get lost in the characters she’d created. Her career had taken off since she’d left Brooklyn and moved in with Slate, and she’d told him it was because she now had a man of her own to live out her fantasies. It wasn’t completely out of left field. Their passion-fueled nights were nothing like any past relationship she’d ever had. Slate was also more honorable than any of her ex-boyfriends, the type of man who took loyalty and duty seriously. Her cheating ex had never been a good match for her anyway, and Slate’s busy career gave her plenty of quiet time alone at home to write and plot more storylines.

She pressed her lips together, pleased with herself as she read over the story arc where the main characters were unexpectedly thrown together. Funny that she’d met Slate in a similar way, but sometimes, life imitated art…

Her phone buzzed just then, and she glanced down to see a text from her bestie.

Anna:What do you think of the cabin? I told your honey that the house needed to look like Christmas orgasmed inside of it.

Ashleigh bit her lip, trying not to laugh. Only Anna. Slate hardly knew what to make of her. The women had been roommates in college, and despite their different personalities, their friendship had blossomed, and they’d remained best friends. There was a certain sense of irony that they’d ended up married/engaged to brothers. As much as Jett was the wildcard in the family, Slate had loosened up some around her. He was still intense, devotedto his Navy career, but he also smiled more. Laughed. As he’d told her more than once, he now had her to focus on, not just the Navy or men he commanded.

Ashleigh:The cabin looks incredible. And the stockings???

Anna:Never too soon to start wedding planning, hun.

Ashleigh:All part of the plan during Slate’s time off.

Anna:You need to try on some wedding gowns in Seattle. I won’t take no for an answer.

Ashleigh shook her head, smiling. She had planned to duck into one of the little boutiques in the city while she and Slate did some shopping and sight-seeing. They’d talked more of narrowing down a date, but it just hadn’t happened yet. While they’d be exploring Seattle, visiting some of the places her sister had recommended, she’d have to insist that Slate do something else while she tried on wedding gowns. When they did finally tie the knot, Ashleigh wanted to completely wow him.

Ashleigh:I’m totally on board with that. Talk soon.

She got back to work, listening to Slate’s low voice in the kitchen. Try as he might, she knew he couldn’t stay away from Navy business or important calls. His dedication to his career was just one of the things she loved about him. Slate stayed apprised on current intelligence, tracking multiple situations around the globe. While he could never give her details on the operations he ran while stateside, she could hazard a guess about some of them based on the news. The world could be an evil place, filled with terrorists and others intent on doing harm to the U.S. and their allies.

Slate took his job and service to his country seriously. She’d noted before that he focused on facts while she simply made-up stories, but their differences were part of what made themcomplement one another. She softened him in many ways, Slate’s personality gruff and intense in a way she’d never be. Likewise, she knew Slate would always be her biggest defender and champion. Ashleigh was free to follow her passions, with Slate encouraging her writing and career goals and giving her a safety net to fall back on.

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