Page 22 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

Chase’s eyes fly to mine. We both are clearly holding in laughter.

“Kiss the bride?” The fake minister asks, voice high.

Chase glances at me, one brow raised. I roll my eyes, but nod.

Slowly, he leans in, and gives me a very, very light peck. I can practically feel the photographer snapping pictures.

We pull away, and that’s it.

“Uh, mazel?” Maddie congratulates, voice pitched high in confusion.

The Craigslist strangers all clap politely. Javier and Sarah and Maddie join in after a few seconds. Chase pulls out his wallet, paying the fake minister and the photographer with twenties, while Javier throws his hands up and exclaimsthat’s it!?

“Javier,” I say, turning to him with a grin. “Ready for that wedding feast?”

“I—I—yes, okay!” Javier turns on his heel, heading to the house and muttering to himself. “What kind of wedding was that? A special occasion—"

I snicker. Chase comes up beside me. “He’s furious it wasn’t a big bash.”

I laugh. “Well, maybe at your next one.” I tease.

Chase glances at me, an interesting look on his face. “Maybe,” he says vaguely. Then a bright smile takes over his face. “Let’s go eat,wife.”

I grin. “Let’s,husband.”

He takes my arm, leading me back inside, and I don’t worry once that I’m going to trip.

Chapter seven

Chase

The sun streaks in beautifully, and I shield my eyes, reaching to my left for the remote to close the windows. A few blind taps, and I can only feel the glass table in my room. And why does my pillow feel all leathery?Leathery?I squint my eyes multiple times to adjust to the brightness looking all around me as I take in the sight of my surroundings.

I slept on the couch, and someone’s in my bed. She switches positions, not even bothered by the light streaming in one bit, and her hair is loosened from the bun she put it in, sprawled all over the pillow. I take a few quiet steps to the drawer beside my bed and pick up the remote to close the curtains. I stretch my arms to relieve myself of the strange feeling of sleeping on a couch, massaging my sore muscles. I’ve had my episodes of uncomfortable nights, especially on missions, but not once in my house. I never thought I’d have to give up my bed to someone else.

The foreign sight of someone in my bed is even more strange than having to sleep on the couch.

“Nora,” I whisper, checking to see if she’s awake, but I don’t get a response. For a few minutes, I watch her sleep so peacefully in her pajamas, and my face spreads into a grin. I don’t want to wake her up since this is the last time she’ll get to sleep in late. Her so-called honeymoon is over. From tomorrow, she’ll have to go back to waking up early.

I should take a bath before she wakes up. Tiptoeing to my bathroom, I’m careful to close the bathroom door quietly.

I mentally prepare myself as I grab my toothbrush, thinking of answers to give when I share the news of the undercover wedding with my superiors. They’ll call it crazy, but if this is what will get the job done, they’ll have to give the plan a try.

I rinse my mouth and drop the brush in its container. I stare at my reflection in the mirror and begin to chant the mantra like I have for the past twelve years ever since I decided to embark on this journey.

“You can do it. There’s no stopping you. For their tomorrow, we give our today.” I place my hand on my chest tracing the roaring lion tattoo and read the words on my inner wrist. “No Easy Day. The only easy day was yesterday.” My favorite motivational quote, a reminder of the life we signed up for. I flex my wrist, rotating it in a circular motion to relieve the tension in my joints. I repeat the same for the rest of my body, warming up a little.

I take off the rest of my clothing and yank the water on in the shower. Underneath the stream, my head is full of images I’ve been trying to ignore. I grab the washcloth and pour some body wash on it. I'm squeezing it in anger watching it foam as the events of the past replay in my mind.

We move cautiously through the empty building, my senses on high alert as I lead two of my team members, Joseph Millerand Lena Rodriguez, on this mission. The mission was termed the covert mission of the year by Joseph since it's supposed to lead to a major breakthrough.

We’re moving into the heart of enemy territory. Broken bottles, bullets, and whatnot ranging from nuts, shells, and cigarettes lay scattered on the floor. Any little mistake, and we’re doomed.

The anxiety oozing out from the three of us fills the air, the tension weighing heavily on us, sweat trickles down our faces as we navigate the corridors. The tactical gear does nothing to help except what it's made for—to protect and blend in, which I hope we are doing.

The voices are getting closer. A few more steps, and these guys are busted. Suddenly, a crack echoes behind me, alerting me to the presence of danger. Before I can react, a barrage of gunfire erupts from behind us, and an unseen enemy slithers away in the smoke.

“We’ve got company! They’re onto us.” I shout to my teammates behind me as I pull out my SIG pistol on guard for another attack.

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