Page 26 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

I open the pictures in my gallery this time, and as I scroll through them, adrenaline rushes through me at each pose, each picture feeling more real until I get to the last.

It's not a good idea, but I can't find another reason to get Ethan away from me except leaving the country and going somewhere far away from him, and that's the last thing I want to do.

The best thing would be to get into a relationship, but since there's no one like that in my life right now, this marriage will have to do.

I contemplate sending the pictures to Ethan now, but I decide to wait till we get home. Sending them now would just cause drama, not to mention incessant calls.

A part of me is just afraid, though, and I know it.

No. I should send the pictures now. I forward two pictures to him with a message telling him,

I'm now taken, and I'm never coming back.

That should do something. I restrict his number from sending texts or calls, grateful I’m putting an end to his drama.

A part of me is eager that I can now shake off Ethan's constant pressure, while another part is genuinely excited about embarking on an undercover mission. I’ve neveractuallybeenin the field. Yet, there's also a lingering anxiety about the unknown that lies ahead.

Another text pops up from Chase.

We need to talk about the pictures. We took a meeting break. Commander Keith got a call. I told him about the idea of a fake wedding and solving the mission as an undercover couple before we started the first session. He wants to talk with us after discussing with the admirals.

Did I miss something? Seems like Chase knows something but he's not saying.

Despite the awkwardness around us this morning, I hadn’t thought this fake marriage would actually be a big deal. But the consequences of living with my boss are now coming into play—I’m stressed about his messages fortworeasons now.

My phone buzzes with another text.Going in again.

Okay, let me know when you're done.I reply. I sigh in relief, but a hint of anxiety still seeps through the surface.

“Nora?” Emma asks, and I look up, guiltily putting my phone down.

“Yeah? I’m listening.” She nods in disbelief and points to the monitor screen.

“You should take a look at this, but first, how are you? I don't mean to pry but it was all over the news.” She types some commands and hands me a pair of headphones.

“What was all over the news?”

“Nora…” She trails off. I furrow my brows, and she sighs. “You running away from your wedding. I can't imagine how that must have felt with the camera flashes, and the paparazzi.”

“Emma, I'm fine.” I say, cutting her off. “That news is over. You said you wanted to show me something.”

“Oh. Okay. Listen to this.” She mutters, and I put the headphones on.

“Chase and his team were at the command center before they left for Dallas.” She begins. “I'm picking up strange interceptions, almost like someone hacked into the system and did it so carefully, Chase missed it.”

“But no one should be able to hack into the system. It's highly protected.”

“I agree, but we know that there'll always be vulnerabilities no matter how guarded the system is.” Emma replies. “Their mistake was being unable to pick it up. Let me try to trace the source.”

She types some code into the monitor, and it comes up blank. “Whoever it is they're up against tied up all loose ends.” She runs the program again and comes up with nothing.

“There's nothing to trace.”

“Send me the data; let me have a go at it. Maybe I'll pick up some locations.” Emma’s got the best ear on the team, but I’m known for my geographic skills.

Two hours later, and there's still nothing. I release a sharp exhale through clenched teeth. Emma drums her fingers against the table then releases a low growl.

“At least we have one explanation which is that they intercepted the communications and those communication lines could still be open as we speak.”

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