Page 42 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

“Thanks, Joseph,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “I don't know what we would have done without you.”

“Don't mention it. You need to get treated. I'll drive you two. I’ll call Lena and ask her to return the car I brought to base,”Joseph says, his voice firm as he looks me over from head to toe before swinging my arm around his neck.

“Can you walk, Chase?” Nora asks, unable to hide her distress.

I nod weakly, my gaze flickering between them. “My house. Take me to my house.” My ghosts have come to haunt me, but this time it's not a dream. It's reality.

Chapter sixteen

Nora

Asense of calm washes over me as we step through the door. As scared as I was just a few minutes ago, the sanctum of my home—of mytemporaryhome, Chase’s home—is enough to settle me down.

I’m safe here. My body knows it.

Unfortunately, now that Iamsafe, the adrenaline is leaving me, and the fact that for all the bells and whistles I work adesk jobis catching up to me. I stagger forward, catching myself with a hand to the wall.

“Are you okay, Nora?” Joseph asks me, his voice filled with concern.

I nod, offering him a shaky smile. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Chase, are you okay?” I ask, my voice filled with concern as I watch him sink down onto the couch. “You should take some painkillers and get checked by a doctor, but go upstairs to get some sleep for starters.” I give him a light smile, inspecting the swelling on his head.

“Nora, it was only a blow.” He returns the smile, his eyes warm with gratitude.

“A heavy one; he hit you with his gun.” I admonish, raising a brow. “Who could he have been?”

“I'm not sure. I hardly saw his face.” Chase replies, looking down. He’s got a frown on his face, and I wish I could help more.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

He nods, his expression pained. “I'll be fine, Nora. I just need some rest and some ice.”

I look around for Javier and he comes out of the kitchen, his eyes widening in shock at the sight of Chase in such a state.

“Chase! What happened to you? You look really beaten up!” Javier exclaims, rushing forward muffling a gasp. If we were in any other situation, I'd find his reaction hilarious.

Chase waves him off weakly, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I'm okay, Javier. Just a little worse for wear.”

But Javier is having none of it. “No, no, no, Chase. Let me look at that.” He strides closer, checking the wound. I remember then that Javier has a family, has kids. It makes me curious again about their relationship.

Finding Chase to be okay enough, Javier nods once, satisfied. “I’ll make you some soup.”

Before Chase can protest, Javier disappears into the kitchen, leaving us alone in the living room.

As the sounds of pots and pans clatter in the background, I find myself drawn to Chase, my heart heavy with emotion.

“Will you be staying over, Joseph?”

Joseph stops typing on his phone and looks up.

“If it’s not a problem. I’d like to keep someone guarding Chase, and it's late already. I'm texting Lena to handle some things in my absence. Don't worry.” He replies with a grin flashing his dimples.

“Okay, that's great.” I say, a bit relieved. “Do you know where the guest room is?”

Joseph nods. “I do,” he says, watching me curiously. I almost say something, but then Chase is saying my name.

“Nora, can you help me up?” He stretches out his hand, and I grab it to lead him up the stairs.

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