Page 40 of Seduced by a SEAL

Chapter 16

Camila opened her eyes, glancing around the hospital room. An IV was taped to her arm, providing her body with much-needed fluids. The hospital gown she had on was itchy and uncomfortable, not to mention the most unflattering piece of clothing in the world. The thin blanket covering her did little to ward of the chill. She shivered slightly, her eyes roaming the stark room.

“Knock knock,” a cheerful voice said.

Camila looked over, seeing a nurse in scrubs peering into the room. She had long, strawberry-blonde hair and a stethoscope around her neck.

“I’m actually one of the pediatric ER nurses,” she said, walking into Camila’s room.

“ER? Like the emergency room?”

“Exactly. I’m not one of your nurses, but I wanted to come up and introduce myself. I’m Alison Garrett. My fiancé Evan works with Colton over at Little Creek.”

“Little Creek?”

“The Navy SEAL base nearby.”

“Oh.” She was baffled. Colton had sent someone here to check in on her? She’d been so exhausted, she hardly even remembered landing in the U.S. One of the other men on the plane, Hunter, had helped her down to the ambulance. Colton had watched from afar, looking like he wanted to help.

She’d refused to let him anywhere near her.

“I know there’s a lot going on right now,” she said, adjusting the stethoscope around her neck. Camila’s eyes were drawn to the big diamond on her ring finger.

Alison saw her looking and held up her hand. “I just got engaged,” she said, sounding somewhat giddy. “We had a baby boy a few months ago, so it seemed like the right time.”

“Congratulations,” Camila automatically replied. Her eyes ran over the petite woman. She was small and lithe—it was hard to imagine her with one of the massive guys Colton was with.

“Evan’s on a different SEAL team, but we all know each other. Not many of the guys on Colton’s team have girlfriends—just Hunter. You met him already. His girlfriend Emma is British and just moved here. Anyway. I work here at the hospital, so Colton asked if I’d check in on you. And if you have any questions or anything, let me know. I’ll do whatever I can to make you more comfortable.”

“How long will I be kept in the hospital?”

“I’m not sure,” Alison admitted. “It depends on the extent of your injuries. But Hunter probably already explained that we have a temporary visa for you to stay in the U.S. Unless you’re hoping to return to Colombia?”

Camila shuddered. “Aside from my friends, there’s nothing for me there.”

“Right. Well, it’s a lot to think about, I know. You can stay with any of us while you’re recovering. Evan and I have a new baby, so we may not be the best choice, although of course you’d be welcome. My best friend Rebecca is actually due any day with her little one.”

“Wow. Lots of babies,” she murmured.

“Yep. We like to tease the guys that they’re falling like dominoes. Every guy on Evan’s team actually has a wife or girlfriend. We all look out for each other. I know you don’t know any of them yet, but if you ever needed help, they’d be there, no question.”

Camila nodded, unsure.

“Hunter and Emma said you could stay with them,” Alison continued. “Of course, I know Colton would have you in a heartbeat, but I’m not sure—”

“Absolutely not,” Camila said, shaking her head. The last thing she needed was Colton around confusing her. Pretending to be interested when he only wanted information he thought that she had.

“He does care about you,” Alison said softly. “I know it’s not any of my business, but—”

“No, it’s not any of your business. I appreciate you coming to visit me, but Colton? I’m not interested in seeing him right now.”

“Right. Well, I’m just downstairs in the ER if you need anything. Sorry if I talked your ear off. I’ve been on maternity leave for several months. I can’t tell you how great it feels to be around adults again.”

Camila smiled. She’d never imagined having a normal life—a husband, a child. Hunter had said she could get a visa to stay here in the U.S., but then what?

She’d never worked before. She’d left Colombia without a single thing. Not that she begrudged the men from rescuing her—being sold in an auction would be a fate worse than death. And if she’d somehow escaped on her own?

Those men would still come for her.

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