Page 43 of Seduced by a SEAL

Hunter chuckled. “Sorry. One thing about the Navy? We’ve got loads of acronyms and shorthand terms for every government agency. The State Department handles passports, visas, immigration, and the like. This isn’t exactly typical procedure—but like I said, this isn’t a typical situation either. Luckily, they were willing to come to us to get you processed after your release from the hospital. When you’re up for it, I’m sure they’ll have some questions.”

“Of course.”

“Good morning,” a woman in a sleek suit said, rising up from one of the chairs in the waiting area as they walked in.

Camila glanced down at her own baggy sweatpants. She hadn’t even had a proper shower yet—just a quick sponge bath when she was getting cleaned up in the hospital. She looked and felt horrible. At least her clothing concealed some of her bumps and bruises, but nothing could hide the dark circles under her eyes. Or the bone deep ache she had inside.

“I know you’ve been through a lot,” the woman said after she’d introduced herself. “Let’s make this quick and painless, and you can get home to rest.”

“Great. Just let me know what I need to do.”

The woman guided them over to a table, and Camila sat down, signing a few papers. She was taken into a separate room and got a horrible photograph taken for her temporary ID. She cringed as she looked at it, and Hunter chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” she asked sourly.

“Women are all the same.” He raised an eyebrow, daring her to challenge him. “You’ve been through hell, and you’re concerned about a picture?”

She shrugged. “I’m the one who has to look at it all the time.”

Hunter held his hands up. “All right, I know when I’m beat. Emma would probably say the same thing. And you’ll meet her soon. Let me just wrap a few things up, and we’ll head on out.”

“Okay,” Camila said, sinking down into the chair. She was completely and utterly exhausted, and at the moment, she wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep for a few days. She didn’t even care that she’d be staying with Hunter and his girlfriend. Anything was better than being dragged from place to place with no end in sight.

With no hope of escape.

The door to the office opened a moment later, and her eyes swept up to see Colton standing there. Shock shot straight through her, and she stood up from her seat, backing away. Glancing around the office, she saw a woman typing at a computer, but Hunter was nowhere to be found.

Damn it.

“Camila,” Colton said, his voice rough. He was dressed in camouflage fatigues, his dark eyes focused on her, looking rough and ready to take on the entire world. He took a step toward her, his combat boots loud despite the carpeted floor, and she shot him an accusing look.

“I told you I didn’t want to see you,” she said.

“I understand. I know you’re upset about what happened, and I can’t change that. I sure as hell can’t fix it right now,” he said, glancing around. “I’m sorry for the way everything happened, but I just wanted to give this to you.”

She looked suspiciously at his outstretched hand, a cell phone resting in his palm.

“Take it,” he said. “It’s for you.”

“You got me a phone?”

“I wanted you to have a way to get help if you needed it. I know that you’re frightened—hell, I don’t blame you. My involvement when we met in Miami didn’t exactly help matters either. I want you to trust me. My number is programmed in there, as is the rest of the team’s numbers. If you need anything, I want you to call me. No questions asked—I’m there.”

“I can’t accept this,” she said. Despite her protest, a strange warmth was spreading through her. She’d practically told the man that she hated him, and he’d gone out and gotten her a cell phone of all things.

Colton was worried about her. Wanted to keep her safe. Hunter had said himself that Colton was the one who’d insisted they find her.

Slowly she reached out, and he met her gaze, his eyes asking for forgiveness. “I want you to feel safe, kitten,” he said quietly. “Go ahead and take it.”

Tears smarted her eyes, and he reached out for her.

“Don’t,” she said, swatting his hand away.

“Keep the phone,” he said. “Even if you don’t need to use it, it’ll make me feel better knowing that you have it. Knowing that you have a way to reach me or the team if you need to.”

She nodded uncertainly, glancing up as Hunter walked back over. Colton reached into his pocket, pulling out the charger. “You’ll need this, too,” he said, his fingers brushing against hers as she took it from him. She tried not to tremble at his touch and took a step closer to Hunter.

Hunter had a girlfriend. He was safe. Not someone who’d try to use her just to get what he wanted.

He’d helped her without asking for anything. Stepped in when she’d made it clear she didn’t want Colton visiting her in the hospital.

“Ready to go?” Hunter asked, glancing between them. “Or do you two need a few minutes?”

Colton eyed her, waiting for her to respond.

“I’m ready to go,” she said hesitantly. “But I’ll take this.”

Colton nodded, stepping aside to let them out the door. Camila felt conflicted as they passed him, her gut twisting. She could never give a man like that her heart, she rationalized. Not when she couldn’t trust him. Not when he’d used her.

Why did her chest ache so much then when she walked out the door?

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