Page 16 of Kidnapped By a SEAL

Ryker.

As in the guy who’d carried her onto the helicopter, holding her closely against him. Had he rescued her in the compound as well? He’d seemed almost gentle with her as he’d lay her down in the waiting chopper—he’d let her cling to his hand while they lifted off.

And now?

This guy seemed gruff and larger than life. A force to be reckoned with, who clearly wasn’t leaving until he got his answers. He’d walked right in here like he owned the place. Like he had every right.

She was partly flattered and partly annoyed—she damn well could take care of herself. It was odd having a stranger checking in on her though, especially a rough and assertive military guy like him. She wasn’t the type of woman that needed a man in her life to protect her. She didn’t need to depend on anyone. Something about his interest made her heartbeat quicken though. He seemed worried about her. Invested in her safety.

She probably looked like hell. He was buff and handsome, he’d literally stormed a terrorist compound to rescue her, and she hadn’t seen a mirror in a month. Not that she was a fussy and frilly sort of woman, but geez. At least they’d let her bathe when they’d moved her to the compound.

He must be Special Forces the way they’d stormed in there—a SEAL? Delta Force?

No, the doctor had just mentioned that a SEAL team had rescued her. It didn’t matter anyway since she’d never see him again after today. He’d go off on another mission. She’d eventually return to duty at State. He could be based in Virginia or all the way out in California for all that she knew.

Funny. Maybe they’d been in some of the same places before and didn’t even realize it. She’d provided security in some less than ideal locations. She probably wasn’t where the SEALs usually deployed though—until she had quite literally became their mission that is.

“I’m fine,” she said weakly.

He raised his eyebrows, clearly not believing a word of it.

“I will be,” she amended, glancing at the IV in her arm. The monitors and machines beeped and hummed steadily around her, and she felt dizzy all of a sudden. Exhausted. Like she could sleep for an entire week and it might not be enough.

“She needs her rest,” the doctor said. “And she deserves to get it after everything that she’s been through. I’m going to have to ask you to leave, Ryker.”

“I just need a minute,” he said in a low voice. “There’s something important that I need to speak with her about. It pertains to her rescue.”

The doctor nodded. “One minute. And then I’ll be back.”

“Is something wrong?” Emily asked as the doctor briefly left the room. “I mean aside from the fact that I was kidnapped. Thank you by the way for rescuing me.”

He nodded and took a step closer. “We were just doing our job. Does the name Mohammad Izallah mean anything to you?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head and then wincing at the movement. He frowned. “Should it?” she asked.

His gaze tracked over her motions as she lifted a hand to her forehead. “Shit. Did those bastards do that to you?”

“Yeah. They got me in the ribs, too.”

His gaze lowered, and she flushed slightly. She was wearing a flimsy hospital gown, covered by the thinnest blanket imaginable. She looked like hell. Why that should concern her, she didn’t know. It’s not like she needed to appear attractive to this man. He’d saved her. It’s not like they were out on a date.

His intense gaze met hers again. “He’s the leader of the compound where you were being held—he heads up a smaller terror group in the area. Not one of the bigger names, but they’re coming into their own. We took out some of his men when we went in to rescue you, but we believe he escaped.”

Emily’s heartbeat quickened, and Ryker glanced at the monitors as the line there jumped. “Shit, I didn’t mean to frighten you. We don’t know where he went. And you’re safe here. No more patrolling base though, all right?”

She bristled slightly. “You think I’m going to get up from a hospital bed and go ride on patrol? I don’t even have my weapons.”

“I’m just saying be careful. My understanding is they moved you around for a month, saving you for him. Am I right?”

She nodded, wondering where he was going with this.

“He’s a possessive bastard. He thinks you’re his. His other men didn’t touch you because they were under orders to save you for him. Maybe he doesn’t know much information about you, but weren’t you ambushed on patrol? That shouldn’t have ever happened.”

“What are you saying?” she asked, frowning.

“I’m worried you were targeted.”

“Targeted? That’s impossible. They wouldn’t even have knowledge that I was there. I was part of an advanced team that was sent in for security for some officials at State. No one would know….” Her voice trailed off.

---