Page 30 of Kidnapped By a SEAL

“That’s bullshit. It’s hard to believe anyone would go to such crazy lengths over a woman.”

“They’re extremists,” Hunter said. “There is no rhyme or reason to anything they do.”

“I know, it’s just—Jesus. I had a bad feeling, and I hoped I was wrong. But you’re right—they were saving her for a month for that asshole, moving her from camp to camp, so I guess they didn’t like that we swooped in right before he was going to make her his wife.”

“Apparently not,” Hunter said. “They must not have gotten paid yet for taking her.”

“I should get her out of here,” Ryker said, his gaze sweeping around the living room. He glanced out the window of her condo overlooking Georgetown, and quickly crossed over to it. He shut the blinds. “I need to take her somewhere that’s safe.”

“Are you bringing her down here?”

“I don’t know. It might be safer to keep her away from other military right now—not that they know who specifically rescued her. They shouldn’t know that.”

“We still don’t know if there was a mole on base,” Hunter said. “Or there could’ve been a shady informant. If there was, it’s possible he or she could’ve slipped Izallah’s men intel that she was rescued by a SEAL team. It’s too hard to track us down, even if they don’t have our specific names.”

Ryker muttered a curse, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “You’re right. We might just hole away somewhere up here for now. Is State tracking them down? They should have surveillance from Dulles if these two are suspects.”

“I’ll find out who’s taking the lead on that,” Hunter replied. “My guess is the FBI since they’re on U.S. soil. Not that that would stop any of us from taking them out if they show up trying to harm Emily.”

“Damn straight it wouldn’t,” Ryker spat out. His eyes swept the room once more, and he wondered if he should pack up some of Emily’s things before he woke her. He needed to get her far away from Georgetown.

Jesus.

The poor woman was finally planning to get a night’s sleep in her own bed, and he was going to move her. The FBI could lay in wait though. He wanted her far, far away from anyone intending to do her harm.

Rage surge through him at the thought of those assholes’ hands on Emily. He hadn’t seen the bruising on her ribs, but the lump on her forehead was enough to make him see red. There was no telling what they’d do if they got a hold of her once more. If they dare touched her or harmed her, he’d end them.

“Keep me updated,” Hunter said. “I talked to the CO and told him you’d be gone longer than expected.”

“Roger that,” Ryker replied. “I’ll stay with her until we’re certain it’s safe. I’ll update you later with our location.”

Ryker ended the call and slid his phone into his pocket. Stuffing his few belongings back into his bag, his gaze landed on the groceries in the kitchen. He should bring some food and supplies with them as well. There was no way of knowing how long it would take for this to end.

Presumably the FBI could track and detain the two men, but what if they’d gone underground? He wasn’t going to rely on someone else to protect his—

A sudden scream had him turning in an instant and rushing down the hallway, weapon drawn. He edged into Emily’s room and quickly holstered his gun as he flipped on the light switch and saw Emily alone in her bed. She was sitting up, twisted in her sheets, covered in a fine sheen of sweat and shaking.

“Emily, sweetheart,” he said, quickly crossing the room to her. She was gasping for breath as she trembled, and he knelt down beside her, hesitant to even touch her. “It was just a bad dream. A nightmare. I’m right here,” he assured her.

“Ryker?” she whispered.

“Yeah, it’s me, baby,” he said, leaning over and brushing a strand of hair back from her face. Frightened brown eyes met his. He wanted to comfort her more, to pull her into his arms, but that didn’t seem appropriate yet. Watching her tremble right in front of him made his gut clench.

He settled for reaching over and taking her hand, feeling her delicate fingers in his own. She seemed so fragile in this moment compared to his own mass and strength. His thumb brushed over her skin in a light caress, and she suddenly burst into tears.

“I dreamt I was back there, alone in that dark room. They’d lock me in all night, and even though they didn’t hurt me, it was unnerving. I swore I was still stuck in there—it just all felt so real.”

“Shhh,” he murmured, unable to stop himself as he collected her in his arms. “You’re here at home and safe.”

“Thank God,” she whispered, letting herself relax against him. It killed him that he had to take her away from the security and comfort of her own home, from her own bed. They were short on options though. Sure, he could take down someone if they burst in here, but hell. He didn’t want to risk her getting hurt in the crossfire.

Ryker needed her somewhere safe for the time being. She deserved to rest and recover without looking over her shoulder every moment.

He let his large hand trail over her back for a moment, comforting her, but then he pulled back.

“We have to leave,” he said urgently.

“Leave? Why? You just said it was safe.”

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