Page 31 of Kidnapped By a SEAL

“You are safe, and I intend to keep it that way. You can’t stay here tonight though. I’ll explain everything in the car, but I need you to pack a bag so we can go.”

“What? No! I just got back here. This is my first night home. I’m not letting some assholes on the other side of the world scare me from living my own life. It was just a dream! I’m safe in my own home.”

“They’re not on the other side of the world—they’re here, right in DC. Hunter just got word that two of Izallah’s men flew into Dulles the other day. They could be watching your condo, somewhere right here in the building. It’s been on the news that you were released from the hospital today. We have to get out of here.”

“Ryker, I can’t leave. I won’t,” she insisted, glaring at him.

She looked so goddamn vulnerable and beautiful in the moment, it slayed him. Her dark hair fell around her slender shoulders. Supple breasts pushed against her tee shirt. Even without trying, she was sexy as hell. For a split second, Ryker had a crazy image of her exactly like this in his bed—rumpled from a night of making love, hair tousled, lips full and swollen from his kisses.

It was so real it was unnerving. Like he’d just seen an image from his future with this woman he’d known for mere days.

Shaking his head as he tried to clear his thoughts, he met her gaze. “We’re going,” he insisted. “We’re leaving right now even if I have to kidnap you myself.”

“Kidnap—what? You can’t kidnap me. Don’t be ridiculous.”

Ryker’s lips quirked. “Why the hell not? I’m bigger than you. I’m armed. You’re coming with me.”

“I can’t—I’m supposed to be safe here.”

Ryker interrupted her. “Unfortunately, you’re not. Not anymore. I don’t give a shit what they said the other day—we have new intel now. My job was to rescue you. To keep you out of harm’s way. If you don’t want to come with me willingly, then I’ll haul you over my shoulder and carry you out of here caveman style.”

She bristled beside him.

“I already rescued you from a damn terrorist compound. If I have to carry you out of here for your own safety, I’ll do it.”

“Ryker, don’t be so crazy,” she admonished.

He nailed her with a gaze, daring her to argue with him further. Her strong personality was a turn-on, but this was a matter of life or death. He wouldn’t sit here with her all night arguing about it. If she didn’t want to come with him, he’d take her, consequences be damned.

“This is insane,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

He stood up, watching as her mouth parted. “Pack your things—whatever you need for a few days. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”

“Ryker…”

“I’m taking you with me. Pack your stuff.” Ryker turned and left the room, leaving Emily sitting there on her bed. It was the hardest damn thing he’d ever done.

Chapter 14

Emily shakily stuffed some clothes into her suitcase, glancing around her bedroom. They needed to leave? After she’d finally just gotten back home?

This was ridiculous.

She hadn’t even been back for one day—she hadn’t done laundry. Hadn’t unpacked. Hadn’t even slept a full night in her bed.

Crossing over to her dresser, she pulled out an oversized sweatshirt to wear. It might have only been September, but she was suddenly freezing. She’d lost weight and hadn’t gotten her strength back. Her body hadn’t healed. She hadn’t even gotten a few nights of rest.

Sighing, she started stuffing clothes into her suitcase—pajamas, a couple of pairs of thong panties, a pair of jeans, some tee shirts. She grabbed a bra and her chest holster. Could she comfortably wear it with her bruised ribs? Doubtful.

A minute later and she was pulling her suitcase back down the hallway.

“Jesus, let me get that,” Ryker said, crossing toward her in a couple of long strides. His eyes tracked her movements as she grabbed a different holster and secured her weapon. “Your personal gun?”

She nodded. “State’s not exactly going to issue me a weapon until I’m cleared for duty.”

“Understood.”

“I’m not on any heavy-duty pain meds,” she assured him. “It’s not a risk.”

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