Page 32 of Kidnapped By a SEAL

His dark gray eyes met hers. “I trust you. I know you’re trained. But let me get you out of here and to safety.”

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“We need to head out of DC. I thought about taking you down to Little Creek, but we could be tracked there. I’d rather let the FBI do their thing and find these thugs. We’re heading out to the Shenandoah mountains. A buddy of mine has a cabin there we can crash in.”

“Does he know we’re coming?” she asked skeptically.

Ryker nodded. “He’s not there. It’s fully stocked and totally private—off the beaten path. We’ll have to make sure we’re not followed as we leave the city, but once we’re in the clear, we’ll be safe.”

“And then…what? We just sit and wait?”

“Yep. It fucking sucks, I know.”

“Damn straight,” she replied instantly. “I want to get these bastards.”

“As do I. But you’re in no condition to be running and fighting. And I want to keep you safe.”

She glanced over at him, startled at the heat in his tone. Ryker was serious—he’d do everything in his power to protect her. It was strange to have someone else so concerned about her. She knew it had been his mission to rescue her in Afghanistan, but what did it matter to him now? Sure, he was a decent guy, but to go above and beyond like this? She wasn’t quite sure what to think.

“Let’s get going, Emily,” he said.

The sound of his deep voice uttering her name had unexplained licks of heat coiling through her. Ryker was sexy and gruff—assertive. Masculine. She didn’t quite know what to make of him controlling the situation, but she also wasn’t in much of a position to argue.

He was determined to keep her safe, and if she happened to find him attractive? Well, so what.

He slung his own bag over one shoulder and grabbed her suitcase.

“Hunter texted me that the FBI is on their way to your building. They’ll be watching for anything suspicious, but we’re not sticking around. They put a BOLO out for the two perps. And State is sending an agent to wait outside your parents’ house.”

“God—my parents. They’re going to flip. Can we bring them with us?”

“No, I’m sorry. We need to move as quickly as possible. They’ll be safe with protection though.”

“Then let’s go,” she said, resigned to the plan.

“I’m in the garage next to your building. Are you okay to walk that far?” he said, gray eyes piercing her with their intensity.

“I’m good,” she assured him. “Half asleep, perhaps, but I can walk next door. Let’s roll out.”

His lips quirked, and he nodded, opening her condo door and glancing around the hallway. She followed him out, not able to see anything over his shoulder. It was weird having a man so concerned about her safety. Her fellow agents at State generally treated her as an equal. They certainly wouldn’t bodily block her from coming out into a hallway until they’d ensured that it was safe.

“It’s clear,” he said in a low voice.

Ryker stepped aside, letting her come out. Emily locked her door and then followed him to the stairwell.

“It’s safer,” he said. “Plus there are cameras on the elevator.”

“Yep,” she agreed.

Ryker led the way, hauling both of their bags. She’d put on sneakers before they left, the rubber soles slapping against the steps as they hurried down. Her brief nap had given her a burst of energy—or maybe it was stealing away in the middle of the night with Ryker that had done that.

She’d be exhausted in the morning, no doubt, but at the moment? She was alert, fueled by adrenaline and the very real need to be aware of her surroundings.

They exited her building, both of them glancing around, and they hurried to the garage next door. Georgetown was alive late at night with bar hoppers and other party revelers walking around. Headlights filled the city streets, and it was an eerie feeling to be out so late surrounded by other people when she’d been stuck inside all alone for so long.

Would she get used to life in the city again?

It almost seemed too loud, too pulsing with energy and people. As crazy as it was to steal away to a remote cabin in the middle of the night, she had a feeling she’d be more comfortable there.

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