Page 17 of Kidnapped By a SEAL

“You’re right, he wouldn’t know. He shouldn’t know anything about you. It could have just been a coincidence. Or he could’ve had someone on the inside. It’s possible there was a mole. That someone set you up—an interpreter, local guide, or someone like that. My understanding is that little harm was brought to you.”

“If you’re asking if I was raped or murdered, the answer to both is no.”

His lips quirked slightly at her smartass reply, but then he frowned again. “A beautiful woman arrives, goes out on patrol, and that’s the Humvee that’s ambushed? Seems like more than a coincidence.”

“Knock-knock!” a male voice said, and another SEAL strode in.

Emily was still trying to work out the way he’d nonchalantly called her ‘beautiful’ as the other guy kept talking.

“Hi, I’m Hunter Murdock. I didn’t mean to interrupt, just wanted to see if you were okay. My team was the one in charge of your rescue mission.”

“I’m fine, and thanks for getting me out of there.”

“She’s not fine,” Ryker interjected.

Emily rolled her eyes. “Just ignore this asshole,” Hunter said. “Excuse my language. We’re heading back to the States soon, but it’s possible you’ll be riding along with us.”

“They’re sending me home?” she asked.

“If all goes as planned. We’re based out of Little Creek, down near Virginia Beach. They might have us stop off at Andrew’s to drop you off.”

“Well hell,” Ryker muttered. “Nobody tells me anything.”

“I’m telling you now,” Hunter said. “And I wanted to notify Ms. Swenson before I told the team. It depends if the doctors here give you clearance to fly, but you’re in better condition than any of us could have hoped. I know you’ve been through hell, but that’s a good thing that they’re ready to send you back to the States.”

“Did Raptor and his boys leave?” Ryker asked.

“Raptor?” Emily asked, feeling more and more confused.

“Another SEAL team that was part of the rescue op. And you know nothing about it, catch my drift?” Hunter asked, raising his eyebrows.

Emily blew out a sigh. “Got it. You weren’t ever here. Neither was this Raptor person.”

Ryker chuckled, and Emily felt her cheeks heating. He looked at her far too closely, and she didn’t like feeling fragile and dependent on this man she didn’t even know.

Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and the doctor strode back in. “Goodness, now there are two of you in here? Both of you are going to have to leave. No arguments, Ryker,” she added before he could get a word in. “I need to assess the patient. If she does well today, she may be allowed to fly home tomorrow.”

Hunter chuckled. “I’ll touch base with you later on, Ms. Swenson. I’m working things out with the CO. And of course your charming and lovely doctor here.”

“Not another word,” she said, shooing both men out the door. Ryker cast one last glance at Emily, and she watched in confusion as he reluctantly left. A nurse breezed in with her water, and she found her mind wandering as the doctor began to list the battery of other tests they’d run.

She realized she hadn’t even gotten to call her parents and best friend yet to let them know she was okay. “Can I make a phone call?” she asked.

“Of course,” the doctor replied. “As many as you want. We’ll do the additional tests, like I mentioned, and let you rest for the remainder of the day. If all goes well, the SEALs will then escort you all the way back home.”

Chapter 8

Ryker gathered with his team in the back of the C-17 cargo plane, leaning forward in his seat as they began to discuss the situation. The roar of the engine had them all huddling together to be heard, and he glanced up to where they’d been sitting before.

Emily lay on a makeshift bed near the front of the plane, looking both battered and beautiful. The lump on her forehead had turned an angry purple, but the color had begun to return to her face after getting some fluids and rest over the past twenty-four hours.

Her silky dark hair stood out against the white blanket, and Ryker shifted his gaze back toward his men.

The last thing he needed was to get involved with a hostage they’d rescued.

Not that she’d want to get involved with him, but Jesus Christ. She was gorgeous. Maybe a little thin and frail thanks to her ordeal, but she still had feminine curves and full lips he’d just about kill to feel moving over him. He hadn’t thought of her romantically as he’d carried her to safety two days ago, but now that the adrenaline from the rescue mission had abated and he’d gotten a few moments to actually look at her?

She was fucking gorgeous.

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