Page 34 of SEAL's Secret

“She is,” Layton confirmed. “That playdate wore Caroline out. I’m so thankful she’s in a good daycare. They have afterschool care, too, which is awesome, because I’ll need something next year when Caroline starts Kindergarten.”

“What age do kids start that?” he asked, feeling completely out of his element.

“Five. She’s a summer birthday, so she’ll be turning five in July.” He listened to her continue talking about her daughter, realizing he didn’t even know Layton’s birthday. The baby was due in December. It felt like time was already flying by.

“And next week is my first ultrasound.”

His ears perked up. “Next week? Can they tell if it’s a boy or a girl yet?”

“No, it’s too soon. Usually, they get you in around eight weeks, but since I just moved here, I needed to shop around for a good OBGYN. I got some great recommendations from the moms at daycare.”

He frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

Hudson shook his head. “I just feel so uninvolved at this point.”

Layton reached out, and Hudson eagerly took her hand as she scooted closer. “Hey. There will be a million things to do. The beginning kind of drags on. I mean, I know my body’s changing, but no one else can really tell yet. But the good news is my morning sickness is finally, finally better.”

She was squeezing his hand, and Hudson grinned. “I’m glad. So you had fun with Emersyn tonight?”

“Yeah, we had a great dinner. I couldn’t drink of course but had a fun mocktail. I was so relieved that my mom friend from daycare could watch Caroline.”

“What happened with that anyway? The showing took longer than expected?” he asked.

Layton explained what happened, and Hudson’s body stiffened. “The entire place was ransacked? What if they’d been there when you arrived?” he asked, his blood pressure rising. Layton could have been inside the property, helpless and alone. He’d been training with his teammates on base and would’ve had no idea that she needed help.

She let out a soft sigh. “That’s what Em said, too. I mean, anything’s possible, right? Someone could break into your home or mine. It’s not simply my job that poses those risks. Bad things could happen anywhere.”

“That’s not the same,” he countered, keeping hold of her hand. After what she’d told him, it was like he needed that connection to her, to prove to himself that she was okay.

“It’s not unheard of for someone to gain unauthorized access to a lockbox,” Layton explained. “That’s a risk anywhere. Honestly, I’m more concerned about some of the drug cartels here on the island. Maybe I’m aware of that more than most people given Emersyn’s situation.” Hudson clenched his jaw. Emersyn’s kidnapping a few months back had been terrifying for Aaronand the team, and he was certain that Layton had been equally alarmed.

“Apparently, some cartel members have been stashing drugs in vacant homes,” she continued. “They’ll sneak in during a showing or open house, then come back for them. Sometimes they even leave a back door unlocked if it’s a larger stash. It’s gutsy, given anyone could stumble onto them.”

“Damn it,” Hudson cursed. “That’s outrageous. HPD needs to be on that, stat. Did Emersyn tell you about this or the other realtors?”

“Actually, the other real estate agents did, which surprised me. I thought Em would’ve had all the latest intelligence on any cartel schemes on the island. This isn’t where the drugs come in, but it’s more the actual dealers who are moving product around the island. I know that Emersyn can’t share any classified information with me, but I think it’s safe to say she’d tell me if I were in danger.”

“Absolutely,” he agreed. “I don’t like any of this. What’s your real estate office’s solution?”

Layton frowned. “Not much. We’re supposed to be aware of the situation and screen our clients more thoroughly. We do obtain a driver’s license before showing them a home. If they have a fake ID, however, I’m not sure how we’d know. Obviously, I’m always cautious, but I’m not a trained police officer or something.”

“I don’t like it,” Hudson grumbled.

Layton laughed and squeezed his hand, then dropped it as she stood up. “Of course you don’t, but you can’t be everywhere at once. Are you going to drop out of the Navy and become a realtor to show homes with me? I don’t think so.”

Hudson followed her into the kitchen. “You can’t just drop out of the Navy,” he muttered.

“Exactly.”

Layton went to the fridge to get a drink, and Hudson’s gaze swept over her. A feeling of déjà vu washed over him. They’d been in Emersyn’s kitchen alone all those months ago, and his eyes had been glued on her then. Layton was just as tempting now. More so. She pulled her phone from her pocket as it buzzed and read over the text, turning back around.

“Augh. Some of these homebuyers,” she muttered.

“What do they want?” Hudson asked.

“I’m convinced some of my clients think I can just wave a magic wand and instantly make their problems go away. Or poof! I can produce the perfect home for a price lower than they’re willing to pay and magically get them the money they need.”

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