Page 52 of Casey's Hero

“Oh, is that what it was?” She leaned into him. “I guess that’s okay. I was beginning to question my sanity.”

He laughed. “Yoursanity?”

She nodded. “How could I fall for a guy who would marry someone obviously as crazy as Camila?”

Jacob’s heart skipped several beats. “So, you’re falling for me?”

She shrugged. “It’s not completely off the books.” She cupped his cheek with her hand. “You’re pretty sexy in a wetsuit and carrying a gun.” She leaned close and whispered in his ear. “And you’re even sexier in nothing at all.” She brushed her lips across his. “Any chance of that happening again?”

“Sweetheart, roger that.” He pulled her close and deepened the kiss until he couldn’t remember the last time he inhaled. He raised his head, drawing in a deep breath, then leaned his forehead against hers. “Now, all we have to do is get back to Oahu.”

Casey frowned. “You have a plane handy?”

“Not to worry,” Jacob said. “We’ll return by sea.” He rose to his feet, pulling her up with him.

“I didn’t bring a wet suit, much less a swimsuit.” She swayed when she was fully upright.

Jacob slipped an arm around her, holding her steady. “Not to worry. Our boat captain has a skiff he’ll bring ashore. We’ll get everyone back in time for the wedding.”

She smiled into his eyes and leaned up on her toes. “That makes me happy.”

He leaned down and claimed her lips. She felt so right in his arms he could kiss her all night long.

“If you two are finished sucking face,” Hank said, “we need to get out of here before Camila and her cartel thugs get free oftheir zip-ties and break down that door. I’ve radioed the captain. He’ll notify the authorities and send the skiff out to pick us up.”

Jacob raised his head to see that the room was clear of people and his team. Hank stood at the patio door. “Come on, we have a few hundred steps to get down to where the skiff will pick us up.”

“I’m ready,” Casey said.

He took her hand and hurried through the door and out into the most beautiful night he could remember. The stars shone so brightly that they didn’t need flashlights to find their way down the stone staircase.

When they reached the bottom, the first load of SEALs, Marines and Deltas had been ferried back to the boat, and the skiff was on its way back.

Hank glanced up at the structure above, his brow furrowed. “As soon as the skiff lands, get in. That door isn’t going to hold those men long.”

Jacob stood with his arm around Casey. They stayed close to the cliff, out of sight of the patio above.

Teller and Reid stood at the bottom of the staircase, holding their weapons at the ready in case the cartel members gained their freedom and came after them.

“Come on,” Rex murmured, his gaze on the skiff headed their way across the swells.

As the skiff slid up on shore, a shout sounded from above.

“Get in,” Hank said. “We’re right behind you.”

Jacob ran with Casey across the beach. Maddog had just turned around the skiff for a quick getaway.

Jacob helped Casey in, moving as far forward as they could get. Moments later, Rex, Logan, Teller and Levi dove in behind them. Hank and Reid brought up the rear, helping drag the skiff out into the water before they rolled over the side into the craft.

“Go!” Hank said.

Maddog gunned the throttle, sending the little boat skimming across the swells as fast as it could go.

Jacob leaned his body over Casey’s as they moved at what he felt like was an incredibly slow pace. He could hear the sound of gunfire over the rumble of the engine. If they didn’t get out of range soon, they’d be nothing more than target practice for the cartel; the rubber skiff would sink, and they’d all go down with it.

CHAPTER 13

Casey heldon to the side of the rubber boat, praying it would move a little faster. She didn’t like that Jacob was using his body as a shield to protect her from the gunfire, but she couldn’t make him move when all she could do was hold on and pray.

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