Page 47 of Undefeated Love
The former SEAL picked up her heavy bag and slung it casually over his shoulder. “I know exactly what I fucking said. And I also know how much pain you’ve been in over the past three weeks. This past week, you could hardly walk up and down the steps without moaning.” He extended his elbow, and she gratefully took it as they slowly maneuvered the accursed stairs to the ground level.
Katlin grunted a few times as each step jolted her abdomen. Gripping the sturdy handrail and Jaysun’s elbow helped considerably. He guided her to the back door of the large town car and held her elbow securely until she was seated.
Katlin looked around the spacious car. “Do you have the other two bags?”
“Yes, ma’am. They’re right here on the front seat.” He held them up before he started the car. He turned around to back the car out of the garage and caught her gaze. His eyes softened. “I’ve got you covered.”
Katlin let out a long breath. “I know you do, Jaysun.” Then she admitted, “I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m a little scared.”
Her driver chuckled. “You are the bravest woman I know. You got this.”
“I’m only the bravest woman you know because you’ve never met the rest of the women on my team,” she retorted.
He grinned. “Not true. I trained them right along with you.”
“I know but after more missions than I care to count, we’re not the same women we were when we arrived here in Coronado four years ago.” She smiled back at him. “You’d be proud of the women on my team.”
“I’m sure I would be. They were trained by the best.” He backed out and turned onto Ocean Boulevard, making his way to Orange Avenue, and finally across the Coronado Bridge to the mainland.
At the San Diego Naval Medical Center, he pulled up to one of the back doors. A nurse with a wheelchair appeared beside the car. “Mrs. Malone, I’ll bet you’re ready to get this over with.” She and Jaysun helped Katlin into the wheelchair.
“More than you know, Kiersten.”
“I’ll meet you upstairs with all your bags.” He squeezed her shoulder. “You’ve got this, I have no doubt.” Jaysun walked around to the driver’s seat and drove off into the parking lot.
“He is so freaking hot,” the vivacious brunette lieutenant junior grade commented as she attached the hospital wristband. “And the nicest man.”
“He’s also thirty-nine years old and you’re all of what, Kiersten, twenty-three?” Katlin really enjoyed her nurse’s youth. Although Katlin was only six years older, their life experiences were decades apart.
“I’ll be twenty-four in a couple months,” the registered nurse countered. She wheeled Katlin into the hospital and straight to a waiting elevator.
“I’m sure he could introduce you to several Navy SEALs close to your age,” Katlin continued. “There are lots of officers in the training department at Coronado.”
“I’m a day late, as usual.” Kiersten hit the button for the fourth floor. “As you know, I’ll be leaving San Diego tomorrow morning.”
“I can guarantee you that Jaysun knows SEALs stationed at Virginia Beach. That’s only thirty minutes from Norfolk.”
“Do you think he’d do that for me?” Kiersten sounded so hopeful.
“Like you said, he’s a nice guy.” Katlin would ask him to make a few introductions for Kiersten since he, too, would be leaving soon. Jaysun had chosen Washington D.C. to start his new career.
“I’m so glad we’re finally doing this,” Kiersten announced as she rolled Katlin into the bright procedure room where she was greeted by Dr. Rustlin and her nursing assistant, Maria Billings. Katlin had handpicked all three of these women for this medical procedure.
Kiersten and Maria helped Katlin into a hospital gown and onto the bed. Once they had her covered with warm blankets, hooked up to an IV and several monitors, Dr. Rustlin came to Katlin’s bedside and took her hand.
“Are you sure you want to do this without pain medication?”
“Absolutely.” Katlin held the woman’s gaze. “We’ve already discussed this. If anyone were to find out that I was incapacitated, they might take advantage of my condition…and try to kill me.”
“I take it Jaysun is on his way?” As the doctor asked, the door opened, and her bodyguard walked in carrying three large bags. He set them in the corner out of the way.
Dr. Rustlin held out her hand and the big former SEAL took it in his. “You’ll be on the door, protecting all of us, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. Once you’ve started the procedure, no one will get into this room unless you give me the code word.” He then turned his attention to Katlin. “Should I send the text now?”
Katlin smiled. “Yes, please. And don’t forget to send them the code word.”
Dr. Rustlin looked at Katlin. “If you’re ready, let’s get started. Jaysun, take your place at the door.” She moved the familiar stirrups from the bottom of the bed. “Saddle up.”
