“Sunshine,” he said sadly, shaking his head. “You’re right. God, you’re right.” His beautiful, piercing blue-green eyes held such pain and regret she could barely look into them. “But I have to say it. We can’t do this. We have separate paths, you and me. As much as I wish things were different, I’m not for you.”
You are! she wanted to scream as her body shook.You are, and I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything. She took a step forward and he held up his hand.
Chastised, she composed herself even as her insides shook.Never show anyone how you really feel. Her father’s words came to her. He was right. It only complicated things, made you vulnerable.
Regina lifted her head. “You’re right. It was nothing.” She held out her hand for him to shake. He looked at it like it was unexploded ordnance before he took it. She tried not to shiver at his touch, to stay firm and dispassionate. When they finally finished shaking hands, he held her gaze just a moment too long before turning away.
* * *
By the next day, their world had changed.
Regina slept fitfully. At one point, she heard Lachlan talking to his team. She roused herself and noticed the storm outside wasn’t as loud as it had been.
“What’s the word?” she asked when he was done. “Is she safe?” It was the first conversation they’d had beyond polite please-and-thank-you exchanges since shaking hands.
Lachlan nodded. “Aye. They had no resistance getting her to the ship other than the weather. They made international waters an hour ago.”
Regina breathed a sigh of relief. But Lachlan still looked tense. “What else?”
“There’s been a coup.”
“What?” She blinked rapidly. Her first thought was of her parents. Were they safe? Or, oh God, were they waiting for her before evacuating, thinking she’d been taken?
Lach showed again that he could read her mind. “Your mom and dad are fine and they’ve been told you’re safe.”
So they’ve been lied to,she thought. “At least they aren’t worried. So what happened?”
He looked pissed. “I need a damn cigarette.” He patted his shirt pocket and found it empty. “Fuck.”
“Those things will kill you.”
She didn’t miss his smirk, or the way he quickly covered it up.
“So what happened?” she asked again.
“Our mission was a decoy, a distraction. While Rashid was focused on his daughter, his brother Issam escaped. It’s been a bloodless coup and Rashid is in the custody of soldiers loyal to Issam.”
“He escaped with some help, I’m sure,” Regina said. “Did you know?”
“Of course not,” he practically spat. He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t directed at you.”
She nodded. “I get it.” And she did. Regina felt used. It seemed some things never changed. “So what do we do now?”
“Wait for the storm to pass. Dig ourselves out. Go home. Another fine Navy day,” he muttered the last.
Regina surprised both of them with a giggle. Lachlan looked at her like she’d lost her mind.
“Sucha fineNavyday that we’re in the middle of the desert.”
Lach gave her a rueful grin. “Swear I’ve spent more time these past years playing in the sand than on the water.”
“Does it still make you happy?”
“Happy?”
“Being a SEAL?”
He didn’t hesitate to nod. “Always.”
