“Right.”A wave of embarrassment washed over her.How many times had he already told her that?She was still clutching onto the blanket, and Harrison looked perfectly at ease.Luciana was probably a rumpled mess, and the fact that she’d even had that thought shocked her.All of these men had seen her at her worst, but they’d done nothing but try to make her feel comfortable.When they’d boarded the plane, one of the men had gotten blankets and pillows for her.She was surprised they’d had any such thing on a military plane, but then again, it was quite possible they transported the injured.These very men who’d saved her had risked their lives, and that thought was humbling.
“Did you have a question?”he prodded.
She flushed slightly under his intense gaze.“I just wanted to say thank you.I don’t think I did before, but I thought I’d be held hostage in that home forever.So, truly,gracias desde el fondo de mi corazón,” she said, holding a hand to her chest.“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
He looked at her for a moment, surprised.“You’re welcome,” he finally said, his deep voice sending a rumble through her insides.No doubt he’d been on countless missions, and she wondered if anyone had thanked him before.Her heart stuttered as his eyes met her own.“I only wish we’d gotten to you sooner.”
***
HARRISON EYED THE DOORto the medical wing and turned away, striding purposefully down the corridor.He’d escorted Luciana there himself after they’d gotten off the plane, making sure she was comfortable before he left—as comfortable as she could be after being held prisoner for a month, that is.He felt a weird reluctance to leave her.Once again, it made no sense.She wasn’t his.That didn’t stop all his protective instincts from rising anytime she was near.Listening to her cry out in her sleep had been gut-wrenching.He could imagine the memories bombarding her—the nightmares that came anytime she closed her eyes.
She’d been nervous getting off the airplane.She hadn’t said as much, but he could tell by the hesitancy in her step, the waver of her voice.And while Harrison had been barking out orders to his men, he’d made sure to gentle his tone with her.
They were safe on a secure military base in Oahu now.It wasn’t like the cartel would be lying in wait, but he knew it might be a long time before she felt comfortable being out in the open or around other people.Briefly, he worried about leaving her alone in his home.Should he have insisted she go with Ryan and Avery?Maybe the other woman would convince Luciana to stay with them once they were reunited.
He headed back toward the airstrip where his team was unloading their gear.Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, he swiped the screen.Just as he’d been briefed when they’d left Panama, the media was already reporting the killings of several Gulf Clan members.His jaw ticked.He didn’t like attention being brought to the matter, but given the recent spree of kidnappings, more focus was on the cartel than usual.As he scanned over several news reports, he didn’t see Luciana’s name mentioned.
Harrison let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
A thought had niggled at the back of his mind after he’d escorted Luciana to the medical wing.Wyatt had made a comment earlier on the plane that maybe she’d been bait, brought out to the nightclub for someone to see.But who?The cartel had enemies, but he couldn’t imagine why they’d care in particular about Luciana, unless it somehow involved her wealthy father and his real estate venture.
If they wanted money, why not just demand a ransom?Why parade her around at a nightclub?
Another thought flashed through his mind.Had her father known about her kidnapping and simply left her there in the clutches of the cartel?
Anger burned through him.
He had a number of questions to ask Luciana, and they needed an official statement from her as well.She’d been through hell, however, and his priority at the moment was to make sure she was in good health, both physically and mentally.
His men were talking as he moved toward the ramp of the plane, and as he rounded the piles of gear ready to be returned to the lockers, he came face-to-face with Admiral Swenson.
Harrison saluted as Admiral Swenson glared at him.“At ease.Commander, I didn’t expect you to be as hot-headed as your men and use your personal leave to fly to Panama.”
“Sir,” Harrison said with a nod.“I had business that needed to be taken care of.”
The admiral flashed him an irritated look.“Business my ass.I covered for you this time given your impressive record of service and lack of disciplinary action along the way.You’re a respected commander on this base, but I won’t have my orders ignored.Make sure we don’t have a disagreement like this again, or it will end very differently.”
“Understood, sir,” Harrison said.
“Job well done,” the admiral acknowledged, and then he turned on his heel and strode away without another word.
“Holy shit,” Sawyer said from behind him, dropping his duffle bag onto the ground with a thump.
Harrison shot him a glare.“Watch your mouth, sailor.”
Sawyer tried to keep a straight face.“I never thought I’d see you get scolded like that, sir.Usually, I’m the one in trouble.”
Hudson walked over, slinging several bags of gear to the ground, and chuckled.“As it should be, Saint,” he razzed.
Harrison muttered under his breath, watching the admiral’s retreating figure.He knew he’d gotten off easy.Fortunately, he had a long history with the man aside from an impeccable record of service.If he betrayed his trust again, however, it would be a different outcome altogether.
Wyatt cleared his throat as he came over.“The supplies are almost all unloaded from the plane.Are we debriefing this morning, sir?”
“Negative.Ms.Rodriguez is in medical, but I need to get her settled in.It seems I have a houseguest for the time being.”The reality of the situation slammed into him.While he knew Luciana would in all likelihood actually feel more comfortable at Avery’s, he’d leave the decision to her.
“I’ll contact Avery as soon as I get my phone,” Ryan said.The men kept their personal electronics stored in their lockers when deploying on an op.Harrison never worried much about it when he served as a SEAL because he didn’t have someone waiting at home.It had been all the more reason it was best he stayed single.
“Is Avery working at the hospital today?”Wyatt asked.
