All the more reason to set her free.
Frowning, he saw a new intelligence report on the Gulf Clan, indicating they were looking for the men responsible for the deaths of multiple members in a coordinated attack two weeks ago.His fists clenched.U.S.involvement in the matter might’ve been somewhat unusual, but he was surprised they wanted retaliation.The cartel wasn’t evenly matched with the U.S.military.
He scanned through several open-source articles, noting that Luciana’s father had made yet another appearance on local television asking for assistance in finding his daughter.The story was now being picked up by the national news in Panama, and anger wound through him.His suspicions about Juan Rodriguez’s involvement with the cartel only grew, and he called one of the analysts on base on a secure line.
After his phone conversation, Harrison shot off a text to Wyatt, telling the team they’d be briefing at oh-seven-hundred.Irritation rolled through him.He wanted Luciana to be safe here, but if the U.S.media picked up on the story as well, her name and face could be splashed on TV screens everywhere.Somehow the story hadn’t gained traction when she and Avery were originally kidnapped, but the SEAL team had quickly rescued Avery.The disappearance of a foreign nurse wasn’t of as much interest to U.S.mainstream media.
His phone buzzed with a text, but rather than a reply from Wyatt, he saw Luciana’s name on the screen.He smiled, eagerly clicking on the message.Harrison felt like a damn fool, but any time she sent him a text, heat filled his bloodstream.
It was nice having someone who thought about him.He was a busy man, but despite his years of solitude, he’d been missing out.While he and Luciana had more of a friendship than a relationship, it was getting harder and harder to maintain that boundary.He’d check in with her during the day, and she did the same.It almost felt like they were a couple, even though no lines had ever been crossed.
He read over her message, his lips quirking.
Luciana:You should’ve woken me before your run.I would’ve joined you on the beach.
Harrison:Negative.You needed your rest.
Luciana:I wasn’t planning to run with you.;)
Harrison:We were up for hours talking.
Luciana:Are you saying I needed more beauty sleep?
He chuckled, thumbing a quick response.
Harrison:Negative on that, too.Even at 0300 you manage to look good.;)
He could imagine her blushing.Luciana liked to tease him, and he certainly loved flirting right back.Harrison always kept it light, and she never seemed uncomfortable by it.Quite the opposite.If anything, she positively glowed when he teased her, her cheeks flushing and eyes brightening.The woman had no idea how damn beautiful she was.It wasn’t just her looks, either.Her inner beauty shone just as brightly.He imagined most nurses to be compassionate, but she also watched out for him in ways he never thought he needed.
Harrison might’ve been going through the motions in life, commanding a SEAL team and keeping his responsibilities in order, but he hadn’t really been living.Mere moments with Luciana told him that much.He’d had more fun sharing meals and quick trips to the beach with her these past two weeks than he had in years.And he was mostly continuing with his day-to-day routine.
The difference was her.
She’d only been here a short while, but she’d slipped right into his life like she was always meant to be there.His phone buzzed once more, and he looked down with a smile.
Luciana:Can we go to the beach this evening?If you’re too busy, perhaps I could see if Avery wanted to join me.
Harrison:I’m not too busy for you.Let’s do it.
***
TWO HOURS LATER, HARRISONwas briefing his team in the bullpen.He was tense after learning the newest developments and hated that despite being thousands of miles away, Luciana was still potentially in danger.Even if the cartel couldn’t track her, would her father?Something was very off about the entire situation.It was like the man had crawled out of the woodwork, ignoring years of estrangement and pretending to actually care about her well-being.
But what was his endgame?
“What’s the word, Commander?”Hudson asked, sliding into a seat at the conference table as the rest of the men joined them.
Harrison frowned.“There’s been a new update involving the Gulf Clan.”
Wyatt’s head snapped toward him.“Does this involve Luciana’s father?Or is it a separate incident?”
“Chatter indicates that the Gulf Clan is looking for the Americans responsible for the deaths of their members.There’ve been encrypted conversations in chat rooms about determining who is to blame and seeking revenge.”
Ryan cocked his head to one side.“Why the sudden interest in us now?As far as I’m aware, we didn’t take out any of their leadership.It seems more likely that they’d be vying for revenge in the immediate aftermath, not waiting weeks to mention it.They have to realize we’ve long since left Panama.”
Harrison eyed the team.“Intelligence analysts assess it may be a show of strength.The cartel doesn’t like that they appeared weak, their men taken out by a joint operation between the U.S.military and Panama.”
“Sucks to be them,” Sawyer quipped.
