When the officer in charge turned to Chase, he answered all questions in a straightforward, patient manner, his bearing and tone something Alana recognized in all of his team.They were men of authority without the need for volume or aggression.When a younger officer got snippy with him, Chase didn’t let it affect him.He answered in an easy, non-threatening way.
Hank’s men emerged from the tree line, escorting the injured man and the guy who’d tried to drive away.The uninjured man’s wrists were zip-tied behind his back.The other had his uninjured wrist zip-tied to his partner’s zip-tie.
The officer in charge studied the faces of the four cartel members, and his eyes narrowed.He nodded his head slightly, as if he recognized some, if not all four.
Chase, Trevor and Hank gave their statements about the incident at the hotel only.Hank told them they were trained to protect and extract hostages.He gave the officer the name of his contact in the Mexican government, who could vouch for his team and their permission to bear arms in Mexico.
The officer stepped away, placed a call and came back minutes later to let them know they were free to go.The police would hand over the cartel members to federal officers.
All through the investigation, Alana’s father watched Chase.“He handles himself well,” her father commented.
“He does,” Alana said with an inordinate amount of pride.“He doesn’t get rattled easily.”
“He came for me first,” her father admitted quietly as if admitting it was hard for him.“He stepped out into the open to help me, placing himself in the line of fire.”He drew in a deep breath and released it slowly.“He didn’t have to do that.”
Alana nodded.“It’s what he is.A protector.”
“As soon as he pulled the hood off, he checked for my pulse like it was instinct.”
She smiled.“It probably was.He was a Navy SEAL.He spent his time in service making sure his people came back alive.He entered Delgado’s compound with just three other people to rescue me.Outnumbered at least ten to one.Hank was on his way, but Chase wasn’t waiting for him.I don’t know if I would’ve survived had he waited.”
Her father grunted.Not a response to her words, but not disparaging, either.Progress?
Once the police were done with the men of the Brotherhood Protectors, they left.
Chase stepped in front of Alana and her father.“Are we all good?”
Alana nodded.
Her father held out his hand.“My daughter tells me that you went into Delgado’s compound to rescue her.”
“Yes, sir.”Chase gripped the man’s hand.“Three others and I, until Hank and his team arrived.”
Alana’s father gripped Chase’s hand for a long moment, his eyes strangely glassy.“I owe you a debt I can never repay.”
Chase shook his head.“You owe me nothing.I’d have gone in no matter what.Alana’s my wife.”
“She’s my daughter.My only child,” her father said, his words gruff.He released Chase’s hand, his brow furrowing.“I’m not a man who apologizes easily or often.”He met Chase’s gaze and lifted his bruised chin.“I was wrong about you.Wrong about the situation I walked into.You’re obviously not a gold-digger.A gold-digger would’ve sent someone else in to rescue my daughter.He wouldn’t have risked his life for her.Your actions aren’t those of a man who married my daughter for money.I can be obstinate and hard-headed.”
“I’ve noticed,” Chase said, the corner of his mouth twitched.
Alana’s father’s eyes narrowed for a moment, then he surprised her when he burst out laughing.
Apparently, it surprised Chase as well.
“You don’t miss much, do you?”her father said.
“I try to be aware,” Chase said.
Her father looked from Alana to Chase and back.“You’ll take care of her, won’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” Chase said.“Every single day.And she’ll let me know when I’m doing it wrong.”He winked at Alana, making her heart flutter.
“Oh, she will, all right.”Her father glanced her way with a tenderness he hadn’t shown her since she was much younger.“She gets that from her mother.”
Alana’s eyes filled with tears as she hugged her father.“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart,” he said into her hair.“I only want you safe and happy.This man proved he can keep you safe.If he makes you happy, I won’t stand in your way.”
