Page 174 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Another pause and then, “All right. I’m listening.”

In the matter of a few hours, the cabin was swarming with Sutton’s security guys. Delaney could sense the nervousness of the group, oozing like toxins into the air. Corbin told her about the shootings in Northern Cal, how Hugh had killed her double out of spite. Alarm trickled down her spine, sending chills racing over her body. Her throat constricted, making it hard to get a good breath. She put a hand over her chest, willing herself to calm down as she stared at the mindless comedy show blaring on the TV.

Cannon, a former SEAL from Corbin’s team, sat down beside her, a friendly smile on his face. “How ya doing?”

“All right,” she said, hugging her arms.

There was a hint of faint laughter in his eyes. “That good, huh?”

“Well, as good as a sitting duck can be,” she quipped. Why had she listened to Wallace? She was going to die. They all were. Panic sliced through her as she looked at Corbin. He was sittingat the kitchen table, intently talking to Blayze and Zane, two other former members of his SEAL team. Delaney could sense tension between the group and Corbin, knew it was because of what happened in the Philippines. But she could tell Corbin was grateful to have them here.

“It’ll be all right,” Cannon assured her. “I’ve been given the personal task of looking after you, and I can assure you, no one will get past me or my weapons.”

A laugh gurgled in her throat. Earlier, the former SEAL Team members were teasing Cannon about the arsenal of weapons he carried on his person.

He glanced at the table. “Corbin’s been through a lot … losing his best friend … and everything else that happened.”

“I know.”

His eyebrow arched as he turned to her. “How much do you know?”

“All of it. Doug … the little girl … how Corbin disobeyed orders.”

He let out a low whistle, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Wow. Corbin told you all of that?”

She nodded, wondering if she should’ve told him.

“He must really care about you a lot,” he mused.

“Yes,” she admitted. “And I about him.” She paused, wondering if she should say more. The words tumbled from her mouth, almost of their own accord. “For the record, Corbin regrets what happened. And he really appreciates y’all coming to help.”

“I’m glad we could be here. River would’ve come too, but he’s on another assignment from Sutton.”

“Regardless of how this ends, I want you to know how much I appreciate y’all coming and supporting us.” Her voice cracked. “It means a lot.”

He offered a reassuring smile. “The Lord is on our side.”

Her heart lightened a little. “Yes, I believe that too.”

Corbin looked out the window. The first light of dawn was splashing across the hazy sky. Thirty minutes ago, he’d received word from one of Sutton’s men that Hugh and his goons had arrived in town. From what they could tell, there were seven of them, including Hugh.

The plan was for Sutton’s men to stay on the perimeter of the property and keep watch for Hugh and his men to arrive. Blayze and Addie would go to the care center and watch over Gram while Zane went to Pops’ cabin and looked after him. Corbin and Cannon would stay here with Delaney. Sutton’s security team would allow Hugh’s guys to break the perimeter. As soon as Hugh approached this cabin, Zane and Pops would follow behind them, pinning them in.

Despite the bad blood between them, Corbin was intensely grateful that his former SEAL Team came so quickly to help, proving that no matter what happened in the past they’d always be brothers in the end. Sutton had provided them with bullet-proof vests, radios, and enough artillery to start World War III.

Corbin did a check. “Blayze, how ya doing?”

“All clear here.”

“Thor? How about you?”

“Everything’s good here.” Zane laughed. “Wallace is telling me about the grizzly bear.”

“That dumb story’s what got us into this mess,” Corbin grumbled. “Take everything the old man says with a grain of salt.”

“I’ll be sure and tell him you said that,” Zane teased.

Corbin groaned loudly.

---