Page 29 of SEAL Ever After

“That’s good to hear,” Patrick said. “She was scared as hell when we grabbed her.”

“That sex-trafficking ring is pure evil,” Ryan ground out. “We’d all like to rescue the missing American, but there are so many others that go missing all the damn time. We don’t even know if some of them left of their own free will or were taken.”

“Our guys have been keeping an eye out because of the leaked names,” Hunter said in a low voice. “We haven’t noticed anything unusual around base or at our own homes.”

“Us either,” Patrick said. “That doesn’t mean someone isn’t lurking around though. We should continue to take all precautions. Hell, Rebecca’s worried about even letting our kids play alone outside for a few minutes while she’s in the house dealing with the baby. It’s stressful for everyone.”

“We’ll all remain vigilant,” Ryan said. “In all likelihood, this will blow over within a month or two. Their money and business is trafficking women, not getting revenge on Navy SEALs. The men who escaped from jail will move on and start a new operation. They want money and don’t have time to waste chasing after our men.”

“Until then, we’ll be careful,” Hunter said. “We’ve all got families now.”

The men looked up as some of the other officers came over, ready to have a celebratory drink with Ryan. He nodded at Patrick and Hunter. “Thanks again for coming tonight. I know all the men on your teams couldn’t be here for the party, but it means a lot.”

“And we’ll be back in two weeks celebrating more when you’re standing there with your beautiful bride,” Hunter said.

“Appreciate it, Hook,” Ryan said with a chuckle. “Whew. What a life.”

Patrick chuffed out a laugh. “Are you getting sappy on us now? That’s not like you, sir.”

“It’s your sister,” Ryan confirmed. “I don’t know what that woman does to me, but damn.”

“You two are good together,” Patrick said. “It’s nice to see Sarah so happy.”

“All right, men,” one of the officers, Lt. Commander Morris, said. “Time for us to have a little man-to-man chat with Ryan, too.”

“It’s almost your wedding night. Do we need to explain the birds and the bees to you?” one of them joked.

The men all howled with laughter, and Patrick and Hunter moved off to grab some food while Ryan stood there talking with some of the other officers.

“You look happy as hell,” one of them said. “I’ve been married ten years—I’m glad you found someone.”

“I am happy,” Ryan admitted. “Who would’ve thought I’d be looking forward to settling down and starting a family?”

“It happens to the best of us,” another guy joked.

Ryan shook his head with a smirk, taking a swig of his beer. The guys from base surrounded him at the bar. Sarah was off with her girlfriends tonight doing whatever the hell preparations they needed for their wedding day hair.

It was hard as hell to believe that in a couple of weeks he and Sarah would really be getting married. Their friends and families would be there to watch it all, he’d slide a ring on Sarah’s finger as they stood there on the beach, and his life with her would just be beginning.

Chapter 14

“Are you sure you’re not going to stay here tomorrow night with me?” Ryan asked Sarah two days before their wedding. His bedroom was a mess, with Sarah’s clothes, shoes, and makeup scattered everywhere as she packed her things for their honeymoon.

“Of course I’m sure. It’s bad luck for you to see me the morning of our wedding.”

“According to whom?” Ryan asked dryly.

“It’s tradition or something,” she said, dumping out a pile of lingerie onto the bed as she searched through her things.

“Where did you get all that?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Don’t look!” she scolded him, stuffing some tiny scraps of satin and lace back into her smaller overnight bag. “I’m trying to organize everything. Some of it goes under my dress, some is for the wedding night, and most of it is for the honeymoon.”

“And you need that much lingerie for our honeymoon?” he asked, quirking his brow. “Because believe me, I’m planning to spend a lot of time with both of us naked. Clothing will be strictly optional.”

Sarah giggled, her hazel eyes gleaming with mischief as she glanced up at him. “You had your bachelor’s party at Anchors. When the girls took me out for drinks and dancing last weekend, we had our own little celebration. And believe me, bachelorette parties involve lots of sexy lingerie,” she teased.

Ryan practically growled from where he stood on the other side of the bed. “Is that so? Maybe I should see some of it on you now, in that case. It could be a dress rehearsal for our wedding night.”

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