Page 50 of SEAL Ever After

“Let’s check the air traffic of all flights to Mexico. If this asshole was part of the ring, that’s where they’d go.”

“Right. Maybe we can intercept the plane,” Ryker said.

“They’re probably already down there,” Jacob said, shaking his head. “Why would they wait around? In operations like that, they move the women as quickly as possible. Sorry, sir,” he added, hastening a glance at Ryan.

“He’s right,” Ryan said, clenching his jaw. “They do move them, which is why we need to be down there ASAP before Sarah is taken to a third location. Patrick, your team knows the area.”

“We’re on it,” he said. “Call up the Mexican officials and tell them we’re making another sweep of the area. Don’t even mention Sarah. They know the other American woman is missing. They’ll assume our intel is based on that.”

Ryan walked over and grabbed the phone in the bullpen, speaking in a low voice as everyone hustled around him. He crossed his arms, glancing at the massive TV screen in the bullpen as Lexi and Christopher pulled up the SITREP for everyone to read.

“I’ve got the maps here, too,” Christopher said, pulling the sat imagery up alongside a map of the town. The Alpha team had just been there a month ago, and it was fresh in all of their minds.

The door to the bullpen burst open, and Admiral Redd stormed into the room. The men immediately snapped to attention as the visiting admiral glared at them. “What the hell is this I hear about an unauthorized pending mission? You have no authority to fly down to Mexico on a Navy plane without strict authorization from the Pentagon.”

Ryan coolly glanced over. “You’ve heard that my fiancée was kidnapped on Saturday, sir. The man who took her has ties to the ring of sex traffickers down in Mexico. We have reason to believe that’s where they’d take Sarah.”

“What reason? A goddamn hunch? That’s not how we operate around here. Let the police conduct their investigation while we conduct ours. Then, and only then, after we have actual intelligence, will a rescue mission be authorized.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “I had Ice notify his team that they’re going wheels up in three hours. The plane is being fueled and prepared now. I’m going with them.”

“Captain Mitchell, I can’t let you do this,” Admiral Redd admonished. “I understand you want to find your fiancée, but this is not the way to go about it. You’ll be risking your entire career with the Navy and facing court martial!”

“No one is stopping me,” Ryan said in a low voice. “They took her from me. Snatched her away on our wedding day. I don’t care if you, the Navy, the MPs or the goddamn president order me to stay in Little Creek. I’m going.”

Patrick’s gaze swept to him.

Ryan saw the question there. “You’re goddamn right I’m going. I’m getting Sarah back and not returning home until she’s safe. Someone else can run things from here. Pack your bags and meet at the airstrip at ten hundred. They’re readying the plane now, and we’ll be on it. Hunter, you take point with the police detectives. I’m going with the Alpha team.”

“Sir,” he said, nodding.

“I can’t protect you from the repercussions of this!” Admiral Redd raged, his face reddening. “I won’t send the MPs to stop you, but when you return, you will be removed from duty.”

“Understood.”

“This could end your career with the Navy!” he bellowed, storming out of the bullpen.

“Hell of a day for the admiral to be visiting base,” Hunter muttered.

“We’ve got your back, sir,” Patrick said, his voice calm and cool. “They took my sister, and I’ll risk my career if need be to rescue her.”

“All of us will,” Evan said. “They could’ve come after any one of our girlfriends or wives.”

“I’ll help the Delta team from here while you guys are gone,” Lexi said, looking over at the men. “Bring Sarah home.”

“Hoorah!” one of the men said gruffly, and the others joined in.

“Ten hundred. Meet at the airstrip. I’m packing my gear.” Ryan turned on his heel and strode out of the bullpen, leaving his men there behind him. He’d quickly grab his things and rush back to base. Sarah had been gone for thirty-six hours now. Thirty-six hours.

She could be dead in an ally somewhere, and bile rose in the back of his throat.

They wouldn’t kill her though. That would be too easy.

They’d taken her for their disgusting sex trafficking ring, and he needed to get her out of there. He refused to do anything else until she was safe, back in his arms right where she belonged.

Chapter 23

“She’s down in the cellar,” a harsh male voice said, and Sarah heard heavy footsteps coming her way. A woman began talking in Spanish, mixed in with the man’s voice, and she strained, trying to catch any words she understood.

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