Page 25 of SEAL's Harmony
“I’d like to give it a chance. But I’m a lot different from all the women around here. And a super klutz. I aggravate people with my clumsiness.”
“And that’s what makes you wonderful. I don’t want someone who is only after me to say she slept with a SEAL or to get my benefits. You’re sweet, compassionate, and beautiful. You listen when people talk and you don’t need to be the center of attention.”
“Oh, heck no. I prefer when no one notices me.”
“Why? You’re smart and funny. You shouldn’t hide yourself away.” Ry wondered just how badly her ex-fiancé had treated her to make her want to hide from the world instead of letting her beautiful light shine.
“Until you, nothing good has ever come from being noticed,” Harmony murmured.
Ry wondered if she realized how much she just admitted, but it flooded his chest with warmth. He ached to take her into his arms and comfort her. To inhale her sweet scent and kiss her until bliss colored her cheeks and swept away her sorrow. But it would have to wait a bit longer. He doubted she’d appreciate being hugged around Whiskey even if the dog would love the attention.
They’d almost reached her road when he had to pull over for a fire truck and two police cars to zoom past.
“Oh no, I hope it’s not an accident, and there are no injuries,” Harmony said, as she watched the vehicles drive by.
“Me, too. It’s a good sign that we haven’t seen an ambulance.”Or it had already arrived.
“That’s true. Unless someone called them first,” Harmony mused.
There was no putting anything over on this woman. One more thing to add to his list of things he loved about Harmony. Or if not love, then a major case of the likes. He’d never felt this way before, not even with Kat.
“Yeah.” There really wasn’t anything else to say. Ry hoped they didn’t have to pass the scene. But reality doused that wish quick enough.
As they turned the corner, they watched the emergency vehicles pull into the parking lot of Harmony’s apartment complex. His protector genes kicked in and Ry’s switch flipped from relaxed, easy-going guy to SEAL on alert. Especially when he saw it was a car fire.
“Oh no,” Harmony exclaimed, and covered her mouth with her hand before turning toward him. “I think that’s my car.”
Ry pulled into the parking lot and parked as close as he could get to her building. Flames licked the sky as the firefighters extinguished the remains of the burning car carcass. If they couldn’t find the VIN number, Ry didn’t have a clue how they’d figure out who owned the vehicle. Even though Harmony insisted it was her Chevy Malibu.
“Stay here with Whiskey, while I see what I can find out,” Ry said as he released his seatbelt and opened his door.
“No, I’m coming too. Especially if it’s my car that’s burned to a crisp.” Harmony had already opened her door and jumped out.
“Wait. We don’t know what’s going on. You could be in danger. Let me find out what they know—”
“I understand you’re trying to protect me, but I will be fine. We’re surrounded by first responders. What could possibly happen?” she asked.
Ry didn’t have an answer, except his gut instinct said she should stay in the truck. But no way would she accept that as a reason. “C’mon boy, you’re coming too. Keep an eye on her, okay?” Ry instructed the canine.
“I heard that.”
He’d wanted her to hear him and to know that they wouldn’t let anything happen to her, even if she didn’t want the protection. The situation could literally blow up at any moment, and he’d do what it took to keep her safe.
As they made their way through the gathered crowd, he took Harmony’s hand and kept her close. It’s not how he’d planned the evening to end, and he hoped they’d find her car safe and sound. But as they got closer, he realized she was correct as he counted the numbered spaces leading up to what remained of the incinerated vehicle.Fuck.
Harmony’s fingers tightened as she realized her fear was true. “Nooo. How could this happen?” Her eyes grew wide with horror and filled with unshed tears.
Ry’s heart squeezed in his chest, and he pulled her more tightly against his side. But he had the same question. Cars didn’t just ignite on their own. It needed help, and whoever helped this one had known what they were doing.
“You need to step back,” a police officer directed.
“But that’s my car. What happened?” Harmony’s tear-filled voice made him want to hunt down the person who did this.
“It’s your car? Are you sure?” The officer turned around and looked at the still-smoking metal frame.
“Yes, it’s my apartment number on the parking spot. I need to know what happened? Was anyone hurt?”
“Hold on. I’ll get someone to come talk to you. But stay here, ma’am.” The cop waited until Harmony nodded in acknowledgment before he went over to a male with salt and pepper hair dressed in a wrinkled suit. All he was missing was the raincoat to resemble Detective Columbo, one of his favorite TV detectives.
