Page 41 of SEAL's Tempest
Quinn was right, a beer sounded good, but a tumbler of whiskey would be nirvana. First he needed to find out what was going on with Tempest and get checked out. There was a slim chance he’d get called into the debriefing, but Quinn would do his best to keep him out of it. It looked like his original plan to take Tempest to bed would have to wait. He’d been cock blocked by her father, go figure.
Josh dropped off his pack, then headed to the medical facility. Due to the late hour, there was no one there. To say he was disappointed was an understatement. She could have been there and gone, or maybe her father arranged something else. As long as she got checked out he didn’t care which medical professional examined her. The last thing she needed was to deal with a lot of family shit when she was suffering from a concussion, bruised ribs, and who knew what else. The woman was as stoic as any other frogman he knew.
Six weeks of tied to a desk. Josh tried to convince the doctor he didn’t need the full six weeks. He wished he had some of Lucky’s charm, maybe then he could have swayed the woman. At least she’d laughed at his pathetic attempt. Then she handed him his paperwork and a prescription for pain killers and sent him on his way. He wouldn’t get them filled, never did. Tamping down the urge to ask about Tempest, he thanked her and headed to the parking lot.
When Josh reached his truck and stowed his pack he was more than ready to get home and take a shower. Since Tempest had driven to base with him, he hesitated. She could be stuck in the debriefing, maybe her father had whisked her away.
Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he turned it on. He’d forgotten to do it earlier. As soon as it turned on, a bunch of notifications pinged. The only one that mattered was from Tempest.
Tempest:I’m sorry I disappeared. I’m okay. After the debrief, Dad will take me home. Talk later?
The timestamp indicated she’d sent it fifteen minutes earlier. She was probably still in the debrief.
Josh:You got it. Call or text when free.
He figured that sounded innocuous enough if someone could see her screen. Dammit. Technically, he should go report their relationship. It was the right thing to do, but what if she’d changed her mind. Waiting another day or two probably wouldn’t matter since he was on desk duty anyway. When she didn’t text back, he carefully climbed into the truck, and headed home. His shower was calling his name.
ChapterFifteen
As they made their way from the landing strip to HQ, Tony Knox explained her father was not only on base but would be part of her debrief. It was the last thing she’d expected. He’d never been involved in her prior missions, so why this one?
“Yes, sir. I’m not sure I understand why he’s here though,” Tempest said.
“I don’t either. Apparently it’s above both of our pay grades.” Knox chuckled.
Tempest glanced at him, and it seemed like a genuine laugh. Maybe there wasn’t anything to worry about.
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Tempest sighed. She hadn’t been to the doctor yet and her head was throbbing again. What she really wanted to do was go home, take a shower, put on her comfy kitty jammies, climb into bed and pass out. Too bad that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.
“It would seem so,” Knox said. Then he held open the door for her to enter.
Tempest stepped into the conference room and was met with her father’s scrutiny.Prakeiktas.She glanced down at herself and cringed. Still in civilian clothes, she was covered in blood—hers and Josh’s—dirt, and dried sweat. He’d never seen her like this, but she thought she might have caught a glimpse of admiration in his gaze.
Pavel Miller wore a three-piece blue suit, clean shaven, and not a hair out of place—ever bit the diplomat. Tempest always doubted his cover story, and apparently she’d been correct.
“HiTètis.I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said as she greeted him. His brief frown reminded her that he hated when she used Marikistani instead of English. “Sorry, dad.”
“When I heard you’d been injured I wanted to make sure you were okay. And I need to take possession of the chips.”
Of course, he was there for the chips. If she’d known he was involved, she would have expected it. But he’d kept his secrets just like always. She loved him, but she never understood him. They’d need to talk about it one day soon, Grace too. Going back to Marikistan had affected her in ways she’d never expected.
Sliding the pack off her good shoulder, she put it on the table and opened it. The situation was awkward, Tony hadn’t approached them, instead giving father and daughter privacy for their reunion. She wondered what he thought of their stilted conversation. After a glance over her shoulder at her CO, she pulled the case out of her bag.
“Are you sure you have the proper clearance to take possession of the package?” This time instead of respect, his gaze flared with anger. Tempest didn’t regret it at all.
“Tempest.” The tone of his voice used to scare the crap out of her and Grace,but she wasn’t ten anymore. She was a petty officer in the United States Navy.
Still, it wouldn’t do her any good to push him too far. Tempest wasn’t even sure what triggered her reaction. She always did whatever he asked without question, but this mission had changed her. He wanted a badass daughter. Now he had one.
“Just following orders, Sir. I was told my CO would secure the package.”
Pavel looked over her shoulder at her Knox. There was no doubt in her mind that she would turn over the box, but she’d follow her orders.
“Your father has been cleared to take possession of the chips and transport them back to DC.” Knox said as he approached them at the table. “Master Chief Gallagher will be here momentarily. Then we’ll begin the debrief.”
“Thank you, commander,” Pavel responded and then turned his regard to Tempest.
Without hesitation, she handed the sealed box of computer chips to her father. Then Tempest put her pack against the wall and took a seat across from him at the table.
