Page 39 of SEAL's Providence
“Good morning, baby. I was hoping not to wake you.”
She yawned and stretched, then reached for him. “Why are you awake? It’s still dark outside.” Her voice was soft, almost a purr.
“I’m sorry, but I need to be on base. The team is deploying in a couple of hours. Believe me, the last thing I want is to leave you alone in this bed.”
Providence kissed the center of his chest androlled off him. She sounded a little more awake. “I understand. Navy, here, remember?”
“How could I forget? You’re my favorite sailor. Especially after waking in your arms.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, commander. Don’t you need to get going?”
“Unfortunately, yes, I do. You should try to get some more sleep. You’ve had a tough week so far. I’ll text you later, after things settle down.”
Providence yawned again, then giggled. “Sounds like a plan. Tell the guys to be careful. I don’t want to see them in my exam room when they return.”
Tony chuckled. “Will do.” He quickly pulled on his clothes, then kissed her forehead. “Are you still okay with all of this? With us?”
“Mmm hmm. You rocked my world. Why wouldn’t I be? Are you okay?” She blinked the sleep out of her eyes and met his gaze.
“Of course, I am. But you had a rough night. Then we went from just being friends to making love on the same day. It was a lot, especially with everything else going on. I don’t want you to have regrets.”
“I don’t. Now go, before they send out a rescue party. We’ll talk later.”
Tony slid his hands through her soft hair andpushed it behind her ear. “Be good, sweetheart.” He leaned down and rubbed his lips against hers. It wasn’t enough.Fuck. Her taste was addicting. But she was right. He needed to haul ass.
Tony broke every speed limit on the way to the base, and he was still the last to arrive. Kern had already started the meeting by the time he entered the briefing room. The most recent surveillance images were on the board and he was running through the intel from overnight.
Quinn checked his watch, then quirked an eyebrow when he saw Tony, but didn’t comment. He leaned against the wall and looked over the new images. Not much had changed since yesterday’s briefing. That was good and bad. He’d hoped they’d have found a location on the missing woman.
Kern finished up. “Any questions?”
The team remained quiet. Then Quinn glanced at Tony. “Are we still handling the evacuation of the embassy?”
“No, the Gray Hawk Team will work with the marines already on site to handle the evac. You’re on the HVT rescue only,” Tony said.
“If she’s such a high value target, doesn’t itseem weird that there’s been no rescue demand?” Josh asked.
Kern nodded. “We think rebels took her for information not ransom.”
“What are the odds she’s still alive?” Ry asked.
Tony answered before Kern said something to really piss him off. “It doesn’t matter. You know the drill. We find Mrs. Stratton and return her to her family.”
“Preferably alive,” Quinn remarked.
Kern nodded. “Yes, that’s the goal.”
Quinn looked over at Tony before turning his focus on Kern. “Want to tell me why you’re embedded with us?”
Tony knew Quinn would ask. It had only been a matter of time. If Kern was with them, it always turned into a shit show.
“Above your pay grade, Master Chief.”
Tony shook his head. Fucking asshole. “All right. If there are no other questions, grab your gear and head out. Providence asked me to tell y’all to be careful. She doesn’t want to see you in her exam room when you get back.”
Josh grinned. “She did? And how did she find out we were leaving?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“None of your fucking business. Now, get moving. You’ve got a transport waiting.”
