Protector: A Navy SEAL Romantic Suspense (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 15)

by Flora Ferrari

  I expected Kong to remain standing, the preferred position for his discipline, but instead he came to the ground with a kick. He missed and I wrapped his down ankle in the back of my knee and flexed my hamstring locking his ankle in position. I rolled left bringing him down with me. This time he wasn’t going to get up. I delivered an elbow to the face and a fist to the gut. My third busted nose of the night. Kong reached up with both hands and got me by the neck. He began squeezing. My limbs went weak so I dropped my weight down on top of him, which allowed me some wiggle room in his grip and some much needed air. I put my hands around his neck and squeezed. It was a battle to see who would pass out first. I could feel the lightheadedness. I couldn’t think. Vision went. I just knew to keep squeezing. And squeeze some more. Then the pressure stopped. I fell on my side. Kong had passed out first, unless I killed him. I coughed for air. I could hear more coughing to my side. He was still alive. After nearly twenty-five seconds I got to my feet. I saw a broken off container handle in the distance. I went for it. Kong stumbled to his feet.

  “It’s not a touchdown. It’s a grand slam!” I ran directly at Kong as I got close I pulled the handle back and began my swing. I hit him square. Center mass. He dropped. I fell on top of him and squeezed his neck. He squirmed and tried to kick me in the groin. He landed one, but it was too late. He didn’t have enough power behind it. He reached for my eyeballs and squeezed. I didn’t care. This was going to be it. I squeezed, and squeezed, and squeezed. I could feel Kong kick and shake. That’s the last thing I remember before I passed out.

  CHAPTER 19

  A gent Koban, we’re going to need you to drop by later today. The director wants to speak with you personally.”

  “Thank you. Did he mention a time?”

  “1700. Last meeting of the day. He’ll probably offer you a drink. Best to take it, even if you don’t drink.”

  “Will do. Thanks, Clooney.”

  “My pleasure, and congrats on bringing that scumbag down.”

  “Well, we’ll have to thank Creed when he wakes up.”

  “Is that his real name?”

  I could hear Kate laugh. “I think that’s the question that’s on everybody’s mind, including mine. I’ll let you know if and when I find out.”

  I opened my eyes, but everything was blurry.

  “Agent Koban?”

  “Just rest, Jax. I’ll explain everything later.”

  I closed my eyes and was sure I was in a bad dream. What was going on now?

  CHAPTER 20

  I slept until the next morning. When I woke, Kate was by my bedside.

  “Hey, you’re alive.”

  “Barely. What’s going on?”

  “What’s going on? You saved the day!”

  “Not that. I heard some guy call you Agent Koban.”

  “Oh, yeah. That. We need to talk about that.”

  “We sure do.” Kate was silent. “Who are you?”

  My real name is Kate Koval, just like I told you. I officially changed my name to Koban when I joined the agency, but stuck with the Koval name for the time as I was in the middle of a big case.”

  “What case? What agency?”

  “Jax, I’m an FBI agent. I’ve been working to bring down a Russian trafficking ring for over a year. We were kind of stuck until you showed up. Once you paid a visit to Hrytsenko everything started moving fast. Really fast.”

  “So you used me for your op. Great.”

  “I didn’t use you. I really had a stalker. And I truly thought it was Hrytsenko. We all did. The case was getting old so we lost the approval and funding. We were off the books. I thought Hrytsenko was looking for me, but it turns out it wasn’t him, it was Kong.”

  “Kong? Why was Kong bothering you?”

  “We were never really sure how reliable Hrytsenko was. He had too many loyalties and we couldn’t be sure if he had really turned and was working for us, or if it was just a passing fancy that he might change tomorrow. He was too risky to use as an asset.”

  “But how does that include Kong?”

  “Kong put a price on my head after those cables were released. He’s a strong nationalist and when he found out it was my grandfather that worked with the Americans to provide such important information about Wonsan Harbor during the Korean War he wanted me dead. That was the case I was actually assigned to.”

  “So unofficially you were working on the Russian trafficking ring and officially you were working on Kong. The more we worked on Kong, the more we realized the two were related. Beyond related actually. They were one and the same. Kong was getting girls out of Russia and the former Soviet Republics, especially Ukraine, and bringing them to Asia for prostitution and other forms of indentured servitude. Maids, house cleaners, high-end escorts, kept women…you name it, they promised and provided it to their Asian clients. Of course their quote unquote ‘loans’ for their passage to Asia would never be paid off. They would remain slaves forever, or more accurately, until they were discarded and replaced with the next Eastern girl hungry for any chance to improve her future.”

  “That’s it exactly.”

  “Why was I allowed to unofficially pursue this case without the FBI stepping in?”

  “You weren’t. That’s why they showed up at your door that morning. They were trying to gauge what you were capable of. They had your records, but knew you weren’t active anymore. They weren’t expecting you to be so resilient. I mean they knew you were tough, but not Superman tough. And of course they weren’t expecting us to get into a serious relationship, and me to get kidnapped.”

  “Why weren’t they expecting us to get into a serious relationship?”

  “You know how official government business is. They called me in to warn me not to become involved with you. I downplayed it. Told them it was just a fling in order to get them off my back, but of course I knew it was more than that. I wasn’t going to let my job, or anyone, get in the way of us.”

  “And you still feel that way?”

  “I do.”

  I didn’t say anything. I just rolled my head back and stared at the ceiling. Kate let a few minutes go by.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “Well, first I have to process everything. And I’m still doing that. Second I’m just thinking about what the Navy shrink said when I was separating.”

  “Do you care to share that information?”

  “I don’t mind. She said not only was I physically damaged from the op, but she detected I had undiagnosed mental anguish resulting in ongoing trust issues with women. Unresolved childhood issues she said. I remember it specifically.”

  “And what do you think about that?”

  “I think I didn’t like it very much when she said it. And of course part of the reason I didn’t like it was because she was right.”

  “And how do you feel now?”

  “Well, a certain woman I know, let’s even say she might be in this room…,” I turned to Kate and smiled, “might not really be helping with my issues regarding women and trust.”

  “You’re right, I’m sorry.”

  “But on the other hand, maybe she is. Sometimes trust is not just seeing what is on the exterior and trusting that, but it’s about seeing what’s inside, what’s real, and putting your faith in that.”

  “Wow, that’s deep.”

  “Very funny.”

  “I’m not joking. It’s deep, and it’s also beautiful. Part of the problem I have is that everyone just sees what’s on the surface and doesn’t take the time to get to know me. With my line of work I can’t just trust people unconditionally right away. I have to keep some things to myself. In some ways it’s not fair, but I let people know up front there are some things I like to keep personal. Most people hear that then never take the time to get to really know me. They just want to skim over my life at a thirty thousand foot level in two minutes and then make a snap decision. Unfortunately that happens a lot.”

  “I know what you mean. Yo
u know how many women out there are looking to add a SEAL notch to their bedpost?”

  “I thought only guys did that kind of thing.”

  “I did too, until I got my trident.”

  We both laughed.

  “What happened to Kong?”

  “He was brought to justice.”

  “They’re going to try him?”

  “Are you joking? You don’t remember?”

  “I passed out. I remember that.”

  “Well you passed out right after you delivered justice yourself, Mr. Creed. He’s not going to hurt another woman ever again.”

  “Good riddance. And the rest of his guys and his operation?”

  “His guys, well the ones that you left somewhat upright and able to breathe air, are not talking. It doesn’t really matter though. They’re going through that Seven Seas bogus operation and putting the pieces together. The files were encrypted, but our guys cracked it pretty quick. A lot of names are going to come out. High level names too. It’s not going to be pretty, but it’s going to help moving forward. It’s really going to put a huge dent in human trafficking around the globe.”

  “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that, especially as a dad to a young girl. Have you heard from Cole?”

  “Of course. We filled him in last night. He’s got Jasmine safe and sound back home. She doesn’t even know so she’s not stressing out. She just thinks we’re on a vacation.”

  “And Jerry?”

  “Well, some reporters did manage to get ahold of him. It was kind of cute though. They were asking him questions and his only answer was ‘no comment.’”

  I burst out laughing which led to coughing.

  “Be careful. You’re hurt pretty bad.”

  “That kid is great. He’s a hero and he even knows how to deal with the press afterwards. He really does have a future ahead of him in this field if he wants it.”

  “Oh he definitely wants it.”

  “Well he was raised well, so I’m sure he’ll make the choice that best suits him.”

  Kate smiled. “Thank you, and with the way things are going with us I hope that part of his upbringing will include a strong, sexy, man who survives bridge falls and saves damsels in distress.”

  Kate reached down and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

  “It’s going to. With his mother’s permission.”

  “You definitely have his mother’s permission. Not only her permission with her son, but her permission to do what you need to do to her.”

  “Hmmm, I can think of a few things.” I winked at Kate.

  She smirked. “And I can think of a few more.”

  We laughed and Kate reached in and delivered a big hug, being careful to avoid my most injured parts.

  “I want to just hug you all day and all night, but the doctor said to limit the physical contact due to your injuries.”

  The door swung open. “You? You’re back again.” I burst out laughing. It was the salty old doc from before. “I thought I got rid of you.”

  “I missed you so I decided to come back.”

  “Well I certainly didn’t miss you. You walked out on us yesterday. You’re lucky you’re some sort of hero or else we’d have you strapped down. Is this the gal you rescued? The one I saw on the TV?”

  “She’s the one.”

  “Well, at least I can say you made one good decision. She’s a keeper. She’s been waiting by your side since you arrived.”

  “Thanks, doc.”

  “Don’t thank me. Get to sleep so you can get on up outta here. How’s your memory?”

  “I remember most things, but some of it is a little sketchy.”

  “Makes sense. It might come back, it might not. Most important thing is to remember the big stuff. Do you remember that?”

  “I think so.”

  “Then you’re okay. Now get some sleep.”

  He walked out and shut the door.

  Kate and I both looked at each other with smiles and held the glance until we burst out laughing. I started coughing again.

  “He’s so cute.”

  “Salty old dog. He’s great. No PC whatsoever. Does he even know about malpractice and misdiagnosis?”

  “It doesn’t look that way.”

  “I think he just told me I have amnesia, but not to worry about it too much.”

  Kate smiled. “Yeah, it sure sounded that way.” We both laughed.

  “Jax, I have one other question I’m dying to ask you?”

  “Uh oh. More surprises?”

  “Well, if there are, they’re from your end.”

  “Okay, shoot.”

  “Everybody at the agency, including me, is dying to know. Is your last name really Creed.”

  “You know I used to get asked that a lot, but not so much anymore.”

  “Okay, and?”

  “Yes. Yes, that’s my last name, but not my given name.”

  “What’s your given name?”

  “I don’t know. I was dropped on the doorstep of an orphanage as I mentioned. When I was old enough I legally changed my name. The judge asked me about ten times if I was sure. All my friends tried to talk me out of it…told me I was going to get made fun of. My reply? Who’s going to make fun of the biggest kid around? One who’s built of muscle named Creed that looks out for others. Their reply? Good point.”

  “My reply too. It’s very superhero sounding, but it’s my superhero.” Kate hugged me then pulled away just enough to look me in the eyes. “I never properly thanked you. Jax, thank you. Thank you for saving my life. And Jerry’s life.”

  “No need to thank me, but you’re welcome. And for the record Jerry’s just as responsible as I am for anything good that came out of that night.”

  “He definitely did a great job, especially for such a young man, but nothing would have been possible without you.”

  “You’re welcome. Let’s just forget about it though. I’m looking forward now and you know what I see?”

  “What’s that?”

  “That nothing is possible without you.”

  Kate stared at me deeply. I could see a tear run down her cheek. She leaned in for a hug. We held that one hug for as long as I could remember, which was until the medicine kicked in and I passed out.

  CHAPTER 21

  I t was great to be home. Most of the people in town had seen us on TV. Word spread that Kate was an FBI agent. No one had suspected. A SEAL and an FBI agent in one sleepy Midwest town. Both trying to lay low. That didn’t exactly work out so well, but what did work out perfectly is that they found each other.

  We would go for walks, talk about our future, and play games with the kids. It felt great to have Kate in my life. Jasmine loved her almost as much as I did.

  Kate took a remote position with the Bureau after her cover was blown. It was okay, great actually. It allowed her to work from home so we got to spend more time together. We discussed business ideas. Maybe we could start some sort of security company together or even look a little bigger. We wanted to somehow help women and children involved in trafficking. The world is a beautiful place, but there are still some bad seeds out there who try and mess up this magnificent place for the rest of us.

  There was a lot of joy and excitement in all aspects of our life. Everything was moving so fast, but there was one thing I wanted to happen first. I wanted to show Kate I loved her and trusted her. She already knew, but I wanted to show the world.

  Cole took the kids to Cedar Point for the weekend and I planned out a perfect weekend in the hills for Kate and I. We would hike, camp, take relaxing walks, and swim in the clear cool rivers and streams. The river bottoms were covered in rock so the water was crystal clear and a beautiful blue. Clean, clear, cool water was the perfect escape from the summer heat. The best part was no one would be around. I mapped out everything so we’d be about as far from civilization as you can get. I knew Kate wouldn’t mind.

  My good friend, Chip, from the SEAL Teams now had a helicopter
rescue business. He’d get calls around sunset to rescue hikers and also air lifted other people when the police choppers were already in use. He agreed to drop us at a predesignated point in the woods on a Thursday morning and pick us back up on Tuesday afternoon. Five whole days alone. I couldn’t wait.