by Susan Stoker
She looked up at him with a smile and hopped off the wall onto the sand. She smiled at him as she bent down awkwardly to grab her shoes. “Yeah,” she replied and held out a hand. “Julie Lytle. Commander Hurt?”
“Patrick. Call me Patrick.” He shook her hand, pleased when she gripped his tightly, then let go.
“Patrick then. It’s good to meet you. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I appreciate it.”
He shrugged. “It’s the least I could do.”
“Not really, but thank you just the same. So…” Her voice faded as she looked around. “Where should we—”
“How about we walk?” Patrick suggested.
“Okay.”
Patrick had come prepared for walking along the sandy beach, and kicked off the worn pair of flip-flops he had on and easily stepped over the wall she’d been sitting on a moment ago.
“Wow, you’re tall,” she commented dryly, eyeing him up and down. He was wearing a navy-blue T-shirt that did nothing to hide his huge biceps. He might be a Commander and not go on any missions any longer, but he obviously still worked out. The cargo shorts he was wearing were knee-length and had holes on each leg, one above his left knee and another on the left thigh. They were well-worn and looked comfortable as hell. He was also wearing a pair of sunglasses. The entire package made her think of Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun.
He grinned down at Julie. Now that they were both standing in the sand, Patrick could see just how tiny she was. He’d read her stats in the report from the mission in Mexico, but seeing her five-foot-two-inch frame in person was a different thing. “Six-one probably does seem tall to you, but I’m honestly not all that big compared to a lot of guys.”
She shrugged. “Okay, if you say so.”
They started off down the beach. Neither seemed to be in a hurry, so they took their time. Finally Julie delved into the reason they were there. “I’m sure you read up on whatever secret files you guys keep on missions so you know what happened down in Mexico.” She knew if she tried to downplay how she’d acted, it’d make her look as if she wasn’t owning up to her actions. “But I’d like to explain what happened, how I got there, the real story, not the crap the media came up with…before you make your decision…if that’s all right.”
She watched as he simply nodded and hurried to continue before she lost her nerve.
“I was at a bar with a group of friends. Well, they weren’t true friends, just people I knew. They were daughters and friends of some of the politicians my dad works with. We got together almost every weekend to let off some steam. I know, I’m honestly too old for that crap, and what ‘steam’ could we possibly have to ‘let off,’ but it was what we did. I went to the bathroom by myself, which I know is unusual for a girl.”
She looked up at Patrick with a small smile, but he wasn’t even looking at her. His gaze was directed at the long line of beach in front of them. She sighed and continued, deciding to cut out the extra commentary he obviously didn’t care about and get to the point.
“When I came out of the bathroom, someone grabbed me from behind and stuck a needle in my arm before I could even think about screaming or struggling. He put a hand over my mouth and pulled me out the back door, which was conveniently located next to the restrooms. I was shoved into the backseat of a car and we were leaving before I’d gotten my wits about me. Then it was too late. Whatever he’d shoved into my veins was taking affect. The last thing I remember was the men speaking to each other in Spanish before I passed out.
“I have no idea how long I was out, but I woke up naked and tied hand and foot to a cot. I was thirsty and scared and I hurt. I heard more Spanish and then a man was there. On top of me. Leering down at me as he raped me. I was still confused and didn’t fully understand what was happening. I lay there, disconcerted and terrified out of my brain. Finally, after three more men took their turns, they untied my wrists, threw my clothes at me, told me to get dressed and led me to a dark hut in the middle of a jungle. I had no idea what country I was in or what was going on.”
Julie felt Patrick touch her lightly on the arm. “Come on, let’s sit.”
She looked to where Patrick was gesturing and saw a large tree, which had fallen over. They made their way over to it and Julie was thankful that Patrick gave her a hand and helped her climb up on it so she could sit. He leaned against the tree as she got settled and crossed his arms over his chest, his shoes dropped to the sand beneath them.
“If it’s too painful, you don’t have to continue.”
“No, I want you to know why this is so important to me.”
Patrick nodded and held her gaze.
Seeing no censure in his eyes, Julie took a deep breath and continued.
“So there I was, dumped in the middle of a dark hut, with no idea where I was or what was happening. The other woman, she tried to talk to me, tried to comfort me, but all I could do was cry. I wouldn’t listen to anything she had to say to me. I was in denial and didn’t want to hear her. I knew if she’d been there for as long as she said she had, that I was in trouble. I knew I wouldn’t be able to deal with what had happened to me over and over again for another three months. So when your SEAL came in, all I wanted to do was get out of there. Anywhere was better than that damn hut, where I could be taken away and assaulted again. When he somehow sensed the other woman in the building, I was afraid taking any more time would make the bad guys find us and kill your man. Then they’d tie me down and hurt me again.”
Julie wiped away the tears she hadn’t realized she was shedding and continued, trying not to break down in sobs. “I begged him to go, to ignore whatever it was he heard or saw. I tunnel vision or something and all I could think of was getting the hell out of there. I’m so ashamed of what I did. Out of everything that happened down there, that’s the one thing I can’t get out of my head. That if he’d listened to me, that poor woman would still be captive. She’d be…” Julie’s words faded off. She couldn’t even say what she knew would’ve become of the other woman if she’d been left.
“Thank God he didn’t listen to me, though. He went to the other side of the hut, got the other girl, and we all tromped through the jungle. It’s not an excuse, but I felt horrible. I hadn’t eaten, I was scared, and I said unforgivably nasty things. I knew the other woman was stronger than I was. She was a good person, trying to be nice to me, letting me having more food than she should’ve. I knew she felt guilty because the SEAL was sent in for me and not her, and I think at the time, I felt that way too. But I swear to you, I didn’t want him to get hurt.”
Julie looked up at the sexy man standing next to her, not saying anything, not letting anything he was thinking show.
“When I saw him bleeding as he was hauled into the helicopter, I knew it could’ve been me. When they let me off, I didn’t say goodbye, I didn’t say thank you, I simply walked away from them and never looked back, so damn grateful to be back in my father’s arms I couldn’t think of anything else. It wasn’t until hours later I’d started thinking about all that had happened and feeling ashamed of myself. Everyone told me how brave I’d been, and how horrible what had happened to me was, but I knew the truth.”
“And what’s that?” Patrick asked.
“That I was a coward. Everything I did in my life was for myself. I’d been selfish and conceited and self-centered. I didn’t care about that other woman. I just wanted to get myself out of the situation. I didn’t care about the SEAL, I just wanted out of the jungle. I didn’t care about the other guys on the team, I couldn’t even tell you what they looked like. I was only concerned about myself.”
“I think anyone in your situation would’ve been the same way.”
“Yeah, that’s what everyone told me, but I know it’s a lie.”
“A lie?”
“Uh-huh,” Julie said. “Because I was there. I saw that other woman. She wasn’t like that. Her first concern was for your SEAL. She even worried about me and I certainly didn’t des
erve an ounce of her sympathy. Your SEAL wasn’t like that. He was willing to give his life up for mine, even though I didn’t deserve it.”
“Julie, I don’t think—”
“No. I’m right. But I’m trying to change. I’m really trying. I know a lot of people see me as stuck up and a rich daddy’s girl. I even moved out here with my dad’s money. I wouldn’t have been able to start my business without him, so in a way, I’m still being selfish. But I’m hoping that everything I’m trying to do now to help others will somehow balance out my karma a little.”
Julie swallowed and hurried to finish. “I just want to do what I should’ve done all those months ago. A simple thank you. Tell all of them face-to-face that I appreciate what they did for me and what they do for our country. I won’t take much of their time, and I know they probably don’t want to hear it from me. But, I’d be more appreciative than you’d ever know if you helped me do that.”
“I’ll help you.”
Julie let out the breath she’d been holding and felt tears well up again. She beat them back by brute force.
“On one condition.”
Oh shit. “Anything,” she told Patrick honestly, looking up at him, not having the first clue what his condition might be.
“Go out on a date with me.”
Chapter Four
Patrick hadn’t thought ahead of time what he was going to do, but as he leaned against the tree listening to what she’d gone through at the hands of the human traffickers, and everything she was doing now to try to change her life around, he’d found himself admiring her.
It was crazy. This was Julie. The bitch. He’d heard from Cookie and the others what a pain in the ass she’d been. How she’d encouraged Cookie to leave the hut knowing Fiona was still there chained to the floor. How she’d complained and bitched the entire walk to the helicopter. And even how she’d walked away from all of them without a word.
The more he thought about it, the more Patrick knew the team needed to hear from her. They needed to know everything she’d just told him, but it was her story to tell, not his.
He’d give her the chance she needed to thank the guys and he’d warn them ahead of time to give her a shot. But watching her fight to tell him her story, watching her work her way through it, made him respect her.
Patrick was a hard man. Over twenty years in the Navy, most of those as a SEAL, had made him that way. But he’d never been so moved by a story as he’d been by Julie’s. It would be up to Cookie if he wanted to let Fiona meet Julie as well, so he wasn’t going to let either woman know of the other’s existence until the guys had met with her.
“A date?”
“Yeah. You know…dinner…maybe another walk on a beach…a date.”
She looked at him in confusion for a beat. “So you can find out more about what happened down there? Why I was a bitch?”
Patrick stepped in front of her and put his hands on the rough bark of the tree at her hips, realizing he was probably overstepping his bounds after she’d just poured her heart out to him and knowing he was still practically a stranger to her. He leaned forward, trying to make sure she really heard him and saw he was serious. “No. Because despite the difference in our ages, I’m attracted to you.”
“To me?”
Patrick chuckled and looked her in the eyes. “You.”
He watched as she struggled to come to terms with what he said. When she did respond, it wasn’t what he thought she’d say. “You aren’t that much older than me.”
He pulled back. “How old do you think I am?”
“Um…” She wrinkled her nose as she contemplated him. “Thirty-five?”
He burst out laughing. When he had himself under control, he told her, “I appreciate that, but no, I’m not thirty-five.”
When he didn’t say anything else, she asked, “Then how old are you?”
“I don’t think I’m going to tell you.”
“What? Why? I thought only women were sensitive about their ages.”
“I’m not sensitive about it, but I don’t want to give you any reason to say no.”
The laughter died on her face and she gazed at him for a beat. “If I say no, does that really mean that you won’t help me make it right with your SEALs?”
“No. I might be a dick, but I’d never force you to go out with me. I know I said I’d set up a meeting on one condition, but I lied. I’ll do it if you agree to see me again or not.”
“Okay.”
“Okay to the fact that I lied about the condition, or okay to going out on a date with me?”
“Both.”
Patrick nodded and moved back a fraction, holding out his hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your car.”
Julie put her hand in his and jumped off the tree. Patrick didn’t let go of her and bent down to pick up their shoes. He handed hers to her and snatched up his own. He continued to hold her hand and turned them back around the way they’d come, back to the parking lot.
Julie was silent for a bit, but then said, “I don’t know anything about you…other than your name is Patrick, you aren’t thirty-five, and you’re in charge of a Navy SEAL team.”
Recognizing that she needed some reassurance, Patrick began talking. “My name is Patrick Hurt, my nickname is Hurt, for obvious reasons. I’m not thirty-five. I used to be a SEAL myself and I’ve been on some intense missions in my life. I like what I do now, working behind the scenes, coordinating things. I’ve lived here in California for what seems my entire life. My parents are both still alive, they live up north of Los Angeles. I don’t have any blood brothers or sisters, but have plenty of men and women I call my family. I’ve never been married, I don’t have any kids floating around out in the world.” He paused, looking down at Julie. He waited until she looked up at him, then continued.
“I’m not impulsive. I think through everything I do before I do it. Missions, what I’m going to eat for dinner, the route I’ll take home each day, how many calories I can eat based on how much I work out. Some people have called me anal.”
“But…”
Patrick knew what she was going to say. It was what he wanted her to realize. “Yeah, asking you out was impulsive and out of character for me. It should tell you that this isn’t a pity date. It isn’t to pump you for more information. You’ve piqued my interest and I want to get to know you better. I like this Julie.”
“I like her too.”
“Good.” They’d arrived at the parking area. “So…is next Saturday too soon?”
“Too soon?”
“For our date.”
“Oh, no. Saturday’s fine. What time?”
“What time are you free?”
Julie looked up, obviously trying to remember her schedule. “I have a meeting at nine in the morning with a woman who runs an after-school program for at-risk teens, then the store opens at ten. I work until four and have another meeting with a counselor from one of the high schools.”
“You’re a busy woman,” Patrick observed as he put on his shoes.
She shrugged. “I guess. I like being busy. Keeps me from thinking too much…about stuff.”
“Do you want me to pick you up, or do you want to meet me somewhere?” Patrick wanted to give her the option. It wasn’t very smart to let a man pick her up at her home on a first date because if things didn’t work out, the man would then know where she lived. He was completely trustworthy though, and if they didn’t click on their date, he’d leave her alone, but it was ultimately her choice.
Julie bit her lip as she contemplated his question. He liked how she really thought it through before answering. “I think I should meet you somewhere. That way if we decide to end things early, it won’t be awkward if you have to drive me home.”
Patrick didn’t quibble. “How about if we meet at six-thirty at the new steak place that opened up near here.”
“Which one?”
“The one where you pay a flat fee and get as much meat as you can eat.
They bring it around to your table until you’re full and tell them to stop.”
“Oh, Fogo de Chao? That Brazilian place? I’ve heard of it, and people have said it’s wonderful.”
“That’s the one.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll play it by ear after that.”
“Sounds good.”
Julie turned to him. “Thanks, Patrick. Seriously. I know you didn’t have to meet me today, and you didn’t have to listen to me, and you certainly don’t have to let me meet your guys, but it’s appreciated. More than you’ll know.”
Patrick lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you Saturday night. Be safe out there.”
“I will. See you next week.”
Patrick watched as Julie walked to her nondescript car and left the parking lot. He wondered for a beat what the hell he was doing, but when he thought about it, and it felt right, he decided to go for it. He was the type of leader who, once he made a decision, he went with it.
And he was going with it now.
Chapter Five
Julie stood at the counter at My Sister’s Closet the following Friday afternoon, talking to her dad on the phone. He checked in frequently, and Julie knew she’d never take it for granted again.
“Hey, Daddy. How are you?”
“I’m good. How’s my baby?”
Julie rolled her eyes. His baby. Whatever. “Things are great here. I had a meeting this morning with a woman who runs an after-school program for teenagers. It was an impromptu thing on my part. I have a meeting next week with another director of a different teen center, but I was passing the building on my way to work and decided to stop and see if anyone was in and would talk to me. We worked out a deal where some of the oldest girls would start volunteering at My Sister’s Closet. In return, they’d get a clothing allowance.”
“Sounds like things are going well.”
“They are. I love it out here.”
“I’m glad. I’ve been worried about you.”
“I know, and I appreciate it. What’s going on there? Anything new in the world of politics?”