Navy SEAL Seduction

by Bonnie Vanak

  Trembling, she lay on the sweat-soaked sheets, feeling him untie her bonds. Then he joined her on the bed and gathered her close, murmuring softly to her.

  There in the security of his strong arms, she felt all her cares slip away.

  If only they could stay like this forever.

  But she knew reality would set in soon enough.

  CHAPTER 16

  They heard reports after breakfast of the growing chaos in the city. The St. Marc Army was barely keeping order, and there were bursts of fire from automatic weapons. Several people had been killed in the violence, including two prominent radio journalists who publicly called for the return of the elected president.

  Lacey called Fleur twice. All was quiet at the Coco Bay Resort, but most of the guests had checked out. More worrisome was the news that supplies were dwindling and gas, needed to run the generators, was in short supply in town. Jarrett could see the fear in Lacey’s eyes as she worked in her office.

  Was her little girl safe after all? What would happen to her?

  Late that afternoon he got the call he’d expected and dreaded. His CO, Captain Callahoun, was ordering him to Paix Beach, where a Zodiac would pick up him and Ace at 0200 half a mile north of the Coco Bay resort. He was to bring Lacey to the Coco Bay with him and any other Americans living in Lacey’s compound. No details yet. He’d be briefed upon his arrival.

  Judging from Callahoun’s grim tone, Jarrett guessed the senator had pulled strings and was arranging to evacuate his daughter. But what about Fleur? She wasn’t a US citizen. The papers necessary for her immigration had been stalled with the growing chaos in St. Marc.

  He was going to have to abandon Lacey. Again.

  Jarrett had a quiet, private conference with Sam and Gene and then prepared to tell Lacey over dinner. His stomach tightened. The job came first. Always did, but this time he was leaving her in an unstable country with violence erupting around the corner and a murderer on the loose. Gene and Sam hadn’t heard anything regarding the whereabouts of Paul Lawrence. The intel they’d gathered had referenced the mounting violence spilling over from the city to pockets of the quiet countryside. Factions of the populace who wanted the military out and their newly elected president in power were clashing with the pro-military.

  Gene and Sam understood he couldn’t say why he had to leave.

  He hoped Lacey would understand, as well.

  The power had gone out earlier, and to save on gas, Lacey opted for dinner by candlelight. Two tall rose tapers cast flickering shadows over the elegant white linen tablecloth and the bone china plates. Jarrett poured her a glass of white wine, but settled on bottled water for himself. The delicate floral scent of her perfume teased his senses, reminding him of last night’s fierce lovemaking and how he’d fallen asleep, Lacey in his arms.

  He was going to miss her, and this time it hurt even worse because he remembered well what he’d lost the first time he’d left her.

  Halfway through eating the chicken she’d warmed, Lacey looked at his empty wineglass. “You’re not drinking.”

  Then suspicion filled her expression. “Jarrett, what’s going on?”

  An opening line if he needed one. He carefully set down his fork. “Lace, I have orders to leave. My CO called this afternoon.”

  “You’re leaving me?”

  Candlelight did not mask the wounded expression on her face. Steeling himself, he reached over to clasp her hand. “I’ve been called back. But you’re going with me and Sam and Gene to Coco Bay.”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t say.”

  “Oh, right. It’s classified. But this involves me.” She went still and her gaze flipped down to his sidearm. “There’s only one reason they’d call you away from your leave, Jarrett. They’re worried that the situation in St. Marc is growing more unstable.”

  “I don’t even have the details yet, Lace. They’re very tight-lipped. But my CO is adamant that you’re coming with me to Coco Bay.”

  “I can’t leave here. This is my project, my people. Who will help these women?” Lacey looked around, her mouth wobbling. But no tears shone in her blue eyes. “If there is military action, they’ll be sitting ducks. And what about the murderer? What if he returns?”

  He had already planned for that. “Marcus and the other security guards promise to maintain order. I paid them an advance on their salaries.”

  But his reassurances failed. “I can’t leave these people, Jarrett. I made a promise.”

  “You have no choice. You’re going to leave if I have to carry you over my shoulder.” Taking a deep breath, he said the words he knew she’d dislike. “This isn’t an option. I’m under direct orders to escort you to Coco Bay.”

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  She searched his face, and her body tensed. “Something’s going to happen. What? The Navy wouldn’t recall you unless...”

  Paling, she shook her head. “They wouldn’t.”

  “I can’t tell you. You know that, Lace.”

  “Of course. The secrecy that goes with a mission, with being a Navy SEAL. I don’t need to get it from you. All I have to do is pick up the phone and call my father.”

  He gave her a level look. “He won’t tell you, either. All he’ll say is to go with me tonight to the Coco Bay Resort. Pack lightly.”

  “Damn. Damn.” She slammed a fist down on the table and the delicate wineglasses shook. “I can’t do this.”

  Couldn’t listen to her, couldn’t bring himself to see how she was coming close to tears. Nice dinner. A heaping of guilt, accompanied by a large side dish of regret. His temper began to fray. Hell, he had a job to do. No distractions.

  Focus on the mission. Her. Jarrett retreated to combat-ready mode and glanced at his watch. “You have an hour to pack. We’re leaving at 1900.”

  “You’re a bastard, Jarrett Adler.” The words stung, but far worse was the look on her face. Gone was any of the faith and trust she’d placed in him.

  And he couldn’t blame her.

  “It’s my job,” he said grimly, standing and clearing off his plate. Hell, he had no appetite left now.

  He wondered if he ever would again, for each time he remembered the hurt and betrayal etched on her face like a carved relief on a marble statue.

  * * *

  In the end, Lacey capitulated. She knew Jarrett had no choice. He was only obeying orders. Still, she resented not having control. The women in her compound had understood and quietly wished her well, but the fear in their eyes had been shattering.

  They felt deserted, and rightly so.

  She also called Collette and told her that she was leaving for a few days. No reason to alarm the woman.

  The only good thing was anticipating seeing her daughter. But when they arrived at the sturdy steel gate at Coco Bay, alarm filled her.

  No security guards stood in the booth outside the gate. Sitting in the back of his rented Montero, squeezed next to Sam, Lacey watched the former spec ops soldier slide out his pistol from the holster on his belt.

  Jarrett honked. The gate remained closed.

  Then he fished out his cell phone and called Ace.

  A few minutes later the gate opened, and Jarrett drove through. He parked just inside the gate and rolled down his window to greet Ace, who was coming down the drive shouldering a lethal-looking automatic weapon.

  “Where’s your security?” Jarrett asked.

  Ace’s jaw tensed. “They all quit. Park before the main building and I’ll meet you there.”

  When they parked and got out, Aimee came outside, her dark brown hair gathered in a French braid, worry stamping her pretty features. She hugged Lacey. Lacey introduced Sam and Gene as Aimee’s brother jogged up the drive.

  “What’s the deal?” Jarrett frowned. “I don’t like leaving the women here unprotected.”

  “I can take care of myself,” Lacey protested.

  He flicked a glance at her. “In this unstable environment?”r />
  Ace held his weapon with a practiced grip. “Guards were too worried about the military taking over this place as a staging ground. Hotels like this have been targets in the past. It’s the one place the military knows they can have access to food, water, a swimming pool.”

  “And liquor,” Aimee chimed in. “I have a new security detail arriving tomorrow morning. I’m paying them double and they’re professionals. Jarrett, please tell my big brother that his marching around with that gun isn’t going to deter a tank.”

  “I’d put the odds on Ace, not the tank.” Jarrett glanced at Sam and Gene. “You guys help with the luggage. Aimee, I know Lace will want to see Fleur.”

  “The girls are asleep. I’ll take you right away. Kyle, will you show them where to put the suitcases and where their rooms are?”

  Gripping her backpack stuffed with her laptop and files, Lacey followed Aimee into the resort. The normally busy marble lobby was quiet, with a clerk on duty behind the registration desk. The distant hum of a large generator was the only noise.

  Aimee led her up the carved wooden staircase to the third floor and headed down the hallway. “We cut unnecessary things, like the canned music, to save on gas powering the generator. Who knows when the power will be restored? We’ve been without electric for two days.”

  “It’s like that all over,” Lacey agreed.

  “I’m sorry you can’t have a guest cottage, but this floor is all family suites, so you should be comfortable. They’re large, have living rooms and separate kitchens, and a fully stocked mini bar. We’ve moved to this floor with the girls, so you’ll be here with us. We all have rooms next to each other. Ace insisted. Easy escape down the fire exit and being on the third floor buys time in case of trouble.”

  “Do you expect trouble?”

  Another shrug. “I’m not. I’ve lived here long enough.”

  But worry shaded her eyes. Aimee walked down the hallway and using an old-fashioned metal key, opened a door and flipped on a light.

  The turquoise-and-white room was cool and soothing to the eye, with the kitchenette off to the right and chairs lined up to the counter, a dining table opposite the kitchen flowing into the living room. Drapes had been pulled to shut out the light. Aimee crossed the living room and opened the door.

  Inside the master bedroom, three little girls curled up on the king-size bed. Two ten-year-old twins with fair skin and a scattering of freckles across their noses, sandwiching a much darker-skinned child who slept in a tight fetal position.

  Fleur.

  Tears burned her throat as Lacey crossed the room and gazed down at her daughter. For a few minutes she simply stood there, watching her sleep. So tiny and frail, and yet Fleur had a steely core, a survivor spirit that had endured so much in five years.

  “She’s been sleeping like that ever since her arrival,” Aimee whispered. “The girls have been very protective of her. They say she’s their little sister.”

  “Thank you.”

  Not wanting to disturb their rest, Lacey turned and went out the door. Aimee closed the door quietly behind her.

  “My bedroom is next to theirs in this suite, but if you want Fleur to stay with you tomorrow...”

  “If she’s comfortable here, please leave her. Maybe I can crash on the sofa. She’s already had enough disruption.” It hurt to say those words, but she knew she had to do what was best for her little girl.

  Her friend gave a knowing look. “No need. I put you in the suite next to this one. Jarrett’s in the room next to yours. You’re a good mom, Lacey. She has real special needs, and you’ve been challenged, I know.”

  “Does it ever get easier?”

  Aimee sighed. “No. But there is wine.”

  She winked and Lacey smiled.

  The room Aimee had given her had a connecting door. Her luggage had already been carted into the room, but she didn’t unpack. Instead, she headed for the mini bar. Aimee found two wineglasses and soon they were curled up on the sofa, talking about the events in St. Marc.

  And then Aimee dropped a bombshell on her. “The real reason Jarrett wants you here is because I believe we’re being evacuated out of here. And we’re not returning until everything is over.”

  The wineglass shook visibly in her hand. Lacey set it down before she spilled the Chardonnay. “Jarrett told me he’s leaving tonight.”

  “So is Kyle. He’s been tight-lipped, but I can tell. They’re recalling him back to active duty. Tonight. And I don’t think he’ll be back unless it’s to invade.”

  Sweat dampened her brow as she gripped her hands tightly together. “What makes you think so?”

  “Last night I saw him prowling around the beach, making some sort of notations. When I questioned him, he claimed to be doing a trash check. But our cleaning crew rakes over the beach every morning.”

  “What do you think he was doing?”

  Aimee sipped her wine before answering. “I believe he was assessing the shore for an invasion and the Navy wants him to take part. But before the doo doo hits the fan, we’ll be out of here. Whether we like it or not. Kyle warned me to prepare to leave and turn management over to someone else.”

  Lacey stared at her friend. “And what if you don’t want to go?”

  “I doubt I’ll have a choice.” Aimee pushed back a stray lock of dark hair that had escaped the French braid. “I’ve been thinking about leaving, anyway. Dale’s been gone two years now and it’s time. Return to the States, get a job and go back to school, get my business degree. I guess this is a little sooner than I’d planned.”

  Maybe Aimee didn’t have a choice, but she certainly wasn’t leaving. “What if they force me to leave without Fleur? She’s not a US citizen and her paperwork still hasn’t come through.”

  Aimee gave her hand a reassuring pat. “Jarrett would never allow that to happen. He’d find a way, even if he had to smuggle Fleur on board one of those rubber raiding boats they use.”

  If only she had the kind of faith her friend possessed. But she was a senator’s daughter and knew the politics of Washington.

  After saying good-night and thanking Aimee, she retired to her room and unpacked, figuring she would settle in. The bed looked soft and inviting.

  Just a few minutes.

  When she next opened her eyes, the clock on the bedside table read 1 a.m. Lacey yawned and sat up. Realizing she had never spoken to Jarrett since arriving, she decided to knock on his door.

  Her clothing rumpled, she raked a hand through her hair. She thought about changing, maybe applying some makeup and then laughed. Every time she’d been here before, she had never left her suite without looking perfectly groomed. But these were different circumstances.

  Jarrett’s door was slightly cracked open. She went inside. Maybe she could surprise him, climb into bed with him for a snuggle, and that would lead to something else. At least to feel his strong arms surround her, hear his deep voice quietly assure her that everything would be okay.

  The soft golden glow of lamplight came from his suite. Lacey quietly walked inside and then ground to an abrupt halt.

  Dressed entirely in black, Jarrett sat at the dining table, smearing black greasepaint on his face. A wicked straight knife hung on his belt, near his sidearm. He looked dangerous—the kind of quiet lethalness you would not want to encounter in the night.

  Ace was next to him, dressed the same, his normally cheerful grin gone, his face darkened. Dread filled her. He looked up, his body tensing.

  “You really are leaving and returning to the Navy. And you’re not coming back.” It hurt to say the words aloud.

  “I’m sorry, Lace. I stopped by to see you, but you were sleeping.” He stood, stretching well over six feet and suddenly he seemed as remote as the moon. Inaccessible, an operator who moved in far different circles than she did.

  She felt herself mentally shrink into a tiny ball, curled up tight much as Fleur had been sleeping on the bed. At the table, Ace watched her with a guarded look then
nodded.

  “Iceman, meet me in my room in ten.”

  Then Aimee’s brother slipped out, leaving her alone with Jarrett.

  Hugging herself, she stared at him. “So this is it. I’d kiss you goodbye, but I don’t want to get greasepaint all over me.”

  The lighthearted tone masked her grief and the questions she didn’t dare ask. Will I ever see you again? Are they sending you someplace dangerous again? Will I hear about you from a phone call or on the news?

  Will I finally get the dead letter you always write before you deploy?

  He crossed the room, seeming taller than ever, more bulky with muscle and much more serious. This was Jarrett, who had made her feel such exquisite passion, who had bonded with her, had seen inside her heart.

  This was a stranger, but one with the power to break her heart.

  “I’m scared,” she whispered.

  “Sweetheart.” Reaching out, he cupped her cheek with his left, clean hand, thumbing her skin in a tender caress. “I don’t want to leave you, but I must. Do everything Aimee tells you.”

  “They’re going to send transport for us.”

  At his silence, she knew her instinct had been right. “They’re going to evacuate us from here and stage an invasion.”

  “You’ll be safe,” he said softly. “I promise, with all my heart.”

  I promise I’ll always be there for you. Yet it had been a shattered vow. He dropped his hand.

  “Don’t make vows you can’t keep, Lt. Adler.”

  “Lace...” He started to reach for her, but she stepped back.

  “Goodbye, Jarrett.”

  She fled out the door, not bothering to look back.

  CHAPTER 17

  Inside the captain’s stateroom on board the USS Tornado the next morning, Jarrett stared at his CO, his emotions swirling like the patrol boat’s namesake. They had been debriefed, and his head spun. He had tried not to think of the hurt on Lacey’s face when she’d left him, the way her body had pulled in tight, as if trying to draw herself into a tight shell.