SEALs of Honor: Mason Read online

  “When those socks run through,” he said, “the guys each have spares with them, too.”

  It took her a moment to realize that meant she was wearing his spare socks. “Thank you.”

  He gave her a slow smile that zinged to her heart. “No problem.”

  Giving her space, he stepped back and let her hobble her way to the table. She stopped just before and looked around hopefully. “I don’t suppose you found a lovely bathroom with a proper toilet anywhere close by?”

  “Not a one. No bubble baths or bottles of wine either.”

  “Damn. Must remember to send a complaint to the manager,” she said cheerfully. “So I have to go to the bathroom, outside?”

  Mason stepped up. “Outside around the back of the cabin. And I’ll be standing watch.”

  “Of course you will.” She groaned comically. “Show me where, please.”

  She followed him around the small bushes at the back of the cabin. “Yep, definitely need to write the establishment,” she said.

  “Glad you’re finding something to laugh about.” Mason gave her a small nudge. “Go on. I’ll keep my back turned.”

  “Great. Well, let’s see if I can do this quickly.”

  It was awkward and uncomfortable given the sore legs and puffy feet. When done, she stood up, rearranged her clothing and called out, “I’m done.”

  “Good. Inside. You get a few minutes then we need to leave.”

  Of course they did. Would this never end? Inside she washed, then scarfed the few rations the men had shared and drank a half bottle of water. Resolute, she turned to face them, all waiting and standing in various relaxed positions that completely belied their inner guard that was always on.

  “Okay,” she said. “What’s next?”

  “There’s a small town a couple of miles away. Hawk has gone to check it out. We’ll round up a vehicle and arrange for you to be picked up.”

  “Sounds good.” In fact, only a couple of miles away sounded lovely. She could do that. She hoped.

  In silence, they filed out in a single line, with Tesla in the middle. She breathed in the fresh air now that she had a moment to look around. There was a boggy spot on the left hand side. She heard ducks flying overhead and song birds chirping in the tree. The sun was just breaking over the crest.

  “Are we still in Mexico?” she asked in wonder. The trees offered a mix of smells that lifted and changed with the breeze.

  It was surprisingly beautiful.

  In any other circumstances, she’d love to spend some time here.

  Then again, she’d loved to spend time in lots of places. She worked long and hard yet spent little on herself. She needed time off. Relax a little. These last few days, she’d come close to losing everything. She didn’t think anything the group that kidnapped her offered was going to be anything she’d like to accept. Death was not just a possibility, but rather a probability. And she still didn’t know which group it was. Not that it mattered. They were all bad news.

  And these men had saved her from that.

  There was a loud disturbance from a cluster of brush on the right. Instinctively she dropped to the ground. When no one reassured her it was all right to stand up again, she realized her instincts were correct.

  “Yes,” Mason said. “According to the GPS, we’re almost at the border. Let’s move.”

  Crowded beside her, Mason kept a hand on her shoulder. She watched as he searched the area visually. He checked his watch – if that was a watch given that it held more dials and switches than a watch could possibly hold. Catching her glance, he smiled reassuringly at her.

  “We’re just checking.”

  There were a couple of short bursts of pops. She frowned. “Was that–”

  “We’ve got this.”

  She believed him.

  “Shit,” he murmured. “Stay down.” And he flattened onto the ground beside her, placed a finger to her lips.

  Wordlessly she asked if they were no longer alone.

  But his narrowed gaze never changed.

  She closed her eyes. Please let this be over.

  “Well, well. What do we have here?” A rough chuckle yelled in her ears. “Must be my lucky day.”

  Oh crap. Her gaze flew open to see a white male dressed in camouflage gear staring down at them. A rifle pointed at the two of them. A rifle. Interesting choice. Her mind rushed in circles looking at options.

  “Get up…slowly.”

  “Hello?” she scrambled to her feet. “My goodness. Have I done something wrong?” she asked in what she hoped was an innocent voice.

  “Easy, Tesla,” Mason said in a hard voice. “He knows exactly who we are.”

  “Of course I do.” The gunman smiled. “And you have something that belongs to me.”

  “Belongs to you?” Tesla said in confusion.

  “Don’t be stupid,” he snarled. “Walk over here beside me.”

  She glanced at Mason but he wasn’t helping. Instead, he looked to be more bored and irritated than worried. As if trying to decide which course of action to take. She’d do what she could to give him that time. She shrugged and said, “No.”

  The enemy’s eyebrows shot up. “What did you say, bitch?”

  “I said, no. I’m not going to walk over to you,” she said defiantly and waited for his next move. They needed her alive – at least she was gambling on that point.

  “Do you think I give a shit what you do? I’d as soon as shoot you where you stand.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “I hardly think that’s what your bosses have in mind.”

  The rifle was raised in her direction. She swallowed hard, then straightened her back. “Then shoot me if I have no value to you. What’s the point of forcing me to walk anymore?”

  “Shut up. You’re coming with me. He, on the other hand, is a dead man.”

  The rifle swept toward Mason.

  “No, stop,” she cried out, stepping in front of Mason. He’d already saved her life several times. She couldn’t stand by and have him make the ultimate sacrifice.

  “Tesla,” Mason growled. “Move back.”

  “No,” she snapped. “This coward would shoot you, unarmed.” She glared at the man holding the gun. “Have you no honor?”

  The weapon fired harmlessly in the air. “Do you think I’m joking?”

  “No. Not at all.” She stepped forward. “But you will let him go or I won’t cooperate.”

  “I don’t give a fuck if you cooperate or not.”

  Behind him, she saw Hawk coming through the long grass. Why didn’t he shoot? It would be all over. She had to keep the gunman distracted.

  “Move or I’ll shoot him through you.” He snarled. “I can carry you for the few miles required. I know how to shoot you so that you are in great pain but not in any life threatening danger.”

  Her mouth opened. She didn’t know what to say.

  He laughed. “You stupid bit–”

  The knife came out from behind and sliced deep. The enemy gurgled quietly as he was lowered to the ground – already dead.

  Tesla gasped as Mason pulled her away and behind him.

  With Hawk in the lead, they raced to the cover of the trees.

  There Hawk explained they’d found two more in the bushes. Both taken care of. They were concerned there was a fourth, but they hadn’t located him. The rest of Mason’s team were on route to the village, hoping to flush out the enemy that could be there ahead of them.

  Waiting for their own men to arrive first.

  With time against them and knowing the fourth man was on the trail, Mason pushed Tesla harder than he had yet. By the time they reached the hill overlooking the small town, she dropped to the ground and held her ribs as she tried to catch her breath. Her feet were killing her. Whatever slight joy she’d experienced upon first standing was gone a long time ago. She studied the bloody remnant of the socks and realized they were useless now too. Her jeans had several new tears in the legs as well. And her sh
irt, well that was damn near destroyed. Her light sweater was grimy and hung in tatters.

  Crap.

  She tried to focus on the mundane issue of clothes. Anything to forget the image of the man’s blood gushing from his neck or the limp way he went down in Hawk’s arms.

  Uncontrollable shivers ripped down her body. She wrapped her arms around her knees and hung on, waiting, hoping for the shock to ease back. God, that poor man.

  She knew he would have done the same thing to her men if he’d had the chance. And would have shot her just to get at Mason. This really was happening. They were really here in this nightmare. Playing for keeps.

  How was it she hadn’t considered death a real possibility until now? She’d heard Harry talk about his escapades. She’d laughed along with him. He’d had fun on many of them.

  Not once had he let on how damn dangerous or scary they were.

  Well, she knew now.

  Mason wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. He kept up the conversation with Hawk.

  “Do we have info on this town?”

  “Yes, it’s on the maps. Settled about sixty years ago.”

  Mason nodded. “Residents?”

  “A couple of hundred. Mostly men. Older. Some families. A few children.”

  Right.

  Over her head, as if she wasn’t even there, they planned sweeps and maneuvers and all she could do was close her eyes and burrow deeper into Mason’s chest. God, what was wrong with her?

  A man had been killed in front of her. That’s what was wrong. Death had become a reality. A distinct possibility now. And quite likely her reality.

  Unless these men could save her.

  And she had to do what she could to save herself. And them. She didn’t think…no…she knew she couldn’t get out of here alive on her own. She needed them.

  *

  AFTER SYNCING THEIR watches, double checking on their ammunition supplies and once again checking the GPS, all with Tesla burrowed against him, they kept the conversation on point. In truth, Mason was worried about Dane who hadn’t checked in on time. He was two minutes late. But if he’d fallen here, there was no way they were leaving him behind. The only alternative was to come back and get him. But Dane was one tough bastard. If there was someone who could get through the entire village in smooth reconnaissance it was him. Dane was silent, experienced and lethal.

  He needed time to do his thing.

  And they were going to give it to him.

  At the hand signal from Hawk, saying Dane had checked in and all was good, Mason glanced down at Tesla. Her arms were wrapped around her knees and, she was huddled in on herself.

  Hawk motioned to her feet and the bloody remnants of the socks. Mason’s lips thinned. Damned. The side of her head had been bleeding freely, leaving drying runs of blood on her cheeks. They’d be easy to track with the blood trail they were leaving behind. Still, she didn’t complain. That girl had guts.

  “Did I see her step in front of you?” Hawk asked Mason in low tones, barely even a whisper.

  Tesla never shifted and didn’t give any sign she’d heard anything.

  Mason wrapped his arms around her, his hand gently covered her one exposed ear. He nodded to Hawk. “And tried to talk the asshole out of killing me.”

  Hawk shook his head. “Damn. That’s some woman. Why would she do that?”

  “We can keep her safe? We are her only chance? She identifies with us as her pack?” He whispered the ideas that came to mind.

  “She wasn’t trying to save all of us. She was saving you.”

  “Only because I was the one there at the time,” he said in a dismissive manner. The last thing he wanted was for the others to think there was anything special between them. Except they already did, given their earlier comments.

  “She’s worth it.”

  He nodded. “Since when did you care?” With a casual deflection, he asked Hawk about the tall leggy dark haired beauty he’d spent his last leave with. “What happened to your last lovely?”

  Hawk grinned. “Everything I could manage in the time given. As I have with every other one. Still, over time they all do tend to blend into a continuous roll of beauties.”

  “Life’s tough,” Mason mocked but he understood. Life as a SEAL offered a continuous buffet of willing beauties. But over time…they stopped being special.

  “Ha, you should know. You were doing plenty of enjoying yourself over the last few years.”

  Mason smiled. True enough.

  “Until what, about a year ago?” Hawk was puzzling his way through the concept of Mason being a changed man and just what would do something like that to him. Mason hoped he didn’t get that far.

  “Until Harry’s death.” Hawk grinned as he figured it out.

  Mason’s gaze snapped to Tesla. But he needn’t have worried. She was still in the same position and appeared to be sleeping. He worried about her. Had done so for months. Since Harry’s death. He’d always been fascinated with the tales Harry had shared. He’d had no idea if Harry would have approved of him taking an interest. He’d been pretty careful to keep his attraction to himself. That had been easy as there’d always been women available. They had been an enjoyable way to pass the time, and a way to keep his dreams to himself. Until he’d lost Harry.

  And with Harry’s death came that second look at life and what was important and what did he want to do before the land mine with his name on it found him. At the same time he’d had that insidious idea that with Harry out of the picture there was no barrier to meeting her and seeing where it went. Now though, he realized that Harry was between them more than ever.

  “Right?”

  He glanced back at Hawk and caught his wide grin as he mentally went click, click, click and came up with the right answer.

  Hawk made a silent oh sound with his mouth and his gaze widened in sudden awareness, his gaze intent on Tesla and the way she was snuggled into his chest.

  But he stayed quiet. For which Mason was grateful.

  He checked the time. “Go time.”

  Hawk stepped up and front, Mason shook Tesla awake. “Tesla. Time to go. You can rest in a few moments. Let’s get you to safety. Then you can rest.”

  She opened her eyes, dark bruises underneath. His heart melted a little. She’d been such a trooper. “Come on.”

  “Okay,” she said in a soft voice. “I’m ready.”

  But she wasn’t standing on her own two feet yet. In fact, he wasn’t sure she could stand without his assistance. He patted her cheeks gently. “We need to go now.”

  She blinked, then gave a head shake. “Okay, let’s go.” She turned and stumbled out of his arms and behind Hawk. That she never said a word said much about her mental state.

  There’s no way she’d be able to walk on those bloody stumps without crying out. They were either numb – not good – or she was – also not good.

  Besides, she was leaving a visible blood trail.

  Hawk caught his attention and motioned to Tesla. Mason nodded. He scooped her up and fell into line.

  This had to end soon. Or she wasn’t going to make it.

  Chapter 7

  THE REST OF that trip was a blur. She knew they’d walked miles. There’d been a meeting up with another member of the team before she was carried to a small dilapidated house just outside the edge of town. She had no idea who lived there, if anyone, and couldn’t work up the energy to care.

  There was a bathroom. A real one with a toilet and a bathtub. The men had also somehow, from somewhere, rummaged up food. She had a real meal. She felt almost normal now. Supposedly she was going to be picked up by a group tomorrow morning. Soon this nightmare would be over. She could sleep for days if she wanted to then. Mission accomplished.

  That worked for her.

  Now if only she could get to that bath, then bed part of this mess.

  “Eat.” Mason stared down at her half empty plate. “You need your strength.”

  Strengt
h. Right. Eat even if you don’t want to. It’s food. It’s energy. Her father’s words rattled through her skull. She picked up her fork again and forced another bite down. She did need food. And a bath.

  She brightened. If she finished eating, she could squeeze a bath in before she collapsed. Then again, she had to make it to the bath first. Just then, Mason nudged her elbow. She lifted her tired gaze to him.

  “Come on. Bedtime.”

  She shook her head. “Bath first.”

  He nodded. “Let’s go.” He stood up and picked her up.

  “Whoa,” she cried. “I can walk.”

  He snorted. “If that was the case then you’d have made your way up there before now.”

  She groaned. “I was working up the energy for the trip.”

  He carried her up the stairs and into the small quaint bathroom. Putting her on the counter, he swiveled and quickly turned on the water to fill a bath for her. She smiled. Had anything ever looked so good?

  They both stared as the tub filled halfway. He reached down and switched off the water. Rummaging around in the cupboard, he quickly found her an old towel. Then turned to face her.

  She snickered. “Yes, I’m fine. Yes, I can get in on my own. Yes, I will call you if I run into trouble.”

  His laughter rang through the bathroom.

  “See, I’m learning.” She grinned impishly. Nothing could knock her mood right now. She was inside, safe with a bathtub full of hot water waiting for her. Life was good.

  Besides, there was the sexiest man she’d ever met standing beside her. And he appeared to care about her wellbeing. Might be just because of the job…but…

  He dropped a kiss on her forehead and walked out, leaving her alone, her fingers reaching up to touch the spot he’d kissed. Why had he done that? Again? Surely he hadn’t meant it. Or rather he saw her as Harry’s little sister and therefore was going to treat her the same way.

  She slid off the counter, wincing as her damaged feet hit the cold linoleum floor. Getting into the water was going to hurt, yet they were in desperate need of a hot soak and cleaning. As was the rest of her. She stripped off her ruined clothes, wondering if there was anything left behind in the house she could wear. She couldn’t imagine putting on her destroyed bloodstained clothing again. There were more holes than material left.