she deserves to get it after everything that she’s been through. I’m going to have to ask you to leave, Ryker.”
“I just need a minute,” he said in a low voice. “There’s something important that I need to speak with her about. It pertains to her rescue.”
The doctor nodded. “One minute. And then I’ll be back.”
“Is something wrong?” Emily asked as the doctor briefly left the room. “I mean aside from the fact that I was kidnapped. Thank you by the way for rescuing me.”
He nodded and took a step closer. “We were just doing our job. Does the name Mohammad Izallah mean anything to you?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head and then wincing at the movement. He frowned. “Should it?” she asked.
His gaze tracked over her motions as she lifted a hand to her forehead. “Shit. Did those bastards do that to you?”
“Yeah. They got me in the ribs, too.”
His gaze lowered, and she flushed slightly. She was wearing a flimsy hospital gown, covered by the thinnest blanket imaginable. She looked like hell. Why that should concern her, she didn’t know. It’s not like she needed to appear attractive to this man. He’d saved her. It’s not like they were out on a date.
His intense gaze met hers again. “He’s the leader of the compound where you were being held—he heads up a smaller terror group in the area. Not one of the bigger names, but they’re coming into their own. We took out some of his men when we went in to rescue you, but we believe he escaped.”
Emily’s heartbeat quickened, and Ryker glanced at the monitors as the line there jumped. “Shit, I didn’t mean to frighten you. We don’t know where he went. And you’re safe here. No more patrolling base though, all right?”
She bristled slightly. “You think I’m going to get up from a hospital bed and go ride on patrol? I don’t even have my weapons.”
“I’m just saying be careful. My understanding is they moved you around for a month, saving you for him. Am I right?”
She nodded, wondering where he was going with this.
“He’s a possessive bastard. He thinks you’re his. His other men didn’t touch you because they were under orders to save you for him. Maybe he doesn’t know much information about you, but weren’t you ambushed on patrol? That shouldn’t have ever happened.”
“What are you saying?” she asked, frowning.
“I’m worried you were targeted.”
“Targeted? That’s impossible. They wouldn’t even have knowledge that I was there. I was part of an advanced team that was sent in for security for some officials at State. No one would know….” Her voice trailed off.
“You’re right, he wouldn’t know. He shouldn’t know anything about you. It could have just been a coincidence. Or he could’ve had someone on the inside. It’s possible there was a mole. That someone set you up—an interpreter, local guide, or someone like that. My understanding is that little harm was brought to you.”
“If you’re asking if I was raped or murdered, the answer to both is no.”
His lips quirked slightly at her smartass reply, but then he frowned again. “A beautiful woman arrives, goes out on patrol, and that’s the Humvee that’s ambushed? Seems like more than a coincidence.”
“Knock-knock!” a male voice said, and another SEAL strode in.
Emily was still trying to work out the way he’d nonchalantly called her ‘beautiful’ as the other guy kept talking.
“Hi, I’m Hunter Murdock. I didn’t mean to interrupt, just wanted to see if you were okay. My team was the one in charge of your rescue mission.”
“I’m fine, and thanks for getting me out of there.”
“She’s not fine,” Ryker interjected.
Emily rolled her eyes. “Just ignore this asshole,” Hunter said. “Excuse my language. We’re heading back to the States soon, but it’s possible you’ll be riding along with us.”
“They’re sending me home?” she asked.
“If all goes as planned. We’re based out of Little Creek, down near Virginia Beach. They might have us stop off at Andrew’s to drop you off.”
“Well hell,” Ryker muttered. “Nobody tells me anything.”
“I’m telling you now,” Hunter said. “And I wanted to notify Ms. Swenson before I told the team. It depends if the doctors here give you clearance to fly, but you’re in better condition than any of us could have hoped. I know you’ve been through hell, but that’s a good thing that they’re ready to send you back to the States.”
“Did Raptor and his boys leave?” Ryker asked.
“Raptor?” Emily asked, feeling more and more confused.
“Another SEAL team