His new wife had sneaked out of his room this morning. Granted, her plane had left before his, and she’d had to catch it. But he didn’t have a good feeling about the fact that they hadn’t talked since sacking out.
Would she regret last night’s hasty decision today?
Kata ought to be in Lafayette now. He tried her number again. Nothing but her recorded voice telling him to leave a message. Anxiety balled in his gut as he made his way to the nearest airline representative to change his final destination. Once he caught up with her, no doubt, he would have to do a lot of fast talking to calm her down and keep her from running scared again.
How the hell had he slept through her leaving his room? Hunter mentally kicked himself for that. A three a.m. turn in, followed by another hour of the most hedonistic, extravagant sex ever, had wiped him out. Still, failing to hear her leave had been both sloppy and lazy, and he’d never allow it again. For his f**kup, he was paying the price, being separated from Kata during what he feared was a critical time in their new marriage.
He had to do everything in his power to keep that distance from becoming permanent.
After settling his plane ticket, Hunter searched for a decent cup of coffee. He reached Kata’s voice mail once more with a curse, then he made another call he’d rather not . . . but one that might help his cause.
“Raptor,” Hunter’s pal and commanding officer, Andy Barnes, barked into the phone after the first ring. “Aren’t you on leave, Lieutenant?”
Since being promoted a few months back, Andy had become like a label-conscious shopaholic, only his addiction of choice was rank. He was still in the phase where he liked to remind himself— and everyone else—that he’d moved up to lieutenant commander, as if he was verbally pinching himself.
Hunter rolled his eyes. Andy had worked hard for the promotion, overcome his family’s less-than-stellar reputation in the navy to earn it. The promotion had first come Hunter’s way, and Andy had been completely mind-boggled when Hunter had turned it down. But desking it wasn’t his speed. He’d rather take an M-1 Tactical blade to both wrists before subjecting himself to a shitload of paperwork. “Yes, sir.”
“How’s that shoulder? Healing up?”
“Pretty well. I’m following doctor’s orders and continuing my strength training regimen.”
“Never doubted that. So why are you calling? The world isn’t falling apart without you. At least not yet.”
“Glad to hear it. I called to request permission to extend my leave, sir.”
“You don’t report until oh five hundred next Sunday.”
“I’m aware of that, but I have a situation that requires more time.”
Andy paused. “What aren’t you telling me? Shoot straight.”
Fuck. Not that it was any of Andy’s business, but if he was going to hook Kata up with all the benefits of being a SEAL’s wife, the news would come out. “I got married yesterday.”
“You got married?” He whistled. “Seriously? That’s something I thought I’d never see. You’ve been married to your team for nearly half a dozen years. Is she pregnant?”
Hunter gritted his teeth against Andy’s implication. “No.”
“Is she navy?”
“Civilian.” And Hunter itched to end this conversation so he could find her.
“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone that seriously.”
Hunter hesitated, and Andy drew out the silence. Damn, if Hunter wanted this leave, he was going to have to spill his guts. “I wasn’t. I met Kata yesterday.”
“And you met and married her on the same day?” Andy’s question sounded calm, but Hunter knew it was a façade. Barnes didn’t like outside interference in his SEALs’ lives, and this likely had him broiling inside.
Ah, hell. “I’m crazy about her, Andy.”
“I always knew you were decisive, but damn.” His buddy blew out a long breath. “I’ll need some info on her so she’ll be eligible for your benefits. I can start the ball rolling while you’re on leave, save you the time.”
Nice of him, but Hunter supposed Barnes was softening the blow in case his leave couldn’t be extended. “Katalina, maiden name Muñoz. She turned twenty-five yesterday.” Thanking God he’d had the foresight to look at her driver’s license and memorize her address, just in case, he rattled it off to Barnes.
“Got it.”
“Look, I need extra leave to settle this situation so I can return rested and focused.”
Andy scoffed. “You want extra leave to f**k her brains out. Damn it, Raptor. I don’t suppose it would do any good to tell you this is irresponsible and stupid?”