land so we can get you the medical attention you need. They’ll take you to the hospital for x-rays and get a cast on your arm. And I hate to say this, but the video Abboud took of you was put online.”
Her face fell.
“Our CO let us know about it. Our SEAL team operations are Top Secret. Nobody knows you were rescued yet or that you’re here in San Diego. Once the footage gets media attention though? You might be all over the news and Internet whether you want it or not. It’s a big story, although one I can never comment on or admit to.”
“I hope they don’t focus on me,” she said, shuddering.
“I know. We’ll take it one step at a time. My team’s involvement will never be confirmed by the U.S. government though, even if they get wind of the full story. I want you to realize that. You don’t even need to acknowledge the media if you don’t want, just focus on healing your wrist and resting up. The guys and I all have your back.”
The plane sped down the runway after touching down, Clarissa peering out the window as everything flew past. A few minutes later, the ramp lowered on the C-17, and Blake took her hand, walking down to the tarmac with her. He had his gear with him like usual but Clarissa at his side was obviously a first. He never in a million years imagined he’d arrive back from a mission with a woman. Or that his buddies wouldn’t be giving him shit about it.
He guided her over to the waiting ambulance, promising to come check on her as soon as he met with his CO on base. Shaking his head, he hopped a ride with his teammates, grabbing a seat alone.
“What?” Blake asked as they all looked at him.
“She’s good for you, buddy,” Grayson said. “Different than the bimbos you’re usually with, but—”
“Hell. No one needs to tell Clarissa about any of Blake’s one-night-stands,” Troy said.
“We wouldn’t,” Ethan said seriously. “Not that who you dated before her should matter.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call those dates,” Blake said wryly. “And believe me, she knows I’ve been with my fair share of women over the years. The wrong types of women, I might add.”
“Well hell, when’s the wedding then?” Ethan joked.
Jackson smirked and shook his head. “Damn. This might be the weirdest mission we’ve ever been on. Sure, we grabbed the mofo we were after, but Blake nabbed himself a girl.”
“Yeah. Too bad she lives in Texas. I can’t exactly up and go there all the time with our SEAL training and ops. Now I just need to convince her to come here for a while this summer, maybe stay with me. See where it takes us.”
“Show her the magic stick, lover boy,” Ethan quipped.
The other guys howled with laughter. “Is that what you’re calling your dick these days?” Grayson asked. “God damn.”
“We’ve got a few days off. I’m going to ask her to stay with me. Hopefully she’ll just need a cast for her wrist and then be released from the hospital. State got her a new passport, but she doesn’t have her other things.”
“Oh hell, that reminds me,” Grayson said. “I have her backpack.”
“What?” Blake asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yep. Someone from the Colombian military handed it to me right before we took off. The ground crew put it in when we were loading up the rest of our gear.”
“Damn. I wish I would’ve known to tell her.”
“Sorry man,” Grayson said. “We were in such a hurry to go wheel’s up, it just slipped my mind.”
Blake nodded. “I’ll get it to her later. I’m going over to the hospital as soon as we debrief. Aw hell,” he said, noticing the media lined up near the road. “How’d they get wind of this?”
“Goddamn Colombians,” Jackson muttered.
“You think they tipped them off?” Blake asked. “Told them about Clarissa?”
“After her video was posted? I’m guessing so.”
“She’s not going to like that,” Blake said. “Although that will make it a hell of a lot easier to convince her to stay with me for a few days. She knows I’ll keep her safe.”
***
Clarissa watched as Blake opened the door to his SUV later that night, helping her inside. The hot-pink cast on her wrist was brighter than she’d expected, but her arm sure the heck felt better than it had in days.
The doctor had reset her broken bone and given her some pain medication. Although there was security