SEAL's RESOLVE - Rebecca Deel Page 0,107
them.”
“They’re easy. Try them.” He handed her a plate with four rolls and a travel mug of tea. “I talked to Jackson a few minutes ago. Your father is in a private room and doing well. He sent a message for you to take your time before coming to the hospital because he was enjoying his naps.”
Relief swept through her. Thank goodness. Seeing her father fragile and wounded hours earlier had scared her. “After breakfast, I’ll see what responsibilities I can shift to Jill today.”
Rafe joined her at the table with coffee and his own plate of cinnamon rolls. “How do you feel?”
“Sore. What about you?”
“Same.”
“Any word on Hugh and his buddies?”
“Ward wants me charged with attempted murder. If I’d wanted him dead, he’d be on a slab in the morgue. According to Eli, Ward’s accusation against me was met with suspicion when the police found the contract he forced your father to sign. Your father’s blood was on the document.”
“Anything else?”
“The money from your trust fund has been returned to your account. The money from your father’s safe is now evidence. No telling when that will be returned. Also, since Jon discovered Fleming’s computer skills, he hacked into the other man’s computer. Turns out that Fleming is responsible for the money Stewart Group lost. He’s been skimming the company’s accounts and funneling the money into two offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands, one for him and one for Hale. They both have a quite a nest egg.”
Kristi sighed. “Well, that explains why Hale and Fleming were willing to accept a measly $100,000 payout when Hugh was going to walk away with millions of dollars. Wolf Pack and Dan are uninjured?”
“A few minor bruises.”
When they finished breakfast, Kristi stacked their dishes in the dishwasher. “We have a few minutes before Jill arrives. Come sit with me on the deck. I’d love to go to the garden, but I don’t think my ribs can tolerate the hard bench.”
When they sat on the outdoor sofa with Rafe’s uninjured arm around her shoulders, Kristi said, “Curiosity is driving me crazy. You said you had a secret to tell me. What is it?”
He smiled. “I thought you would ask me before now.”
“If I hadn’t enjoyed the cinnamon rolls so much, I would have. Tell me before I have to hurt you.”
A soft chuckle. “No need for that.” He sobered and cupped her cheek. “I love you, Kristi.” He trailed his finger over her bottom lip. “You don’t have to say anything now. I know this is fast.” He kissed her, his touch light. “What’s your secret?”
Kristi smiled, joy overflowing inside her at his admission. “I love you, Rafe.”
He stilled. “You do?”
“Oh, yeah. I definitely do, and I’m keeping you.”
The operative hugged her. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that.”
They sat for several minutes, holding each other and enjoying the peaceful morning. Once Jill arrived, the craziness of the day would begin in earnest.
Finally, Rafe stood and held out his hand. “We should go inside.”
After he escorted her to the workroom, Kristi heard Jill’s knock on the front door.
Four hours later, she was able to leave with Rafe to visit her father. When they walked into his hospital room and she saw that her father’s eyes were open, Kristi smiled. “You’re awake.”
“Hard to sleep more than an hour around this place. Nurses are in and out all the time to take my vitals and ask me the same questions.” Alan motioned to the man standing on the other side of the bed. “Have you met Jake Davenport?”
“I haven’t had the pleasure.” She held out her hand. “I’m Kristi. You’re a friend of Rafe’s?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m the medic for Phantom unit.”
“Your team helped us last night.”
“Wolf Pack did most of the work. Torres took down five men in the forest. Didn’t leave much for the rest of us to do.”
Kristi stared. “Five men besides Hugh and Fleming?”
Rafe shrugged.
“How’s the arm, Rafe?” Jake asked.
“Hurts like a bad toothache.”
“Take anything for the pain today?”
Silence.
The medic rolled his eyes, then dug into his pocket for a packet of familiar capsules. “Swallow two of these, and don’t whine about it.”
“Yes, Dad,” Rafe groused, but he popped two into his mouth and swallowed them.
Jake chuckled.
Kristi looked at her father. “How do you feel?”
“Not great, but I’m alive.” He frowned. “Your face is bruised, and your lip is swollen.”
“Have you looked in the mirror lately? You have more bruises than I do.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m all