SEAL's RESOLVE - Rebecca Deel Page 0,62
her, a guilty expression on his face.
“You were seeing someone else?” Kristi demanded.
“I was lonely, and you’re always busy, working long hours. Besides, she doesn’t mean anything to me. I just wanted some companionship.”
Rafe snorted. “Is that what you call spending weekends at hotels and resorts holed up in your room, ordering room service? Companionship? That’s called having an affair where I come from.”
Kristi sighed. “If you enjoy her companionship so much, why don’t you marry her?”
“I can’t,” Hugh muttered.
“Why not?”
“She’s married.”
Kristi groaned. “Unbelievable.”
He scowled. “It’s your fault, you know.”
“How do you figure that?”
“You never had time for me. A man has needs. I guess you made time for Torres’s needs.”
“That’s enough,” Rafe snapped. “Insult her again, and I’ll do more than shove you against a wall. Call off the security team who was supposed to keep an eye on Kristi.”
“She needs protection.”
“My team and I have that covered. She’s severing her contract with Ward Security this morning.”
“That’s insane. Kristi, you need protection.”
“I’ve made other arrangements. I need to go. I have a client waiting.”
“Can’t we talk about our wedding alone? Please, reconsider. We’d be good together.”
“Hugh, I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on the planet.”
His expression hardened. “You’ll regret this.”
“Not a chance. Rafe will see you to the door.”
“I know my way out.” Hugh headed for the stairway.
“Ward.” Rafe waited until Hugh turned to look at him. “If I find out you had anything to do with Kristi’s kidnapping, you’ll wish you had never been born.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Rafe stood in the doorway, watching a furious Hugh Ward drive away from Kristi’s home. That guy was a powder keg. One spark, and he’d explode.
“That is an angry man,” Eli murmured. “Kristi broke the bad news?”
“Had to be done. Kristi didn’t know about the other woman in his life.”
“Other woman?”
“The lady is married which is why he can’t marry her. Ward blamed Kristi for his cheating. She wasn’t catering to his needs.”
“Unbelievable. How did you hear about the other woman?”
“Zane.”
“I’m glad you swept Kristi off her feet. Otherwise, she might have married that jerk.”
“I don’t think so. She’s too smart for that.” Rafe was glad she chose him over Ward. Now, he had to figure out how to keep her.
When Ward skidded around the corner, barely missing an oncoming car, Rafe closed the door. “Ward said he chose Kristi’s former security team. I want names and bios for them.”
“Jon will find the information.” They walked to the kitchen where the sniper was working on his laptop. “Have another search for you.”
“What do you need?”
“Ward chose Kristi’s former security team.” Rafe folded his arms across his chest. “I want their names and backgrounds.”
“More hacking.” Jon’s lips curved. “Makes my day brighter.”
Eli chuckled. “Did Zane send the file from Kristi’s first kidnapping yet, Rafe?”
He shook his head. “Phantom’s in a hotspot. I should have the file soon.”
Jon grabbed his phone. “I’ll find out if he needs help.”
While the sniper spoke to the Fortress tech wizard, Eli turned to Rafe. “Is upstairs clear of bugs and cameras?”
“I bagged a bug and camera in every room except the bathroom.”
Eli scowled. “Including the bedroom?”
He nodded. “I haven’t told Kristi yet. She’ll be upset.” Who had been watching her and for how long? If Ward Security was responsible the cameras, including the one in the bedroom, what purpose did the violation of Kristi’s privacy serve? Rafe’s gut said someone on her security team was responsible for the electronic surveillance.
Did Stewart or Ward instigate the unethical spying? Rafe frowned. He wouldn’t be surprised if Ward authorized the spying. Although Stewart was protective of his daughter, Rafe didn’t believe he would sanction a camera and bug in Kristi’s bedroom.
“Do yourself a favor, and don’t wait long to tell her. She won’t thank you for holding back the truth to protect her.”
Rafe wanted to ignore his team leader’s advice, but that would be a colossal mistake.
Jon ended his call. “Zane accessed the FBI database. You’ll have a copy of the file in a few minutes.”
“Things settled down for Phantom?”
“Yep. They were in Costa Rica, rescuing an American hostage from a drug cartel. The jet just went wheels up with the vic. No injuries.”
“Excellent.” He’d been in that area several times as a SEAL and in his short stint as an FBI agent. Cartels were a serious problem.
He glanced at the coffee pot. The carafe was empty. Rafe rinsed out the container and prepped the coffeemaker. After starting the appliance, he scanned the food trays. His lips curved.