Page 59 of SEAL's Resolve
Kristi quieted. “Rafe,” she whispered.
“You’re safe,” he repeated. “I’m here.”
She sighed and went back under.
He breathed easier, glad she trusted him to protect her. Kristi might not realize it, but he would protect her with his life as would his teammates.
Fifteen minutes from their destination, Rafe woke her. “We’re close to Bakerhill.”
She stretched and winced. “Ouch.”
“Sore?”
“Understatement. I forgot to take the pain pills Jackson gave me.”
“Take them now.”
Kristi did as he suggested, swallowing the pills with some of her tea. “We made good time. No problems?”
“None. When will your clients arrive?”
She smiled. “Unlike you, my workday doesn’t begin before sunrise. My first appointment is mid-morning. However, I have work to complete before my first client arrives.”
“When do you want to see your father?”
Kristi glanced at the time on the dashboard readout. “Dad should already be in the office. I’d like to see him before the day’s craziness kicks into full gear. Is that possible?”
“I’ll make it happen.” Rafe called Eli. “Kristi wants to see her father before she starts work.”
“Need backup?”
“No, sir.”
“Kristi, Cal and Jackson will be at your home in a few minutes. Do we have your permission to enter the premises and check the building?”
“Of course.” She told Eli the alarm code. “Kristi’s Bridal is on the first floor. That key is blue. My home is on the second floor.”
“Rafe, watch your back.”
“Copy that.” He ended the call.
“Why did he say that?”
“Someone wants you bad enough to try kidnapping you a second time in the middle of a busy hospital. He won’t be happy when he realizes you have a security team watching over you along with a new man in your life who is determined to keep you safe. If he’s smart, he’ll do his best to take me out so that you’re more vulnerable.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Kristi’s breath caught at Rafe’s words. Oh, no. She didn’t want Rafe or his teammates in danger because of her. Rafe would protect her no matter the cost to himself, his protectiveness central to his character. If she built a relationship with him, Kristi would have to accept that part of his job and his nature.
No, not just a job, she realized. A calling. Black ops work wasn’t a job to Rafe. He and his teammates were adrenaline junkies. Rafe lived and breathed danger. She either accepted him and his career, or walked away now.
Her grip tightened around Rafe’s hand. Walking away would gut her. “Do you like your job?”
“Do you like yours?” he countered.
“I love mine, but the greatest danger I face is poking my fingers with pins or handling a client who hates the dress I designed to her specifications. Your job is more dangerous than mine.”
“I love my job, too. I started training at age eighteen. The job gives me purpose and a reason for getting up in the mornings.”