Buzz smirked and Santo shook his head, shoving his friend hard. “I’ll also have you know,” Buzz said with a bright grin, “the only reason you dislocated my shoulder the first time was because you didn’t fight fair.”
“Oh, and I’m sure when you come across a real enemy, they’ll be sure they follow the rules of engagement and won’t try to take you down in any way possible.” Santo grinned at the contrite look that crossed Buzz’s face. “Look, bro, if you need me to go easier on you, just let me know. I can handle you with kid gloves if this is all too much for you.”
Buzz’s expression quickly changed to one of indignation and he lunged at Santo. Santo shook his head as he sidestepped him and gave him a hard thump on the back, sending him stumbling into the group of SEALs laughing at their entire exchange. Buzz quickly turned back to face him, lifting his fists. “You want to go for another round, old man?”
“You keep calling me old man, I’ll make sure to treat you like the little baby you are.”
“All right, all right. Enough you two. Damn, it’s like watching an old married couple when it comes to y’all,” Brusco chuckled. “I’m tired of watching you two grab-ass out in this hot sun.”
“You trying to say you have a problem with my training regime?” Stryker asked, one eyebrow cocked, his lips twitching.
“Hell yes, that’s what I’m saying. We’ve been out here running miles, crawling through the obstacle course, hitting the shooting range, and now sparring since before the sun even came up. Now the sun is getting close to setting. When you told me we were going undercover on a ranch, I expected horseback riding and roping cattle would be our training.” Brusco shook his head. “You never told us you built a customized training course out here for us!”
Stryker still didn’t smile, though he looked thoroughly amused. “You can always request a transfer back to Coronado where you get up even earlier in the morning and run drills in that frigid water until you can’t feel a single part of your body for the rest of the day.”
“Hell no. I’ll take the heat over the cold any day of the week.”
“Then quit your griping and move it. There are at least three or four ice cold beers in the fridge at the house with my name on them,” Lobo, one of the newest members of the team announced, turning in the direction of the large ranch house the seven men shared.
“If any of you go into that kitchen in the filthy state you’re in, Elena will have your hide,” Phantom warned as the men began to gravitate towards the house.
“She’s already got you trained! Next thing we know you’ll be taking your boots off outside so you don’t track any dirt into the house.” Buzz elbowed Phantom in the ribs.
“You know, that isn’t a bad idea.”
The men groaned at Phantom’s response, and Phantom turned and glared at all of them. “Just you wait. I’m going to laugh as each and every one of you takes a hard fall when you meet the right woman. Don’t be ticked at me and Stryker for finding the best ones out there first.”
Several more comments were made about Stryker and Phantom being at risk of losing their man cards, and Santo just chuckled, following behind them. All of them knew the incredible risk they were taking when they accepted the assignment to go undercover on the sprawling ranch close to the Texas/Mexico border. None of them had expected to see their teammates face the risk of losing their hearts, and ultimately falling madly in love.
Thoughts of the two women, Anya and Elena, brought Santo’s mind to the assignment on his plate, and with it, the beguiling beauty who had commanded his interest the night before. Throughout the last two missions, they had encountered similarities that were far too organized to be coincidental. Someone high within the American government had to be involved, essentially pulling the strings behind the scenes. The activities being facilitated could easily be considered terrorism, and they needed answers before greater forms of activities took lives not only in America, but in Mexico, Central, and South America.
Sweat rolled down the back of his neck but he ignored it. Their commanding officer, Admiral Haslett, had asked him to step in and lead the team on a quest for solid answers and names to tie to the activities. The answers seemed to be in the hands of his friend Francis, or, possibly even with Evie.
“Did I knock some brain cells loose? You’re extremely quiet. Usually, by now you’re rehashing every moment of the one fight you bested me.”
Santo cast a sideways glance at his friend and confidant. While there existed a strong brotherhood among all of the SEALs, he and Buzz shared a special connection. Going through BUD/s training to become a SEAL could make or break a man. Santo had seen it happen many times. He had also seen something special in Buzz and knew instantly that he had a bright future in the navy. Once Buzz had become a SEAL, they had started running missions together, and could read each other, even though they each had the best damn poker faces around.
“A lot of things running through my mind,” Santo replied cryptically.
“The judge.”
Santo clenched his jaw. The entire team knew he had a close relationship with the county judge, having gone through high school together and building a connection that had lasted years. Francis had been approved to know about their undercover mission—but things had quickly become complicated. “She wasn’t forthcoming with any helpful answers yesterday. Something doesn’t feel right, and I’ve learned the hard way to trust my gut.”
“You think there’s any way to get her to crack?”
Santo ran a hand through his thick hair, grimacing at the feel of sweat and dirt caking the strands together. “Her assistant may be my best source for information. I think she may know what Francis has been up to. At least, that’s the impression she gave me last night.”
Buzz waggled his eyebrows at him. “Last night, huh?”
Santo rolled his eyes. “That’s all you guys ever think about. Shit. It was a pleasant evening getting to know each other. I need her to trust me and figure out if I can trust her.”
“What’s your next move?”
Santo grinned. “I’ve got a phone call to make. It’s time for another date.”
* * *
Evie called Anya early Friday morning, knowing her good friend would already be at her veterinarian clinic setting up for the day. “Hey, stranger,” Anya said through a yawn. “You’re calling early.”
Evie set her purse down on her desk and glanced out the windows at the faint hint of the sunrise on the horizon. “Crap, I didn’t wake you up, did I? Usually you’re up and about by this time.”
“Usually. Had a horse come down with a bad case of colic last night. I stayed in the barn with it until about two o’clock this morning, so I figured I’d sleep in a little.”
“I’m sorry. Go back to sleep. I’ll call you later.”
“No, no. I’m glad you called. I hadn’t planned to sleep this late. Phantom’s already up running around on the ranch somewhere, and I do need to get my butt in gear and get to the clinic. What’s going on with you? I haven’t heard from you in forever.”
Evie rolled her eyes. “Jeez, do you ever lighten up on the drama with me? Seriously, we just talked last week.”
“Yeah. Last week. It’s already Friday. I’m totally feeling the love.”
“I text you about fifteen times a day. That should count for something.”
“Now who’s being dramatic? Fifteen times? I’m lucky to hear from you every other day.”
Evie groaned and sat in her chair as she clicked on her computer. “You know my life is a little hectic with school and work. Why can’t you just be thrilled you’re talking to me right now?”
“You’re right. I should cherish every moment of these rare occurrences.” Anya giggled.
“Fine. If you don’t want in on the latest gossip, I won’t bother you.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! You never said anything about gossip. That puts this conversation in an entirely new light. I’m all ears.”
Evie chuckl
ed. “Why don’t we get together for lunch at the café? Do you think Elena can join us?”
“This must be some really good gossip. I’ll make sure she can come. Noon?”
“Sounds perfect. See you then. Love ya.”
Evie spun around at her desk, excited about visiting with her friends and talking about the amazing evening she had with Santo. As the chair spun, the judge’s office came into view and the words of warning from the night before made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Could Judge O’Connor be in trouble? Worse yet, could it be because of the world she had introduced the judge to years ago?
The unease trickled down her spine and her need to know answers propelled her out of her chair. She hesitated, drawing a deep breath as she glanced around the still-empty courthouse. She went into the judge’s office all the time. Just because this time she intended to dig through her drawers and any personal files didn’t need to make her tremble so bad she could barely fit the key into the lock.
She quickly shut the door behind her and drew another steadying breath as her eyes rapidly scanned the contents of the office. A quick search should confirm her belief that the judge hid nothing. She started in the farthest corner, flipping through papers rapidly. Everything appeared to be the usual day-to-day minutia they had to work through to process cases.
Her hands had grown cold by the time she reached the desk. She sat at the computer screen and powered on the desktop, reminding herself to breathe evenly. The blue light flickered, then turned to the scenic backdrop of the Texas coastline before populating with an incredibly cluttered screen of folders and files. Evie nearly groaned out loud. She began an internal scan of the device, searching for anything that would raise a red flag. As the search ran, she began to rifle through the desk drawers, but nothing unusual stood out.
A soft ping from the computer made her head shoot up from peering deep into the bottom drawer of the desk. One file had been flagged with unusual data. The name on it made her skin crawl. Simply titled “Justice Found,” Evie knew it had nothing to do with any court case or work they had going on.
She knew the judge had been pursuing information on a potential terrorist cell for the past few years—ever since Evie had taught her about the dark web. Her gut twisted. She had promised Evie she wouldn’t pursue it any further after recent activities in South America had become incredibly dangerous. But every fiber of her being told her the judge had lied to her.
Swallowing hard, she clicked on the folder, only to be brought to a halt by a security code. She knew she could crack it easily enough if she had the time, but the clock hand rapidly ticked toward eight and the judge rarely arrived late. Frantically, she shut the computer down and began to stand, but her skirt caught on one of the drawers. Grumbling under her breath, she tried to open the drawer to free herself, only to find the drawer locked.
The judge never kept her drawers locked. They had a profound trust—or, at least Evie had thought they did. She needed to find out what the judge had done, and quickly. Santo’s words about it being a potentially life or death situation rang in her ears. But she couldn’t jeopardize anything for the judge yet. If she told a stranger her suspicions, Judge O’Connor could face consequences for something completely harmless.
Finally freeing her skirt, she made it out of the office with only a few minutes to compose herself at her desk. For the first time in months, she took a hard look at the judge as she entered, and even though she wore a bright smile, the stress lines around her eyes were more pronounced than ever. She had no doubt she had to get to the bottom of whatever her boss hid from her.
She watched the clock eagerly and popped her head into Judge O’Connor’s office briefly to let her know she planned to step out for lunch, hoping she didn’t look as guilty as she felt. The judge tilted her head, eyeing Evie over her glasses. “Another date with Santo?”
Evie felt heat blossom at her chest and creep up her neck to infuse her face. “N-no. I’m just having lunch with my friends.”
The judge shrugged one shoulder. “I know you and I aren’t what one would consider typical friends, but I thought you would mention at least something about your date with him last night.”
She wondered if her make-up would melt from the amount of heat radiating off her cheeks. “I, well, we…” She cleared her throat. “He’s a very nice man. We enjoyed dinner together and he brought me back to my car after we finished.”
“So… When is he taking you out again?”
Evie wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. “I’m not sure.”
“You do plan on seeing him again, don’t you?”
“I-I think so. It’s hard dating someone in Hebbronville. Everyone will know if I do.”
“Where’s the harm in that?” Judge O’Connor asked. “Unless, of course, you’re embarrassed to be associated with him.”
“No! Of course not. No. He’s truly a gentleman. But people will talk, and there will be expectations—”
“You’ve never struck me as the type who cared what others thought about you.”
“With most things, yes. With men…it’s complicated. You know about my past.”
The judge nodded and a look of sadness filled her eyes. “Yes, I do know.” She shook her head as if to shake off unpleasant thoughts and gave Evie a soft smile, again setting off warning bells in Evie’s head. “You’re still young and have so much ahead of you. Enjoy life a little. I know you have your friends, but it wouldn’t hurt to have the attention of a good man, and I’ll vouch for Santo. You won’t find a better one than him.”
Evie hesitated in the doorway. “You might want to take some of your own advice, you know. You’re still young too, and if the stress on your face is any indication, you aren’t doing a very good job of enjoying life.” She hoped her pointed comment would make the judge open up—just a little.
Judge O’Connor shook her head again. “I’ve just had a lot on my mind. Nothing to worry about. Back to the matter at hand, though—I think you and Santo will make a very fetching couple. Don’t let that jackass from your past ruin your chance at finding something real.”
Evie had used her schooling and work as the main excuse to not get serious with anyone, but her past played a huge role in her difficulty committing to anything more than surface-level. Being left at the altar had a profound impact on a person. She shrugged off the bitter feelings and concentrated on the excitement she felt when thinking of Santo. “Okay. Before you start planning my non-existent wedding, I’m going to go have lunch.”
The judge chuckled softly. “Fine. Tell Anya and Elena I say hello.”
Ten minutes later Evie pulled up to their favorite Mexican food café and found Anya and Elena already seated at a table in the busy restaurant. Both of them stood and wrapped her in a quick hug. They had already ordered her a sweet tea and she took several long gulps, feeling parched after her conversation with the judge. She didn’t know what to think about the odd things going on with her boss but didn’t want it to interfere with important time with her girlfriends.
A waitress came over and quickly grabbed their orders. As soon as they handed back their menus, Evie found herself pinned down by the stares of her two closest friends. “Okay, you lured us here with the promise of gossip. Don’t hold back on us now,” Elena said.
“Oh, I’m fine, Elena, how are you?” Evie said, her voice overly sweet and sarcastic at the same time.
“You got a hug. What more do you want?” Anya laughed, wiggling her eyebrows. “You know you can’t dangle a carrot in front of us and not expect us to trample you down in our attempt to get at it.”
“You both know I don’t get caught up in gossip. I can’t believe you would believe I would stoop to such a level.” Evie sighed dramatically. When her two friends burst out in laughter, she couldn’t help but join in. Each of them equally enjoyed talking about the latest crazy antics of the people of Hebbronville. “Alright, fine. I’ll tell you, but this is strictly between us
. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Elena and Anya said in unison.
“I went on a date last night.”
Both women went slack-jawed for a moment, then let out soft squeals that were still loud enough to draw the attention of some of the other patrons. “You sly dog!” Anya swatted at Evie’s arm playfully. “You didn’t tell us you were interested in anyone!”
“I just met him yesterday.”
“Wait. Hold up. You just met him yesterday and you already went on a date with him? Is he from around here or did you find him online or something and met up with him in Laredo?” Elena began to fire off a hundred questions but stopped when Evie raised her hand to signal for silence.
“Yes, he’s from around here, and no, I didn’t meet him online. He came to the courthouse and ended up waiting at my car for nearly an hour last night until I left work to see if I would go have dinner with him.”
“I don’t know if I should think that’s romantic or creepy.” Anya sipped her tea, watching Evie speculatively. “It is so not like you to go out with someone you met at the courthouse. He must have really impressed you.”
“He’s friends with Judge O’Connor. Just so happens he’s friends with y’all, too.” Evie chewed on her straw, her gaze darting back and forth between her friend’s faces to gauge their reactions.
“You mean we know this guy? Okay, the suspense is killing me. Who is he, Evie?”
“His card says his name is Hunter Gonzalez, but he likes to go by the nickname Santo.”
“Shut the front door!” Elena burst out and the waitress nearly dropped their plates of food in surprise. “Sorry! Sorry,” Elena grimaced and helped the frazzled woman place the plates where they belonged. The waitress had barely stepped away before Elena whirled back to Evie and grabbed her hand. “Okay, you don’t get to eat. We’ll eat while you tell us everything.”
Chapter 6
Protected in His Arms: Elite Texas SEALs Page 5
