Hot SEALs: A Daye with A SEAL (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Dangerous Curves Series Book 3)

by Donna Michaels

  Most of the time.

  She rounded the corner to the front of the graffiti-tagged building and immediately decided this was the last bar she’d hit tonight. More dipstick mobiles lined the streets, and one white van with no windows.

  The poster child for abduction vehicles.

  Gina drew the collar of her light leather jacket closed and blew out a breath. Didn’t seem like the place a SEAL would hang out. But, she was already there. She might as well go inside.

  “If I don’t find them in here, I’ll call it a night and check into one of the hotels,” she told her friend as she entered the bar and scanned the sea of faces.

  “Good.”

  “Yes, actually, it is.” A smile tugged her mouth while relief eased some of the tension from her shoulders. “Looks like my search has ended.”

  “They’re there?” Paige asked. “Some of the guys from Cam’s team?”

  “Yep.”

  Her gaze drifted over the two broad men occupying a corner table at the far wall. All hard-bodied with chiseled good looks and lethal auras born only from experience.

  One faced the entrance while the other sat in the corner and faced both the front and back doors.

  Always have eyes on the exits. Her brother’s motto.

  Too bad he wasn’t one of the men at that table.

  “How can you be sure? You haven’t seen them in years,” her friend reminded.

  “I’d know them anywhere.”

  “Hawk?”

  Especially Hawk.

  The guy had always turned his nose up at her. She had no idea why. He’d hardly ever attended the parties and barbeques her brother used to throw at their house when she’d been a co-ed. The gorgeous, grumpy SEAL with amazing cheekbones and incredible azure eyes had a firm jaw that wore a five o’clock shadow better than any man she’d ever met. Even though his black hair was longer now, and sunglasses covered those baby blues permanently scarred from an op which had ended his career with the teams, Hawk lost none of the punch of his sex appeal.

  In fact, he appeared sexier, dangerous…manlier than ever.

  And that pissed her off. Gina didn’t want to feel that tug toward him. He was a jerk. A mean-mouthed jerk, and…well, the only one on the team that hadn’t tried to flirt with her. The mystery of his dislike had stayed with her for nearly a decade.

  Crap. She squeezed the phone as that revelation sunk in. Had she really been bothered by his dismissal of her all these years?

  Then she was an idiot.

  “How long has it been since you’ve seen him?”

  Her pulse hiccupped. “Nearly five years.”

  “Seriously? You mean you haven’t seen Hawk since you drove to visit him in that Maryland hospital?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Wow, Gina. That was the summer we graduated college.”

  “Yeah,” she repeated.

  Right after his discharge. She’d driven up to Bethesda the instant Cam had called her to tell her what had happened. He’d asked her to check in on his friend, but truth was, she would’ve anyway. There was just something about the damn guy that always got to her.

  Laughter echoed through the phone. “This should be good. You haven’t spoken to Hawk since he told you to get the hell out of his room.”

  More like, “Get the fuck away from me.” and, “Keep the fuck out of my life.”

  Not something she’d ever shared. Kept that close the vest…along with the sting of his words. She knew he’d been hurting and pissed off at the world. He’d lost one of his team members. Was in horrible pain, and facing possible blindness.

  She also hadn’t listened.

  In fact, she’d visited several times a week.

  Badgered him enough that he’d willingly gone to therapy, just to get away from her. It’d all worked according to her plan. He could complain all he wanted. Curse all he wanted. Hate her all he wanted. She’d refused to leave, and made damn sure she was there the minute he’d woken up from his two operations.

  The man was alone. He had no next of kin. And other than Cam, neither did she. Their aunt had passed away two years earlier. No way would she allow the former SEAL and his grumpy attitude to dissuade her from being there for him. She had his six.

  Just like he’d had Birddog’s.

  He’d risked his life to carry her friend’s dead fiancé back to base when he could barely see. Gina may not have liked Hawk, but she’d admired the hell out of him. That could’ve been her brother’s body he’d carried. She owed the man her respect.

  As soon as his team had returned to take over the visits, and he’d asked her to leave—without the use of profanity—she’d obliged.

  And never saw him again.

  “Boy, I wish I was there to witness this reunion.” The eagerness in her friend’s voice mirrored the dread in Gina’s heart.

  She had no desire to see the guy again, but dammit, he sort of owed her, and if he knew where Cam was, then he’d sure as hell better tell her.

  “I’ll call you later,” she told Paige, and hung up, ignoring the sour looks from the two women at the bar wearing tight dresses short enough to be called shirts and shiny black thigh-high boots with do-me-heels.

  Not a look she could pull off. Or would want to.

  And she certainly never wore more than a two-inch heel. Anything higher and she’d break her ankle. Or worse—her neck.

  Graceful, she was not.

  “Buy you a drink, sweetheart.”

  “Sit with us.”

  Several patrons tossed out invitations as she strode through the bar toward the grim-faced Hawk, who watched her approach with his usual less-than-welcoming attitude.

  A hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist, halting her progress, until she told the creep she was with the men in the corner.

  The gap-toothed Lothario took one look at the former SEALs, released her arm, and turned back to his snickering buddies.

  Smart man. Gina hid a smile and continued her trek. With any luck, she’d reunite with the SEALs for a minute or two, put her fears about her brother to rest, then be on her way home within the hour.

  Chapter Two

  “Get my sister out of there, now, Hawk!” Cameron “Nightwing” Daye’s voice boomed over the com in Gabriel’s ear.

  Ah, hell.

  His first damn assignment as a temporary agent with the Guardian Angel Protection Service and it was already jacked up. Leave it to Cam’s headstrong sister to sashay her hot body into the middle of an op and blow their covers.

  Not Cam’s. He wasn’t in the building. No. He and one of the founders of G.A.P.S., their former SEAL buddy, Jon Rudnick, were listening via coms in a van parked down the street.

  Tonight, he and Tyler “Turbo” Ward were set to meet with the man looking to hire freelance mercs. The job was a snatch-n-grab on a visiting dignitary GAPS had been hired to protect. The prince arrived in two days. With solid intel that the man’s life was in danger, Gabriel and Turbo hoped to get hired into the organization to take it down.

  So, with Jon and Cam out of sight, the only covers the beautiful brunette in tight jeans and sexy black boots was about to blow were his and Turbo’s.

  Good thing they were undercover as themselves.

  “Turbo! It’s great to see you again.” The woman’s flawless smile lit her face from within, giving life to her mesmerizing brown eyes.

  A man could drown his sorrows in those whiskey-colored depths.

  Not him. He was immune.

  Hell, he’d fought the tug of Gina Daye’s unnerving allure ever since the afternoon they’d first met in her aunt’s back yard a decade ago. He’d just finished BUDs training with Cam, and they were celebrating with a barbeque when this beautiful college freshman breezed outside with a youthful exuberance and innocence that stole his breath.

  She was too beautiful. Too sweet for a tainted guy who’d spent half of his childhood in the system.

  That was the first and last time he’d ever gone to Cam’s pl
ace. A SEAL never messed with a buddy’s sister. He’d made a point to avoid Gina ever since. The woman affected him without effort. Made him feel. Revved his pulse.

  Like now. Damn it. He didn’t want to feel.

  “Gina!” Turbo rose and pulled the woman close.

  He remained seated, a fact she noted with a raised brow when she turned to him.

  “Ah, Hawk. Ever the gentleman,” she said, and son-of-a-bitch, proceeded to hug him anyway.

  He could feel the swell of her breast on his arm despite her leather jacket, and damn she smelled good. Like spring flowers. He had to fight the sudden urge to wrap his arms around her, pull her onto his lap, and bury his face in her neck like he’d done countless times in his fantasies.

  “Dammit, Hawk. Tell her to leave,” Cam growled over the com again.

  “You need to go.”

  She stiffened and drew back. “Great to see you, too.” Then she deliberately pulled out a chair and sat down…all while smiling in his face.

  Fuck.

  “Jesus, was that a chair I heard? Don’t tell me she sat down,” Cam groaned.

  “Don’t get comfortable, sweetheart.” He leaned toward her and frowned. “You’re not staying.”

  “Actually, I am.” Another smile graced her lips while she started to unbutton her coat.

  “This really isn’t a good time,” Turbo stammered. “We’re expecting others.”

  She cocked her head. “Then I won’t stay long. I just wanted to know if you’ve seen my brother.”

  “Shit,” Cam hissed. “I told you to let me tell her what I was doing.”

  “You know it’s safer for her if she doesn’t know.” Jon’s voice cut through the com. “Prince Ahmad has a price on his head, and he asked specifically for you to guard him when he arrives in a few days.”

  Gabriel could feel his buddy’s frustration, but he agreed with Jon. The prince’s cousin wanted his head. The bloodthirsty Afghan had a loyal following and they’d take great pleasure in extracting Cam’s whereabouts from Gina in order to get to the prince.

  “So? Have you?” she prompted, regaining his attention. Her whiskey gaze bounced between him and his buddy.

  “No.” Turbo shook his head.

  She transferred her scrutiny to Gabriel. “How about you?”

  “I haven’t seen your brother in years,” he lied through his teeth. “We don’t exactly travel in the same circles.”

  Her gaze dropped to his T-shirt and black canvas jacket, lingering long enough to kickstart his pulse and send a stirring through his groin.

  “He’s probably shacked up with a woman somewhere,” Turbo quipped, recapturing Gina’s regard. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

  Gabriel sat back and folded his arms over his chest. “There. You have your answers. Now go.”

  Stubborn woman shook her head. “He disappeared a week ago. His boss said he took a leave of absence, but he never told me.”

  “Then he’s obviously got a plan that didn’t include you, sweetheart,” he snickered.

  Turbo rubbed his chin. “Maybe he’s on an island with a married woman.” His buddy smiled and added, “Or man.”

  “Fuck you,” Cam growled over the com, while Jon’s chuckle fill Gabriel’s ear.

  “Maybe he’s with two women. Your brother always was an overachiever.” Turbo winked.

  “He would’ve told me. No.” She sat back in her seat and shook her head. “Something else is going on. I think he’s in trouble. I didn’t put two and two together before, but I’m betting the break-in at my shop and stolen laptop are related.”

  “Shit.” Cam’s hissed breath echoed through the com. “She had a break-in? This isn’t good.”

  “I agree,” Jon murmured. “Has to be related.”

  “I want her watched,” Cam added.

  Turbo grasped her hand. “What break-in? Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” She sent his buddy one of her brilliant smiles. “I’m fine. It was Tuesday night. After hours. I was at home.”

  “What about her computer?” Cam urged in his ear.

  “Is that when your laptop went missing?” Gabriel asked.

  She turned to him and shook her head. “No. It disappeared from my car while I was at the museum having lunch with my friend yesterday. I didn’t notice it at first. I was too busy fixing a flat tire.”

  Cam swore in his ear. “That’s the oldest trick in the book, letting air out of a tire. Someone’s surveying my sister.”

  Gabriel’s insides twisted. Probably Marhub’s men, trying to see if she’d lead them to Cam and the prince.

  “I want her in a safehouse tonight,” Cam thundered.

  Jon cursed. “Too late. A black Suburban just pulled up.”

  Damn it. Gabriel exchanged a look with Turbo, sending him a silent warning to keep cool, but be ready for anything.

  “Hawk, I don’t care how you do it, just get my sister the fuck out of there. Now!”

  “No!” Jon barked. “Stay put. They already know who she is. Probably have a tracking device on her car. Just play this out.”

  Rudnick was right. But, that didn’t stop Gabriel from wanting to grab the pretty pain-in-the-ass and yank her out the back door before trouble walked in the front.

  “My brother’s not on some damn island. He’s missing,” she insisted. “Are you going to help me find him or not?”

  His gut twisted at the concern darkening in her eyes, but he had to stay firm. “No. Go home.”

  She reeled back and blinked. “Seriously? You’re not going to help?”

  “Seriously,” he repeated, feeling like an ass. She may get on his nerves, but she was a sweet girl who’d been there for him. He owed her. “Go home. Let your brother live his life.”

  Her overly-bright gaze shot to his buddy. Turbo glanced down at his drink and remained silent. She blinked again and lifted her chin.

  “Wow.” Her chest rose on a deep breath. “I expect callousness from Hawk. Sorry to see it’s rubbed off on you too, Ty.”

  Sadness sucked the light from her eyes at the same time three large men in suits entered the bar, followed by a smaller man. Their boss.

  Damn. They were all white. Marhub must’ve hired middle men.

  “Never mind. I’ll find Cam on my own,” she asserted, her dark, disappointed gaze coming to rest on him. “I don’t know why I thought you’d help. My mistake. I don’t need you.”

  Her words rippled into him with the impact of a physical blow. He managed not to flinch, but the sting remained.

  “Good. Then you can leave.”

  She finally rose to her feet. “Fine. I’m going.”

  “Whoa, hang on there, sweetheart.” The smaller man set his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back down.

  Damn. He’d hoped she’d still had a chance to leave.

  “Hey!” She frowned, struggling to stand.

  Gabriel clenched his jaw to keep the curse inside.

  “What’s you’re hurry, Ms. Daye? Don’t leave on our account.”

  Gina stilled.

  “Shit,” Cam swore in his ear.

  The boss nodded to one of the big thugs, and a second later, a chair appeared for him to sit on her other side.

  “When you said you had something for us, Barrett, I never expected it to be Cam’s sister.” The bastard chuckled.

  Her gaze flew to his and narrowed. “What is he talking about?”

  The man thrust his hand forward. “You must be Hawk. I’m Corcoran, Marhub’s right hand in the states.”

  He shook the offered hand, longing to jerk the idiot closer to punch him in the face. “What are you drinking?” he asked instead, releasing him.

  Corcoran turned to Gina and brushed a knuckle down her cheek. “Whiskey. Straight.”

  Turbo called a waitress over and ordered a round. Which was good. Gabriel had ceased all movement because the bastard was two seconds away from a broken wrist and face-slam into the table.

  Twice.

  �
��Do you know Cam?” She shifted away from the man’s touch, but held his gaze. “Where is he?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know.” Corcoran sat back when the waitress dropped off their drinks, but continued to regard Gina closely. “You really don’t know where he is, do you?”

  She shook her head. “No. I wasted my whole day down here for nothing.”

  “That’s too bad.” He sipped his whiskey, then set it back down. “I had a proposition for him.”

  Gina shrugged. “Give me your number. If I see him, I’ll pass it on.”

  “Shit,” Cam breathed in Gabriel’s ear.

  “I appreciate that.” Corcoran fished inside his jacket, causing Gabriel’s heart to stop until the man’s hand came back out holding a business card he proceeded to hand to Gina. “I look forward to hearing from him. Now, if you’ll excuse us, your friends and I have some business to discuss. Fergus will walk you to your car. This really isn’t the best neighborhood for you to be alone in at night.”

  Gabriel stiffened. That wasn’t good.

  “Fuck. Don’t let her leave. They’re going to grab my sister,” Cam implored. “Someone needs to go with her.”

  “Stay calm. Continue with the meeting as planned,” Jon broadcasted through the com. “If we stopped them, or try to grab her now, Corcoran will suspect Hawk and Turbo.”

  “We can’t just let them take my sister.”

  “Actually, Cam…I’m sorry, but this could work to our advantage. I’ll go put a tracking device on their vehicle. We can follow them to their destination and grab her then.”

  As much as Gabriel hated to admit, it was a smart plan. Corcoran would no doubt take her back to their base of operations. And there was a small chance they’d lead GAPS to Marhub.

  “She’ll be okay,” Jon insisted. “We won’t let anything happen to her.”

  “Right. We’ll just let her get abducted. She’ll thank us profusely.”

  “I’m sorry, man. It’s either that or we blow the op, and knowing your sister, she’d readily agree to be bait. You know she would.”

  “Fuck.” Cam blew out a breath. “You’re right. She would.”