HOT SEAL Devotion

by Lynn Raye Harris

  He picked her up and checked her diaper. Wet.

  “Za,” she said sleepily.

  Neo turned to look at the bed. Kayla hadn’t stirred. “Shh, Ana,” he whispered. “I think I can do this. You’ll help me, right?”

  “Za.”

  Zach reached for the diaper bag and walked out of the bedroom. He found the changing pad and placed it on the couch, then put Ana down and went to work getting her a fresh diaper. He wasn’t a pro or anything, but he’d changed his nephews a few times when he’d been visiting his sister and could tell she really needed the help.

  It took him a couple of tries, but he found everything in the bag. When he got the diaper changed, he took Ana to her new room and walked around with her, talking and bouncing her softly, until her eyelids drooped and her little head lay on his shoulder.

  A wave of tenderness flooded him as he carried her back to bed. She wasn’t his child, but it didn’t matter. She was going to be his in all the ways that counted. He’d be there for her as she grew up. He didn’t really know what the future held, or what marriage to Kayla was going to be like, but he knew he wasn’t ever abandoning the baby girl in his arms.

  Once he had her down again, he went into the bathroom to wash up. A glance at his phone on the nightstand told him it was nearly five, so he left the room again and went to make coffee before putting on his workout gear. He’d have a cup and then he needed to head in and hit the gym before starting the day at HOT HQ.

  When he got back up to the kitchen, he grabbed the notepad sitting on the counter and started to write Kayla a note. He wrote about the coffee and the food—he’d stocked up and had a few more things now—and then he continued to write, telling her the things he thought she needed to hear before she started her day.

  He hadn’t intended to do it, but one of the things he’d always regretted about leaving home when Lesley was still in school was that he hadn’t been able to be there every morning and counteract his parents’ bullshit. He hadn’t been there to tell her she was pretty and strong and smart—and worth so much more than she gave herself credit for. He’d let her confidence be chipped away by their perfectionist mother, and he still regretted it.

  After he finished writing the note to Kayla, he took it to the bedroom and left it on the nightstand, on top of her phone. He wanted it to be the first thing she read when she woke. She lay on her side, her golden hair spread over her pillow, her lashes resting on her cheeks, her mouth slightly open. Ana was asleep too, her little chin quivering as she dreamed about something he’d never know.

  Neo tiptoed over to the door and stood there for a long minute, looking at the two women who’d turned his life upside down in the space of days.

  It wasn’t what he’d expected to happen. But maybe it was exactly what he’d needed….

  Kayla woke shortly after seven. She lay in bed for a second, listening to the sounds of birds and dogs, and the occasional car passing by, before she pushed up on her elbow to look at Ana. Her baby was still asleep. She turned to the side of the bed where Zach had been, amazed that he’d gotten out of the room without either her or Ana hearing him. She ran her palm over the spot in the sheets where he’d lain, and sighed.

  When she flipped over to get her phone, she found a piece of paper folded in half. She sat up against the headboard and unfolded it.

  Morning, beautiful. Coffee’s made. I bought more groceries so eat what you like. I changed Ana during the night. I think I did it right. You’d better check. I showed her the new room too. I think she’ll love it. Today is the first day you’ll wake up inside a house you’re living in with me, so I want it to be a good one. You’re a beautiful, smart, wonderful woman and a great mom to your daughter. Don’t spend too much time thinking about the past. Think about the future and all you’re going to do. I’ll be here for you. Z

  Kayla’s heart squeezed with so much love it was painful. Careful, Kay-Kay. You’re gonna get hurt. You always do.

  “No,” Kayla whispered fiercely. “Not this time.”

  Zach was a good man, and he wasn’t going to hurt her. He might not love her yet, but he would.

  Don’t count on it…

  “Stop it,” Kayla muttered to herself before she reread the note again. Writing a note like this one wasn’t the sort of thing a man did when he didn’t care. Sure, she might have begged him to marry her, and he might have agreed because she was in trouble, but they could build something good out of the situation. He’d surprised her with paint for Ana’s room, for heaven’s sake.

  Kayla forced down the negative thoughts that came from a lifetime of having her hopes squashed and got out of bed. After a quick shower, she emerged to find Ana crawling around in the crib. Kayla lifted her baby out and took her to the kitchen where she poured a cup of coffee. Then she went and turned on the television, found The Today Show, and retrieved the Pack’n Play so Ana could play inside it while she fixed breakfast.

  She was just about done with breakfast when she got a text from Chloe. You dressed? Coming over if so.

  Kayla texted back. Yes. I’ll open the door for you.

  Kayla was waiting when Chloe came up the steps. She looked gorgeous in a maxi-dress and sandals and she beamed when Kayla pulled the door open.

  “Hey, girlie! I was thinking we could ride to work together today.”

  “Sure. I can drive if you like,” she said, closing the door and locking it.

  Chloe frowned a little. “Well, I was hoping you’d ride with me.”

  Kayla blinked. It took her a minute before suspicion dawned. “Did Zach ask you to drive me to work?”

  “Ryan called and suggested it would be a good idea, yes. Also, Ella McQuaid can watch Ana today. We can take her over there on the way.”

  Kayla’s heart thumped. She knew Ella and liked her just fine, but taking Ana over to her instead of to the salon brought the reality of what Kayla was facing crashing down on her like a bucket of ice water. It wasn’t that she didn’t take Dal Gentry seriously. She did. But with him out of sight, and with a man like Zach in her life, she’d let herself temporarily be lulled by the thought that having Zach around was all it would take for Dal to go away.

  It wouldn’t. He wanted 75k and he’d given her a week to get it. He wasn’t disappearing.

  It would take much more than simply having Zach around, at least until Dal and the remaining members of the club could either be scattered again or taken into custody. The thought was almost enough to make her sink to her knees and weep.

  “Hey,” Chloe said, coming over and putting a reassuring arm around her. “It’s going to be okay. Zach and Ryan and the rest of the guys will make sure you and Ana are safe. They’ll make everything better. I swear.”

  Kayla pulled in a breath. “I hope so.”

  “They will,” Chloe said, giving her a little shake. “I know from experience.”

  “Be honest—did you believe it before it happened, or were you still scared?”

  “Oh honey,” Chloe said on a sigh. “I was terrified. When Travis kidnapped me, I just knew he’d won. But then I realized Ryan would find me. I had such faith that he would. And he did. But sure, I was scared stiff. I spent a lot of time before Travis showed up again worrying about what would happen if he did. I can’t lie about that.”

  Kayla wrapped her arms around herself. “That’s what I do too. I was worried James would get out of prison or something. I never thought of somebody else coming after me, but it happened.”

  “I knew that man was bad news yesterday. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Ryan told me what he wants. I’m furious for you. Just furious. I hope he drives his motorcycle off a cliff or something.”

  Kayla couldn’t help but snort a laugh. There wasn’t much humor in it though.

  “That would be awesome. I don’t think it’ll happen, much as I wish it would. I didn’t know Dal very well when I was with James, but I heard some of the women talk about him. He liked to hit girls. He also liked choking the
m during sex. They said he killed one of the girls he was pimping, but I don’t know if it’s true.” Kayla shivered and Chloe hugged her harder. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth about him, but I didn’t want to involve any of you.”

  “Oh honey, it’s okay. I’m sorry you went through that. Boy, you and I sure picked a couple of losers before we found the winners we have, didn’t we?”

  “Definitely.” Kayla bit her lip. “Do you ever worry it won’t last, Chloe?”

  Chloe frowned. “You mean with Ryan? No,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t think like that at all. I just know he’s the one for me—and I’m the one for him. I have no doubts. I’ve never felt this way before. Neither has he. I believe him when he says that.”

  Kayla nodded. She’d never felt this way before either—but so far, Zach wasn’t on the same page as her. Maybe he never would be. Maybe she was hoping for more than she deserved.

  “Do you doubt your feelings for Zach?”

  “No, not at all. But Chloe…” She blew out a breath and said what she wouldn’t dare say to her sister. “He’s not in love with me.”

  Chloe smiled softly. “Oh honey, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I saw him with you yesterday. And he took you to Home Depot for paint for that baby girl, right? He might not know he loves you yet. But he does. Mark my words, he does.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Neo sat at his desk, searching through files on his computer, when Camel’s voice came from behind him.

  “You find anything on those bastards?”

  Neo nearly went through the ceiling, but he managed not to show his reaction. Or at least he hoped he managed it. Camel’s stealth game was strong. He thought the dude did it on purpose sometimes, just hoping to make one of them scream in terror. Camel would never sneak if they were armed, but inside HQ was safe enough. Nobody was going to shoot him. And nobody’d get the drop on him either.

  “Nothing we don’t already know. The Feds seized the land the compound was on and sold it. The big players are still in jail, though it looks like James Dunn’s got a new lawyer who’s trying to get his conviction thrown out on a technicality.”

  That had been an unpleasant surprise, but so far nothing had come of it.

  “Shit,” Camel said as he grabbed a chair and dragged it over to sit beside Neo so he could see the screen. “No way I want to tell Bailey that Dunn might get out.”

  He wasn’t telling Kayla either. Not until he had to. She had enough to worry about without worrying over Dunn too. “I wonder if Ian Black knows?” Neo mused.

  “Yeah, I wonder too.” Camel scrubbed a hand over his face. “Christ, Bailey and Kayla deserve better than that.”

  “They do.”

  “Ella has Ana, right?”

  “Yep. And Kayla rode to work with Chloe. The women won’t let her out of the salon on her own, and they know to call if Gentry shows up again. Or anyone suspicious.”

  “I don’t like that Ana’s involved. Complicates everything.”

  “Yeah. She can’t keep staying with Ella, and we can’t farm her out to different babysitters either.”

  “Bailey can keep her on the days she doesn’t have class, but I think Ana going to work with Kayla has to end for a while.”

  “Agreed.” He thought about it for a minute. Kayla might be angry with him for this, but he’d sworn to protect her—so that’s what he was going to do. “Ana would be safer in daycare on base,” Neo said. “And Kayla would be safer in base housing.”

  Camel’s brows lifted. “There’s only one way I know to get that done, Neo. Are you suggesting that you and Kayla need to get married?”

  “That’s what I’m saying.”

  Camel pushed a hand over his head and blew out a breath. “Okay, I did not see that one coming. Should I have seen it?”

  “Dunno. You’re the sniper. You know all about sneaking up on things, so you tell me.”

  Camel shook his head back and forth slowly. “You didn’t say you loved her last night. You said it was intense and emotional. And while Bailey may worry about Kayla like she’s twelve instead of twenty-three, I think she’s an adult and if she wants to shack up with you, then it’s not up to me to stop her. But marriage? That’s pretty intense, dude.”

  “I know it is. But you can’t deny that her becoming my dependent would open up a lot of opportunities for her and Ana both. She struggles to pay for Ana’s doctor visits. Wouldn’t be a problem once we marry. Ana would be covered and we could get her into daycare. Their lives would both be more stable in a family unit.”

  “I’m not disliking this option, just so you know. But I can’t guarantee that Bailey will like it. She likes you, but she loves her sister. And the two of them have been through so much together. She wants the best for Kayla, and she wants her to be happy.”

  “I’ll make her happy. But getting married is the right way to protect them both, and you know it. The sooner, the better.”

  “What does Kayla think? Or haven’t you told her all this yet?”

  “She knows and she agrees.”

  “Gotta admit that I’m surprised you thought of it. I mean marriage. That’s a serious step.”

  There was no reason to tell Camel how it’d really happened. “I know. But it feels right.”

  “So you love her?”

  He hesitated. He didn’t know how to label what he felt for Kayla yet. It was more than friendship. More than lust. But how did you know when it was love? “Honestly, I don’t know what to call it. But Kayla and Ana are important to me. I want their happiness, and I want them safe from bastards like Dal Gentry and James Dunn.”

  Camel nodded. “Okay. Good enough for me. Maybe not quite good enough for Bailey, but I’ll bring her around. When are you doing this?”

  “Tomorrow. Eleven-fifteen at the courthouse. Kayla will have a dependent ID before the day’s out.”

  Camel’s eyes narrowed. “How long have you two been planning this?”

  “We applied for the license on Monday.”

  Camel whistled. “Maybe we’d better not tell Bailey that. And hope she doesn’t Google how to get married in Maryland.” He shook his head. “I could wish that Kayla had come to me after she got the threat last week, but I honestly couldn’t come up with a better strategy than this. Bailey might not be thrilled, but it’s a solid plan.”

  “Will you and Bailey come tomorrow? I know Kayla wants her sister there, even if she hasn’t told her what’s happening yet.”

  “Yeah, we’ll be there. I’ll make sure she realizes this is the best solution.”

  “What’s the best solution?” Adam “Blade” Garrison asked.

  Camel jerked his chin toward Neo. “Neo here’s getting married to Bailey’s little sister.”

  Blade’s expression said it all. “No shit? Congrats, dude. When’s the big day?”

  “Uh, tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? Whoa. Why wasn’t I invited?”

  “Invited to what?” Dirty asked as he strolled over to see what they were discussing.

  Neo sighed. Then he stood up and called out, “Attention, SEALs.”

  All eyes focused on him.

  “I’m marrying Kayla Jones tomorrow at the courthouse at eleven-fifteen.”

  Everybody started talking at once. Neo whistled to quiet them down. Then he continued.

  “We needed to do it quick because of the danger to her and Ana, so that’s why no traditional wedding or plans for inviting everyone. Though Kayla’s idea of a real wedding involves Money and Ella’s view of the Chesapeake and dress uniforms, just so you know. Maybe we’ll have a ceremony later on when everything calms down, but for now we’re going to the courthouse. Now you know.”

  Dirty clapped him on the shoulder. “Man, I knew you’d take the plunge someday. Just didn’t expect you to do it before I did. Congrats.”

  Everyone came over to shake his hand. Money grinned. “You know you can have a ceremony at mine and Ella’s place whenever you want.”
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  “Thanks. I know Kayla will appreciate that. She really loves your view.”

  Money leaned toward him, voice pitched only for his ears. “I don’t know what’s going on with you and Kayla, if you’re in love or what, but I married Ella to protect her—and look how that turned out. The big L, man.” Money mimed getting stabbed in the heart. “She got me when I didn’t even know I could be got. That’s how it goes. I really hope that’s how it goes for you too. If it hasn’t already, I mean.”

  “Thanks, Money.”

  “Anytime, dude.”

  Alex “Ghost” Bishop, recently promoted from lieutenant colonel to full-bird, strode into the room. Everyone snapped to attention. “At ease, men. What’s going on? I heard the cheering at the other end of the hall.”

  “Neo’s getting married tomorrow, sir,” Dane “Viking” Erikson said. “He just sprung it on us.”

  Ghost’s eyebrows lifted. “Congrats, sailor,” he said as he offered a hand.

  Neo shook it. The colonel had a firm grip. Neo didn’t know the colonel’s whole story, but if it was anything like General Mendez’s—also recently promoted—there were depths to the man they’d never know. Surprising depths, probably.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “I can only assume this decision happened fast since you haven’t informed command of the impending change in your status.”

  “Yes, sir.” He’d known he was going to have to tell them, but he hadn’t gotten around to it yet. Too many other things to worry about right now.

  Ghost’s gaze slid over the room. “I’m also assuming something out of the ordinary is going on that’s made this wedding a priority. Care to tell me what it is?”

  Neo didn’t really think it was a request. And he didn’t have anything to hide, either. He explained, with help from Camel, about Kayla and the threat from Dal Gentry and the remnants of the motorcycle club.