Expecting the SEAL’s Baby by Katie Knight
Twenty
Jeremy pulled the phone from his pocket, making Gina gasp in surprise.
“I thought—” she started to say.
“I’m going to use this good signal to contact Mason, so we can figure out our next steps,” he said. “Just rest.”
“I guess that’s wise.” She sat down and watched him as the call connected.
Her reaction made him wonder if she trusted him at all. Before he could ask her that, Mason was on the line. Without wasting words, Jeremy filled in his teammate on what he’d figured out about Percy.
“Interesting,” Mason said and was silent for a minute as if processing the new information. “Now that I know that…I’m thinking he might be behind the communication problems our team had on our recent missions.”
Jeremy knew about the issues, but it hadn’t occurred to him yet that they could have been caused internally. Mason had greater knowledge of that aspect of team performance. “Could be, and I’m guessing he was the one who sent us that last, forged message with the coordinates that landed us into that firefight and got Blake captured.” His anger boiled when he thought about what Percy had done to his informant, who had been a decent man.
“Looks like it,” Mason agreed. “I’m going to push your hunch up the chain of command and see where I can get with it. Maybe somebody will open an investigation, so Percy will get the punishment he deserves for his betrayal.”
“I’m appreciate that,” Jeremy said. He hated the thought that Percy had fooled him and countless others. “The guy should be brought to justice.”
“I’ve got some good news, though, too. Something I haven’t shared with Percy, so it should be safe,” Mason said. “The last hourly satellite feed picked up some movement near your location. I think it’s the compound you’re after. If I’m right, then it worked out for Percy to lead you there because it’s got the largest concentration of manpower. He probably thought they’d be able to capture you. But the reason there are so many men there is because it’s the hub of their operation—and the place where they’re most likely to be holding Blake.”
“What kind of movement?” Jeremy asked.
“I followed satellite imaging of trucks and their destination was a compound with a camouflaged building,” Mason said. “If I’m not mistaken, there are wooden crates stored nearby, the kind that weapons are transported in. It can’t be confirmed without eyes on the ground. If you can do that…”
Hell, yeah, Jeremy wanted to say. He’d do what it took to confirm it, so these smugglers were brought to justice. Whatever it took. “I’ll see what I can do,” Jeremy said.
“Good to know. Here are the exact coordinates.” Mason conveyed the rest of the intel and signed off with Jeremy’s thanks.
Jeremy turned to Gina and was hit by a sudden moment of misgiving. He’d worked with Mason for a decade and had no reason to doubt him, but he was feeling especially wary. He’d thought Percy was trustworthy, and it seemed he wasn’t. The info Jeremy had received from his man in Afghanistan had seemed trustworthy but hadn’t been.
He was concerned about his own judgment, something he’d never felt before. He’d always relied on it, never questioning its soundness. This situation made him question everything. And the stakes had never been higher. Gina and their baby’s lives depended on him making the right call. Could he?
“What is it?” Gina asked. Her hands rubbed nervously over the thighs of her cargo pants. Was she in pain again? He studied her face. He saw worry, but not pain anymore, so he filled her in on what Mason had said about the compound, the building, and the weapons. When he finished speaking, she was still studying him. “What else, Jeremy? You look apprehensive.”
“I want to trust Mason,” he admitted to her, “but I’m not sure I can.”
“You think he’s in on it?” She immediately grasped his worry.
Did he think that? Jeremy went over what he knew and his experiences with Mason in the past. Not once had he ever doubted Mason’s loyalty to the job, to his country, or to his team. That had to mean something. “I can’t see that I have a choice here. I have to believe Mason.” The worry remained, though.
“Don’t doubt yourself. Think about it, Jeremy. You weren’t wrong about your informant. He was good until someone got to him. He was a victim of these smugglers, just like Blake was.” That was true enough, and Jeremy had years of experience with Mason to solidify his trust in his teammate. He considered that until she spoke again. “What’s your gut telling you to do?”
“Take what Mason said at face value.” His words came out without conscious thought, which he took as a positive sign. He put the brakes on his overly suspicious mind and made a decision. “I’ll put my faith in Mason.”
“Good, that’s settled then. We can push forward,” Gina said.
“It’s settled all right,” Jeremy agreed. “But remember, you’re not coming.” He saw her brow furrow and knew he was in for another round with her.
* * *
Gina knew Jeremy’s patience was wearing thin. She’d pushed him, he was worried about her, the baby, and Blake, and now he feared one of his men was a traitor. All of that didn’t change how she felt about this mission.
“I feel fine now,” she said, and it was true. The cramps were completely gone, and she was itching to take an active role in Blake’s rescue. She had to make her case to Jeremy. “Don’t you see how awful it is for me to have to sit back, do nothing, when Blake’s out there and you’re putting yourself in danger to rescue him? It’s tough to accept that there’s nothing I can do to help. I’m not good at riding in the back seat. I always called shotgun as a kid.”
“Gina, we’ve been over this,” he said, clearly not getting her point.
He wasn’t close with his brother and didn’t seem to understand her need to be there when they found hers. It wasn’t just a want to in her brain; it was a have to. And it felt…it felt like Jeremy was putting her in a box, trying to carefully pack her away because he feared she might break or get damaged if she was exposed to too much. It made her feel powerless, even inadequate. She hated that sensation because it reminded her of her childhood when she’d been unable to prevent her father from leaving, unable to prevent him from cheating on her mother. Unable to make him come home and stay.There had been almost nothing she could do at that time, and she felt the same now. As an adult, her life and her career were about taking action and helping others. She wasn’t going back into that box without a fight because she was sure that he needed her even if he wouldn’t admit it.
“We’re supposed to be a team,” she argued. “I can help you find Blake and care for him.” Maybe if she kept repeating it, her message would sink in.
He stared at her for a minute, and she thought he understood, but then he shook his head. “I need to get ready,” Jeremy said and pulled several items from his pack to lighten it.
His actions made it clear he considered the conversation over, and that hurt more than anything. Being blocked out was the worst thing he could do to her. She felt close to tears, but she wouldn’t give into them. She had more to say.
“Don’t you see that I’m scared for you?” She rested her hand on his arm, staying his actions. “You’re walking into the unknown totally on your own.”
He dropped his pack and faced her. “Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’ve been in this kind of spot before. This is what I do. Remember? I rescue people, save the day.”
“Play the hero,” she added.
“When I need to.” He reached for her, pulling her against him. “This is one of those times. I’ll be back before you know it with Blake, and then your work will begin.” He rested his forehead against hers. “Please understand.”
She didn’t want to give in on this, but she finally did.
“I guess,” she said and kissed him. It was a sweet, but poignant kiss unlike any of the others they’d shared, which made it feel as though something was missing between them. A distance had been created that hadn’t been there before. It made her sad, along with the intense worry she already felt.
“Stay here. You’ll be safe,” he said, pulling back, his hands on her waist. She hesitated before nodding in agreement. “I’m leaving you the phone. My brother’s number is cued up to dial. If I’m not back in two hours, call Dean and have him send help.”
“Be safe,” she said and kissed him once more before turning away.