SEAL for Her Protection (SEALs of Coronado Book 1) Read online

  She’d spent the time writing a story about her capture and subsequent rescue in Africa, which had led to requests for interviews from other papers as well as local and national television media outlets. It was odd making the news instead of reporting it, but her employer loved the attention she—and the newspaper—were getting and insisted she milk it for all it was worth. She, on the other hand, would prefer to move on and get back into the field.

  Unfortunately, Todd wasn’t having any of that. Not only wasn’t he allowing her to go back overseas anytime soon, he wasn’t in the mood to let her take on any weighty investigative work here at home either. He wanted her to take some time off, maybe visit her parents in Santa Barbara. But more than that, he wanted her to deal with the post-traumatic stress he insisted she was experiencing. While she loved her mom and dad like crazy, spending any length of time with them would drive her insane. And as far as PTSD was concerned, that was crazy. But when she’d refused to take a vacation—or make an appointment to deal with PTSD she didn’t have—her editor had gotten his revenge by giving her a big basket full of fluffy nonsense to work on. Todd could be very manipulative.

  The pile was mostly human interest stuff, but two of the storylines had caught her eye. One was about a group of hacktivists calling themselves The People. They’d started making a name in the San Diego area lately by using their computer and Internet talents to dig up dirt and evidence of corruption on local politicians and business leaders then spattering it all over the Web. The group had already exposed several low-level politicians in the Southern California area, and while they hadn’t attracted the attention of the federal authorities yet, the local powers that be were screaming for someone to put a stop to their snooping and muckraking.

  Once she’d told Todd she’d take the story, he had suggested downplaying the whole hacktivist angle, since it seemed like a long shot Hayley—or the cops for that matter—would ever figure who these Internet snoops were. Instead, he wanted her to focus the story on all these corrupt city officials. Better yet, figure out who the hacktivists were targeting next and beat them to the punch.

  That really wasn’t the angle Hayley had been thinking about. To her, the most interesting part of this whole thing was the hacktivists. It would be cool to get into their stories, figure out what drove people like this to turn themselves into digital vigilantes. Now that definitely had the potential to be an interesting story. Hopefully, she could get the corruption story Todd was after and still get the piece on the hacktivists she was interested in.

  The second story that had grabbed her attention in the pile of fluff was the groundbreaking ceremony for the new SEAL construction project. She’d shocked her editor when she said she’d cover the Navy public relations event. She had to admit, it wasn’t something she’d normally even look at twice. On the surface, it was a straight-up back-page filler piece typically thrown out to rookie reporters to give them something to do. But once she’d dug a little deeper, she’d found an actual tie-in between the Imperial Beach project and the hacktivist group.

  It turned out The People had been dropping rumors that a local city councilman named William Nesbitt was getting kickbacks from the project. The People hadn’t dropped any hardcore facts yet, so everything was still on the back burner as far as public opinion was concerned. But the innuendo out there was interesting, and it just so happened Nesbitt would be at the ceremony today.

  Todd had immediately locked on Nesbitt, agreeing this would be a good place to confront the man—see what he had to say about the allegations The People had been making against him. Yes, she’d write up the article for the ceremony, too, but mostly it was Nesbitt.

  Of course, she also had another reason for wanting to attend the ceremony, one she hadn’t mentioned to Todd or even Brad. She was hoping against hope she’d run into a particular SEAL—one with the most incredible blue eyes she’d ever seen.

  * * * * *

  The briefing finished fifteen minutes later. Hayley shut off the recorder app on her iPhone and stood, hiking her purse higher on her shoulder. Brad hovered at her elbow, sticking close as they filed out of the pavilion with the rest of the crowd, No doubt, he wanted to be there in case her ankle gave out and she fell. The breeze coming off the ocean whipped her long, blond hair around her face and she reached up to tuck it behind her ear as she casually glanced around at the uniformed men from behind her sunglasses.

  “You look tired,” Brad said. “I saw bottles of water at the refreshment table. I’ll grab one for you.”

  Hayley opened her mouth to tell Brad she was fine, but he was already running off, his dark-blond head ducking this way and that as he weaved in and out of the crowd. If she didn’t think it would mess with their friendship, she would seriously consider marrying the guy. He was amazing.

  She looked around, searching for her elusive Navy SEAL again, only to see Councilman Nesbitt standing a few feet away. Well, at least she’d found one of the men she’d been looking for. Average height with salt-and-pepper hair and wire-rimmed glasses, he was alone and scowling at something on his phone. Which made it the perfect opportunity to introduce herself.

  Nesbitt looked up as she approached, the frown he’d been wearing turning into the smarmy smile of a seasoned politician as he took off his reading glasses and slipped them in the inside pocket of his jacket.

  “Councilman Nesbitt, Hayley Garner from the San Diego Daily News,” she said, offering her hand. “It’s nice seeing you here today.”

  His grin broadened and he actually puffed out his chest. “This project is very important to the community as well as to the future of the SEALs. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

  Hayley didn’t doubt that. Particularly if The People were right about the councilman lining his pockets. “I’ve heard rumors you’ve been getting kickbacks on the construction of the new campus. Would you care to comment on that?”

  The smile disappeared from his face so fast it was like someone had flipped a switch. “I see you’ve been reading the crap those damn hacktivists are spreading all over the Internet. I would have expected better from a journalist with your credentials.”

  Hayley didn’t blink. “Does that mean you aren’t getting anything from all the new construction going on at Imperial Beach? That it’s coincidence so many of your friends and political backers are getting the majority of the construction work coming out of this huge billion dollar project?”

  Nesbitt slipped his phone into the pocket in his suit jacket and gave her a cool look. “While I’m thrilled some of my constituents have been selected to work on the construction, I didn’t have anything to do with them being selected to provide the supplies and services.”

  “The People think otherwise.”

  “That’s because they’re morons who have nothing better to do than make up lies,” he snapped. “The local companies getting these jobs are merely subcontractors, Ms. Garner. They were all selected by the prime contractor—Alpha One Construction—that won the contract for the project from the Navy.”

  “That doesn’t mean you weren’t involved,” she pointed out.

  Nesbitt regarded her thoughtfully. “As I’m sure you’re aware, I have nothing to do with awarding Navy contracts. I’m a councilman, not a congressman. How could I have steered these supposed sweet deals to my friend when I have no influence on the situation? There’s no corruption or shadowy conspiracies going on here, Ms. Garner. It’s nothing more than the best supplier and subcontractors getting the jobs, plain and simple.” He gave her a nod. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting I need to get to.”

  Hayley watched Nesbitt go. His reasoning might be sound, but she wasn’t ready to dismiss the rumors yet. The People had been accurate about everything they’d uncovered so far, and something told her they wouldn’t have targeted the councilman if there wasn’t some truth in what they were saying. Besides, her sleaze radar had started pinging the second she saw the man.

  Since that was all she was going
to get out of Nesbitt right now, she might as well look around for her SEAL again before she left.

  She’d thought he’d be easy to find, but the place was SEAL hunk central, with an awful lot of the fit, attractive guys in attendance. While quite a few of them flashed charming grins in her direction, none of them had those unforgettable blue eyes she’d spent the past four weeks seeing in her dreams.

  Her earlier assessment had been right. This was hopeless.

  Sighing, Hayley turned to go in search of Brad instead and almost smacked right into the broad, muscular chest of a guy in blue camo. She stared at his uniform up close, absently wondering why the Navy wore blue camouflage. It wasn’t like they were ever going to be in a blue jungle. She glanced at the rank on his collar—noting the three chevrons of a petty officer first class—then the nametag sewn on the right hand side of his chest, noting his name—it said WARD—before lifting her head to apologize for practically mowing him down. But when her gaze met his, all she could do was stare. There couldn’t be two men on the planet with eyes that blue. She’d found the SEAL who’d saved her life.

  “It’s you,” she breathed.

  Okay, that definitely wasn’t the most intelligent thing she’d ever said out loud. But the SEAL smiled anyway, flashing the cutest pair of dimples her way. Hayley’s breath hitched. She’d tried to picture what he looked like ever since that night, alternating between Chris Hemsworth and Henry Cavill and finally settling on a combination of the two. She hadn’t even been close. Petty Officer Ward was even more gorgeous than she imagined. Taller than she was by nearly a foot, he had broad shoulders, dark hair, and a square jaw to go along with those mesmerizing eyes. Now, this was what a superhero should look like.

  “It is,” he said. “I’m glad to see you’re doing well, Ms. Garner.”

  She’d been so caught up in the memory of the captivating blue of his eyes she’d completely forgotten how sexy his voice was. The deep, rich tones caressed her, making her feel warm all over. Just like they had that night in Africa. Wow, this guy was pure sexy, wrapped in blue camo. She had a crazy urge to ask him to say something else—anything else—so she could hear that voice again.

  “Call me Hayley, please,” she finally managed.

  She offered him her hand, pulse skipping when he took it. Wow, he had really big hands. A little part of her mind whispered something about the significance of that, but she ignored it. Instead, she focused on the overall sense of strength seeming to pour off him in waves. Being this close to him and getting a chance to take in how tall and muscular he was reminded her of the way he’d picked her up and carried her so effortlessly that night—all while using a weapon.

  Hayley had never thought of herself as the kind of woman who wanted to be swept off her feet by a guy, but right now she was thinking this man could carry her anywhere he wanted to.

  Damn, this guy was seriously messing with her calm, cool journalist exterior.

  “Chasen Ward,” he said.

  Chasen. Unusual, but it fit him. Gorgeous name for a gorgeous guy. She wondered if the guy realized the kind of effect he likely had on every woman on the planet, especially the one standing right in front of him. Probably not, she guessed. Guys were usually clueless about that kind of stuff.

  “How did things go over there?” she asked. “After you got me out, I mean.”

  She cringed as soon as the words were out. Guess he hadn’t messed with her journalist mojo as much as she’d thought. Crap, now he’d think she was looking for a scoop. Nothing turned people off more than a nosy reporter.

  But he merely nodded. The shade from the brim on his hat accentuated his chiseled features as he moved, making them seem even more angular.

  “They went well,” he said. “My Team and I got back a few days ago as a matter of fact.”

  Her inner Barbara Walters wanted to ask what else they’d done over there, but before she could decide if that was a good idea or not, two other Navy guys in blue camouflage sauntered over. Both petty officers second class, they were tall, well-built, and good looking.

  “Hey, I know you,” the younger of the two men said with a trace of a Southern accent. Blond with brown eyes, he had that casual Channing Tatum-thing going on. “Though I hope you don’t mind me saying, you look a lot better now than you did the last time we saw you.”

  Hayley frowned in confusion at the two men, sure she would have remembered if she’d met them before.

  Chasen chuckled. “This is Dalton Jennings and Nash Cantrell. They were with me when we rescued you that night. You’ll have to forgive Dalton for being clueless. He’s taken several classes on how to be charming, but unfortunately, he keeps failing them.”

  She laughed and shook hands with both men. Dalton looked so chagrined, she couldn’t help but take pity on him. “Don’t worry about it, Dalton. I’m well aware of how much of a mess I looked that night. Thanks for being there with Chasen and the rest of your Team.”

  The SEAL visibly relaxed, giving her another grin. “No problem. Just doing our job, ma’am.”

  Dalton might have failed out of charm school—according to Chasen at least—but there wasn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t swoon over that Southern drawl.

  “I know it was hard to tell with all the gear we had on,” Dalton continued. “But I was the one doing this.”

  Dark eyes suddenly intense, he struck an action hero pose, arms lifted as if he were holding an imaginary machine gun. On either side of him, Chasen and Nash snorted in unison.

  “You mean you were the one nearly running into every wall around you because the batteries in your NVGs were dying.” Nash pointed out drily, his dark eyes filled with amusement.

  Dalton considered that a moment, then dropped the pose and shrugged. “That might have been me.”

  Hayley laughed, unable to help herself. They were both funny—and seriously cute—but she had to admit she was glad when they took off a little while later, leaving her alone with Chasen.

  “How is your ankle feeling?” he asked as his buddies walked off toward the pavilion.

  “Much better, thanks,” she said.

  He looked down pointedly at her foot where it peeked out from under her long skirt. She’d tried not to make it obvious, but she’d been standing with all her weight on her good foot so she could give the injured one a rest. Chasen lifted a brow as if he saw through the little white lie.

  Hayley gave him a sheepish look. “Okay, you caught me. It still hurts a little. But it really is much better. Thanks to you.”

  “How’s that?”

  “If you hadn’t gotten there in time, a messed-up ankle would have been the least of my worries. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for saving my life.”

  That playful grin returned. “I’m more than ready to call it even if you consider going out to dinner with me.”

  If Chasen were any other guy, Hayley might consider making him work a little harder for a date. But she’d been more than ready to go out with him since he’d loaded her on that helicopter over in Africa. Heck, there’d been a time or two when she’d woken up from an especially nice dream involving the Navy SEAL when she was ready to do a lot more than date the guy. Rip off his uniform and roll around on the floor with him being one thing that came to mind.

  “Dinner sounds great,” she said, quite proud of her ability to maintain her composure.

  “Friday night work for you?”

  “Perfect.”

  Hayley entered her number in his phone while he did the same with hers, then she gave him her address.

  “I’ll see you at 1830 hours,” he said, then chuckled. “I mean, six-thirty.”

  “I can’t wait,” she said, and meant it.

  Touching his fingers to the brim of his hat in a causal salute, Chasen gave her another smile then strode off. Hayley let out a sigh as she watched him go. Damn, he made that blue camouflage uniform look good.

  “Who was that?” Brad asked from beside her.

  Hayley dra
gged her gaze away from Chasen’s retreating form to look at her friend. He was standing there with two bottles of water in his hands and a curious look on his face.

  “That was the Navy SEAL who rescued me over in Africa,” she said.

  Brad’s eyes widened. “Get out! Are you sure it’s him and not some boat jockey who saw your story in the news and is lying about being a SEAL?”

  She laughed as she took the bottle of water he held out. “No, it’s him. I told you, I got a look at him, remember?”

  Brad opened his bottle of water and took a swig. “I thought you said you only saw his eyes.”

  “I did, but that was all it took,” she said. “That’s him.”

  “Well, damn. In that case, why didn’t you tell him to hang around a little longer? I would have liked to meet him.”

  She smiled. “You might still get a chance. I’m going out on a date with him.”

  And if she had her way, it would be the first of many.

  * * * * *

  Chasen was still grinning like an idiot when he met up with Dalton and Nash in the parking lot. They were leaning back against his silver F-150 pickup, waiting for him.

  “So you and the journo, huh?” Dalton asked from the backseat of the extended cab after they’d all climbed in.

  Chasen shrugged as he started the engine. “Maybe. We’re going out Friday night.”

  Nash gave him a sidelong glance from the passenger seat. “Think this one might last for more than fifteen minutes?”

  Dalton chuckled.

  Chasen glared at his two friends, frowning at the reminder of the last time he’d tried dating a woman. She’d thought being with a Navy SEAL was cool until he had to leave fifteen minutes into their first date to go wheels up on a mission. She hadn’t even bothered answering her phone when he’d called after getting back.

  Not everyone could handle being involved with a SEAL—he got that and so did his buddies. Of the eight guys in his platoon he tended to work with the most, only one—their chief—was married. Chasen had met a lot of women who were interested in the idea of dating a SEAL, but the reality was a bit different. There was the crappy and unpredictable schedule, the calls at all hours of the day and night, training frequently so intense it left you exhausted, and work that took you to dangerous places for long periods of time. None of which you could talk about with the woman you were hoping to make part of your life. It wasn’t something most women could deal with.