SEALs of Honor: Swede Read online

  Too bad. Then again, she seemed to have something against him. So maybe not. Or he could work to change her mind.

  “How bad is it?” she asked, her tone low, worried.

  “Bad. And that was before we heard men talking today about grabbing a couple of women who were looking after the horses as if they wanted something new to ride,” Hawk said crudely. Deliberately. Swede figured he was hoping his sister would get the message and run back home.

  “Of course. They are men after all,” she answered coolly. “With any luck we should be gone by morning. Three trailers are leaving now. Two more tomorrow and I’m in the last one in the morning.”

  “I want you out today,” Hawk ordered. “Do you hear me?”

  “I hear you, but I can’t,” she snapped, her voice easily reaching through the phone. “I’m here with April. We’re leaving with the last trailer in the morning.”

  “You need to get the hell out.”

  “I won’t leave the others,” she cried. “If it’s dangerous for one of us, it’s dangerous for all of us.”

  “Fine, then all of you get loaded up now and go. It’s dangerous and going to go to hell very soon.”

  “Shit.”

  And she hung up.

  Hawk stared down at his phone in disbelief. “Eva? Eva!”

  No answer. She was gone.

  “So does that mean she’s going to leave today?” Swede asked. He hoped it did but doubted it.

  “Knowing her,” Hawk snarled. “Not likely.”

  “I think she’s gone to assess the situation there and see if she can move the schedule forward.” Shadow spoke from behind the table. He stared out across the land. Always on watch. Never sleeping. Always living in the shadows. “She’s not foolish.”

  Swede was the same as Shadow except for one big difference – he came into the sunlight to play – a lot. It was what kept him sane. Let him keep doing what he was doing. He loved his job. The people he worked with. But it wore one down over time. By walking in the sunlight as much as he could, he knew he could do more, work longer.

  That brought his mind back to the men with the new loves in their lives. Loves unlike any relationships they’d had in all the years they’d known each other. Was that akin to living in the sunlight and visiting the shadows – the opposite of what he and Shadow and Cooper were living. Cooper was still on limited duty from an injury, but he was involved just enough to have watched the men partner up.

  Something none of them could have predicted or understood, but something they all wanted for themselves. Now that they knew it was an option.

  “What do you want to do?” Shadow asked Hawk.

  “I want to kidnap her and put her on the next plane home where she’ll be safe,” Hawk said in exasperation. “But as that isn’t going to work…”

  “We’ll have to keep her protected and safe until she pulls out.”

  “We don’t have a man to spare,” Mason said quietly. “Otherwise we could assign one to watch from that location.”

  Swede stared at him. “It’s not a bad idea. We could set up a secondary base. Whoever runs the ranch might have some idea of what’s going on with the training camp.”

  “Or they might be involved, and that’s going to not only blow our cover but get one of us killed.” Shadow added, “Especially considering the latter part of the telephone conversation we heard regarding the hacienda and training exercise.”

  Swede nodded. “And it’s likely to get Eva killed if she mentions this to anyone right now.”

  Silence.

  Hawk bolted to his feet. “I have to keep her safe.”

  “You can’t go,” Mason said. “Anyone can research you and find out who you are.”

  “But I’m her brother.”

  “Right. Better for a lover to go. At least that’s a plausible reason.”

  “No more plausible than a brother stopping by to help out.”

  “No reason for you to either. However, Shadow here has the magical touch with animals. He could go.”

  “Or Swede,” Shadow said quietly. “He’s also magical with horses.”

  “That’s because he’s as big as a horse and they consider him family.”

  That brought a round of laughter lightening the air.

  Swede studied Shadow’s face. He could have gone easily. But he seemed to want Swede to go. Why?

  “Swede?” Hawk asked. “You up for it?”

  Swede nodded. “Sure. You might want to warn your sister I’m coming.”

  Hawk narrowed his gaze, then grinned. “That’s a great cover. You two had a spat last time you saw each other, didn’t you?”

  Swede shrugged but slouched back. They’d had an argument but he couldn’t remember what it was. He knew he hadn’t been able to stop bugging her until she’d finally snapped at him. Even now he questioned his behavior and the only logical reason that had come to mind was that she’d ignored him the whole time he was there. Which was stupid as he’d been there with two female friends. He’d not shown his best colors, but there was something about her that had gotten to him. In a big way. Every damn time he saw her.

  He owed her an apology.

  So maybe this was a good way to do it.

  He stood up. “I’m going now. Call her and warn her. She needs to talk to no one, including April.”

  “Too late,” Shadow said. “She’s likely already spoken to her.”

  Chapter 3

  There were a half dozen people in the barns when Eva joined April. She tried to get her friend’s attention but there appeared to be a horse down. Two of the vets were in discussion over the mare’s condition. Eva worried they’d put her down instead of trying to help her. The poor thing appeared anemic and unable to stand.

  Catching April’s eye, Eva motioned to her and the outside corral. April nodded and walked out into the sunshine.

  Giving the mare one last look, Eva followed her friend out.

  April was standing on the far side, her arms crossed and leaning on the fence rail.

  “What’s wrong with the mare?”

  “Mark is looking her over now,” April said sadly. “I can’t help but feel I should have gotten here a month ago.”

  Eva winced. How many times had she said the same damn thing with one animal or another? It was too often.

  “Let’s hope they can help her.”

  “That doesn’t mean she’ll be strong enough to make the trip and if she can’t travel now…”

  “Right.” It’s not like they could just arrange all this for one horse next week. They could but it took money. A lot of money.

  Funding rescues was a constant battle. Some months were better than others. Some projects easier to raise money for. People loved helping horses, but that didn’t make it easy to raise this kind of money a second time so they had to do the most they could with the money available.

  Still, that wasn’t why she’d brought April out here. Eva glanced around behind her, uncertain how much she should say. “I guess there’s no way we can all leave convoy style today. It would be good to have everyone out at once.”

  “I wish we could.” April looked around nervously. “I’m not normally given to nerves, but I’ve had a feeling that we’re being watched all day.”

  “Yeah, me too,” Eva said in a low voice. “That’s partly why the suggestion. Do you think we could?”

  “Given the one mare, I don’t see how?”

  “If she’s on her feet, we could travel with her.”

  “They won’t take her on the plane if she’s not walking and won’t be allowed into the US if she’s not ambulatory. I have no idea on this one. We’ll have to make a call soon.”

  Eva didn’t want to leave the mare. But a dead or dying mare while in transit would be a nightmare.

  There was a deep rustling in the trees beside them. Both women started. Eva grabbed her friend’s arm. “Let’s go back. I’m not sure either of us should be alone here.”

  “I don’t like th
e way you say that,” April murmured, but with a last glance around at the heavy woods, she followed Eva to the barn.

  “I know but it’s the truth, even more so now,” Eva said darkly, wishing she’d never seen her brother’s friends this morning or talked to him just now. It was a beautiful day in Mexico, only now there was a dark edge to it. And that she didn’t like. How much danger were they in? Back inside the barn she was relieved to see the mare on her feet and being walked around in a circle.

  “Will she be able to travel?” she asked Tom, the vet standing closest to her.

  He nodded. “Yes, she will.” Eva grinned. “That’s great. I’d feel terrible leaving her behind. She looks like she needs to get out of here the most.”

  Tom nodded. “She’s going to need some nursing on the way home, so I’ll stick close.”

  That was the best thing. Mark and Tom were here on their own nickel just to help out. They were cousins and from fairly wealthy families which helped fund ventures like this too. Thankfully. Then they’d been born and bred into money so knew a lot of money people to call on. And their friends were used to it.

  “I think we should all leave today and travel convoy style to the airport. Load up and head home together.”

  “And you know we can’t do that. There are too many horses traveling in different directions.” He shook his head. “No, best we do this as we planned.”

  She felt more than saw his searching glance. “Do you want to leave today?”

  Hell yes, she did, especially now that she’d heard her brother’s warning, but that wasn’t going to happen if it meant leaving the others behind. “I’d like to go home period, but we did it this way for a reason so we’ll stick with the plan for now.”

  He grinned and nudged her shoulder. “Think of it as a holiday.”

  “I might if I didn’t get the feeling we’re being watched,” she muttered half under her breath. She caught his sharp gaze, but he didn’t say anything. Maybe he’d think about it though. Who knew? Her glance landed on the Mexican woman whose beautiful hacienda they were staying in. She walked closer to her. “Thank you again for your hospitality, Isabella,” Eva said warmly. “It’s lovely here.”

  Isabella laughed. “That’s because no one is here. It’s just God’s country and us.”

  Eva laughed too. “So true.” She glanced around seeing trees and rocks for miles and tried to forget all that wasn’t visible at the moment. “Do you have any neighbors?”

  “No. Not for miles. It’s the way we like it.”

  If Eva hadn’t spoken to Hawk this morning it never would have occurred to her to question Isabella. But now she was dying to push the issue. “Aren’t you ever lonely?”

  “No.” Isabella smiled. “A lot of my family and friends live in town. I visit about once every week or two and get my fix of people that way.”

  “I’m the same,” Eva said. “I prefer the company of animals. People in small doses.”

  “Exactly.” Isabella pointed at the horses. “These horses have been running wild for a long time, but they weren’t born to it. As people couldn’t care for their pets they drove them out here and released them. All fine in theory, but there isn’t much for them to eat. They didn’t know how to fight for their survival. They have suffered.”

  “Well, their suffering will stop now.” In truth, many of the horses Isabella had been caring for came from other places as well. She’d been rescuing horses out of the goodness of her heart, but the struggle to find homes for larger animals was never ending. The cost became too much and the available space too little. Over half of the horses they were taking back were ones she’d been caring for because others couldn’t.

  This project would give the horses a better life and ease Isabella’s burden too.

  And if it wasn’t for who she’d seen in the bushes and her brother’s phone call, Eva would be enjoying herself immensely. Now, she wanted to go home – fast. But she wasn’t about to desert anyone.

  *

  Swede went over the approach in his mind several times. And realized with a shock he was nervous. He of the hundred women – okay so that was an exaggeration – was nervous about meeting Eva again. Hawk was supposed to prep Eva for the upcoming scenario, but Shadow, a thread of humor in his voice, had suggested that if Swede went in without giving Eva any preparation, then she’d have a more honest reaction.

  Hawk had agreed, damn it. How was Swede supposed to use the cover of being an all-important ex without her blowing it and blowing him off?

  Right. He had to really mean it.

  Grumble. He didn’t play games. Then he was SEAL and there was nothing he couldn’t do. Yeah right. When it came to computers he could make them sing. When it came to terrorists, he could make them scream. When it came to women, well he was no slouch there, he could make them scream – with pleasure too – but he didn’t play games well.

  The ranch appeared deserted when he arrived. From the looks of the typical Mexican hacienda, the owners weren’t poor. It was large and of course white and sprawling. There were several stories on the one side and appeared to go forever on the other side. He parked and walked through the gate and thought he heard noises down the long walkway to the back of the property. Coming around the corner he saw several barns and corrals. And a group of people working on loading up several horses. He paused and studied the horses. Skinny and bruised but still gallant, they walked where they were led. Not defiant but not beaten. Nice for those on the other end of the rope.

  Swede had been on that other end of the rope with a different story many times. Then these horses likely didn’t have much fight left in them. They’d been beaten and abused. Although some looked like they’d just been let go.

  It happened.

  Still, he didn’t want to startle the animals and cause the nice orderly system to turn to chaos.

  “Excuse me, sir, can I help you?”

  Swede watched the young woman approach. Maybe early twenties, Mexican, long hair in a thick braid down her back. Hired help from her clothes and mannerisms.

  “Yes, I’m here to see Eva Loring.” He gave her a winning smile. “She’s my fiancée. And has no idea I’m here. So it’s a surprise.”

  The young woman’s face lit up. “She’s in the back with the horses.” She turned around and called behind her, “Come with me and I’ll take you to her.”

  He’d hit the right note. Of course the thought of romance often won a young female heart over. Good thing in this instance. He followed her through a winding path that followed the fence to where the group was working.

  The woman stepped back slightly and pointed to the far side. “See, she is over on the right.”

  And she was. Looking as animated as he’d ever seen her, talking with a tall man at her side. He almost growled. That man was a little too into her for comfort. Swede wasn’t ready to accept that Eva might have someone else in her life. Maybe in the back of his mind he’d always wondered if he could be that man. He especially didn’t want to think of her hooking up with anyone down here.

  Long distant relationships never worked.

  As his mind kept dreaming up the reasons why she should have nothing to do with the other man, he wanted to laugh at himself. Like what the hell? If that was any other woman, would the same reasons apply? Of course not.

  He was an idiot.

  And he had a fucking job to do so do it. Let her sort out what she told the man at her side. It wasn’t his problem. He approached quietly, his footsteps almost silent as he navigated the pathway. He passed several horses on his right, their heads hanging over the fence rails as he walked by. He loved horses. Loved all animals. Usually they loved him. Shadow dealt with the wild variety better than Swede did, but there wasn’t a domestic animal he couldn’t sweet talk into behaving.

  It came in handy with guard dogs.

  And maybe at times like this. He worked his way around toward Eva, keeping an eye on the orderly movement of horses.

  Unti
l Eva saw him. He knew the moment she registered his presence. There was a startled gasp and she froze. As in mouth open, eyes wide type of frozen. If someone knocked her over, she’d have fallen like a log. He grinned at her, almost enjoying his next move.

  As if she saw something in his gaze she took a step back and then another one, her gaze widening to impossible orbs, and she started to shake her head, her hands up to ward him off – like that would work.

  He laughed and reached her with his next step.

  “Oh no,” she gasped.

  “Hell yes.” And he reached out and snagged her up into his arms and twirled her around in a big joyous arc, and when he placed her back onto the ground, he lowered his head and planted a hard possessive kiss on her mouth that said, “She’s mine” to anyone watching.

  And for that moment he meant it. He had no idea where that possessive streak came from, but it was there. And he couldn’t stop the waves of longing that coursed through him.

  And then there was the response…

  Shock, disbelief, curiosity – he liked that one – and maybe passion, but it was hard to tell. He’d have to try this again at another time when they were alone. The thing was, she wasn’t exactly responding like he was a returning lost lover and he needed her too.

  So he cranked up the heat.

  By the time he lifted his head she was a liquid puddle of female in his arms. Now that was the right response. He grinned. Lowering his head he whispered, “You need to pretend I’m your long lost fiancé who couldn’t be apart from you and flew down to join you. We had a recent spat but I’m here to make up.”

  He watched the concept and suggestion fire through her mind, catch, get discarded before forcing herself to take another look and reconsider. She was smart. Damn smart. Always been at the top of the class but did she get it?

  He hoped so.

  She sagged against his chest, and he cuddled her close. “Are you okay,” he murmured.

  She nodded and straightened. “I’m fine,” she said brusquely and shoved against his chest. To no avail. He didn’t release her from his embrace. He studied her carefully then said, “I’ll let you step back if you keep up the act…”