Free Protecting Jessyka (SEAL of Protection) (Volume 6) by Susan Stoker

hand over hers when she’d said that.
    Then Kason took over and called Wolf. Dude had already talked to him and the rest of the SEAL team had arranged to go over to her old place and collect her belongings. Caroline, who was apparently married to Wolf, insisted on accompanying them. Jess had wanted to go too, but Kason waved her off and continued making arrangements without her involvement.
    Jess had been pissed, but after Kason had explained that she had to go and see about Tabitha, she relented. He was right. If his friends could go over and get her things without her, why shouldn’t she let them? Deep down inside she was relieved she wouldn’t have to face Brian or the townhouse where she had such horrible memories again.
    The last thing on the list was Tabitha and the reason the rest of the day had sucked. Kason had pulled some strings and talked to the caretaker of the funeral home. The guy had explained that Tammy had requested to have Tabitha’s body cremated. She hadn’t even arranged a service for her daughter.
    Kason arranged for Jessyka to be able to go and say her goodbyes. Jess had no idea how he’d done it . . . surely it wasn’t as easy as calling up and saying they wanted to see a body . . . she technically wasn’t even related to Tabitha . . . but somehow Kason had done it. They’d arrived at the funeral home that afternoon. The caretaker had led them to a back room and left them alone with Tabitha’s body.
    Jess had stood paralyzed by the door, staring at the gurney. She knew Tabitha lay under the sheet and she didn’t know if she could handle seeing her.
    “I can’t,” she said quietly, her voice hitching.
    “Take your time, Jess.” Kason wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her into his body. She melted into him, desperate for some support.
    “I can’t,” she repeated despondently.
    “Okay.”
    Jess didn’t move and neither did Kason.
    After what seemed like forever, but was probably only a minute or two, Jess took a hesitant step toward the body on the platform, then stopped. The sheet was almost obscenely white. She wished like hell Tabitha would sit up suddenly and say “surprise!” and giggle the way Jess remembered she used to do when she was younger.
    “What if she doesn’t look like Tabitha? I can’t have my last glimpse of her that way.”
    “Stay here.” Kason put his hands on her shoulders and pressed down. He leaned down and spoke quietly into Jess’s ear. “I’ll take a look and let you know. Do you trust me?”
    “Yes.” Jessyka’s answer was immediate and relieved. “I shouldn’t ask you to . . .”
    “Jess, look at me.” Benny came around her and stood in front of her, blocking her view of the body under the sheet. He put his finger under her chin. “I can handle this. I’m a SEAL. This won’t be the first dead person I’ve seen. Okay? Trust me to know if you can handle this.”
    Jess could only nod. She briefly leaned forward and put her forehead on Kason’s chest, needing that contact. Her hands came to his sides and gripped his T-shirt in her fists. She felt Kason’s hands come around her and enfold her into his body. They stood like that for a minute or so, then she felt Kason’s arms loosen. He kissed the top of her head and then gently spun her around so she was looking at the door.
    “Give me a second.”
    Jess simply nodded again. She heard the rustle of the sheet and then nothing. Then Kason was back.
    “It’s okay, come on.”
    Jess took a deep breath and turned around. Kason put his arm around her and they walked to Tabitha’s side together.
    Kason had pulled the sheet down enough so Tabitha’s face was the only thing visible. Jess choked back a sob. It looked like she was sleeping. Tabitha was pale, but otherwise she looked just like she had the last time Jess had seen her.
    Jess lost it. She didn’t think she’d ever cried that hard. Kason had been so patient and kind with her too. He’d held her and murmured