Free SEALs of Honor: Mason by Dale Mayer

is driving you to the airfield. Johann is riding shotgun.”
    Johann? Cooper? She glanced at the driver, not sure she’d seen him before. How many of these SEALs were there?
    But she wouldn’t let go of him. “No. You have to come to the airfield,” she cried. “You can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous.”
    “Cooper will come back and pick us up later.”
    She stared at him, hating to leave. But he seemed to be completely unfazed.
    Get a grip , she said to herself. He doesn’t give a shit . She leaned back and in a cool voice said, “Fine. Thank you for your assistance. Good-bye.”
    She stared straight ahead, ignoring his start of surprise.
    He backed up and slammed the door shut with a little too much force. She sniffled, trying to hold back the tears as Cooper started up the vehicle.
    Suddenly her door opened. Mason leaned in. “It’s not okay,” he snapped. “But it’s the job. I’ll contact you later.”
    And he kissed her. As in he placed his lips on hers, her body temperature shot up ten degrees and curled her toes.
    Then he backed up and slammed the door in her face.
    She gave a happy sigh and settled back for the trip.
    He did care.
    *
    “ H A. D AMN WELL time.” Hawk looped an arm around Mason’s shoulders. “Told you he wasn’t stupid.”
    Swede smirked. “Of course if he doesn’t follow through there’s still a chance for us.”
    The others all agreed.
    “She’s not up for grabs,” Mason snapped. Something was bugging him, but he couldn’t place it. Except she was gone and damn if his life didn’t seem a little darker. A little cloudier. As if a ray of sunshine had just gone behind a cloud.
    Foolish thoughts. He’d get over her like he’d gotten over every other woman he’d met. She was no damn different.
    Liar. Christ she was different.
    “Let’s go. We have things to do and places to be.”
    “We do indeed.” They all stood in place and watched the dark SUV drive away. Dust clouded the air in front of them.
    As they watched, another dark SUV pulled out of a hiding spot from deep in the tree-lined road and pulled in behind them.
    “No.” Mason stared, his heart beating against his chest. “No, please not.”
    “Oh, Christ,” the men whispered in horror.
    “Wheels. We need wheels.” Swede was already on the phone. “Skip the wheels. I’m bringing in the helicopter.”
    The men scattered. Except Mason. He watched the two vehicles head down the road.
    Then he remembered the old dirt bike he’d seen in the back of the shed. In ten seconds he’d ripped to the shed, flung the door open so hard it came off the hinge and pulled it out. The tank was half full. Good enough. He turned the key sitting in the engine, she fired up. Good baby.
    Without giving a second thought, he spun her around and raced off behind Tesla.
    Like hell he was going to lose her now.

Chapter 11
    S HE SLUMPED INTO the buttery leather seat. Tears were clinging to the corner of her eyelids. She sniffled them back. There was no way she was going to let them fall. She didn’t dare. The dam would break and she’d bawl like a baby. So not good for her strong-can-handle-anything look. She had one like that… Didn’t she? Hell no. She’d had one like that way back. Her initial reserve on meeting someone often gave them that impression of her. Cool. Unaffected. Disinterested. And she’d done nothing to break that barrier down to make it easier for everyone. Her father would say show them who’s boss right from the get go. Then you could pick and choose who to befriend. That was after you figured out who were your enemies.
    His method clearly hadn’t worked so well in high school and just added to her cool edge.
    She stared down at her ragged nails. They’d been perfect pale ovals once. Now they were short, jagged and bloody. She had a couple she could still use as weapons if she had to. But her fighting days were over. Hopefully.
    On that reminder, she glanced out the windows. Good-bye small town.