Free SEALs of Honor: Cooper by Dale Mayer Page A

not.”
    “Not likely. She’d be trying to make her way back to us.”
    Hawk went around to the back of the tent, gave a shout and took off. Cooper was right behind him.
    Just as suddenly as they started this second chase it came to an end as they found her and a huge young man who was holding her.
    Of Jamel there was no sign.
    Not that he’d waste time worrying about him. Sasha cried out, “Oh thank heavens. Jamel forced me to go with him again.”
    Cooper nodded but didn’t take his eyes off the massive man who held her in his arms.
    The man’s gaze was hard, cold.
    “Put her down.”
    The man never moved.
    “I said put her down.”
    Nothing.
    “I tried to talk to him, but I get no response either,” she said apologetically. “He won’t do anything.”
    “Where is he taking you?”
    “I don’t know.”
    She struggled to free herself. And couldn’t move. The man held her tight.
    Hawk shrugged. He walked closer as if to walk past. Then in a smooth movement he jumped and hit the huge man in the neck. Sasha tumbled to the ground. Cooper raced to help Hawk and between them they subdued the man long enough for the others to arrive. Camp security forces came swinging up behind them. When Cooper could, he stood up and spun around. When his gaze landed on her the tension eased. He swung her up in his arms and held her close. “Jesus,” he whispered. “I was so damn afraid.”
    His heart slammed against his ribcage and the acid in his stomach threatened to overflow – especially now that she was safe.
    It took a few moments to realize she was hugging him back just as hard, and that her body was shaking in reaction.
    “God, I’m so sorry.” She leaned back to look at him, her hands reaching to cup his face. “I just slipped out the back of the tent to avoid the crush with all the men cheering and shouting.”
    “I don’t blame you for trying to get away, but you can’t be anywhere alone. And the sooner I get you back stateside the better,” he growled, worry threading through his voice. He slowly let her back down on her feet. “Don’t do that again.”
    Cheeky as ever, she grinned up at him and said, “Don’t what? Don’t go missing? Don’t make you worry? Or don’t–”
    “Bolt–”
    “Return your hug…”
    He glared at her. She smiled at him and slid her arm through his to cuddle closer. “Thank you for rescuing me again.”
    He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her back to the truck. The crowds around them separated to let them through.
    He glanced over and caught the look in Hawk’s eyes. That surprise and knowing mixed up with a big dose of humor in his friends gaze made Cooper realize how this exchange must have looked to anyone watching. He shook his head at Hawk as if to say, it was nothing.
    Hawk’s grin widened.
    Not wanting Sasha to see their exchange he led her to the SUVs where David and Theresa cried out and ran to her. He waited patiently as they talked and hugged, then separated them. “Let’s go. We need to get you out of here before something else happens,” he muttered.
    She gasped as she was forced to the other SUV. “You’re not saying I’m to blame for everything, are you?”
    “No, not everything. But too damn much of it, yes.” He glared at her. “I want you safe.”
    That urchin’s grin popped up. Damn he was getting foolish. All he wanted to do was repeat his actions so he could see it again.
    “Get in, Doc.”
    She frowned and opened her mouth.
    “Don’t do it,” he growled, fed up and frustrated that he couldn’t whisk her away some place safe, strip her naked and make mad passionate love to her. That it was not going to happen – likely ever – just added to his pain.
    Her frown deepened. She opened her mouth to blast him and this time he placed his finger against her lips and shook his head. “Don’t do it.”
    She growled deep in the back of her throat.
    And then did something that sent his blood quaking in his boots.
    She bit his