Hot SEALs: Protecting Julie (Kindle Worlds) (SEAL of Protection Book 0) by Susan Stoker Read Free Book Online

was silent as Fiona’s words sunk in.

Chapter Seven
     
     
     
    Patrick looked down at his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time that night. Seven o’clock. It looked as though he’d been stood up. Stupidly, he hadn’t given his cell phone number to Julie, so she couldn’t call and let him know if she was running late. Hopefully she had an emergency or something had come up, rather than her truly standing him up. After telling the hostess it looked as if he wouldn’t be eating dinner after all, he got in his car and drove to Mission Valley.
    He knew Julie’s store was there, it was amazing the information Tex could come up with on short notice. Her store, My Sister’s Closet , was nestled between a small bookstore and a kids’ boutique that sold baby and toddler toys and clothes. The lights in the store were off, except for the security lighting, which gave off just enough light to deter any wannabe burglars.
    Patrick had Julie’s home address, but knew if he showed up there, he’d be a total creeper. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, trying to decide if he should call her or not, he’d gotten her number from Tex, finally deciding to give her some space. If Julie was having second thoughts about going on a date with him, he wouldn’t push.
    He didn’t want to bring up any bad memories or trigger any kind of flashback. Patrick knew Fiona suffered with them and the last thing he wanted to do was make Julie more uncomfortable. He blew out a breath and murmured, “Fuck, this sucks.” He pulled out onto the road and headed home. Maybe he’d get lucky and she’d call him on Monday and let him know what was going on.
     
    * * *
     
    Julie huddled on her bed, concentrating on her breathing. She’d had a hell of a nightmare, one she hadn’t had in a long time. She’d halfway expected it though, maybe that’s why she dreamed it tonight.
    She was walking away from the hut she’d been held captive in and she’d looked behind her as she followed the SEAL into the jungle. In her dream, he hadn’t turned around. He hadn’t noticed Fiona on the other side of the room. He’d left with Julie in tow and they’d abandoned Fiona back in the hut. As they fled she looked back and Julie saw Fiona sitting in the room, and there was a spotlight above her, shining down. The other woman was kneeling in a small circle of light. The chain was around her neck and she was completely naked.
    Julie could see bruises all over the other woman’s body and she was bleeding from several large cuts on her face, head and chest. Her hand was outstretched toward Julie and she kept saying, “Why, Why did you leave me here? You knew what would happen to me.”
    Julie had jerked awake, sweating and shaking. Even though she knew it wasn’t what had happened, she knew it very well could have happened. If the SEAL hadn’t been as good at his job as he was, it would have. And that ate at Julie’s conscience. It was as if she had to have the dreams every now and then to remind herself who she really was. A woman who’d leave another to live a horrible existence and to most likely die a slow, painful death.
    Tonight was supposed to have been her date with Patrick, but Julie knew there was no way she could show up. After seeing Fiona and her friends at the store, it was obvious she’d never be forgiven, because what she’d done was unforgiveable. The SEALs agreeing to listen to her was a pipedream. She’d been a job to them. Nothing more, nothing less. They’d moved on; she had to as well.
    So she’d stood up Patrick. He’d understand.
    But Julie still felt bad. How long had he waited for her? Had he sat at the table looking at his watch, wondering if she was all right? Then when he’d finally decided she wasn’t coming, was he mad? Julie bet he didn’t get stood up very often. He was so good-looking. No one in their right mind would stand him up.
    And that was the thing—she was obviously not in her right mind.