Swift Strike (SEAL Team 14 Book 2) by Loren Mathis Read Free Book Online Page A

interview is over?”
    “Yes. I just finished. I’m not sure if I was very helpful, though. It was hard to remember everything that occurred. I’m sure I rambled and mentioned a lot of unnecessary information.”
    “I’m sure you did fine. Any details that you can recall will help with the investigation. Sometimes, things that you may not think are so important actually turn out to be useful. Especially when you have multiple sets of eyes looking for particular connections that you may not be aware of.”
    “I hope you’re right.”
    “Don’t worry,” he reassured her. “If you think of anything else you can always contact us.”
    “Yes, right, I know. I will.”
    “You’re heading back home now?” he asked, rocking backward onto the soles of his feet, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his finely-pressed, blue camouflage uniform.
    “Yes. I’m leaving in a few hours.” All of a sudden, she was at a loss for words. She didn’t know what to say that would effectively convey her emotions. Really, what was the proper way to thank someone for saving your life?
    Unsure of herself, she stuck out her hand, inadequate words clumsily falling out of her mouth, “I didn’t get a chance to really thank you last night for all that you did…for rescuing me. I…”
    Eyebrow raised, he looked curiously at her outstretched hand for a second. Then covered her slender fingers with his strong ones. Shivers ran up Lena’s spine at the contact, while a persistent warmth spread throughout her entire body.
    “Really, ma’am—Lena—there’s no need. I was just doing my job, and I’m just really glad you’re okay.” Letting go of her hand, he stood there smiling down at her. His eyes filled with kindness and something else...pity?
    Great . The last thing she needed was him feeling sorry for her.
    “Yo, Denison!” They both swiveled their heads around to see another formidable soldier bearing down on them. The newcomer had dark blond hair with hints of chestnut and a perfectly sculptured face. The classic pretty-boy looks that he sported were unlike her rescuer’s own handsome, but rugged face. Lena much preferred the latter. “CO wants us in CON-1 in five minutes,” he belted out.
    “All right, I’ll be there in a minute.” The good-looking blond soldier disappeared as quickly as he came, and then she was all alone again with her rescuer.
    Butterflies flitted around in her stomach, which was ridiculous because she was a grown woman. She hadn’t been this nervous when talking to a guy since grade school. It didn’t matter anyway; he didn’t feel any attraction toward her. How could he? With her scrawny build she could have never been properly classified as “hot” to begin with, and now she just looked like a hot mess. Plus, like he said before, rescuing her had been his job. It would be foolish to expect that he would entertain, for even a moment, the idea of something more.
    “Well, I don’t want to hold you up,” she said, “I’m sorry, I never got your name?”
    “Jesse Denison.”
    “Right, goodbye, Jesse. And thanks again.”
    “Bye. You take care of yourself, Lena.”
     
    ****
     
    “So did you get her digits?”
    “What are you talking about?” Jesse asked, glaring up at his buddy Luke who’d just entered the conference room.
    “Come on, man. You know damn well what I’m talking about. The blonde you carried out of the pit of hell last night. The woman who latched onto your arm until we got back to base. The woman you were just talking to in the hallway. That chick.”
    Jeez, news sure traveled fast on this floating sardine can.
    “No, I didn’t get her number. You have a screw loose, man. She’s been through a lot, Luke. She’s not ready for anything like that. Not to mention it’d be highly inappropriate.”
    “Okay, the last thing you said is true. It’d definitely be very inappropriate. But the reason for not getting her number is a crock of shit. Taking her number