True Navy Blue: SEAL Brotherhood, True Blue SEALs Series Premiere by Sharon Hamilton Read Free Book Online Page A

his parents left, he tore into his studies, preparing for the underwater diving school in Florida, some jump schools, and his stint at Quantico. After that, there was talk of them doing some jungle training south of the border or back up to Alaska. He didn’t care what it was. He was all in for whatever the Navy was going to shove at him.
    He was proud of himself for staying unattached, because he saw how hard it was on the married guys, especially the married ones with kids at home. It changed their focus, he thought. How could it not? Right now, he knew the only time he’d be able to get more than casual with a woman was if she allowed him to have his primary loyalty to his country and to his fighting brothers. Nothing could come between him and that bond. He was grateful he didn’t have to choose.

Chapter 8
    ‡
    A my began training in San Francisco selling high-end condominiums for a large developer. The job came with wonderful perks. She got a one bedroom unit overlooking Ferry Plaza and the Bay Bridge, which included access to the exclusive gym, conference rooms for meetings with clients and a secure garage to park in.
    One of her favorite walks was down the Piers, wandering through shops and boutique grocery stores where they sold hand-milled soaps, fresh-pressed olive oils and vegetables straight from the farms up north. It was an upscale farmer’s market, not unlike what she was used to in Santa Rosa. Several vendors she recognized from there, including her favorite egg lady, where she bought blue and green eggs once a week.
    She studied for and passed her real estate exam in the months that followed. Her father worried she was living in the City, but even he ventured to visit on a couple of occasions. One time he brought someone with him.
    Marlene was a redhead with green eyes, and Amy could tell her father was totally smitten with her. She was lively, like Amy had always been. About ten years younger than her dad, she brought out some of the parts of his personality Amy hadn’t seen for years. It was as if he was growing younger before her eyes. Marlene had all sorts of plans to come down and go shopping with Amy, and the idea made Amy a little uncomfortable. But as they were talking, she found herself agreeing to a future date to do just that. Her dad seemed to be delighted the two of them got along so well.
    Before they left, her father ventured a private discussion with Amy. “I’m still concerned about you living down here where there are so many places you could get into trouble.”
    “I don’t go to those places.”
    “But you can’t avoid them. They’re all around.”
    “Dad, you have to let go. You have to let me live my life.”
    “I just get so nervous thinking about you being alone here, too far away from my protection.”
    She kissed him. “That’s sweet, Dad, but I don’t need that protection now. I’m fine. This is about the safest place I could live. Honest. We have a security guard downstairs. No one comes in or up the elevators without key cards, and access to the garage is restricted.”
    “I know. But things can be stolen.”
    “Why? When there are so many other places much easier to get into? Why would they bother to rob or cause a problem here where the security is so tight?”
    “I know. Probably just my active imagination.” They hugged one more time, waiting for Marlene.
    “She’s nice, Dad. I like her.”
    “I do too, Amy.” He stared down the hallway as Marlene’s compact frame came barreling around the corner and toward them. “She’s good for me,” he whispered, then embraced Marlene and planted a kiss on her forehead.
    “Thanks, Amy,” said Marlene, her face blushing from the kiss. “I’ll call you and we’ll set that shopping date.”
    “You bet. Midweek is best for me, since I work heaviest on the weekends.”
    “Good for me, too. Bye.”
    She watched them head to the elevators, closed the tall solid mahogany door to her unit, leaned against it,