Page 31 of Protecting Clove (Loved by the SEAL #5)

B ud woke to Kevlar tapping him on the shoulder. “What the hell?”

“We have a problem.”

He wiped his hand over his face. “What problem?”

“Remi was sleeping over because of the storm. Keith found them and broke in. He has Clove.”

Bud sat up, trying to clear the sleep from his brain. “Has her? Where?”

“She wasn’t wearing the earrings, but she has her phone for now.”

“Okay. I need to get home.”

“There is a flight leaving in twenty minutes. We have places.”

“Okay.” Bud grabbed his bag and stood. They were heading out now. He would be in California in a few hours, and then he would do everything he could to get Clove back.

The flight took off on time, which he was thankful for. They would be in California in a few hours, and then he would hit the ground running.

Clove didn’t know how long they drove, maybe hours, but when the car stopped, she felt relief. She knew she had to escape, or she would risk everything. She couldn’t go with whoever Keith wanted her to go with, or Keith could come back and hurt Neo, and she wouldn’t let that happen.

The trunk popped open, and she played limp, waiting for him to pull her up. When he pulled her to sitting, she punched his chest, throwing him off balance. He stumbled, and she climbed out of the trunk and then ran as fast as she could.

She was about fifty yards away before she heard him getting up. The rain still came down hard, soaking her. With the heavy wind, she was cold, and she had no shoes on, so every little pebble hurt. She wanted to stop, but she couldn’t. She had to keep going or risk having Neo abused by this bastard.

It was dark, and the rain obscured much.

She had no clue where she was or if they were even still close to San Diego.

The rain still fell, so they hadn’t gone so far as to escape the storm.

Maybe they were close to their house. She had to keep going.

If she stopped, Keith wouldn’t let her get away next time.

The plane landed, and Bud was the first one off with Kevlar right behind him. Kevlar was headed to Bud’s house to be with Remi and Neo. At least he would know Neo was safe. He was headed to Clove, or at least the last known location of her phone.

It would take him about twenty minutes if the freeways were clear. Only the last dregs of the storm were hanging around so the wind and rain had died in most areas. He just had to have a clear shot of the area where Clove was last located.

Thario had sent a note stating that her phone hadn’t moved in about twenty minutes. He just hoped she was still there when he arrived.

He didn’t drive too much over the speed limit and arrived in about eighteen minutes.

He had up the map locating her and spied a car with the trunk open.

Traveling with the military meant he had his Glock on him.

He slowly approached, not hearing or seeing anyone.

The trunk was empty except for her phone, which was in the corner of the trunk.

Maybe it had fallen out of her pocket when she’d been tossed in the back of the trunk.

“Fuck,” he said under his breath. He looked around, searching for her. She wasn’t in a heap on the ground or running toward him.

He didn’t know which way to go. He was about to call out for her when a man came around the corner. The dude’s steps stalled when he saw Bud. That guy was the only person out. He belonged to this car.

Bud moved to meet the man when he took off running. At least the rain had stopped. Bud raced after him, gaining on him. He was maybe ten feet away when the guy tripped and went down.

Bud jumped on him, holding him down. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know.”

Bud punched her. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know. She ran when I opened the trunk.”

Bud threw another punch, this one hard enough to knock the bastard out. “Fuck. Where is she?”

He stood, glancing around. She had to be close. There was no way she had run far. She had to be afraid.

“Clove!” He took off down the street, then turned and moved back the other way. Where was she? He got about a hundred yards down the street when he heard something in an alleyway. He called out again. “Clove!”

An old man stepped out from behind a dumpster. It wasn’t her. He ran more and called out for her again. She had to be around here somewhere.

He had gone another two blocks when he called out and saw a woman turn toward him. He called out again. “Clove, it’s me, Bud.”

She froze, and he kept moving toward her. Her eyes went wide, and her mouth dropped open. She took one step, then another, before she ran to him, jumping into his arms.

Her arms were tight around his neck. “You found me.”

“I found you. We need to go home and get you warmed up.”

“Bud, you came for me.”

“I’ll always find you when I can.”

Her lips dragged across his in a sloppy kiss that spoke of her exhaustion.

She melted against him, not quite dead weight, but almost there.

He held her up as they walked back to his car.

The cops were there, and it took thirty or so minutes for Clove to give her statement.

The police took Keith into custody, which made him feel a lot better.

It took them about twenty minutes to drive home.

The rain had stopped, and the sun was out in the time it had taken to talk to the police and drive home.

Clove didn’t say much but kept her hand on his leg.

When he told her about Kevlar heading to their house to keep Neo and Remi safe, she squeezed his leg.

They pulled up outside the house, and her tears flowed freely.

She opened the door. He moved fast and got to her as she was scrambling up the walkway.

The front door opened, and Neo raced to her. He would be lying if he said he didn’t have tears leaking down his face as he watched Neo and Clove hug each other. Clove reached back and pulled him to her. He hugged his family, glad they were all safe.

Kevlar and Remi were there after a moment, hugging them before they stepped back. Clove laughed and pulled Remi close.

“Thank you for keeping Neo safe.”

“Anytime.”

Clove turned to Kevlar. “Thank you for coming here and making sure Neo and Remi were safe.”

“Anything for family. I’m glad you are okay.”

Clove’s throat squeezed, so she nodded. She wasn’t able to speak because there were too many emotions running through her. After a few swallows, she got out another thanks.

She held Neo and carried her inside. It was a relief to assure Neo that Keith was in jail.

While Remi cooked them breakfast, Clove showered and dressed in something warm.

The food was great, and Neo kept the conversation flowing.

It seemed like she was okay, though Clove was still shaken up from the experience.

Kevlar had fixed the back door with the help of other SEALs, and sitting in the kitchen, she couldn’t even tell that the door had been kicked in. She appreciated everything they’d done.

After eating breakfast, Kevlar and Remi left, and Bud went into the bathroom to shower. Neo was still clinging to her, so she couldn’t go chat with Bud while he showered.

She loved spending time with Neo, but it wasn’t until after Neo passed out before she had time alone with Bud. She walked into his arms and clung to him.

“You are freaking amazing. I love you.”

He kissed her cheek and then gently brushed his lips over hers. “I love you so much. I can’t stand the thought of losing you. When Kevlar woke me up, I almost lost it. I hope they put him away for a long time.”

“Same. I hope they put him away for life.”

He kissed her again. “We’ll deal with it as it comes. For now, how about I take you to bed and hold you?”

She chuckled and kissed his neck. “Maybe more than hold me.”

“What were you thinking?”

A shiver slid through her at the thought of him making love to her. “Maybe some kissing.”

“Just kissing?”

“Touching.”

“So touching and kissing.”

“A lot of touching and kissing. Like everywhere.”

He picked her up, and she laughed quietly, not wanting to wake Neo. He carried her into the bedroom, and she sighed as he laid her on the mattress. She had the best man in the world, and nothing would ever take her away from him.