Page 13 of Protection for Asher (Safeguarded By The SEAL #4)

Squat studied the woman they'd rescued. She looked familiar, but he couldn't tell if it was Asher.

This woman weighed less, and she looked older than the girl he'd known.

Her skin was tight, and she had more wrinkles, but if he squinted, she might look a bit like the teenager he'd known.

She hadn't said her name, and he hadn't asked. She was an American, he’d determined that from her accent.

It was obvious from her lack of clothing and bound wrists that she was a sex slave.

It was too loud to ask questions now. She was the only woman they’d rescued from the compound. The others had either been used as shields or their masters had killed them. It was a sad state for all involved.

Later, after they were off the helicopter, he would get answers. She closed her eyes, and he watched her, taking in her softened features as she relaxed.

Whatever this woman had suffered, he knew it had been bad.

When she’d been mostly naked, he could easily see her ribs and the dark bruises on her back and arms. They’d starved her and tortured her.

She’d lived through hell. As a SEAL, they taught him how to deal with torture.

A civilian wouldn’t know what to do or how to recover. She would need help.

The flight to the carrier took almost an hour.

When they landed, he and Jay took the first prisoner and forced the guy off the helicopter.

Sharp and Apple had the second guy. Someone helped the woman off as he glanced back.

She looked lost and confused. He wanted to help her, but he had to take care of business first. Later, after he’d showered, he would hunt her down.

Asher moved to a door and followed the guy who'd helped her off the helicopter until a woman stopped her.

“Hello, I’m Ensign Ray, I’m here to help you. Let’s get you to medical and let them check you out.”

She nodded. “Thank you. My name is Asher Haller.”

“I’m glad we found you, Miss Haller. Once the doctor says you can eat, I’ll get you something.”

“Thank you.”

Asher wanted to cry, but she'd already shed all the tears she could make. Living in a constant state of dehydration had dried her out. She knew from experience she could only cry once, maybe twice a day if that.

A door shut behind her, and she jumped. The woman with her put her hand on Asher's arm, giving her a gentle squeeze.

“You’re safe here. There are four of us who will be helping you throughout your stay with us. You don’t have to worry about anyone coming after you. You’re free and technically on American soil because this is a Navy ship.”

She closed her eyes as a shudder ripped through her. The torture was over. She would go home. But she couldn't go back to her hometown. That's where she'd been when they'd taken her captive. The thought of moving overwhelmed her, but that was her only option.

“Come on, let's get you to medical, and then I'll find some food for you.”

She went along with Ensign Ray, thinking she would be lost if she had to go anywhere alone on this monstrosity. “How do you keep from getting lost?”

Laughter spilled from Ensign Ray's lips.

“I used to get lost so often, but you learn real fast. In addition to guiding guests along the halls, I run errands for the other officers, so I've been all over the ship. I made a lot of mistakes during the first week and had to ask for help. After a few people gave me absolutely wrong directions so I got even more lost, I set about mapping the space. Now I know it by heart.”

She nodded, trying to keep up with where they were going and where they turned. “So you’re my babysitter?”

The woman shrugged. “The politicians who visit need babysitters. You need a friend and someone to make sure you’re safe and cared for.”

Asher thought about the woman’s answer. “So you’ve done this before? Taken care of other women who are like me?”

She nodded. “Yes, ma'am. I don't enjoy why you're here, but I really do like this part of the job. It means something more than the other parts of the job. Helping you navigate the first day of your freedom is special.”

Asher’s throat grew thick as emotions rose. “How often do you have to do this?”

“Probably once a month. Sometimes more. You’re doing good.”

Asher shook her head. “I don’t feel like I am.”

“It’s okay to feel lost. You’ll get some liquid through an IV and get some medicine, those parts are easy and it will make you feel better.

I’m impressed that you’re able to talk to me, which is really good.

Not everyone is able to make conversation.

The med bay will keep you for half a day, maybe more.

If they clear you for food, would you prefer hotdogs and hamburgers or do you feel like a meat and vegetable plate like chicken and vegetables? ”

“Honestly, a burger and fries would be great.”

“Awesome. I'll get you some food and something to drink. I'll be with you until fifteen hundred hours, and then Ensign Lighter will take over.”

A sliver of fear whispered through her. “Oh.”

“That’s three this afternoon. Ensign Lighter is really nice. She’s a good friend of mine. She likes this part of the job, too.”

Asher nodded. “I don’t even know what time it is.”

“It’s eleven hundred hours. So we have some time together. If you think of anything you need, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you.”

They were at the medical area and she was ushered into the room and given a gown to change into.

Time seemed to pass in jerks and starts.

She had an IV and had been given medicine to take care of STIs when Ensign Ray said she was headed out to get her food.

Just then a big man with a dark beard stepped into the room. His gaze found hers.

The ensign’s entire stance changed, and she looked at the man like she was very impressed. Asher watched as he spoke to Ensign Ray and it looked like he was trying to convince her of something. After a short moment, they both headed over to her bed.

“Asher, this is Squat. He was on the mission to rescue you. He wanted to speak to you. Are you okay with that?”

“You know me as Christopher Drake. We grew up and went to high school together.”

Asher gasped, and tears sprang to her eyes. “Oh shit, Christopher, is that really you?”

Ensign Ray stepped closer to her. “Are you okay with me leaving to get food?”

She met the woman's gaze and nodded. “Yes. Thank you. I trust Christopher, and I really appreciate you making sure I felt comfortable with him staying. Also, I'm hungry. It has been a while since I was allowed to eat.”

Ensign Ray smiled and then shot a look at Christopher. “Behave.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be good. She’s a good friend.”

The ensign left and the doctor and nurses were busy doing something else, so they weren’t alone, but it was close to being alone with him. She smiled when Christopher took her hand.

“Did you know to look for me?” Asher asked.

He leaned in, concern filling his eyes. “I didn’t know we would find you on this mission. We came here to take down a group of terrorists. Finding you was not expected.”

“What happened to the other women at the compound?”

Squat cleared his throat, shaking his head. “A few of the men used them as shields. A couple of hostiles shot the women before we got close. It wasn't a good scene. Two ran into the night. Hopefully, they escaped and are free now. From what we could tell, none of them were Americans.”

Asher shook her head. “I guess I was lucky he left me and ran.”

Squat squeezed her hand. “I’m glad we found you.”

She met his gaze and held it. “We weren't supposed to be there. At least, I didn't think we were supposed to be there. I went to bed the night before, and he told me a different plan for the day. Then I woke up, and the plans were changed.”

“I’m so sorry you were thrown into that. It’s not fair.”

Her throat closed as more emotions flooded through her. The only thing that had saved her was luck. “What was the name Ensign Ray called you?”

“Squat. It’s what my friends call me.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m short.”

Laugher came out in a harsh bark. “Sorry, didn’t mean to laugh. You are short, but that doesn’t matter. You’re one of the best people I’ve ever known.”

His lips tilted up for a second in a small smile. “Being short hasn’t hurt me in my job. I’ve figured out how to use it to my advantage.”

She stared at him, studying his eyes and face, taking in the small scar under his left eye and his crooked smile. “I appreciate you coming to rescue me. I know that’s not why you went in there, but thank you.”

“That’s why we do what we do. I’m glad you were there.”

“I never should have broken up with you.”

He shook his head. “We made decisions that were probably for the best. We both needed to grow. I’m a different man now. I needed to grow up and the years I’ve been in the Navy have matured me a lot.”

She shrugged. “Yeah, you’re right. I was way too immature back then.”

Ensign Ray came back in with her food, and the scent nearly caused her to swoon. Squat moved a few steps back.

He held her gaze with an intensity that made her insides feel squishy. As Ray set the food on the table next to her, Squat lifted his eyebrows. “I'll make sure you have my information. I want you to come visit me when you get back to the States. I live in San Diego. I want to see you.”

He turned and wrote something on a sheet of paper, giving it to a nurse before he left the room. The nurse came over and smiled as Asher took a bite of the burger.

“Well, that doesn’t happen every day. I’ll make sure to keep this with you. I’ll also make a copy to go in your file so if something happens and you lose this sheet of paper, you can ask the nurse to give it to you again.”

Asher swallowed her bite of burger. “We dated in high school. I’ve known him for years.”

The nurse smiled and nodded. “Have you seen him since then?”

She shook her head as she munched on a fry. “No. Not until today.”

“Well, that shows it was meant to be. I’ll make sure you have this when you leave.”

“Thank you.”

As she ate, she thought about Christopher, or Squat as he was called now, and why they'd broken up.

She was glad they'd parted as friends. The last time she'd seen him, they'd said goodbye before he drove off to join the Navy.

He was right. If they'd stayed together, they would have screwed up. Maybe even screwed each other up.

The years since high school had given her some wisdom she needed.

Part of that had been learning from experience.

She'd dated, but none of the guys had worked out because she refused to give in to being in a mediocre relationship.

She wanted more. The question was, would anyone want her after this?

A shiver snaked through her. She'd been to hell, but could she come back from it?

She hadn't processed anything that had happened and wouldn't for a long while.

But going to visit Squat wouldn't be to build a relationship. It would be to heal.