Page 21 of SEAL’s Paradise (Alpha SEALs Hawaii #6)

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T HIRTY MINUTES LATER , Sawyer escorted Riley into a building on base accessible to visitors.

As much as their CO would’ve wanted them to meet privately, that simply wasn’t an option.

Riley didn’t have clearance to access the secure areas, and she couldn’t get it without tipping her hand as to who she was and why she was really here.

As it was, the tattooed guy knew someone had intercepted his delivery.

He was probably already suspicious about what had gone down at the bar, and the last thing they needed was for him to somehow spot Riley here.

As they moved into the lobby, Sawyer’s hands twitched. He was itching to put his hand on the small of Riley’s back or take her hand in his own, to show a united front. He was in uniform, however, and meeting with his commanding officer.

The CO turned as they approached, Riley cool and confident at Sawyer’s side.

She’d slipped on dark slacks and a button-down blouse, finishing it with a matching blazer.

Riley looked pulled together and professional, her hair smoothed back, with just a touch of light makeup.

There was none of the sexy eye shadow she’d worn for their date the other night.

Sawyer was used to seeing her in a waitressing uniform, and yeah, it was hella different to see her in business clothes.

A suit. Riley probably dressed like this every day when she’d been a government employee—that is, when she’d been in the office.

Imagine if Riley had been TDY overseas to areas Sawyer had. They’d seen their fair share of shit in the field but sometimes were at embassies or bases that staffed Americans. Maybe they’d walked right by each other before, and he’d never known it.

Life was funny sometimes. And in the end, she’d wound up where Sawyer was stationed. She was the one who’d asked him for help, and he had to admit, it felt good to know that he had her trust.

“Ms. Moore,” Commander Madden said, holding out his hand. They briefly shook hands as he introduced himself, and Sawyer was pleased to see that Riley didn’t seem fazed in the least to be meeting him. They spoke for a moment before all going to sit in a quiet corner.

“I understand that my team is already trying to ID the man with a tiger tattoo,” the CO said in a low voice, his eyes on Riley.

“That’s correct,” Riley said smoothly. “While I was planning to work alone on this assignment here in Oahu, once I brought Sawyer in, we were able to photograph the suspect at Coconuts. Sawyer did,” she clarified.

“It was a stroke of luck, given I’ve been looking for the traitor for weeks.

But as I told Sawyer, another sale is meant to go through in less than three weeks.

We’re short on time. This is an urgent matter. ”

Sawyer scrubbed a hand over his jaw, thoughtful. “What if they grow suspicious and move up the timeline?” he asked. “They might try to smuggle out another weapon ahead of schedule.”

Riley eyed him. “It’s a possibility, but these things take time and careful, meticulous planning.”

“I don’t like that any of my men are involved in this investigation without my knowledge,” Commander Madden said sternly.

“The fact that someone is smuggling weapons out of here is unconscionable and needs to be stopped. However, we follow orders in the Navy and use a chain of command. For some outsider to come in and involve my team without my approval isn’t acceptable. ”

Riley bristled, and Sawyer attempted to smooth things over. “Sir,” Sawyer said, “that was my call to send the photograph to Wyatt. It was also my decision to agree to help Riley. When she asked for my assistance in the matter, I could’ve turned her down.”

“You’ve made several questionable decisions lately. This is only the latest in a string of offenses. While I was willing to overlook some things, we’re here yet again talking about your actions.”

Sawyer’s jaw ticked. “While I may enjoy a good time while I’m off-duty, and know exactly the situation you’re referencing, I’m nothing but a consummate professional on base and on every deployment. Our SEAL team has been successful on every operation, sir.”

The CO huffed out an exasperated sigh. “You have, which is the only reason you’re meeting with me privately and not explaining yourself further to my superiors.

” He looked between Sawyer and Riley. “I don’t know if a possible marriage between you two is real or not, but she’s good for you, sailor.

You haven’t been pulling crazy stunts while off duty or getting reprimanded by other officers as of late.

You keep him in line,” the CO told Riley, and Sawyer didn’t miss the quirk of a smile playing about her lips.

“Of course,” she said smoothly.

The commander set down a folder he was carrying, pulling out some papers. Before he shut the file, Sawyer was surprised to see that the page left inside was a dossier on Luciana, the missing nurse, including a photograph of the woman.

Sawyer nodded to the picture. The woman was a looker, although not nearly as pretty as Riley.

Still, Luciana had dark, glossy hair and a pretty smile.

As he studied the photograph for a moment, he noted that her eyes were dark and somehow knowing.

This woman had been through something in her life.

And this photograph was taken long before she was kidnapped.

It made his stomach turn to even think about what she might be enduring now.

“Any word on the missing nurse, sir?”

His commander’s jaw ticked. “Negative, not since the potential sighting of her over the weekend. I’m waiting for additional updates on possible locations.

We’ll find her,” he said, his voice confident.

The CO’s gaze also landed on the photograph, his gaze briefly running over the features of the beautiful woman.

“No woman deserves to be left somewhere like that,” he added, his voice dark and dangerous.

With the possible sighting, they had a chance of finding her now. The trouble was, Sawyer wasn’t sure what condition she’d be in after being held captive by a ruthless cartel.

The commander shut the file and spread the remaining papers on the table. Riley exchanged a glance with Sawyer, and then they got down to business.

***

“I ’M AMAZED HE HAD A list of possible suspects,” Riley said in a hushed tone as they walked back to Sawyer’s truck an hour later.

Her mind whirled over their quick meeting.

While she didn’t like that Sawyer had brought in even more people, she had to admit, things were happening now.

She’d been relying on IDing the guy at the bar as the main break in this case.

He would eventually lead her straight to his partner in this plot.

Things had happened quickly last night. Sawyer put the tracker on the tattooed man’s coat, but when he showed up again at the bar, Riley would attempt to access his cell phone.

She’d been unprepared yesterday, not expecting to know with certainty that he was her guy.

By installing malware on his cell phone, she could identify every single thing he was doing.

Follow him. Read his messages. Discover if he was communicating in other ways.

Did he use an app? The dark web? The intercepted texts were only the tip of the iceberg.

“Me too,” Sawyer agreed, and her focus returned to him.

“The commander’s sharp, but I didn’t realize he’d come to the meeting with potential names.

It just goes to show that anyone with questionable intentions and disciplinary actions against them is being watched.

Closely. With the CO’s list of possibilities, we’re one step closer to solving this. ”

“How’d he know who had access to the area? He had to have been searching in the secure systems,” Riley said with a frown.

“You worried that’ll tip someone off,” Sawyer assessed.

“Well, yeah. Clearly, there’s some type of coverup if no one has noticed or questioned that munitions are gone.”

“He could’ve run a search under the guise of needing something different. This is just a starting point. He had limited time after I spoke with him this morning. The list he showed us is just names, not background info or photos of the men. And we still need an ID on tiger boy.”

“He could have access to that storage area as well,” Riley pointed out.

“Agreed. Although based on the intercepts you showed me, I think he’s just the public face for this plot.

He was the one out there initially meeting with the buyer, the one who agreed to meet the messenger at Coconuts last night.

He’s in it for the money and other perks—drugs, women.

I don’t think he’s an addict, just using the drugs to control the women he’s bedding. ”

“He’s disgusting,” Riley spat out. “Of course, that leads me to wonder about the motives of the man with access to the weapons.”

Sawyer looked thoughtful. “If it’s not about money—or not only about money—maybe he’s in it for revenge.

The guy could have a beef with the Navy or U.S.

government. Commander Madden pulled names of guys who had access and who he thought could be involved.

If they already have disciplinary action against them, they could figure they have nothing to lose.

Either the guy thinks he’ll get away with it or go down in notoriety. ”

“This is a mess,” Riley said, agitated. “All of it. DOD is working to learn more about the buyer as well. Analysts are focused on that even as we speak.”

Sawyer clenched his jaw. “We don’t know where the missiles went.”

“Exactly. Were they sent overseas for some foreign war? It seems like they wouldn’t get far with only two missiles. They’re likely using them for something more sinister. A threat. An attack.”

“The target could be here,” Sawyer said, eyeing her. “Not necessarily Hawaii, but somewhere in the United States. Or it could be used against one of our allies. Again, it makes little sense. They’d require the capabilities to launch a missile, otherwise it won’t do a damn bit of good.”

Riley mulled that over. She’d been focused on IDing the culprits and hadn’t given too much thought to the end game of the buyer.

DOD analysts and others within the intelligence community were monitoring chatter for information on whatever the buyer was plotting.

Just because they hadn’t determined the plans yet didn’t mean a plot hadn’t been formed.

The trouble was, they needed to stop it before it could be fully executed.

Her phone buzzed, and Sawyer watched as she pulled it from her purse. “Huh. Take a look at this.”

Sawyer scanned over the intercepted message.

I made it to the address last night after all. Let’s just say the girl I saw made it well worth my time. More of that, please.

“What the hell?” Sawyer asked.

“He must’ve paid her in cash since we intercepted the drugs. I can only guess that was originally intended for her.” Riley shook her head. “That seedy little massage parlor is a whole other problem.”

“Not sure we can deal with that right now, kitten,” Sawyer told her. “We’ve got bigger problems with traitors and stolen military weapons.”

He clicked his remote and walked around his truck to open the passenger door.

Riley was too lost in thought to protest that she didn’t need his help.

Sawyer’s hands lingered on her waist as he helped her up.

She glanced at him in surprise, and his eyes landed on her mouth.

No. He couldn’t kiss her here while in uniform and on base, and she felt a tug of uncertainty.

Did she want him to kiss her? He’d done so freely in the past.

Things were...complicated. Too complicated.

“Are you working tonight?” Sawyer asked after he got into the driver’s seat.

“Yep. I figured I might as well keep my regular shift, see if any other trouble comes in.”

“Is that an invitation?” he joked, waggling his eyebrows.

Riley cleared her throat, trying to maintain her composure. “We should probably just keep things professional between us. You do whatever you normally do in the evenings, and I’ll head in to work.”

He playfully scowled at her. “Come on now, kitten. Everyone there already thinks we’re getting married.

I might as well play the part.” He started the engine, and Riley put on her seatbelt, wondering what his angle was.

They found the guy. They’d get a name. Things were finally happening.

Moving forward. She supposed Sawyer did frequent Coconuts, but he’d just been there last night.

Surely, he had other things to do than hang out at the bar while she worked.

“You do realize we don’t need to actually get married now,” she pointed out. “Your CO practically spoon-fed us a list of names. I don’t have a need to be lurking around base trying to make progress on my investigation anymore.”

He chuckled. “I do realize that, kitten. It’s a damn shame we no longer need to tie the knot.”

“Why do you say that?” she asked.

“I was mighty looking forward to our wedding night.”