Page 45 of Stranded with the SEAL

Hawk covered his mouth and squeezed his cheeks.

Jax was right, that was the worst part. Classic military methodology. Hawk’s mind raced. “But you need me. I know how to stop Steele from taking the women away. I have access to a walkie-talkie that’s connected to someone right in his compound, and I know the only entryway that isn’t secured.”

“Give me what you’ve got, Hawk.”

Hawk stared at him, determined to win this battle of wills. “No way. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me. I’m the one who watched Ralph die; I’m the one who wouldn’t let it go. I deserve to be there, damn it.”

Jax cursed under his breath. “Fine, but it doesn’t mean you’ve got your job back.”

“Deal.”

They went back inside.

“Leave the door open,” said Cowboy. “It’s warmer out there than it is in here.” He cocked his head and looked at Hawk. “It’s a miracle you two didn’t freeze to death. How’d y’all keep warm, anyway?” A devilish grin spread across his face.

Matteo chuckled.

“Shut up, Cowboy,” said Hawk.

Jax’s voice rose above the others. “Tell me why you can’t be seen. You’re far enough from Steele’s house you shouldn’t have a problem.”

“Steele’s goons came around, looking for a runaway from his current shipment.” He filled them in on the mysterious snowmobiler and the radio call.

“Good for the one who got away,” said Matteo.

Trevor crossed his arms. “We have to save the rest of those girls.”

Jax nodded. “Agreed. Tell us what you know about the compound, and we’ll make our plan.”

29

Olivia huddled against the cold, listening to the rise and fall of the men’s voices down the hall. Trevor’sit won’t take longhad turned into more than half an hour, time she’d spent worrying about his reaction to her memory returning.

Had he forgotten she was in here, waiting for him?

The arrival of his teammates brought out another side of Trevor she hadn’t seen before, a side battered in testosterone and fried in adrenaline.

The bedroom door opened and she jumped.

“Sorry I took so long,” said Trevor. “What’s up?”

He came and sat on the bed beside her. The energy coming from him belied his casual pose, as if he could bolt into action at any moment.

She licked her lips. “I remembered something. Or someone.”

His brows came together. “Who?”

“My fiancé.”

He sat up straighter. “Oh.”

“I thought you should know, now that we…we’re lovers and everything.”

“How do you feel about him?”

“I don’t know. I’m feeling a lot of things, honestly.”

“I see.”