SEAL’S Secret Vows

18. Nora

Chapter eighteen

Nora

W atching Joseph and Chase from the corner of my eye, I brew a strong cup of coffee for a burst of energy. As I wait for it, my mind wanders to Chase, and I wonder how he's feeling today. The many weeks we’ve spent together have made me see the different sides that he has. The same Chase that I called for a ride away from my wedding seems like a distant memory. I always knew he was a good friend—but now I know that’s he’s a good man, too.

This mission seems to have done something to change him inside out. I can usually tell when he’s hiding something or when something’s bothering him just like now, but he’s refusing to share this one. He’s probably still getting his thoughts together. The fight might have been a tough one, but I couldn’t miss the restraint between him and his attacker. It was like they wanted each other’s throat, yet they didn’t want to kill each other. Whatever it is, I hope he’ll tell me when he’s ready or he might have figured it out by then and it just might not be that big of a deal.

I look at the various dishes already laid out on the table. I notice Javier, bustling in the pantry. “Good morning, Javier,” I greet him with a smile. The web of creases in the man’s sun-bronzed skin stretches as he grins and puts some fresh vegetables in the sink.

“Good morning, Miss Nora,” he responds cheerfully.

“You can just call me Nora, you know.”

He smiles again and shakes his head. “I couldn’t. Sir would not approve.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t think Chase would have a problem with you calling me by my name.” I wink, and he shrugs.

I take a deep breath, eyes raking over the backyard, to see the wide swimming pool glistening in all its glory, and I badly want to take a dive into it but that can wait.

“Can you check on the cake? I thought it would be nice to celebrate with a cake.”

“That’s a great idea.” I check on the cake seeing it baking nicely. Javier mixes a sauce in a bowl and lets out a sound of approval.

“I have prepared a special cheese sauce for the macaroni.”

“How does it taste?”

“Spectacular,” he replies. “Would you like to have a taste?”

“Yes. I'd love to.” He hands me a spoon and eagerly awaits my reaction.

“Hmm...” my lips purse in an exaggerated frown while internally stifling a chuckle.

“What is it? Is it tangy?” His eyes widen in alarm as he watches my reaction.

“There’s something…” I make a look of disgust and drop the spoon in the sink watching a flicker of panic flash across his face.

“Let me have another taste. I can fix it.” A pang of disappointment mixed with anxiety shimmers in his eyes as he takes another spoon.

“It’s perfect, Javier.” I burst out laughing and watch relief wash over his features.

“You had me scared for a moment.” He places one hand on his chest and releases a deep sigh, dramatically wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.

“I know, right? You’re a great cook, Javier. But damn! You were scared.”

“Yes. You got me right there.” He chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief and starts prepping some vegetables.

“What else do you want to make?”

“Oh, take a guess,” he says excitedly, pointing the knife to the kitchen island which is covered in ingredients.

“Okay… I see mussels, clams, shrimp, chorizo… You’re making paella.”

“Yes. I’m making everyone’s favorite dish. Well, at least what I know to be their favorite dish. Lauren loves seafood so I’m making Cioppino, and when she gets here, I’ll toast some sourdough bread to go with it. She’s a local, that one. Chase and Lauren both love cake, but Chase prefers chocolate cake. He’ll just have to settle for vanilla, which is Lauren’s favorite, as it’s her day today.”

“Yes. Speaking of cakes, that reminds me. Chase’s birthday is in two days. Are you going to bake a cake?”

“Yes. I’ve got the ingredients to make the chocolate cake. I don’t know if Lauren will still be around then.”

“She might. I haven’t heard either way.” The oven dings as if on cue, and I pick up the oven gloves Javier placed close to the oven and bring the cake out, placing it on the counter.

“My chocolate cake is very good. It’s rich in flavor. He loves it strong and sweet.” He gives me a smile of gratitude and proceeds to chop the rest of the ingredients.

“Strong, yes. Sweet? Hmm… maybe sweet isn’t a word suited to Chase.”

“Then what is?” He stops chopping and looks up at me strangely.

“Adorable.” His face widens in surprise, and I burst out laughing. “Isn’t he adorable?”

“Well, I guess he is.” He mutters some words under his breath, clearly confused as to how Chase could be described as adorable.

“He can be as adorable as a kid sometimes. What else are you making? Do you need my help with anything?”

“I’ll be making grilled steak and some vegetable salad. The steak is on the grill already.”

“So, the only thing left is the vegetables?” I grab a knife and pick a few vegetables from a basket.

“Oh, no. You shouldn’t. This is my job.”

“Come on, Javier. It’s not a big deal. I certainly should help out, and I’d like to see what the great Chef Javier has to say about my cooking.”

“Oh, you flatter me.” His cheeks turn red as he waves a hand in the air. “As adorable as a kid you say…” he says referring to my compliment about Chase. “Hmmm… speaking of kids, if you don’t mind me asking, how many kids would you like? I have six.”

“Six?” I squeak.

“Yes, six. The commander also likes children. I think he mentioned one time that he would love to have six children just like me.”

“Six? Chase told… told you that?” I splutter and chop the vegetables slower than before as I take in the revelation.

“Yes. As a matter of fact, my eldest son’s wife is pregnant with their sixth.” I look up to see a sly grin on his face and raise a brow in response. “Six is a good number.”

“Really, Javier?” He bursts into a laugh, rich and deep in baritone. “Now, the joke’s on you.”

“I didn’t know you had a witty sense of humor.”

“Well, I have different sides to me. You just discovered one side besides my cooking.”

“I can’t wait to discover the other sides.”

“Well, I’m glad to tell you that you’re in for a ride.”

“I’m excited! I can’t wait to find out.” I swipe the knife on the chopping board and pour the vegetables into a bowl.

“We need the salad cream. I’ll check the pantry.” He hurries into the pantry and starts searching through. I wipe my hands on the napkin and pat my jean pockets for my phone.

“I need to call someone, but I think I left my phone upstairs.” I call out to Javier but stop at the kitchen entrance when I overhear Joseph talking with Chase about his past relationships. I freeze, listening intently as they reminisce about his exes and I can’t help feeling a pang of jealousy. Did he ever love them as deeply as he claims to love me? Doubt gnaws at my insides, and I can't help but question if he’s truly moved on. Why are they bringing up the topic now?

Not going to work… clangs come from the pantry, and I can’t make out the rest of his words. With Nora. His voice becomes lower, and I can hardly hear his words. Compare her to all the others.

Chills wash over me at his words. All the others? Is this all it means to him? Like the others? My work is my priority. Nothing else is. What if he’s just in the euphoria of the undercover marriage and after all this is over, he’ll move on with his life? I thought we had something going?

“Your phone.” Javier taps me before I can hear the rest of their conversation. “You left it beside the oven.”

“Thanks. It must have slipped my mind,” I reply absentmindedly, pocketing it.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” Worry lines etch around his eyes like my father’s when he is concerned about me. I feel a pang of worry. I miss them—I’ve been keeping our calls as short as possible.

“I’m fine,” I reply, but he’s not buying it. The monitor rings, and I decide to call my parents later. “I’m guessing Lauren’s here.” Javier opens his mouth to say more but I interrupt him. “I’ll get the cake.” I place the cake on the table, and Joseph claps excitedly. He picks it up to carry it to the table only to let out a yelp from the heat before dropping it immediately. My lips curl into a faint smile, his drama uplifting some of my sad mood. Chase walks to the door to open it and goes out to welcome his sister.

“Hey Nora, pass me the oven gloves.” I hand him the gloves, and he lifts the cake again following Chase to welcome Lauren with it.

A lady of average height with a slender build who shares Chase's striking brunette hair and warm hazel eyes walks in beaming. She exchanges greetings with Joseph yet keeps her eyes on me the whole time telling me Chase has told her about me. How much, though?

Chase makes the introductions, and she pulls me into a hug, catching me off guard. After exchanging pleasantries with Javier, she squeals excitedly like a child when Javier mentions her favorite dish. The three of them seem to share a close bond, and I doubt if I would be welcomed into that.

“Chase has told me so much about you.” She starts as soon as we get into the kitchen, interrupting my thoughts.

“Oh, he has?” I reply unsure of how to feel after what I heard him say. Javier excuses himself and checks on the dishes on the stove.

“Yes. They are good things, don’t worry.” She chuckles, and I feel myself relaxing. “How are you? I know I shouldn’t be asking you this, but how did Chase get injured?”

“I’m fine but Chase isn’t. We went on a mission yesterday, and we were attacked. There was one man in particular that got into a fight with Chase. That’s how he sustained the blows to his face, but Joseph came to our rescue. He said you’d examine his wounds when you got here.”

“Yes, thanks for reminding me. I think he has a first aid box around here somewhere.”

Javier approaches with a small dish. “Miss Nora, would you like to try the paella?” he asks, holding out a spoonful.

I nod, taking a taste of the rice. My taste buds explode with flavor, and I can't help but let out a satisfied sigh. “Javier, this is incredible. You've outdone yourself. I’m going to need a full plate of that.” I exclaim, earning a pleased grin from him. Lauren takes a spoon and gives the same reaction.

“We should cut the cake.” Javier announces and hands Lauren a cake knife. “Lauren, would you like to do the honors?”

“I would love to. I mean, it’s my cake after all.” She moves to the living room and cuts the cake into slices. Javier hands each person a plate. I take a small bite out of the cake, wanting nothing else but to leave.

“Joseph, let me catch a ride with you. I need to sort out some things at work.” I drop the plate on the table and grab my bag feeling bad for having to leave Lauren so soon, but it will be difficult to think around Chase if Lauren keeps mentioning his name. Besides, the siblings could use some alone time, I’m sure.

“Sure,” he responds through a mouthful of cake.

“I should come with you. I won’t be staying back so nobody should try to stop me. Lauren, I’m sure Javier and Titan will keep you company for a while.” Chase grabs his phone before anyone can stop him and gives Lauren a kiss on the forehead.

Well, there goes avoiding him.

***

Different camera angles of the hotel are displayed on the screen, and I take notes on specific entry and exit points in case things get out of hand. But something seems suspicious about all this. Before I can dwell on it further, my phone rings.

It's Chase.

“Hey, Nora.” He sounds panicked. “There’s an emergency and I won't be able to go home today. You should go home without me.” My heart sinks, but I quickly push aside my disappointment, knowing that his work often comes first.

“I understand. Good luck.” I hang up, hoping I didn’t sound harsh. I start making a plan on getting quicker access into the hotel, but I can't shake the feeling of worry for Chase. What trouble has he got into now? I reach for my phone, hesitating before sending him a quick text.

I hope everything's okay. Let me know if you need anything. I type, sending it off before second-guessing myself.

Hours later, I still feel restless. Something about Chase's tone on the phone seemed off. Was it just the emergency, or was there something else bothering him? I push the thought aside, chalking it up to my overactive imagination. On the flip side, I don’t know how I’d sleep with him in the same room after what I heard, so it is to my advantage that he’s not coming home tonight. How do I sleep easy knowing he might be in some sort of trouble?

“Hey, Emma.” I tap her shoulder twice and adjust her glasses that have fallen off halfway. “I’m going home.”

“Home? Okay. Good night. I’ll let you know if I find anything.” She rubs her eyes with her fists and dozes off again. I take off her glasses and place them on the table shaking my head with a smile. “Oh, Emma.”

As I step outside the gates, doubts continue to plague me. Can I trust Chase's feelings for me? Or am I just going to be another name on his list of relationships? I try to shake off the negative thoughts, but they cling to me like a stubborn shadow.

“Nora.” Ethan’s voice catches me by surprise. How long has he been waiting for me outside? My heart races as I prepare myself for another confrontation. But to my surprise, he approaches me with a calm demeanor.

He looks better. Less… frantic, at least, and certainly less angry.

I consider turning on my heel and going inside, but for some reason, I wait.

“Can I give you a ride? Please don’t say no.” He adds quickly. “I just want to talk.”

“I can’t. I have to get home soon.” I strap my bag tighter and take a few steps, but he interrupts.

“Please. I can drop you off.” His eyes are pleading, but I’m not moved.

“Not after what you said.” I snap. His eyes harden for a second before he takes a deep breath.

“You have to understand why I was so angry,” he says, his voice even.

I bite the inside of my cheek. “You still shouldn’t have spoken to me like that.”

“I’m sorry for my outburst.” Is he apologizing? I can’t remember that happening even once in our entire relationship. “I was wrong to lash out at you.”

“If this is about us getting back together, it’s not possible. Move on.”

“I have moved on. I just came to apologize.”

Is he really apologizing or is there more to it? Time will tell. It must be one of his tricks.

“Why are you saying this now?” I ask, frowning.

Ethan averts his eyes. My suspicions grow.

“Tell me,” I insist.

His eyes snap up, and I see that same cold, calculating look I have grown used to. “My team advised me it would be in my best interest to cut ties. Formally.” He says this through clenched teeth.

I frown. Then, a light bulb goes off. “Your election… You’re going to start campaigning, and you don’t want me to say anything bad about you when the news reporters find me.”

Tightly, he nods.

As annoying as it is that he is only here for himself, it at least makes sense. I nod, too.

“Okay. Apology accepted.” I consider him. “I’m sorry, too, you know. For… not being braver sooner.”

He looks at me, a bit wounded. Then he nods, and I feel a weight lifting off my shoulders.

“You can go now. Let’s just put the past behind us.” I say, really meaning it.

His features soften with relief as I accept his apology. He points to his car again and I shake my head. There’s no way I am getting into his car. He sighs, shoulders sagging in resignation, before slipping into the driver’s seat and driving off.

Part of me wants to just be relieved, to think that this whole thing is resolved now.

The other part of me is afraid that he’ll do something awful, like go to my parents or spread more lies.