SEAL’S Secret Vows

19. Chase

Chapter nineteen

Chase

S itting at my desk, I’m surrounded by maps and blueprints of the hotel. My mind races as I try to piece together a mission plan, envisioning every possible scenario. Commander Keith's emergency call yesterday telling me about suspicious faces around the hotel made me decide to stay back and book reservations there.

Time to put this marriage to use, it's meant to be undercover after all, and not just a way to keep a pesky ex away. I hope Ethan’s not bothering Nora. She would have told me, wouldn’t she?

Just as I'm about to finalize our approach, Joseph's call interrupts my thoughts. “Chase, we've got a situation. I just got a call from the command center. There's been hints about a possible attack on the hotel in Dallas.”

My heart pounds in my chest as I absorb Joseph's words, his tone urgent and tense.

“How credible is the threat?” I ask, my mind already calculating our next move.

“That's hard to say, but we can't take any chances. We’re pulling in everyone. We’ve got SWAT and the bomb squad on their way now. And Nora's team is on it as we speak.” Joseph replies. “But we need to move quickly and get our team on the ground.”

I nod, my mind already shifting gears. “Get Lena and Mark on standby. We'll meet in the briefing room in fifteen minutes.”

As I hang up the phone, I quickly gather my notes and rush to the meeting. Lena and Mark are already there, their expressions serious as they await my instructions.

“We've got a possible threat on the hotel,” I announce, wasting no time. “Our objective is to get in there and assess the situation. We're going undercover in a regular car. Everything we need will be in the car ready for when we need it. Lena, I need you to gather intel on the surrounding area. Mark, your task is to review our entry points and secure any necessary equipment. Nora must have more information on this, tell her to meet us in the car in five. Joseph and I will look into various ways we can enter the hotel without being noticed.”

I glance around the room, a sense of determination coursing through me. “We can do this,” I say, meeting each of their gazes in turn. “We've trained for situations like this. Stay focused, stay sharp, and we'll get through it together.”

They nod in understanding, already moving into action. Joseph and I huddle around the table, maps spread out before us.

“Alright boss, what do you have in mind?”

“I'm thinking of going undercover with Nora to the business summit as a couple. I've made reservations in a hotel room. From the previous missions, I've seen that we can hack into their system and know what's going on. Nora and I will focus on the outside. I need you to find the hostage. We might not have rescued her the first time, but I believe they have her here.”

The telephone rings and I swiftly grab the receiver without a moment's delay.

Lena's voice cuts through the tense atmosphere as she reports her findings. “Nora says there's increased activity in the area, although there's nothing conclusive. It's undoubtedly a high-risk environment.”

Mark adds over the call, “We'll need to be prepared for anything. I'll make sure we have all the necessary gear. We're going downstairs now.”

“Okay. We're on our way.” Joseph and I gather our gear and head for the door. The sun is shining brightly unlike the other day, which can only be a good sign.

We hop into the car to see Nora already seated and typing away, only glancing up to give me a small smile before resuming typing again. That’s strange. She might be anxious about the mission.

Mark zooms out of the building on high speed only slowing down when we reach town.

As we approach the hotel, a sense of unease settles over me. The streets are eerily quiet, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by an unsettling calm. I exchange a knowing glance with Lena and Joseph. Some people high up are most likely involved in this.

“What's the plan, sir?” Mark parks the car away from three other cars but at a close distance to the entrance.

“We need to infiltrate the hotel, gather intel, and put an end to the threat once and for all. Nora and I will be going under the guise of a married couple.”

“A married couple attending the business summit would attract less attention.” Lena says, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

“We’ll check it and update you on how it’s going. Stay alert, guys. They probably know we’re here.” I shut the door and Nora follows after me with a briefcase. I look at her and loop my fingers between hers.

We make our way through the hotel, our senses on high alert. Nora walks beside me, her hand tight in mine, her eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of danger.

“We need to stay vigilant,” I say, my voice low. “Keep your eyes open and stick close to me.” Nora nods, her grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly, but she doesn't say a word.

We enter the hotel, and a man approaches us immediately. “Are you here for the summit?”

“Yes.” Nora says confidently.

He hands us a brochure and a detail of the events.

“The program will start in thirty minutes’ time. More information will be given then.”

“Thank you, sir.” We move to the reception, and the receptionist hands us the key card.

“Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Steele,” the receptionist says with a friendly gleam in her eyes.

Nora places the suitcase on the table in the room and looks around. “We should go to the hall and see what they're up to.”

“When did you book the hotel?” she asks, ignoring my suggestion.

“Yesterday. Commander Keith called me about something suspicious going on at the hotel. That was the emergency we had.”

“Okay. Is there anything else you should be telling me?” She starts her laptop and connects to the cameras in the hotel. Two views show us the hall and people in it.

“No, there’s isn’t.” Without another word she continues staring at her laptop and typing at intervals.

“Nora, is everything okay?” I ask, unable to ignore the weight of her silence any longer. I move closer to her and lean on the table.

“Yes. Everything is fine, sir.”

“Sir? Where did that come from?”

She looks up at me with wide eyes. “I know you’re hiding something from me.”

I frown. “Now is the time to talk about this?”

She deflates, her eyes flashing with hurt.

I sigh, running my hand through my hair. “I’m sorry,” I say softly.

She nods, not looking at me.

“Okay, there is something I haven't told you,” I start, tilting her gaze up to meet mine. “Maxwell was... someone important to me. I think the person who was fighting with me was Maxwell. A former teammate.”

“Oh, Chase.” Her voice is soft.

“I got a glimpse of his face when we were fighting before Joseph pulled him off me. I told you we were four. Remember?”

“Are you sure?” She looks shocked. “Why would a past teammate of yours be working with the enemy?”

“The same question is on my mind. Why? The only answer I keep getting is revenge.” I shake my head, my throat tight. “I would give anything to be wrong.”

“Revenge?” she asks, unsatisfied with my answer. “Can I see a picture?” I pull out an old picture from my wallet and hand it to her. She looks at it briefly and returns it.

“You don’t believe me. What is it?”

“No, it’s not that I don’t believe you.” Nora hesitates, her gaze flickering away for a moment before meeting mine once more. “It’s nothing, really,” she says, but her tone belies her words.

I reach out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “You can talk to me, you know,” I say softly using the same words she spoke to me, my heart aching at the thought of her suffering in silence.

“I thought you were upset about something else. Not the mission.”

In for a penny, I think. Despite it really not being the time or place, all I can think about is her. “Tell me,” I plead.

Nora takes a deep breath, the walls she built crumbling as she looks into my eyes. “I’m just... I'm not sure if this is what you really want,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I heard you and Joseph talking yesterday. You mentioned your exes and it didn’t seem like you’ve moved on; you also said your job was your priority.” Different emotions run through me ranging from shock to fear.

“Is that why you’ve been acting like this? How much did you hear?”

“Enough.” I look at her for a while and realize that she has formed an opinion already. Oh, Joseph and his big mouth.

“Joseph noticed that there was something going on between us, and on the contrary, he was making sure that I didn’t treat this opportunity given to me like my past relationships. You can talk with him.”

“I don’t have to, Chase. You said work is your priority.”

“Nora, listen to me,” I say, my voice filled with conviction.

Damn the consequences. I think. She deserves to know the truth.

“I love you. More than anything in this world. And if there's one thing, I'm sure of, it's that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I need you to know,” I continue, feeling sure about this. “You're the one I choose, Nora. Above all others. Did you wait to hear everything? After I said work is my priority, I also said you were slowly taking up that position.”

My words hang heavy in the air, a silent plea for understanding and acceptance. I look into her eyes, and I’m unable to discern any emotions. Her face is unreadable.

“Nora, can you please trust me? I love you, Nora. I swear it.” I inch forward, my lips hovering just inches from hers.

“Chase…” Her voice trembles.

Hurt flashes through me, though I know her hesitancy isn’t an answer on its own.

“Make a choice, Nora. I love you. Please give us a chance.” I kiss her forehead once and then take a step back. “I’ll do a sweep of the room. Be careful.”

I walk away, knowing that I need to focus on the mission, but I’m uneasy about Nora’s uncertainty.

I love her. I told her. It’s out of my hands now.

Now it’s up to her.