Chapter 4 #2
Pid mentally sighed. He didn’t blame her for being in a bad mood.
If he’d been caught in the middle of a riot, had to hide from a man intent on doing him harm, run to avoid being trapped in a burning house, hide out, get shot at while dangling from a ladder on a moving helicopter, then be told that he wouldn’t be returning to the job and children he loved and instead was forced to fly with people he didn’t know or trust, to a state he’d never been to, with no idea of what his future held… Yeah. He’d be in a bad mood too.
“For the record, I’m sorry,” he blurted.
Her gaze met his for the first time since they’d gotten on the plane. “For what?”
“For this entire fucked-up situation. But I’m gonna make sure the commander treats you with respect and that you’re fairly compensated for all of this.”
Monica stared at him for a beat before her shoulders slumped.
She shifted her gaze, concentrating on a spot in the middle of his chest. “I don’t think it’s any surprise that I’m not happy with this.
But I do want to help. Whoever that guy was, he was smug and very sure of himself.
The look in his eyes scared the shit out of me, and that’s why I hid.
If he’s been taking advantage of volatile situations in countries around the world, and scaring or possibly killing other women… I want to do my part to stop him.”
Pid was relieved, even as he heard a “but” coming.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m happy being here. I’m uneasy being on a military base, and I’m so far outside my comfort zone it’s not even funny,” she finished.
Pid made a quick decision. He had no idea if his commander would agree, or if Monica would agree, but he had no intention of not voicing his concerns about the entire situation.
“Come on, Pid!” Midas yelled from outside the plane. “Get a move on! I want to get home and see Lexie sometime this century.”
Pid knew better than to touch Monica, even though his fingers itched to do just that.
He vividly recalled how she felt against him as they rode the ladder up to the chopper.
Her skin was warm, he could feel it even through their clothes, and she fit against him perfectly, despite their height difference.
Which was fanciful and ridiculous…but regardless, the memory was burned into his brain.
“Monica? Will you look at me for a second?” He waited until her gaze met his before continuing.
“No matter what happens, you aren’t alone here.
I know you don’t trust me, and while I hate that, I understand it and I don’t blame you.
If you need anything, all you have to do is let me know.
If you’re hungry, I’ll feed you. If you’re scared, I’ll do what I can to put you at ease.
And if anyone pushes you too hard for information, tell them to fuck off, and I’ll come get you to give you a break. ”
Monica swallowed hard and asked in a tone so low, Pid could barely hear it. “Why?”
“Because you didn’t ask for this. Because I like you.”
Her brows came down. “You like me? You don’t even know me.”
“I know you’re tough. You can shoot and field dress a deer.
You have more integrity in your little finger than most people have in their entire bodies.
You love kids, you’re brave even when you’re scared, you don’t hesitate to do what you think is right, and you don’t panic in situations that would overwhelm most people.
I don’t know the little things, like your favorite color, whether you prefer the beach or the mountains, or what you like to eat…
but those are inconsequential compared to the things I consider really important. ”
Pid had no idea where all this was coming from, all he knew was that he wanted this woman to understand that she had an ally. She wasn’t alone.
Then he remembered her story about asking her dad for help—and what had happened as a result.
She wasn’t going to ask him for help. Ever.
That fact just made him more determined to keep his eye on her. To keep her best interests in mind. If she wouldn’t ask for help, he’d do what he could to anticipate what she needed and give it to her.
“Pid!” It was Aleck calling his name impatiently this time.
“We should go,” Monica said.
“Right.” Pid turned and walked toward the door of the aircraft, ready to make sure Monica was settled in with everything she needed before he stepped foot off the Naval base.
Commander Huttner was waiting for them when they entered the small terminal attached to the military air base.
“Welcome home,” he said to the SEALs. Then he turned to Monica. “And welcome to Hawaii, Miss Collins. I wish it were under better circumstances. But I appreciate your willingness to assist in this very important investigation.”
“I don’t recall being given a choice,” Monica replied. Her tone was perfectly respectful, but she didn’t hesitate to make her thoughts on being there loud and clear.
It was all Pid could do not to smile at the surprised look on his commander’s face.
“Right, well…if you come with me, we’ll get the initial interview out of the way. The sooner you tell us everything you know, the sooner you’ll be able to leave,” Commander Huttner said.
Pid took a step forward, not quite standing in front of Monica, but almost. “No,” he said, a little harsher than he meant to.
“Pardon me?” Huttner said.
“It’s late,” Pid reasoned, doing his best to remember who he was talking to and temper his tone.
“We’ve been traveling for hours. I’m hungry and tired and need a shower, so I’m sure Monica feels the same way.
She’s here. She isn’t going anywhere. Surely you can talk to her tomorrow?
Or better yet, the day after that. The more comfortable and rested she is, the better her memory will be. ”
The two men stared at each other, their wills clashing even though they didn’t speak a word.
Finally, the commander let out a long breath. “Fine,” he said. “But I expect her to be at my office at eight o’clock sharp the day after tomorrow.”
Pid looked behind him and saw Monica’s grateful gaze glued to him. He much preferred that look than the disdain he’d seen so often in her eyes. He raised an eyebrow as if to ask if that was acceptable. She nodded, and Pid turned back to his commander. “Yes, Sir,” he told him, a little belatedly.
Huttner ran a hand through his already mussed hair, and Pid realized for the first time that his commander was extremely rattled. The mysterious man claiming to be a SEAL had Huttner acting completely out of character.
It piqued Pid’s interest, but at the moment, he had other things on his mind. “Where did you arrange for Monica to stay?” he asked.
“Gabrunas Hall.”
Pid stiffened, and he saw Mustang do the same. “The unaccompanied personnel barracks?” he asked in disbelief.
“There was an empty room and it’s close to my office,” Huttner said.
“Why not the Navy Lodge?” Pid asked. It was more like a hotel than the barracks.
The rooms weren’t fancy, but many had small kitchens and, more importantly for Monica’s sake, most of the people who stayed there were retired military members and their families.
They wouldn’t be in uniform. She’d be more comfortable around them.
“It’s full,” Huttner replied. “It’s tourist season and all the rooms are booked.”
“She can stay with me,” Pid blurted.
He’d already made the decision to offer her lodging if necessary, so he could better look after her, but now he was going to insist.
“I can stay at the barracks,” Monica said quietly from behind him.
Pid turned to her. “The men and women who live there are mostly single. They’ll be coming and going at all hours of the night.
While it’s frowned upon, there are often loud parties and you’ll be surrounded by sailors in uniform, every second of every day.
I know you don’t trust me, or really even know me, but I swear on my life and that of my teammates that you’ll be safe at my place.
I’ve got a guest room, it’s quiet, and I live off base. ”
Pid practically held his breath as he waited to hear Monica’s response.
He was aware that he should’ve asked Huttner for permission to take her off base, but having her stay at the rowdy barracks would definitely stress her out and wasn’t conducive to her cooperating and giving the commander the information he wanted.
“It won’t be any trouble,” Pid cajoled. “I’ll leave you alone. You won’t even have to talk to me if you don’t want to. It’s not huge, but I swear it’ll be more comfortable and relaxing than the barracks.”
“Fine,” Monica said after another long moment.
Relieved, Pid turned back to his commander. “I’ll have her at your office at eight o’clock the day after tomorrow.”
“I’m not sure—” Huttner started, but Pid interrupted. He knew he was pushing his luck, and he’d most likely be reprimanded, but he didn’t care. This was important.
“She didn’t have a choice in coming here,” he reminded his superior officer. “The least we can do is make sure she’s as comfortable as possible. And you know as well as I do that Gabrunas Hall isn’t a relaxing atmosphere for someone who isn’t in the military.”
For a moment, Pid thought his commander was going to deny his request to house Monica—as he probably should. But after an uncomfortably long silence, during which he studied Pid carefully, he finally nodded. “I’ll approve her staying at your home, but that means you’re responsible for her.”
“I know,” Pid said, ignoring the way Monica shifted uncomfortably at his commander’s words.
“And I’ll remind you, this is a matter of national security,” Huttner pressed.
Once more, Pid wished he knew exactly why their commander was so worked up about the man Monica had seen. But for now, his first concern was getting her settled and comfortable, despite being in a very uncomfortable situation.
“Understood,” Pid said.
Huttner nodded at him, then at the rest of the SEAL team, before heading out of the terminal without another word.