Chapter 10 #3
Something unexpected twisted in Sebastian’s gut. Ryan knew about Nora’s childhood assault—the guy wasn’t going to hit on her. And, even if she did fall for the guy’s charm, it wasn’t Sebastian’s business.
Jesus.
He wasn’t about to be jealous of someone going on a latrine run during a rescue mission… Except, unbelievably, he was.
Which proved Sebastian needed to get control of his emotions. He also obviously needed to get out more. Maybe get laid with someone who wanted a little fun with zero expectations afterward. A pity those kind of encounters left him cold.
He turned on the satellite communicator and called Novak while his team did the jobs he’d assigned them, including keeping all weapons either outside or in the unheated pantry cupboard so the mechanisms didn’t freeze.
They’d have to take turns being on guard, which sucked, but they’d known the situation going into this mission.
He gave Meghan the first watch. Given the temperature and the fact they all needed to be fresh in the morning for another full day tomorrow, he decided on two-hour watch intervals rather than the usual four.
Novak had no good news. None of the other squads had found any sign of Summer or her father. Satellite images had yielded nothing, nor had Romano’s drones. Information and leads were coming in on the tip line, but so much information was going to take time to decipher.
The net was slowly tightening on Eastman, but Summer was still out there. Still at risk.
After a smoky start, the wood fire caught and started producing heat. He shrugged out of his jacket. His gaze fell on Nora again as she and Ryan laughed together while they heated water for MREs and organized dinner. He pressed his lips together.
A bump against his leg made him look down. Chance leaned against him and gazed up at him with wise, soulful eyes.
Could a dog be wise?
Sebastian crouched down and smiled as he stroked the animal’s velvet ears.
He’d never had a pet. His father had barely provided food and accommodation for his wife and child, no way would he have paid vet fees.
But his mom had told him about the dog she’d grown up with.
A spaniel named Beto, who’d been her best friend as a child.
He didn’t know much about her family. She hadn’t spoken about them.
His dad forbade it. And when Sebastian had begged for more information after her death, his dad told him his mom didn’t have anyone else, that she’d been a sex worker who’d come illegally to the US and trapped him into marriage by claiming to be pregnant with his baby.
Bitterness and fury rose up inside him all over again. Good ol’ below-average Joe had married one of the most beautiful, caring people Sebastian had ever known and called himself a fool because he’d had to pay the price for not keeping his dick in his pants.
Asshole.
He wished the cocksucker wasn’t his father, but he knew his mother. Trusted her. She wouldn’t have lied. Not to him. So maybe he did have relatives back in Brazil, but he doubted he’d ever find out. He certainly wanted nothing to do with the dregs of his dad’s relations.
A wet tongue on the lips jolted him out of his ugly reminiscence. He grimaced. “Hey, no frenching.”
“Sorry.” Nora’s violet eyes danced as they met his. “He’s a sloppy kisser, drinker, eater. He’s pretty much sloppy at everything—and as someone who knows what else he does with that tongue I would not want it in my mouth.”
“Sebastian is very fussy about who he kisses.” Ryan gave a sly smile.
Sebastian narrowed his gaze. The last thing he wanted was to publicly discuss his boring personal life. “Unlike you, Romeo.”
Ryan shrugged as if the comment didn’t bother him, but Sebastian knew better and felt small for rising to the bait.
Sebastian gave the dog another quick scrub of hands over his ribs, but he was quickly abandoned as Nora pulled out a pack of kibble and dumped it in a collapsible bowl.
“Food’s ready,” Ryan called. “I’ll go give Meghan hers so it doesn’t get cold.” Ryan was out the door before Sebastian could offer to do it. He needed some air, but whatever. Grady and Cas picked up their dinners, and each claimed a chair.
Nora held up two packets with forks sticking out of each. “Sweet pork and rice, or chicken alfredo? Ryan already started on the chicken teriyaki.”
“Whatever you don’t want.”
She pursed her lips and stared thoughtfully at both.
He found himself watching her, so at ease amongst a group of strangers.
How could she seem so normal after everything she’d been through?
Hadn’t it ripped her apart? Destroyed her?
It must have, and yet here she was, a functional, capable human being working on a search that had to bring all those memories rushing back to the surface.
“What?” She wiped her cheek. “Something on my face?”
“No.” He shook his head. His heart beat a little unsteadily.
“Just zoned out for a moment.” He blindly took the packet she offered, headed to the table and sat, chewing on food that could have been cardboard for all he cared.
He needed to concentrate on the mission, not Nora.
Nora wasn’t the one who needed his help.