Finding Carly (SEAL Team Hawaii #5)(38)

Every muscle in Jag’s body tensed. “What?”

“He showed up with a group of men to eat. I was scared at first,” Carly admitted, talking fast, wanting to get the entire story out before Jag decided to turn the car around and go hunt the man down. “But eventually I got mad. Why was I hiding in the kitchen? I had just as much right to be there as he did. I didn’t wait on his table, but I did walk by it a few times. He didn’t say anything, but when he was leaving, he asked if he could talk to me. I stayed near the hostess stand out front and let him talk. He admitted that Shawn had told him about his plan, but he claimed he thought he was kidding. Just talking out his ass. He even apologized. Then he left. That’s it. Oh—wait, he did ask me to call off my watchdog, and I’m assuming he meant Baker…Speaking of, you met with him today, right? What’d he say?”

Carly held her breath as she waited for Jag to respond.

“I’m trying not to freak out here,” he said after a long moment.

“I know. I felt the same way. And I didn’t mean to spring that on you. I mean, I was completely wigged out for at least half an hour after I saw him. But nothing happened, Jag. He barely even looked at me. I admit that the man creeps me out, but he didn’t do anything.”

Jag’s knuckles were white around the steering wheel.

“And after thinking about it, I’m glad he was there today. I’m going to run into other friends of Shawn’s, and I need to figure out how to deal with that. I never want to feel again the way I did for the months I hid out in my apartment. I was paralyzed with fear, and I don’t even know what, or who, I was scared of. I mean, I thought it was Luke, but now I think it was just the fear of what could happen. I can’t live that way. I could get run over tomorrow. I could have a heart attack. I could be minding my own business in the grocery store and be killed by someone holding up the pharmacy or something. But I want to live, Jag. Experience life. I’m rambling. Sorry.”

“No, you’re making complete sense. That doesn’t change the fact that I hate that any of Shawn’s friends got anywhere close to you.”

“I know.”

“I did talk to Baker today. He met with the team.”

“And?” Carly asked when Jag didn’t continue.

“He doesn’t have anything concrete yet.”

“Damn.”

“But apparently, the talk he had with Barrowman had some effect.”

“Yeah,” Carly agreed. “Maybe stirring all this up, forcing people to talk with him, making them worry about their jobs, will make something happen. Not that I want anyone to try to kidnap me or anything, but if someone reacts enough to make a mistake, or feels guilty enough to admit they were in the ocean waiting to pick up Shawn, I can move on with my life.”

“You’re moving on no matter what happens,” Jag countered. He peeled his hand from the steering wheel and held it out. Carly gladly latched on to him, intertwining her fingers with his.

“You want to hear more details about what Baker found out?”

Carly thought about that for a moment, then asked, “Is there anyone I should be more watchful for than others? Like, does he think Luke is more a danger than someone else?”

“No. Baker hasn’t found out any concrete evidence about anyone. He’s still looking into alibis and watching surveillance videos.”

“Okay, then no, I don’t need details. I know you’ll let me know if he finds something out for sure.”

“When he finds out, and yes, I will. And I won’t wait until the end of the day either. I’ll drive my ass to wherever you are and tell you in person,” Jag said.

“Thanks.”

“No need to thank me, angel. You’re important to me. More important than just about anyone in my life at this point. I’ll never do something to put you in danger. And if that means giving you intel that might scare you, that’s what I’ll do.”

Carly nodded.

“Oh, and I’ve got the self-defense training sessions all scheduled for the days you aren’t working. Hope that’s all right.”

“It’s great. Although, I’m kinda nervous about them.”

“Why?”

“Well, you said the woman you were going to ask is like a female Rambo or something.”

Jag chuckled. “She’s pretty badass.”

“She’s gonna think I’m a wuss. I’m not exactly in shape, Jag. I get tired going up the stairs in the parking garage by Duke’s.”

“You don’t have to be in shape, and she’d never think you’re a wuss. Would it make you feel better if I said the other women will probably be joining you? When I told the guys about it, they all volunteered their women to come too.”

“Really? That’s awesome! I’d love that!” Carly said happily. Somehow it didn’t feel as intimidating to have the lessons with her friends.

“Good. After we stop at Food For All and drop off those bags of food Alani gave you, you okay with going straight home?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t sure if you needed to pick something up at your apartment, or at the store or something.”

“I don’t need anything,” Carly said. “Except to hang out with you and try to forget the world exists for a while.”