Finding Kenna (SEAL Team Hawaii #3)(93)

Baker didn’t seem fazed by Aleck’s declaration. He merely shrugged again. “She’s all of ours,” he said. Then he nodded at Aleck and the rest of the team before heading out of the room without another word.

“Darn it, I wanted to talk to Baker,” Elodie protested. “He always slips away before I can have an actual conversation with him.”

“Well, it’ll have to wait for another day,” Mustang told her.

“Shoot,” Elodie pouted.

Kenna sidled back over to Aleck. He stood slowly, testing his leg, pleased that the pain killers they’d given him were doing their thing. He barely felt a twinge. But he was well aware that for the next few days, both him and Kenna would be hurting. He planned to hole up with her in his condo, neither coming out for a week. They’d take care of each other…and bask in the fact that they were still alive.

“At least we don’t have to worry about that asshole coming after Carly again,” Elodie said as she leaned against Mustang.

Aleck met Jag’s gaze and knew he was thinking the same thing. Yes, Shawn was out of the picture, but his accomplice wasn’t.

Carly might not know it, but she was about to have a Navy SEAL glued to her hip. Jag would make sure she was safe until whoever had been out in that ocean was discovered—and any threat to Carly ended once and for all.

“I can’t believe someone was crazy enough to be out on the ocean in that storm,” Kenna mumbled. “I mean, assuming that’s how Shawn was going to get off the beach like the cops think. It was probably Luke. Shawn’s son.”

“We’ll figure out who it was and make sure he’s not a threat to Carly in the future,” Jag said, determination easy to hear in his tone.

“Can we talk about the note you got…and didn’t tell me about?” Aleck asked Kenna.

She turned to him. “I honestly thought it was that stupid guy from Duke’s. The one who was abusing his wife and kid, who I’d called the cops on,” she said. “It said something about minding my business. I got it right after that incident, the day after you were deployed. I honestly forgot about it with everything else going on, especially since I didn’t get any others. Besides, you didn’t tell me you got a note either.”

Aleck took a deep breath. He had no right to be upset with her when he’d also gotten a note and dismissed it. He was sorrier than he could say that he hadn’t taken it more seriously. “You’re right. I should’ve said something. Jag got one too,” he told her.

Kenna looked at his friend with wide eyes. “You did?”

“Yes. I figured it was from Shawn, but like everyone else, I never expected he’d do something as extreme as he did,” Jag said.

“The second I learned about Jag getting a note, I put it together, but it was too late,” Aleck said. “Shawn was already at the restaurant.”

“Carly got a note. More than one, actually.” Kenna shivered. “I’m just so glad she wasn’t there.”

“Anyone else get any fucking notes?” Mustang asked, looking at Elodie and Lexie.

“Don’t look at me,” Elodie said immediately, shaking her head.

“Nope, not me,” Lexie added with a shrug.

“Well, in the future, if anyone does receive any threatening notes, no matter who you think they’re from, can we all agree to say something about it?” Mustang asked.

Everyone immediately nodded.

The realization that he wasn’t the only one who’d dismissed the note should’ve made Aleck feel better, but it didn’t. Because his mistake had almost meant Kenna’s death. He never would’ve forgiven himself if she’d been hurt worse than the cut under her chin.

“Okay, time’s up,” the nurse said as she stuck her head back into the room. “Everyone out.”

The guys each approached and gave Kenna heartfelt hugs. Aleck was almost brought to tears again, seeing how much they all worried and cared about her. Some men might’ve been jealous, but not him. He wanted his friends to like his woman, as much as he liked theirs.

Elodie and Lexie took a bit longer saying goodbye, with Elodie promising to make several meals so Kenna didn’t have to worry about cooking.

“Bring them to my place,” Aleck told her.

She smiled. “Of course.”

Kenna gave him some side-eye, but she didn’t complain or protest.

Lexie promised to come by and see her soon, and to bring Ashlyn as well.

Slate told Aleck he’d wait and drive them both home. “We’ll get both of your cars to Coral Springs,” he reassured them before heading out.

After their friends had all left, the room almost felt too quiet.

“I’ll bring by your discharge papers,” the nurse told them. “Sit. Get off that leg. Relax,” she ordered, then left.

Aleck ignored her. He was fine. His leg was fine. All he needed was to hold Kenna. He gathered her against his chest and sighed deeply. It had been a hell of a night, and there were a few times he hadn’t been sure he’d get a chance to hold her again.

“That sucked,” she muttered against his neck.

“Yeah.”

“Is that what it’s like when you’re on a mission?” she asked.

Aleck couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not even fucking close,” he told her.