Carrying “Miss Jade” into his apartment, John caught a glimpse of his face in the mirror. Damn, he was smiling like a jackass again. The woman was like an instant shot of happiness every time he was around her. So much for keeping things professional. The guys had caught him staring into space during their last mission and gave him all kinds of shit. They were even taking bets on how long it would take him to settle down. He thought they were crazy, SEALs didn’t do well in long-term relationships. Then they reminded him about Wolf’s team. All of them had beaten the odds, and there were others now too. Maybe it wasn’t such a pipe dream. Could he do that to a woman he loved though? Leave her behind with the chance of never coming back? It had been a close call last time, and except for Frost the rest of his team hadn’t been as lucky.

Hell, just thinking about what Ariana was going to do when she found out was almost enough to make him back off, almost. At first, he’d felt guilty about the plant, but it was nothing compared to what he was really hiding. He was trustworthy, she’d know that. He was a freakin’ Navy SEAL, that had to count for something. Hopefully enough of a something for her to forgive him for the ruse.

He’d been watching her for months and knew all about her friend Shira Redmond, but this was the first time he’d met her. When Senior Inspector Colin Rogers of the US Marshall Service, his former college roommate, asked for some unofficial help with a witness who refused Witness Protection he’d been intrigued. According to Colin, most grabbed the chance for a new life, but not Ariana Nelson.

Waiting to be cleared for duty had been driving him nuts, so he jumped at the opportunity. It gave him something to occupy his time after PT every day. Longing to be back on the Teams and feeling useful again; he was practically climbing the walls. It didn’t matter that his body was healed and that he’d passed all the tests to be certified for a return to duty. Nope, it was his mind they were worried about. Damn shrinks.

The notification of his reinstatement came when he’d just about given up hope of ever going back to active duty. He’d even considered his ex-chief’s job offer. Chase Brennan, Frost when he was on the Teams, ran the Eagle Security & Protection Agency in Florida. With no ties to California, it would have been easy enough to move. But he wasn’t ready to give up being a SEAL. It was all he’d ever wanted.

Now he was back to work, and it was great even if he hadn’t been assigned to a new team yet. The official status was active duty, on call as needed, but it didn’t matter, as far as he was concerned he was back. It posed another problem. Having to be ready on a moment’s notice and reporting to work daily he couldn’t tail Ariana any longer, Colin had to put someone else on the job. But even though at that point he’d never spoken to her, he wasn’t ready to give up on his damsel in distress. Needing a reason to talk to her, check on her, make sure she was safe, was a necessity.

The plant seemed like the perfect solution at the time. He’d been toast the first time he’d spoken to her at the gym in the complex. He didn’t need the facilities, he had better equipment at the base, but it was the least threatening way he could think to approach her.

Ariana was funny, smart, stubborn as nails, and unlike any of the women he usually dated. Without even realizing it, the prickly little spitfire had stolen his heart. He tried to tell himself it was brotherly concern at first. Yeah, no. That worked for about ten seconds. He was supposed to be a professional. Falling for his ‘assignment’ was not an option. How the fuck had he gotten himself into this mess?

There was nothing he could do about any of it now, it would have to play out, and he hoped like hell Ariana would understand when she found out the truth. With a sigh, he grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and dropped onto the sofa to see if there was a game on. As he channel surfed, his cell phone rang.

“Hey, Colin. How’s it going?” Gotta love caller ID. What had they done without it?

“Good. I heard you were back.”

“How did you…oh never mind. But damn, if I’m on a top-secret mission overseas I don’t want to know how you find out this stuff.”

“Let’s just say that because of our girl I know more than I should.”

“Ariana? I just saw her, she seemed fine. She’s even got a dog.”

“She’s not fine, now. She got an email that spooked her bad. I’m on my way to her place.”

“Do you want me to stop by?”

“No. It’s why I’m calling, to give you the heads up that I’ll be there.”

“Why don’t you let me go over there instead? Wouldn’t it be better if we just told her I was watching out for her?” John prayed he’d say yes, although he already knew the answer. The freakin’ Marshalls were as bad as the FBI and never shared anything until they had to. But he didn’t work for them, this was off book, and technically they couldn’t do a damn thing if he told Ariana.

“Are you really asking me that? We still need to figure out who else is involved. He had at least one accomplice, and we need to smoke them out.”

“Okay, I get it, but you’re a US Marshall. Don’t you think they know who you are? I’m just a guy that’s been hanging around her. And for the record, I’m not going to lie to her forever.”

“You’re not lying, you’re protecting her. And, you’re supposed to be off the case. You’re only involved now because you want to be. Once you went back on active duty, you were done. I could lose my badge for this, I’m sure. I shouldn’t have involved you, but we didn’t think she would be in danger, so it was more like a precaution.”

“It’s okay. I haven’t been assigned to a team yet, and it keeps me out of trouble.”

“Or getting you into it? You forget I lived with you for four years. I know how you are. Do yourself a favor and don’t fall for her. I’m still hoping we can get her into WITSEC. Even after Chen’s trial, she won’t be safe, especially if we can’t find the other bad actors involved.”

“Don’t worry about me. I think I should go over to her apartment.”

“I’m already in the parking lot. Besides, they’d expect her to call me. It would be odd if you went back after just being there. I’ll let you know when I have more. Later.”

Colin was a pain in his ass, probably why he was such a good agent. He’d moved up through the ranks, and if he didn’t love working in the field so much, he’d be a supervisor by now. John understood the thrill of the hunt. It’s the reason he’d been going stir crazy until they returned him to active duty.

Too antsy to watch TV, John took his beer onto the balcony. He wasn’t close enough to see Ariana’s apartment, but he checked out the area, and that made him feel a little better. The trial was in a few days, and he was surprised trouble hadn’t escalated before now. Whoever was involved had done the usual crap: hang-ups, untraceable email threats, and slashed tires. Ariana had been strong through all of it, until now. What was in that email? It was eating him up inside not being there for her.

Exactly sixty-six minutes later he heard back from Colin. He’d watched the second hand click through each minute. His training prepared him for waiting, but this was different. This was personal whether he liked it or not. Pacing back and forth between the balcony and the living room, he only stopped long enough to take a detour for another bottle of beer. He’d been so intent on watching the time and imagining the worst, that when his pocket vibrated he almost dropped his beer. Dammit, pull yourself together, man.

“You took your sweet time.”

“Didn’t have much choice. We have a situation. I don’t want to take you off the premises, and I need to check a couple of things.”

“Is she okay?”

“Depends on what you mean by okay. Physically, yes. Mentally, she’s a wreck. The sonofabitches sent her threatening pictures.”

“Fuck. What kind of threats?”

“Pictures of her sitting on the balcony with her girlfriend. She’s terrified that something will happen to her friend.”

“If you were in her shoes, you’d be too.”

“Maybe, but we’re trained for this. And dammit if she’d go into WITSEC she wouldn’t have to worry about this.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. She’d be safe, but her friends wouldn’t be. I know you’re trying to do your job but you need to remember these are people with real lives. I think you’ve forgotten that.”

“Shut the hell up. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, and I’m not about to go into it now. One of these night’s it’ll be you, me, and a bottle of tequila, and I’ll explain. In the meantime, the best way to protect her now would be a safe house, but I can’t get her to agree to that either. She’s worried if she disappears they’ll go after her friend. We would keep watch over her friends.”

“Did you suggest that?”

“What do you think?”

“She said no.”

“Give the man a beer.”

“Fuck.”

“There is another option. How close are you two?”

“What do you mean?”

“Listen, John, don’t try to shit me. I can see how you’re reacting to her. Did you forget I have other Marshalls on surveillance?”

“What does that have to do with anything? Oh yeah, and your guy is an amateur. I spotted him right away from my window. You need to put someone else on her.”

“No, he’s not, those were his orders. We figured if it was obvious she had protection they’d back off.”

“Not working well, is it?”

“Smart ass. Do you think you can convince Ariana to go to a safe house?”

“I don’t know. She hasn’t opened up to me at all. As far as I can tell she hasn’t told her friends either.” Colin’s sigh was more exasperation as it came through the phone loud and clear. John understood. He’d been on missions where no matter how hard you tried to protect someone they did everything they could to fight you. He’d have to do something, he needed her in a safe place. The question was how to go about it.

“Let me see what I can do. I’ve been dropping hints that I’m interested, but so far she’s been oblivious.”

“Holy shit, Riot is striking out?”

“You don’t want to go there, trust me. I’ve been taking it slow. I didn’t want to scare her away. Besides, it feels wrong since she thinks I’m someone I’m not.”

“Not true. You’re a Navy SEAL, you told her that, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you’re exactly who you said you are. The only thing you’re not copping to is that you volunteered to help keep her safe. I don’t see how she could be upset.”

“You don’t have a girlfriend, do you?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“If you did, you wouldn’t ask. I’ll do my best.”

“Thanks. I’ll call you after I get some more answers. Be careful. If they’re watching her, they’re watching you too.”

After he hung up with Colin, he jumped into the shower. Water always helped him think more clearly, maybe that’s part of why he functioned so well as a SEAL. By the time he was done, he’d put together a plan. Now to see if it would work.

***

Standing outside the door of Ariana’s apartment, John debated the odds. He’d thought about calling first, but decided he had a better chance of her saying yes if she had to look him in the face. It never hurt to play on one’s strengths. Of course, his strengths weren’t the same after he’d been nearly blown to bits almost two years ago.

Dressed for success, as his mother used to say, he hoped she’d take him up on his offer. But first, he needed to knock on the door. Why was he nervous? It’s not like this was a date even if it felt like one. He was in protection mode. Getting involved with this woman was a mistake, his brain knew it even if his heart didn’t give a shit about reality.

His knock brought her to the door. He heard her footsteps and those of Mr. Darcy approach the door and was happy when she paused before she unlocked and opened it. She’d checked, like he asked, the earlier scare probably had something to do with it.

What he hadn’t expected was her quivering smile and tear-reddened eyes. She didn’t look like the same woman he’d spoken to a couple of hours ago.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?

“Yeah, no, I don’t know. Umm, do you want to come in? Did you need something?”

John stepped through the door and closed it behind him, making sure it was locked and bolted. “Did something happen with your friend?” He hated not being able to fess up that he knew everything. It would make it so much easier if she realized.

“No nothing like that. It’s something else. Anyway, I’m fine. What’s up? Do you have to leave again?”

“Nope, nothing like that. Actually, I was hoping you’d come to dinner with me. My fridge is empty except for beer, and I don’t feel like fast food.”

“Umm, I don’t know…” Ari hadn’t met his eyes since she’d answered the door. He hated seeing her like this. There was no way he would let those bastards harm a hair on her head.

“C’mon. It will be good to get out for a bit, no?”

“What about Mr. Darcy? I hate to leave him alone.” John had been prepared for that argument.

“No problem. I want to try that little Italian bistro down the street.  They have tables outside, and I’ve seen other people who’d brought their dogs when dining. Have you been there?”

“Do you mean Amici’s?”

“Yup that’s it. Tell me a nice glass of red wine and a piece of lasagna doesn’t make your mouth water?”

He had her, he knew it, she knew it, and he had a feeling even Mr. Darcy knew it. His tail was wagging away. “You know you want to.”

As if to put in his two cents, Mr. Darcy pushed his head into her hand. He had to remember to get that dog a treat the next time he was at the store.

“Are you sure you want to eat outside?”

“Oh yeah. I used to do it in Little Italy in New York all the time. It’s cool to people watch and enjoy a great dinner with wonderful company.” 

She didn’t answer at first but then said, “Alright. Give me about ten minutes to get ready, okay? Do you want to wait here, or we can meet downstairs?”

“I’ll wait. As long as it’s okay?”

“Sure. Mr. Darcy will keep an eye on you,” Ariana said with a wink. She’d bounced back to her usual self, and hopefully, it would be enough to get her to talk to him over dinner. That was the other reason he proposed the Italian restaurant, you couldn’t eat Italian without wine. Her wine collection was impressive, and if luck were on his side, it meant she wouldn’t turn down a glass or two with him.

While he waited, he called the restaurant to reserve a table and then chatted with Mr. Darcy. “You need to keep watch over your momma.  She’s got some bad people after her.” The dog stared at him like he understood every word, and John sure hoped he did.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

Turning around at the sound of her voice, John was taken by surprise. He was used to seeing her in jeans and t-shirts. The dress was wow, just wow. It hugged her in all the right places and showed her lovely curves. Damn.

“You look amazing.”

“Thank you, I wanted to look as good as you do. After all, it’s not every day I get to go to dinner with a sexy Navy SEAL.” Was she flirting with him? If so, it was a first. Maybe it was stress from everything she’d been through, no matter what had triggered it he didn’t want it to stop.