Dangerous Secrets

This is one of those moments where you realize life is never going to be the same.

Welcome to Civilian Life 101 where shit gets weird fast and I'm about to pay a woman to take off her clothes for me.

With a grin, I brace myself as the line rings through my truck's stereo. This is a helluva way to reconnect with a friend from the past.

Please let this work. If Beth says yes, then at least I won't be hiring a stranger. Not that I give a fuck about getting naked in front of a stranger, but I'm zero percent keen on taking someone that I don't know on a sensitive mission.

Call me Type-Fucking-A. But in the SEALs we knew who we were working with and could rely on them to have our back.

After a few rings, a cheery voice answers, “Hello there, frogman.”

Whew. Got an answer. This is a good start. My grin gets wider when I reply, “Beth, it's damned good to hear your voice.”

“You in town?”

“Sort of. Not for long. Look, I need a favor.”

“Oh yeah?” she asks, but I can tell she's distracted. Something is clacking in the background.

“You free to help me with a civilian security job? I need a date to go with me to a resort for a few hours, maybe a day or two tops.”

There's a heavy sigh. “Dozer, you know I can't just up and go wherever. I've got a business now.”

“Right.”

Did I know that? It's been a long time since we talked.

Beth was the girl next door a while ago, the one I never hooked up with because we decided it would ruin a perfectly good friendship. She told me she liked me and I always liked her. She was funny and laid back and we had plenty of fun without having sex in the mix.

“This pays.” I dangle a carrot and hope she bites.

“A date that pays? That doesn't sound sketchy at all,” she says with a laugh.

“It could pay a lot.”

“Look, shug, as much as money would be nice, I can't just go along with whatever plot you're hatching. I've got customers.” Her voice fades, “Chop those strawberries too, please.”

“Holy shit, badass. You did it, didn't you?”

“Yeah. I did. I opened my own café,” she replies with pride in her voice. Even though I can't see her, that smile hits me through the airwaves.

“Damn. I'm proud of you. I know you always wanted that.”

“Thanks, I appreciate you saying that.”

After a beat, she says, “Sorry I can't help. Maybe you can use an escort service.”

I snort. Even though it has crossed my mind as a last resort.

She laughs. “Okay, since that's off the table, I have an idea. Would you be close to Bay street by the way?”

“Ten minutes out.”

“Good, I'll try to keep her here. She's having a latte right now.”

My brows go up and hope springs up inside of my chest. “Her?”

“I don't know her name, but I can tell she's... struggling. She's got ghosts in her eyes.”

Sighing, Beth's voice drops lower so only I can hear. “I think she needs the money. She works across the road at this horrid strip club. It can't pay well. I've been giving her free meal coupons when I can, which truthfully, I can't believe she accepted. But she has a few times, and she came in this morning for breakfast. So, maybe you can help her.”

Key words jump out from Beth's comments.

Money. Check, got it covered.

Ghosts. Check, I can relate. Mine are scary as shit, but not going there now.

Strip club. Maybe the nudist thing won't be a problem.

I knew Beth was a free spirit after catching her nude sunbathing at the apartment complex more than once, so I know she probably wouldn't have much of an issue with accompanying me to a nudist resort.

But other women? Yeah, that could be a dealbreaker. Maybe this chick was the answer to my dilemma.

“Don't let her leave. This could work.”

Beth grumbles at me, “Okay, bossy. I said I'd try to keep her here, but if she does leave, I'm sure she's just going across the street. She doesn't have a car.”

Beth finishes with, “And try not to look too scary when you get here, okay?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you big, grump-faced SEAL.”

“I'm never grump-faced.” Probably a lie, since people tend to scatter when they see me coming.

Beth thinks that's hilarious, apparently. Her laugh is loud. “Right, keep telling yourself that.”

“We need to have a conversation about this,” I reply sternly before I add, “But not right now, I'm on a tight ass deadline for work.”

More banging and clanging in the background, then a machine fires up. Sounds like a lawnmower. Over the noise, she yells, “Copy that. I was hoping you're doing okay. All those crazy missions and all.”

“Doing fine. I'm out of the teams now. Working for a private firm.”

The lawnmower noise dies and the line goes quiet for a beat. “Hey Doz, just so you know, I've got a guy in my life now. A nice guy.”

“Happy for you.”

What she's really saying is she met a guy that's not living behind a wall of armor made of regret and pain. When we agreed we'd never hook up, I was sure part of that was because she saw me for who I really am. Fated for barbed-wire fences, not white picket fences. Broken. Damaged goods.

Lightly, she says, “Maybe sometime you'll meet him.”

“Yeah, maybe. Take care of yourself, Beth. No more asshole boyfriends. Any red flags and you kick his carcass to the curb. Call me if you need help.”

She laughs. “Right. Thanks again for saving me all those years ago. Ron was such a jerk.”

“It was my pleasure. I hated that fucker's smirky grin. I'm hanging up now because I'm about three minutes out.”

Café Sunshine is decked out in bright-colored flags, has a huge outdoor dining patio and a vintage Volkswagen Bus that's been turned into a walk-up takeout window. Damn. She went all out.

Eager, I kill the truck engine, jump out, and stride toward the small crowd that's waiting for food.

Beth waves and beams a bright smile in my direction. She holds up one finger, not the middle one, before she goes back to helping the next customer.

I lean against the wall, checking out the people, searching for⁠—

Oh, damn. My spine snaps tight.

Fuck. Hello, beautiful.

If that's her...

Beth appears at my elbow and pokes a finger into my ribs. “Stop staring,” she hisses violently. “You're definitely going to scare her. Heck, you might scare everyone off and I need the customers.”

She grabs my arm and spins me around, but I crane my neck and get a good look at one beautiful blond. “Christ, how old do you think she is?”

“Twenty-one, maybe twenty-two.”

My voice sounds ten shades deeper. “How are we doing this?”

“We?” screeches Beth.

“Yeah, how are you going to introduce me?”

That earns me a scowl. I chuckle in return. Damn, it's been a long time since the woman looked at me like that. It was usually for keeping her up at night when I'd come in late from some kind of SEAL training and I'd be banging around in the kitchen that backed up to her bedroom in the apartment next door. Course she'd soften up when I invited her in for bacon and eggs.

“I have an idea,” she grumbles. “But this is on you, big guy. I'm not responsible for whatever you're up to.”

“Lay it on me.”

“Come on.” She grabs my wrist and pulls me toward the smoothie bar. Less than five minutes later, I'm holding two tall cups. They've got something bright pink inside. “Pink, of course you'd make my drink pink. Aren't there green smoothies?”

Beth's grin is wickedly pleased. “You'll love it. Bursting with flavor. Besides, this is the one she always picks. More importantly, the pink softens that steely exoskeleton you wear around all the time, frogman.”

Shaking my head, I turn toward the outdoor dining tables. “We're gonna have a talk. But thanks, seriously, and wish me luck.”

She blows me a little kiss, then hustles off to help the line of people ordering from one of her helpers.

I draw a breath. A familiar determination roots in my chest.

I've found my target.

And I never miss.

Go time.