SEALs Of Honor: Mason Part 11

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

She frowned. It did matter, but he wasn't going to be persuaded otherwise. "Fine. Keep your secrets."

"No secrets. Just thoughts I can't do anything about right now."

Okay. Good enough. "Will you call me when you get home?"

He nodded. "Are you going to be here? Or will you be back into your own home?"

"I could hope so. I'm here for the presentation and demonstration. They were bringing me to Coronado when I was taken. I'll be six months integrating the software at least." She shrugged. "It's not a done deal yet, though the powers that be were acting like it was. If it goes through, I'll be moving here until the system is set up."

His eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

She nodded. "Didn't you know? That's when I was kidnapped on the trip here."

"No. Somehow I didn't." They stared at each other in bemus.e.m.e.nt. "I knew you were travelling but not why."

"Does it matter," she whispered.

"Maybe not, but..."

He sounded distracted as if this was new information, and he didn't know how to integrate it with the old. She patted his hand. "I'm sure they've already figured it out."

But he didn't sound convinced. She studied him. "You should know if you're hunting them."

He gave a curt nod. "I'm going to leave now."

"Oh," she said in a small voice.

"It's time."

She nodded and swallowed. "Well, it was nice to see you."

"I couldn't walk away without saying good-bye."

"Thank you." As he walked to the door, she called out, "Say good-bye to the others."

He nodded and gave her a small wave.

SHE LOOKED SO d.a.m.n lost in the hospital bed. As if he was leaving her. Which he was. d.a.m.n. He strode back and picked her up. This time he kissed her like he wanted to. He kissed her like he'd been wanting to do since he'd first seen her. He poured all the heat and longing he could pour into the simple movement. He pulled back, lay her back down on the bed, leaned over and kissed her briefly on the temple. "I'll be back."

"Hurry," she whispered.

He closed his eyes, then turned and strode out, his mind consumed with tidbits she'd dropped on him.

d.a.m.n it. He walked into the conference room twenty minutes later. He had a meeting with the team. And he had a few questions he needed answered. Like why hadn't they known Tesla was moving to the base at least temporarily and had been kidnapped on the way. How many people knew what was happening? How many people had she told? In theory, her family and friends. Anyone else? She had her own company so everyone in her company? It was a place to start. The question was, had anyone done that leg work?

Swede waited for him.

"How is she?"

"Holding. I took her out in the garden for a bit of fresh air."

Swede nodded. "She'd have liked that."

"She did. But..." he stopped and looked at Swede. "Did you know what she was doing when she was kidnapped?"

"No. I don't think we were ever told?"

Mason explained.

Swede's face darkened. "Now that would be an interesting chain to yank."

"It would, but we're on our way to go after the men who kidnapped her."

"And the person who set her up?"

Mason's gaze narrowed. "That's the trick, isn't it he's still at large."

"And still available to go after Tesla."

Chapter 15.

A week later THE DAYS Pa.s.sED slowly. She'd told the authorities everything she could remember. And they'd come back day after day and asked her more questions.

She had nothing more to add. She had a small condo for her use close by, and she was mobile now but definitely not back to normal. So her life was all about getting back to work and healing. Walking was much easier, although running was still out of the question.

She walked out to the small patio that was part of her new home. It was tiny, brick and quaint. But it was hers for the moment, and she felt safe here. Surrounded by other military families. For the millionth time she wondered where Mason was. What he and the rest of the team were doing. And how successful was their trip. Had they caught the guys that were after her? Was she safe? Or were the men still at large?

Mason was always on her mind. Yet he wasn't hers. But he could be. If she wanted, he could be. Maybe.

Did she want that? He was a hero. His career was dangerous. Like Harry's. He could die like Harry had died.

Tears came to her eyes.

She swiped at them impatiently. She'd rather have loved and lost Harry than not have had him in her life at all. Love was like that. And she'd go through the loss all over again if it meant having the joyful memories of being with him in the first place. She'd take as many of those years as she could have. And the same for Mason. She'd still hold close any memories she had. The choices weren't great but to have spent time with him, loving him... well that was special. Sure it would be nice if he were in a nice safe job like a computer programmer but then he would be Mason...

There were no guarantees in life. Look at the nightmare she'd been through already this last week. If Mason's team hadn't saved her...

Now it seemed like all she did was wait for Mason to show up again.

At least her work was going well. She was almost done with the last set of tweaks. Was all set to give her demonstration tomorrow. Combine that to almost being healed, then life was good.

Her phone rang. But of course she'd left it on the computer table. She walked back inside. She checked the number but didn't recognize it. She knew better than to respond to any unusual calls. Although her phone was being monitored while here, and security was constantly on the prowl. At night time they were outside her house. In the day time they were around, she just never knew who they were.

And that meant there was no point in looking but of course she couldn't stop herself. She'd wondered if the gardener that seemed to do daily rounds was one of them. He'd done her yard and her neighbors then a day later she'd seen him on the side of the road.

It did make her feel better knowing someone was out there.

She returned to her work. The presentation needed a little tweaking then she should be good there too. Her staff were more keyed up over this than she was. Of course she'd promised them a bonus if she managed to pull it off.

The government had a lot of money for her type of software. She'd love to be financially stable, to be able to give it to them free, but no such luck so she was looking for a fair price. Lower than market value as the value had gone up. Her manager had been contacted any number of times in the last few days about her program. All calls had been forwarded to the government.

There was no way in h.e.l.l she'd sell out her government. It wasn't possible for her to do that to her brother. Mason. The others.

Too bad she was so d.a.m.n tired. Another cup of coffee then she'd be done.

After pouring the coffee into the cup, she walked back to the computer. There were several chat messages from one of her staff. She started answering.

By the time she was done, her coffee was almost cold. She stood up and walked back to the kitchen. The pot was empty. d.a.m.n.

She rinsed out her cup and took a sip of water instead. As she stared out the window, she caught sight of the freshly mowed lawn. Good. She loved sitting out there in the evenings.

Turning around she gasped. Shrieked. And dropped her cup.

Two men dressed in black jumped her. She fought like a wildcat until the sting of a needle filled her veins with an icy liquid.

She collapsed unconscious into their arms.

"HEY, MASON, HOW'D the mission go?"

The black look on Mason's face should have given the young man the answer. In fact, it should have sent the man running in the opposite direction. Instead the man stood, ready to ask more questions.

He muttered to Swede, "I must be losing my edge."

"You're in love, it's allowed."

Without missing a stride he reached out and punched Swede in his rock hard gut.

Swede gave a snort. "d.a.m.n mosquitos."

A soldier raced toward them. "Mason."

Mason groaned. "d.a.m.n it. I wanted a shower, was that too much to ask?"

The soldier reached them. "The commander is looking for you." He lowered his voice. "Now, I'm not supposed to say anything, but it's to do with that lady you rescued."

Mason froze. Then he was sprinting to the commander's office. He burst through the door completely ignoring protocol. "Tell me Tesla's okay."

The commander glared at him. "She's missing. Gear up."

Swede stood behind him. "We're ready."

"How the h.e.l.l..." Mason was at a loss for words. How could they lose this woman again?

"We think two men posing as her company employees walked into the house and left about an hour later."

"With her?"

The commander rubbed the back of his head. "She was under surveillance. Both men were knocked out cold, and as we can't find her, we're a.s.suming yes."

"The cameras?"

"At the garage, yes," he nodded.

"A large SUV. Yes, we've checked the plates. They are ours." He stood up and glared at them. "She was due at a reception tonight and her presentation was the main event. Then she was going to be doing a demonstration tomorrow morning."

"Her house?" Mason barked.

"Searched and clean."

"No one knows anything?" Mason was beside himself. They had to know what direction she'd gone. They needed information. And they needed it now.

"There is one thing," the commander said. "When they were searching her house her laptop was gone, but her coworkers had an instant messaging system on her tablet. She answered the chat the last time just over an hour ago."

"Were they talking to her since?"

"Yes, but she didn't respond." He looked down at the papers on his desk. "We're presuming she couldn't."

"We need to know what direction they've taken."

"We're tracking the SUV now. It's heading south out of the city. We're on it."

"Any cameras confirm she's inside as it could be a decoy."

"We can't confirm that at this time."

Mason nodded, his fists clenching and releasing. "I need to see her place."

The commander said, "They are waiting for you. You know how much we need this software. And given the type of software, we can't let it get into enemy hands."

Mason glared at him. "Tesla is not expendable."

He turned on his heel and raced out. Swede behind him. The others were waiting outside. While Swede filled them in, Mason found a truck. They had to find Tesla. And fast.