Her Vigilant Seal (12 page)

“We can’t violate their rights. We have to assume they’ll follow the law.”

“You’re kidding me right? After what they did?” Mason demanded. He breathed in, trying to keep it together. Sophia was trembling even harder, and he needed to dial it back. He took a deep breath and pulled her closer. “Never mind. Thank you for your time Mrs. Porter we’ll take it from here.”

As Sophia turned to make her way towards the elevator she stumbled on her heels. Dammit, she was scared and he didn’t blame her. She was just a tiny little thing and now it was possible those animals might know where she lived. She was moving in with him that was all there was to it. By the time they were outside and on the way to his truck he had his argument ready to go but she surprised him.

“No Mason,” she said before he had a chance to open his mouth.

“What?”

“No, I’m not going to stay at your house.” Dammit, her chin was jutting out. She wasn’t pulling on her hair either. She was serious.

“They’re going to have your address. They know you’re going to testify against them.”

“You heard her. They’ll go to jail until their trial if they try anything. She told me it could take as long as eight to ten weeks before we go to trial. They won’t want to risk it. I’m going to be perfectly safe. I’m not moving in with you. I have plans.”

“Tell me.”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow when we go on our date.”

“Let’s go out to lunch now.”

“Just take me to the diner. I’m wiped out. I need a nap.” Dammit, she sure knew how to knock the wind out of his sails.

“Okay, but tomorrow night I want to hear all about your plans.” When they got into his truck, he couldn’t help but admire how her legs looked in the hose and heels. He thought about stealing a kiss but then he looked at the dark circles under her eyes that had nothing to do with her injuries.

“Why don’t you see if you can get some sleep on the way up to San Clemente, okay honey?”

“I can keep you company. Anyway, I want to hear about the training you’re always doing.” She immediately yawned. He suppressed a grin and explained about the physical training he and his team did to keep in shape between missions. He told her three minutes worth of information and she was asleep.

He called the diner on the way to San Clemente and talked to Margie. She was waiting for him when he pulled around to the back. She let him in and he carried Sophia up to her apartment. She never stirred.

“She’s exhausted. I know she hasn’t been sleeping,” Margie said as she slipped off Sophia’s shoes and pulled the blanket over the sleeping woman. They left the small apartment and went downstairs.

“Now tell me everything the D.A. said,” Margie demanded. She pushed Mason into one of the seats at the lunch counter. “Hamburger?”

“Cheeseburger.” Margie called to Peter, the cook, and then rested her elbow on the counter and waited.

“It could be as long as eight to ten weeks until they go to trial and in the meantime their lawyer knows where Sophia lives.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I’m not,” Mason said in disgust. “I tried to convince Sophia to stay with me but her chin jutted out and I lost the argument.”

Margie laughed.

“I know the look. Yeah, you were toast. That girl sometimes has more pride than sense. Of course it has gotten her through so many tough times. I can’t believe she’s managed to stay so positive and nice considering the cards she’s been dealt.” Margie’s voice was filled with admiration.

“Tell me,” Mason asked as she set the food in front of him.

“It’s not my story to tell.” He guessed it wasn’t but he was still disappointed she didn’t tell him. “She’s a hard one to get talking, Margie.”

“I know. It’s the pride thing. I’ll tell you one thing, you’d be lucky to have a girl like Sophia in your life.”

“That’s what I think too. Now I just have to convince her.” He bit into his burger.

“Just know you have people in your court. We’re rooting for you.” He hoped it was enough. He still had to find out what was behind the walls Sophia had built up.

****

It had taken every last ounce of strength Sophia had not to agree to move in with Mason. She was scared and that was the truth. The idea of staying at Mason’s house was like a dream come true. He would keep her safe. But she also listened to what Mrs. Porter said. Dooley and Krill were not going to risk their freedom to come after her so she was scared for no reason. What’s more there was something far more important to her than her puny fears—Mason’s respect.

Sophia wanted a relationship with this man. He might have started out pursuing her but now she ached to be with him. He made her smile. She hadn’t felt this good in years, and she wasn’t going to ruin it by having him think she was too afraid to handle things on her own. By God, she would prove to him she was worthy of a SEAL! And it started by getting her ass in gear.

She hadn’t been on a date for over three years. Not since college. The best outfit she had she’d just worn to go to the D.A.’s office. Then there was the fact that she didn’t know where Mason was taking her. Was it out for a pizza and beer? Maybe jeans were appropriate. She just didn’t know. She finally gave in and called him.

“So what’s the dress code?” she whispered.

“Hello honey, what’s your question?”

She loved his voice. It made her melt. She’d never talked to him on the phone before and he sounded smooth, like smoke and aged whiskey. It took her a moment to respond.

“I was wondering what to wear. Where are we going? Is it a jeans night, or something a little dressier?” Sophia winced at her fast delivery.

He paused. “Wear whatever makes you comfortable.” Dammit, she knew he was saying that because he was being nice. It meant he planned to take her someplace dressy. Okay, she could do dressy.

“Okay, I will. Six o’clock, right?”

“Yes, I’ll see you then.” She hung up. She had money in her apartment fund. It was two o’clock. She would head on over to the consignment store. Margie insisted she skip the lunch shift today so she could get ready. She’d argued but now she was glad Margie insisted.

Maybe she could get Frannie to go with her. She’d really like a second opinion, and she was in luck because Frannie was free. But it turned out to be a really bad idea. By the time she got back to her tiny apartment she had spent over two hundred dollars, which was a lot considering the cheap prices at the store. But she ended up with three great outfits and one killer dress she planned to wear that night.

One of the things that still fit from her days in college, before she lost weight, were her shoes. She planned to wear her peacock teal high heels to go with the new rust colored dress she just purchased. The dress even had sheer long sleeves that covered her bandage. She planned to apply some artful make up to cover her bruises. By God, she was doing the full pull. Frannie sat at her little dining room table while she got ready for her date. At five thirty she turned around.

“Well?” she asked nervously.

“You’re a knock-out.” Sophia turned to look again in her bathroom mirror. She could only see the top part of her dress but it looked pretty good. The make-up covered the bruising pretty well and the way she highlighted her eyes took the attention away from anything the make-up didn’t cover.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.”

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous. He’s seen me without make-up. Hell, he saw me the night I was beaten. This shouldn’t matter.” Sophia pulled at a lock of her hair.

“It’s your first date with him.” Sophia shrugged her shoulders in agreement, and winced. Truly, she should not do that it hurt. But it
was
her first date with the man, even if she had slept in his arms, and how great had
that
been.

“You’re blushing. Is there anything you want to share?” Frannie looked at her with a twinkle in her eye.

“No, there’s nothing I want to share,” Sophia said with an embarrassed laugh. “Actually, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“How about I tell him what time to have you home?” Frannie suggested with a wink.

“How about you not.” Sophia gave her a quelling glance.

“Okay, okay, I’m leaving.” Just then there was a knock on the door. Sophia groaned.

“Be good,” she admonished Frannie. She went to the door and opened it. She was stunned. Mason was wearing a white dress shirt and black slacks. He looked good enough to eat with a spoon. She finally had the wherewithal to invite him in. He didn’t move.

“Mason?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you want to come in? I don’t think you’ve met my friend, Frannie DeLuca. She works at the food pantry where I volunteer sometimes.” She stepped aside so he could come in, but he continued to stand at the top of the stairs.

“God, you look beautiful.” She’d never seen his eyes so dark blue before. She turned around and Frannie was standing behind her.

“Hi Mason, I’m Frannie. Margie and Sophia have told me a lot about you. I hope it’s all true.” Frannie held out her hand and Mason took it for a gentle shake.

“It’s good to meet you, Mrs. DeLuca. They’ve mentioned you as well.”

“Well, I was just leaving.”

“So were we. Let’s walk you out to your car,” Mason said. He let Frannie lead the way and then took Sophia’s keys so he could lock her door. He frowned as he checked out the locks.

“What?” she asked.

“I want to install a deadbolt.” His face took on that military look.

“I think the lock I have is fine,” Sophia said looking at her door.

“Humor me.” They followed Frannie to her car and then made their way to Mason’s truck.

“Why do you think I need a deadbolt? Is it because of the men who attacked me?” Sophia’s voice was steady but she was pulling on a lock of her hair, which meant she was nervous. He pulled her hand away and held it on the seat between them.

“No. I wanted to have one installed even before we talked to the D.A. That is not the best lock, okay?”

“Fine, I’ll get a locksmith.”

Mason chuckled as her chin jutted out. He decided to drop the subject. He’d just show up with his tools and a deadbolt. Tonight was not for arguing.

“Do you prefer steak or seafood?”

“I like either.”

“Don’t you have a preference? I mean there is always a nice filet mignon, but sometimes I’m in the mood for a succulent white fish or salmon. What strikes your fancy tonight?” He spared her a quick glance before watching the road again. He could see she was confused.

“But don’t you have a reservation somewhere?” Sophia questioned.

“I have two reservations. So you name which you prefer and I’ll cancel the other.”

“Oh. That’s really nice of you. But don’t you have a preference?” Damn she was going to kill him.

“Tonight is about you, honey. We’ll have another date that’s about me. I’ll let you cook and bake for me. Okay?”

“That’d be great,” she said with real enthusiasm. Whoo hoo, he got another date.

“So which do you feel like tonight, steak or seafood?” he prompted.

“Seafood,” she said decisively. He liked that. When she wasn’t worried about other people she knew her mind.

He handed her his phone and told her what restaurant to call so she could cancel the other reservation. They made it down to Oceanside and used the valet parking for the truck. The restaurant overlooked the water and he’d asked for a table on the patio under the heat lamps.

“Careful, honey, those shoes are beautiful but I don’t want you to trip.” He held her hand and kept his other hand at her lower back.

“I can walk in heels,” she assured him. He never doubted it but he also remembered her being in the hospital less than a week ago. As beautiful as she looked, he should have said they were eating a casual meal. He really hadn’t thought this through. As they were seated at the table she gave him a look from beneath her lashes.

“Stop it,” she admonished.

“Stop what?”

“Stop worrying about me. I’m fine. The stitches are healing. The bruises on my ribs are healing and my legs feel great.” She opened her menu and nodded at him to do the same.

He let out a breath and smiled. “Honey, you might as well get used to me worrying about you. It’s in the job description. I worry about everyone. All of the men you met at my house are under my command. Their welfare is my concern. I certainly don’t feel like you’re under my command but I will always be concerned about your safety and wellbeing. It’s the way I’m wired.”

“They’re all under your command? I thought they were your friends.”

“They are.”

“But isn’t there a rule about fraternizing or something.”

“Nope, we’re a team. We all have one another’s backs. They’re my brothers. From now on they have your back as well.”

Sophia let out a laugh.

“What are you laughing about?” He pulled down her menu so he could see her clearly.

“What you just said. That’s silly. They don’t know me.”

“Give me your phone.”

“Why?”

“Just give it to me.” He knew he was being demanding, but it was important she listen to him when it concerned her safety. She opened her purse and handed it to him.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m programming in my number as well as Drake’s. If there is ever, and I mean ever, a problem, and you can’t get ahold of me, you call him. He’ll be there. Do you understand?”

She gave him a perplexed look. “That makes no sense.”

He rubbed his hand through his hair and tried to think of a way to get through to her. “Sophia, do you believe Margie and Frannie are people you can depend on?”

“Sure,” she said immediately.

“But you weren’t going to call them when you needed a ride from the hospital, why is that?” he persisted.

“I didn’t want to inconvenience them. They were both at work.”