Deep Seal Read online

  The trail of finances insinuated Mr. Grenache was stealing money from his company. I reached into the desk drawer, retrieved a flash drive, and inserted it into the USB port. Gripping my eyes, I sighed and waited for Claudia files to upload.

  ∞

  I kicked off my shoes the second I was through the front door.

  My empty stomach roared. I stalked into the kitchen and removed the herb grilled chicken from the heavy white plastic bag.

  The rosemary herb tortured my nose. My favorite upscale restaurant had the best food in all of Coeur d'Alene. After I washed my hands, I leaned over the kitchen counter shoving a fork full of mashed potatoes into my mouth. “Um. Damn, good.” I smiled.

  “Alexa, turn on Netflix in the living room.”

  I scooped the tin container off the counter, strolled into the living room, and sat on the red sofa. My fingers pressed the rubber buttons on the remote control until I found one of my favorite shows to watch.

  Dinner was fantastic, I placed the empty tin on the glass coffee table. Tomorrow I’ll order carryout again. My mother gave me a certificate to a cooking class. I knew I needed to learn how to cook. I sighed. Nope, I’ll head to the grocery store tomorrow and grab several boxed dinners.

  THE SCREAM ON TV JARRED me from my sleep. I slid my legs over the edge of the sofa, leaning against the back of the cushion, and I ran my hands over my face. “I better discard the carryout container.”

  Yawning, I trudged up the wooden staircase into my bedroom, and flipped on the light switch. I tossed my large purse on the shelf in my walk-in closet, discarded my clothes, then stepped into the oversized shower. The hot water dancing over my skin was just what I needed.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  AIDEN

  War. All too graphic for civilians. Boom. Holding the key in the Dentist office door lock, I ducked and turned to the street. Jesus Aiden it was just a car backfiring.

  I knew the difference. I’ve been inside two Humvees that flipped over after rolling over an IED. The sound was very distinctive from a car backfiring. I strolled over to the bar two doors down from my office. After drinking two beers I climbed into my truck.

  Fifteen minutes later, I turned onto the peaceful darkened Apple drive. Beautiful custom street lamps lit the path as I drove toward my home. My lips curled upward. I still couldn’t get over Admiral Cutner suggesting I move to this small town of Coeur d'Alene in Idaho.

  Hm, no water pooling along the curb of my neighbor’s home tonight.

  Myself nor Ms. Kerns had lived in our neighborhood long. Mrs. Bell reminded me several times Ms. Kerns was single. Sometimes I wondered if Mrs. Bell hobbled across the street, with the help of her cane, into my neighbors back yard and turned on the water. All so I could turn off the spigot and talk to Ms. Kerns face to face. I’d offered to install the timer on various occasions, but she made it clear she wasn’t comfortable with me entering her home. What did she think I would do? Throw her against the wall and kiss her passionately? I wouldn’t ever force myself on a woman.

  Early one Saturday morning, I opened my front door en-route to my office. Ms. Kerns tip toed down the drive way in a short pale, pink silk robe. My eyes widened as she bent down and scooped up the newspaper. There wasn’t a chance she wore shorts under that short robe only panties. I licked my lips and adjusted my throbbing cock in my pants. She tossed her crinkly dark hair over her shoulder, clutching the newspaper to her bosom. Her beautiful dark eyes under those long eyelashes never flickered a gaze toward my house. Her honey brown skin I bet was smooth as butter. Too many nights I dreamed of inhaling her delicious scent while filling her with every inch of my cock. The second she was behind closed doors, I darted out the door and hopped into my truck.

  I’d been celibate for three and a half years and wasn’t interested in hooking up with Ms. Kerns or any other woman. No matter how many times I lusted for her as I clutched Ms. Kerns oval face and stared at her long nose that widened out over her perfect plump lips. Each time in my dreams she screamed my name and told me she belonged to me. Yeah, that was all it would ever be, a dream. Even though I was living my quiet life one day, I’d return to active duty. A woman or wife wasn’t what I wanted. Military life proved to be difficult for some married couples. Being apart for months or a year at a time often destroyed marriages. My brother Valen suffered that brutal fate once he returned home from duty. His wife Charlene who was his high school sweetheart, left a sticky note on the divorce papers on the kitchen table. It read, ‘Sign please.’

  I shook my head at the memory.

  Admiral Cutner made it clear my quiet life was temporary. “Commander, one day I will have another Special Ops mission for you to carry out. After all you are the best.” His words reminded me my cushy life could come to a screeching halt at any time. Why didn’t I disappear in another country?

  Because I wanted to return to the U.S. Home.

  I also wanted to complete my Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (DDM). While I studied online for my undergrad degree, my Sailor buddy Franklin Martell taught me a few dental survival surgery basics. They were key to the completion of my DDM degree. The skills I learned were useful during secret missions. One of my men was shot in the face. After I patched him up, he said I saved his life and his jaw. A smile curled my lips. If I ever retire from the Navy, I’ll continue my dental profession.

  I turned into my driveway then threw the truck in park.

  A dark figure whisked past on my left.

  “Who the fuck was that?” I glanced next door at the darkened house.

  Was that Ms. Kerns? No, why would she run around her yard at night? Then I thought back to her in the skimpy robe tip toeing down the driveway. Could have very well been her. I smirked, climbing out of my truck.

  Commander Aiden Jason Wilder twenty-eight years and single forever. Involving a woman in my volatile life wouldn’t be wise. She’d possibly worry if I’d ever return home from active duty. Although, she and our children would be set for life with the type of military life insurance I had.

  Don’t get me wrong there were great women married to military men. They wouldn’t dream of living without their spouse, no matter how long they were away from home. Yes, military wives were devastated when the notifying officer informed them their husband passed away. They loved that person wholeheartedly. It was clear not every woman would behave the way my brother’s wife did. Just wasn’t sure I wanted to take the chance.

  Ms. Kerns shouldn’t roam around her yard at night.

  I’d glance out the window to make sure she was all right.

  I strolled through the dimly lit house and stepped into the bedroom at the end of the hall. I peered out the window into Ms. Kerns back yard. Two men stood in her backyard holding their guns low. My eyes widened. One of the men directed the other to walk toward the back door.

  “Fuck! I have to get over there. They won’t harm her on my watch.” I ran back down the hall into my master bedroom and slipped my hand inside my dresser drawer. I retrieved the two Glocks with muzzles and slammed clips into both weapons. Freeing my green button-down shirt from the waistband of my khakis, I slipped one Glock against the small of my back.

  I sprinted down the wooden stairs and out the front door. Holding the other Glock secure at my side, I crept across her lawn toward the back door. I pulled the wooden privacy fence ajar and peeked into the backyard. One guy lurked outside her back door. I crossed one foot across the other in a crouching position inching closer to the man. I wrapped my large forearm around his neck from behind, squeezing. He gripped my muscled arm trying to break free, but no luck.

  “I’ll be back for you,” I whispered through clinched teeth, dropping his lifeless body to the ground.

  I grabbed his weapon and stashed it under my shirt as I walked into her house. Creeping along the kitchen wall into the living room, I scanned my surroundings then peeked down the hall. The sound of shower water running upstairs caught my attention. I stalked up the wooden stairs holding
the Glock high. Back to the wall, I stepped sideways, then peeked into the master bedroom. The man turned the bathroom doorknob. There wasn’t a chance in hell I would allow him to see her naked. I stalked inside the bedroom and rested my muzzle against the back of his head.

  “You’re in the wrong house.”

  The man raised his hands and snickered, walking backwards. “I don’t think so. She has something that doesn’t belong to her.” I snatched the weapon from his hand.

  “I don’t give a fuck what she has. You thought you could walk into the bathroom and take a little something extra that didn’t belong to you,” I growled.

  “Look man. Let me grab my boss’s property and be on my way.”

  “No fucking way.” I placed his weapon in my waist band.

  I was well armed after collecting their weapons. I was ready with or without the guns if any of their friends arrived.

  I gripped his face and twisted.

  The bathroom door swung open. “Ah!” she screamed at the creaking sound of his neck breaking.

  His body fell to the floor like a sack of rocks.

  “You killed him.” Wearing only a towel, her wide eyes stared into mine. Her hands trembled over her mouth. The fragrant scent of oranges rolled off of her skin in the air.

  “He planned to harm you. I wouldn’t allow that to happen. We need to move now. Climb into something comfortable quick. More men will be here soon.”

  I kicked his lifeless body to the side.

  Her wobbly legs moved into the walk-in closet. “How do you know more men are coming?”

  “He said you have something his boss wants. Grab a few important items and stuff them inside a duffel bag.”

  “Oh my god,” she shrilled, paralyzed in one spot.

  I stepped behind her. “Ms. Kerns, you have to pull yourself together. Before we leave, I need to run next door and grab more fire power.”

  Her wavy hair was piled on top of her head. Stray strands dangled along her beautiful golden-brown skin. My hand would fit perfect along the side of her neck, while I kissed her perky, plump lips. My cock strained against the khaki fabric. Off limits, Aiden.

  She glanced over her shoulder meeting my gaze. “Do you mind?”

  “No, sorry.” I turned my back giving her privacy to slip into her clothes. “We can discuss why they were here once we are far away.”

  “More firepower? Who the fuck are you? Mr. Wilder...”

  “Call me Aiden. I think we are beyond formal greetings.”

  “I’m dressed. Tell me Aiden, what are you doing in my house?”

  “Saving your life. We have to move now.” I turned just as she slipped into a pair of white sneakers. She snatched the black duffel bag and her large purse off the floor. Ms. Kern’s hair cascaded around her shoulders. My eyes darted to her breasts. Her nipples pebbled under the tight black T-shirt. The jeans appeared to be tattooed to her ass and legs. Shit, why did my sexy neighbor have to run into trouble?

  I extended my hand. “I’ll carry your bag.” She placed the strap in my hand.

  I stared into her beautiful eyes filled with worry. “Stay close and hold my shirt.”

  She swallowed hard and nodded.

  “Don’t make a sound once we reach the back door. There’s another body on your patio.”

  She gasped.

  “We have to remain completely quiet.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  AIDEN

  We crept toward the front of the house. I scanned the neighborhood for any suspicious vehicles. “I think we have a head start.” I pushed open my front door.

  Extending my hand, I stepped aside. “After you.”

  She walked inside, I followed, and closed the door.

  “It will only take a moment. I can’t allow you out of my sight.”

  Her hand shook on the banister as we walked up the wide wooden staircase.

  I didn’t know what kind of trouble she was in, but I knew I’d keep her safe. We could discuss why the men were hunting her later.

  I peeked at her. “Ms. Kerns...”

  “Nadia,” she stated in a shaky voice.

  “I won’t allow anyone to hurt you.”

  Her lips rose and fell. She followed me into the dark walk-in closet.

  “You can have a seat on the bed if you’d like.”

  My large hands parted a row of dress shirts. I stepped to the right and pressed the button behind the wooden rod along the wall. The wall slid open, and the lights popped on in the closet.

  Her mouth dropped open. “Oh, my god. Are you a trained killer?”

  I shrugged, peeking at her over my shoulder. “Not exactly.” I was, but not the way she thought.

  Her eyes roamed the large walk-in closet. She stalked toward a row of suits behind her. Nadia’s fingers grazed the medals on the dress uniform.

  I stood sideways never taking my eyes off of her.

  Nadia’s eyes snapped back meeting my gaze. The glint in her eyes warmed my heart. There was respect, honor, and an underlying level of understanding in her eyes.

  “You’re a Navy commander.”

  My eyebrows scrounged together. “Yes.”

  “My uncle was a navy man. We loved cheering for him in the Veteran’s Day parades.” The memory brought a smile to her face. She may have forgotten her problems for a moment.

  The ends of my lips curled upward.

  I broke our gaze and stepped into the weapons room.

  I’ll need to throw on a comfortable shirt and grab a few clothing items before we leave. Once we’re in the next town over, we’ll stop at the store and pick up food.

  I tossed bullets, several weapons, food packs, and various tactical items I utilized in combat into a large navy duffel bag. I’d save the survival food packs in case of an emergency. If we were forced to move from the cabin and into the woods. They’d come in handy.

  THE HEMI ENGINE HUMMED as we barreled along the dark desolate road. Nadia stared out the window, her arms crossed her chest.

  “Where are we headed, Aiden?” Her eyebrow rose as she turned to me.

  Clutching the steering wheel, I peeked at her over my bicep. Fuck must she raise that cute arched eyebrow like that?

  “To my cabin in Bonners Ferry.”

  She nodded. “I know nothing about you...”

  “Are you sure about that? Mrs. Bell didn’t tell you anything?”

  She scratched the back of her hair and cleared her throat. “She said you own a dentist office downtown. And you’re single,” she mumbled.

  “I’m sorry what was that last part? I couldn’t hear you.”

  Her eyes darted in my direction. “She said you are single.”

  “Yup, I am.”

  “Why?”

  Shit, I can’t tell her the real reason I wasn’t married or in a relationship.

  “A new dental practice can be tiresome.”

  “That’s understandable.”

  “What about you?” Aiden, what are you doing?

  “You have to ask the question, Mr. Wilder.”

  I chuckled. “Ok. Why does such a beautiful young woman live alone in a retirement community?”

  Not sure why those words fell out of my mouth.

  She fidgeted and ran her hand over her arm.

  “Thank you for the complement. I didn’t have the best track record with men. Well, that’s what my mother said. I also partied too hard during my college years. Like I was hooked on recreational drugs. My best friend overdosed and died. I cleaned up my life, then moved here.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I didn’t expect you to share so much.”

  She shrugged. “Commander Wilder, I am sure you could dig into my background and find out everything about me down to my favorite color.”

  “That’s true. I’d rather you tell me what your favorite color is.”

  She blushed. “You didn’t check every residents background in the neighborhood?”
<
br />   I smiled. “No.” Admiral Cutner assured the neighborhood was clean. I didn’t inquire about Nadia. Didn’t think I had to until now.

  “Every evening you are home by nine.” Shit.

  Her eyes lit up. She dropped her hands to her sides. “Do you watch all our neighbors, Commander?”

  I ran my fingers through my hair. “I just wondered why you never went out. I understand now about the substance abuse, but not even dinner with friends?”

  The smile vanished from her pretty nude lips. “I don’t have friends here or at home.” Her forehead thudded the passenger window.

  Why didn’t I look into her background? I’ve never left the responsibility up to Admiral Cutner to inform me of anything to do with my surroundings. Maybe I didn’t want to know what was happening in the home next door. All the years I served in the military, that was my world to know every little thing about the enemy.

  Her beautiful head tilted to the side gazing at me. “I am sorry. Didn’t mean to get emotional.”

  My fist opened and closed on the seat at my side. I fought the urge to place my hand over hers and assure her things would be fine.

  “I guess it’s not normal for twenty-six-year-old women to live in retirement communities.”

  “Nope.” I smiled wide.

  She leaned her head against the window and stared at me. “Why does a Navy Commander live in a retirement community?”

  Her eyebrows wrinkled. “And how does someone so young become a Commander? How old are you?”

  Maybe I shouldn’t have asked her so many questions. “I am twenty-eight.”

  Silence.

  “That’s it? Oh, no you don’t. A young Navy commander lives in a retirement community. You killed one man and injured the other.” She raised her finger in the air.

  “Oh, and last but not least, that armory you have hidden in the back of your closet, I’d say you are someone very dangerous.”

  I stared at the two-lane highway.

  “You’ve been grouchy as shit. Every time you and I have a conversation, you grunt and stalk off. Like I am a bother.”