Chapter 16

Sixteen

The walk to the wine bar didn’t take Jess and Kaley long. They were seated outside, close to the sidewalk barrier, with two glasses of champagne in front of them, along with a small charcuterie board.

There were people moving up and down the street, but Jess wasn’t paying any attention; she was watching her friend.

Was Kaley really okay with having her contract terminated?

There were other dance companies she could join, but Baxter’s was one of the best.

She seemed fine. There was no sadness in her eyes at all. It definitely looked like she was at peace with the decision that’d been thrust upon her.

“You really are okay, aren’t you?” Jess asked after they’d taken their fill of the delicious meats and cheeses.

“I am. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I do know I’m ready to settle in one place.”

“I wish that place was New York. I mean, you could still stay at the apartment,” she suggested hopefully.

“And be by myself for weeks on end, while you’re all off touring around? No thanks. I love New York, but I’m ready for something a little less busy.”

“Good luck finding a city in the US that’s quiet.”

Kaley looked around. “I don’t know. Here seems pretty chill.”

Jess choked on the sip of champagne she’d just taken. “Kaley Simpson, what are you saying?” The last thing she expected to hear coming from her friend was that she was considering staying in San Diego.

“I’m just saying...what’s not to like about this place? There’s sun. There’s the beach. There’s—” she waved her hand around. “You know, plenty of eye candy.”

“Of the Navy SEAL variety?” Jess said wryly.

Kaley gave a negligent shrug. “This is just one option.”

An option that there was no way her bestie had considered until just the past few days. Had something happened between her and Oak?

The kiss they’d shared on the beach seemed pretty passionate, but then they’d also clashed a lot. Oak was just coming out of a relationship. Not that Jess knew how long Finn’s buddy had been seeing the girl who’d dumped him the night of their last show.

“Is there something going on with you and Oak?” she asked.

“Damn, I need another drink. Do you want one?” Kaley stood, clearly wanting to avoid the subject.

Jess would give her this moment, but she planned to find out exactly what was going on. “Sure, but I’ll just have a soda. Thanks.”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.”

Her bestie bustled off and she picked up her phone, needing to ensure this morning’s email was still there, and she hadn’t imagined it.

There it was still, and this time Jess opened the contract attached and began to read through it. She hadn’t looked at it when she’d first opened the email. Her excitement at her promotion was all she’d been able to think about.

Something sharp pierced her skin. Sudden pain penetrated her shoulder and her flesh burned. She’d been so engrossed in the legalese, the footsteps in the background barely registered—until it was too late.

“Payback, bitch,” an angry voice whispered.

Jess clutched at her shoulder as she watched a figure running away. Confusion mingled with the pain, and it took her a few seconds to realize what had happened. Blood trickled down her hand. She lifted it to her line of vision, seeing thick red smeared across her fingers.

“Oh my God, Jess!” Kaley’s yell penetrated the daze she’d fallen into.

“I’ve been stabbed,” she managed to say before she passed out in the chair.

Finn slipped the transfer request he’d printed out into his backpack. Dread slammed into him. His heart rate picked up and he looked around the space he was in.

Kevlar and his team were gathered around Safe’s desk, chatting and laughing.

If there was something going down at the base, then surely, they wouldn’t be that relaxed, right? They’d be jumping into action.

Had something happened to his mom or dad? Or worse, Primmy?

Finn picked up on the sound of someone’s cellphone ringing, but he was focused on trying to determine what was causing this mounting trepidation ballooning in his belly. It didn’t register that it was his phone until Kevlar was standing in front of him.

“Hive, you going to get that?”

“What?”

“Your phone. It’s ringing.” The guy leaned down. “You okay, man?”

He shook his head in an attempt to disperse the fog clouding him and dug into his pocket. Finn didn’t recognize the number. Before he could hit the connect button, the ringing stopped.

All he had to do was go to his recent calls and hit the number to find out who was calling him, but, for the first time in his entire Navy career, he was frozen, unable to get his brain and body to connect and work together.

His phone started ringing again, and all of Kevlar’s team was standing around him.

Taking a deep breath, he connected the call. “Spelling here,” he said brusquely, surprised at how strong and in control his voice sounded.

“Finn? Oh my God. Jess. She’s… Oh God,” Kaley’s voice broke, and he caught the sound of sirens in the background.

The dread within him intensified. Kaley had said Jess. “Jess what, Kaley? What’s happened to Jess?” Finn practically shouted, making a move toward the exit, only to stop when a hand landed on his forearm.

Kevlar plucked the phone out of his boneless fingers and hit the speaker button. Muffled voices, along with sobs, filled the area.

Finn should be pissed that Kevlar was taking over, but he wasn’t. He didn’t have his team at his back, but Kevlar and his team were there, doing what SEALs did, having his six.

“Finn, sh-she’s been stabbed. Someone stabbed her while we were sitting at a bar.”

“Where are you?” Kevlar demanded.

Words were impossible for Finn.

“Who’s this?” At least Kaley had the presence of mind to ask before giving out any information.

“This is Kevlar, or Vincent. We met the other night at Aces.”

“Oh, we’re at a wine bar not far from the hotel where we’ve been staying, but they’re taking her to the hospital.”

“Which one?” Kevlar asked.

Slowly, Finn’s heart rate was returning to normal. Well, as normal as possible, considering the circumstances. He felt like he should be the one asking the questions, but he was still dealing with the fact that someone had stabbed Jess.

Was it a random attack?

Or was it related to the incident at the hotel?

“County.”

“Right, we’ll meet you there.” Kevlar ended the call and handed the phone to Finn; he grabbed automatically and pocketed it. “You good, Hive?”

He took a deep breath, rolled his shoulders, and let it out. A sense of calmness washed over him. “Yep. Let’s go.” He headed for the exit, aware that Kevlar was talking to his teammates and, no doubt, the commander.

Not that Finn had to speak to his commander; he was officially on leave.

Guilt that he shouldn’t have left Jess alone simmered in his belly. He couldn’t allow himself to think that way. Nothing good ever came from asking or thinking about what-ifs.

Even if he’d been with Jess, the same thing could’ve happened, and he would’ve been torn between needing to make sure she was okay and chasing after the asshole who’d stabbed her.

The fresh, salty air hit him as he exited the building. The smell was comforting.

“Are you going to be okay to drive?” Kevlar strode beside him.

“I am. I appreciate you coming.” Finn glanced over his shoulder. Only Smiley was following them. “The others not coming?”

“Yeah, there is some intel we need to go over before we head out on our next mission. The commander wasn’t happy when I said I was coming with you.”

“If you’ve got stuff to do, I can do go by myself.”

“Not happening,” Smiley said. “I think Safe was going to call House and let him know what’s going on. I’m sure your team will be at the hospital.”

Finn nodded. “Thanks. I should’ve contacted them.”

“Pretty sure your mind is on your woman. And that’s where it should be.” Kevlar unlocked his car. “Change of plan—give Smiley your keys and he can follow us. I’ll drive you.”

Without questioning Kevlar, Finn tossed his keys to Smiley, who caught them with a snap. He climbed into the car and soon they were heading off the base, toward the hospital.

He pulled his phone out, checking to see if he’d missed a message or a call from Kaley, which was ridiculous; he would’ve felt and heard his phone if she had contacted him with an update.

Kevlar didn’t try to make conversation, and Finn was grateful, because he didn’t think he’d be able to string too many words together. The closer they got to the hospital, the more anxious he became.

What if he got there and Jess was in a coma?

Or worse, had bled out?

Intense pain slammed into his chest, and he gulped in some air, attempting to ease it.

He couldn’t live without Jess.

He couldn’t stand it if something had happened to her. The thought of not being able to hold her. Kiss her. Those were thoughts Finn couldn’t bear.

“Breathe, Hive. She’s going to be fine.” Kevlar’s calm tone reached him through the haze of panic.

“You don’t know that.”

“No, I don’t, but she’s going to need you to be strong.”

“I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to her,” Finn said, laying himself bare in front of his fellow SEAL.

“I get that. I felt the same way when Remi went missing. That’s where you need to lean on those close to you—your team. And if they can’t be there, since I know you’re all on leave, then me and Smiley.”

“Thanks.” Finn nodded, grateful Kevlar and his team had been nearby. If they weren’t...well, he’d have found a way to deal with it.

“Is there someone of Jess’s you should call? Like her parents?”

This was something Finn should’ve thought of the second Kaley’s call had ended. Yet, he hadn’t even given Slick and Aunt Poppy a thought. His only focus had been on getting to Jess as quickly as possible.

Now that Kevlar had mentioned it, he was torn about what he should do. “Fuck, there is, but I don’t know if Jess would want me to call them.”

“Why?”

Finn’s knee bounced up and down, and he didn’t even try to stop it. “She kept what happened to her in her past from them. Didn’t want them to worry.”

Kevlar whistled long and low. “That’s pretty serious. Does she not have a good relationship with them?”

“The opposite. She and her parents are close. But, for reasons that are Jess’s alone, she felt the need to keep them out of it.”

His fellow SEAL didn’t say anything, just concentrated on driving them to the hospital.

Finn wished the guy would say something, because his own thoughts were a jumble. He knew what he should do. What he would want anyone do to if something happened to him. He’d want his family to know what was going on.

If he did call Slick and Aunt Poppy, what would Jess think of him? Would she be angry that he’d made a decision that was against what she would want?

“What’s your gut saying?” Kevlar asked as they pulled into the hospital ED lot.

“That I should call them, even if Jess will get angry with me. She needs her parents here. They would be devastated to know she’s going through this without them.”

“Then that’s what you should do.” His friend stopped at the entrance. “Go. I’ll find a spot and come find you.”

“Thanks, and I mean that. For driving me here and for your advice.”

“You know what you’ve got to do. You would’ve gotten there. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Hive. That’s what makes you a good SEAL.”

Finn gave a chin lift and got out of the car. That sort of praise from a well-respected SEAL like Kevlar was something that wasn’t given lightly.

It also gave him a little bit more confidence in his decision to transfer to a different team. If Kevlar could see his value and worth as a SEAL, then another team would too.

The scent of antiseptic and bleach assailed him as Finn strode through the door. The memories of when his mom had been in the hospital after they had been kidnapped all those years ago pushed forward. The fear and worry that he’d felt then returned, but instead of for his mom, it was directed totally towards Jess.

“Finn, I’m so glad you’re here.” Kaley rushed up and hugged him tightly.

He returned the gesture, giving her a tight squeeze before releasing her, anxious to see Jess to reassure himself that she was fine. “Where is she?”

“She’s in surgery.”

He locked his legs together to stop them from buckling. “How serious is it?”

Kaley shook her head. “They wouldn’t tell me. I’m not family. Finn—” She grabbed his arm. “Do we call her parents? She wouldn’t let me last time, but this time, she has you, and you know them.”

“I know she’s not going to be happy with me, but I’m going to call them. They need to know. They need to be here.”

Jess’s friend nodded. “I agree. I just wish…”

“I know.” He didn’t need Kaley to finish. The lack of information was annoying, but he understood it. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to bend the rules to make sure he was informed. “I’m going to find out what I can.”

“Good luck. But as I said, they won’t say anything because you’re not family.”

“They can’t withhold the information from her fiancé, can they?”

Kaley’s eyes widened before she smiled. “No, I guess they can’t.”

“I’ll be right back.” Finn swiveled and headed for the information desk, noting that Kevlar and Smiley were walking through the door, with Oak rushing up behind them.

He canted his head in Kaley’s direction and Oak gave a chin lift, while Kevlar and Smiley made their way toward him.

“I need information on Jessica Killian,” Finn said, his voice firm but calm, and he plastered a smile on his face. One he hoped was friendly and not scary.

“Are you family?” the lady enquired.

He glanced at her name bag. “Elsie, I’m her fiancé, Petty Officer Third Class Finn Spelling.”

Throwing about his military ranking wasn’t something he normally did, but he wasn’t above using everything possible to get the information he needed.

Elsie smiled up at him and tapped on her keyboard, the thin wire glasses she wore slipping down her nose. “Thank you for your service. Your fiancée is in surgery. You can wait for her in the surgery family waiting room, up on the fourth floor. I’ll ask the nurses there to let the surgeon know you’ve arrived.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it.” Was that his Texan twang coming out? During his time in the Navy, his speech cadence had changed, but every now and then, his upbringing floated out.

“You’re welcome.” The phone rang and Elsie picked it up.

Finn joined his friends, which wasn’t far from the desk. “We can go up to the fourth floor waiting room. They’re going to let the surgeon know I’m here.”

As a group, they made the short journey to the room. Everyone but Finn sat, and he headed over to a quiet corner to make the call that he knew was either going to be well-received, or Jess wasn’t going to speak to him ever again.

The phone rang twice before it was picked up. “Finn! How are you?” Aunt Poppy’s happy voice filled his ear, and a wave of emotion he hadn’t been expected dumped all over him.

“Hi, Aunt P-Poppy.”

Dammit. Now she’s going to know something is wrong.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt? Have you called your mom?” His aunt fired off the questions briskly, and he could hear the click-click of her shoes.

He pictured her walking down the hallway toward the kitchen or living room or wherever Slick was.

“I’m okay. I’m not hurt, but—” he paused. It wasn’t going to be easy to say what he had to, but he had to do it. Had to rip the Band-Aid off and just tell them. The quicker he did, the quicker they could get there. “Jess is. She got stabbed.”

“What? Slick!” Aunt Poppy yelled at the same time. In the background, he heard Jess’s dad answer his wife, but the rest was muffled.

“Finn?” Slick’s deep voice sounded down the line. “What’s happened to Jess?”

Finn gave him a quick rundown, because he didn’t know much. “I’ll call Dad, and by the time you get to the airport, there will be a plane waiting for you and Aunt Poppy to bring to you to San Diego.”

“Th-thanks.” The catch in Slick’s voice wasn’t surprising.

Finn could hear Aunt Poppy crying softly in the background.

“Normally, I’d say you don’t need to do this, but not this time,” his uncle said.

“I know.” Finn did. For once, he was grateful his family had the means to make the trip for Slick and Aunt Poppy easier than it would normally be. “I’ll text you the details. I promise I’ll keep you updated whenever I hear anything.”

This was one promise he would keep.