Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Safe was not having a good time, but this meeting needed to happen. It would've been better if all of Wren's coworkers could've been there to hear it too, but they were being macho boneheads and wouldn't admit there might be something they could learn from a bunch of Navy SEALs.

As much as he enjoyed Wren's obvious delight in some of the things his friends had brought for her, the reasons why she might need them were a heavy burden on Safe's heart. The thought of her being in any situation where she might actually need to use any of the survival gear they were outfitting her with made him want to puke.

But he was also very proud of the way she was handling the huge amounts of info being thrown at her. He'd sit down with her in the next few days and answer any other questions she had, and make sure she knew how to use all the equipment she'd been given. He'd help her shop for appropriate clothes and shoes. Safe would do anything to help make this asinine trip she was going on a little safer. With a little luck, she wouldn't need anything she was given tonight and it would all be overkill.

The only reason he hadn't pressed her harder to get out of the trip—he really did understand that if she insisted on not going, she had a possibility of losing her job—was because of the man on the other end of the phone at the moment.

"Tex! Thanks for agreeing to join us tonight," Mozart said.

"Don't have anything else going on right this moment," he drawled.

Everyone chuckled at that. Tex always had something going on. Someone he was tracking.

"Wren? You there?"

"Um…yeah, I'm here," she said, giving Safe a sideways glance.

Wanting to reassure her, Safe stepped closer and put his hand on the small of her back.

"First things first. You don't have to worry about Matt Smith anymore. I found him."

"What?"

"You did?"

"Where was he?"

The questions came from Safe's teammates, and he was happy to let them ask the questions he was dying to know the answers to. Wren gasped, muscles tightening under his hand, and he stepped closer, wanting to reassure her.

"His real name is actually Barry Simpson and he's wanted in two states. He has a warrant out of Wyoming for terrorist threats and another out of Washington for sexual assault and stalking. On a hunch, I looked up all the Matt Smiths on other dating apps and cross referenced the info on all of them. Idiot used the exact same info in his profiles. He messed up and used the Wi-Fi in the motel he was staying in, up in Chula Vista, to set up one of them. The sheriff department's warrant squad was headed out to apprehend him before your meeting started."

"Seriously?" Wren whispered.

"Yes."

"Wow."

Safe was equally as shocked, but pleased at the same time.

"Moving on. You get all the stuff the guys brought for you?" Tex asked.

"Uh-huh."

"And the toe ring?"

"We saved that for last," Dude told him. "Haven't told her about it yet."

"Got it. So…if you get taken, the kidnappers, if they're not complete idiots, will take all your jewelry. Watches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets. All of it. I'm a big fan of putting tracking devices in earrings. But since I'd advise against you bringing any kind of jewelry with you, not even a damn watch, and because I don't want my tech being thrown into some African jungle river, I went with a new thing. A toe ring."

Safe saw Wren frown in confusion.

"Tex is a master at making tracking devices," he explained. "When we go on missions, we all have one."

"There was one in my wetsuit when I was left in the ocean in Hawaii," Kevlar explained. "That's how Remi and I were rescued so quickly. Tex realized I'd been in the water too long for a normal dive excursion, and he contacted a former SEAL who lives out in Hawaii to come check on me. Thank goodness."

"You asked what help would arrive if shit hits the fan in South Sudan?" Preacher said. " We will. Well, maybe not us specifically, but Tex knows basically everyone. He'll figure out who's closest, and who can get in and out without completely pissing off the government—ours and theirs—and they'll come get you."

Wren stared at the tiny, almost delicate ring MacGyver was now holding out to her.

"We figured kidnappers will take obvious jewelry…rings, necklaces, and the like. But they'd have to not only remove your shoes, but your socks, too, in order to find the toe ring. And since it looks plain and not worth any kind of money, the chances of them leaving it alone are high," Kevlar said.

"I do have some trackables that can be swallowed, but the reception isn't as good as it is with a wearable one. And if you're gone too long…well, not to get too graphic, but your body would expel it at some point and that would defeat the purpose of being able to lead a team straight to you," Tex said.

"If something happens, do not give up," Blink said in a low voice. "No matter what. Tex will be watching. If you end up anywhere other than at the hotel or the president's compound, Tex will sound the alarm and someone will be coming for you and your coworkers. Understand?"

Wren pressed her lips together and nodded. Safe saw that she'd closed her fingers around the ring and was holding it tightly in her fist.

"I…I don't know what to say," she said quietly .

"Whatever it is, it better not be thank you," Tex bitched from the other end of the phone.

Safe chuckled, along with his friends.

"Tex hates to be thanked," Dude explained, seeing Wren's confusion.

"Oh, well, okay. Then if something happens and this little toe ring comes into play, I'll simply have to name my firstborn after you," Wren told him.

"Another one?" Tex asked.

No one held back their laughter at that.

"Trust me, no one wants to be named Tex," Mozart said.

"You don't need to thank me or name any of your children after me," Tex said after everyone stopped laughing. "I don't do what I do because I want anyone to be in my debt or because I want the gratitude. I do it because I hate to see evil win. It pisses me off. And the more I can thwart the bad shit in the world, the more chance kindness has to prevail. And from where I'm sitting, we need more of that for sure."

"I agree," Wren said quietly.

"Uh-huh…so, while you're feeling all warm and fuzzy about me, now's a good time to let you know that I looked into your father. Tyler Farris is the real deal. Forty-nine, three kids, married once. Lives in Mission Viejo and is co-CEO of Farris Morgan. His company is above board and doesn't accept shady contracts."

Safe tensed. Yes, he'd contacted Tex about Wren's father and asked if he would look into the man, but he hadn't expected him to act so quickly. He should've known better.

"I asked him to see what he could find out," he told Wren. " I wanted to make sure he was on the up and up. That you wouldn't be hurt further if you decided to talk to him, or to meet him or your half-brothers."

Wren looked at him, but Safe couldn't read what she was thinking. He was nervous, wondering if she was pissed or pleased.

Then, as he watched, tears formed in her eyes, and she turned and leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder as she stood motionless, her arms at her sides.

Safe immediately wrapped her in his embrace.

"Wren?" Tex asked. "Did you hear me?"

Wren nodded.

"She heard you," Safe told him.

"Good. Far as I can tell, Tyler's a good man. Safe told me what your mother said about him, and it seems that was a lie. He hasn't even had a speeding ticket in over twenty years. And trust me, I tried to find dirt on him. Now, your mother ?—"

Wren came alive in Safe's arms. She spun toward the table and yelled, "No!" interrupting Tex. "I don't want to know. I don't want to hear her name ever again. She's out of my life, and that's where I want her to stay."

"All right." Tex's voice was gentle now.

Wren took a deep breath, then sagged against Safe's side. He wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her tight.

"So…anything else you think Wren needs to know before she leaves on her trip next week?" Kevlar asked Tex.

"Just to stay smart. Alert. And just because Safe and the others are advising you to stay compliant, doesn't mean you shouldn't do what you can to keep yourself safe. And, Wren? If the opportunity arises, get the hell away from them. Don't be a martyr and stay because all of you can't escape at the same time. When help comes, it'll come for all of you, even if you aren't together. Understand?"

Wren sniffed once, took a deep breath and said, "Yes."

"Good. I've got to get going. My wife just let me know that dinner's ready, and I don't miss sitting down with my family at night if I can help it. Have a good trip. I'll be watching."

And just like that, Tex disconnected the call.

Dude snorted. "Have a good trip. Whatever," he muttered.

"Wren?" Kevlar asked.

She looked over at him. "Yeah?"

"You've never met your father?"

Safe wanted to stop this conversation right there. Didn't want Wren to talk about something that was obviously difficult for her, but she spoke before he could shut down his team leader's questions.

"No. My mom always told me he was a piece of shit. A felon. A murderer. I was conceived after a one-night stand. Recently, my half-brother started calling out of the blue. Scared me, actually, because I thought it was Matt. Said they didn't know anything about me, and that they all—him, his two brothers, my dad, and my…I guess stepmother—would love to meet someday."

"And they're in Mission Viejo?" Kevlar asked.

Wren nodded.

"Well, say the word, and once you're back from your trip, and we're back from our mission, we'll go up there with you, if you want. Have your back."

Wren stared at Kevlar with eyes as big as saucers. "Why?"

"Why what? Why would we go with you? Because you're one of us now," Kevlar said simply.

"I…I…This is so confusing," Wren whispered.

"What is?" Smiley asked.

"All of it. You guys meeting with me about safety. Bringing me all this stuff. Tex and the tracker…" She opened her fist and looked down at the small ring on her palm. "Julie and the clothes, Remi helping me pick out what to keep, Matt being found, Caroline and Wolf buying me lunch. I don't know what to do with it all."

"My suggestion?" Blink said with a small, introspective smile. "Just go with it."

"Right. Go with it," Wren echoed. Then she looked up at Safe and said, "It's over."

"Not until we hear that he's actually in custody," Kevlar warned.

"You think there's a chance he can escape?" Wren asked with a frown.

"Honestly? Not really. Tex wouldn't have sounded so sure of himself, wouldn't even have told you if he didn't think it was a done deal."

Wren relaxed against Safe.

He was relieved that Simpson had been found, of course he was…but he was also struck by a sense of disappointment that there was no longer any reason for her to stay at his house .

"Of course, I'd suggest since your things were destroyed that you don't immediately go back to your apartment yet. At least until you get furniture and stuff." Kevlar winked at Safe.

"Yeah. Since we've been busy with our mission planning, and you've been just as busy at work getting ready for this trip, it doesn't make sense to go back to your place yet, considering how much stuff you still need to go over with Safe," Preacher agreed.

"Exactly. How will you learn how to use the ferro rod if you're living all the way across town?" Flash added.

Safe couldn't help but roll his eyes at his friends. They weren't being very subtle. He appreciated them acting as his wingmen, but they were being a bit heavy-handed.

"You guys can discuss that later. I want to get home to Remi," Kevlar said.

"And I just want to get home," Smiley said with a yawn.

"Same time in the morning?" MacGyver asked Kevlar.

Their team leader stood and nodded solemnly. "It's looking like we'll be headed out in about four days."

"Shit, thought we had another week?" Preacher asked.

"So did I," Kevlar said with a shrug.

Such was life as a Navy SEAL. They all were well aware they could be deployed at a moment's notice. The fact that they'd had significant notice for this mission was somewhat unusual. But since they were going back to Chad, where they'd just been a couple weeks ago, they'd needed the extra time to make sure their plans were extremely solid—to be certain they wouldn't have to go back for a third mission.

There'd be no unexpected loose ends this time around .

"All right. Drive safe going home. I'll see you all in the morning," Kevlar said, effectively dismissing them.

Safe stepped back from Wren as each of his friends approached and told her that if she needed anything, had any questions, or simply wanted to talk, they were available.

Mozart and Dude were the last to say good night.

"I trust Tex with my life. More importantly, I trust him with my wife's life," Dude said.

"He's had a hand in saving all our women at one time or another," Mozart added. "If the worst happens, trust that he'll come through for you."

"What if they take the toe ring?" Wren asked nervously.

"He's reassured us that he imbedded some sort of technology that can track the temperature of the person wearing it. If it's removed, it'll be obvious and he'll know the worst happened. He'll send help," Dude said succinctly.

Mozart nodded.

Wren took a deep breath. "Okay."

"Okay," Mozart echoed.

"Need to get you together with our women," Dude said. "They all met Remi and loved her. It's your turn." He looked at Safe. "See if you can make that happen when she gets back. Bring her to Aces."

"I'm not sure?—"

"When you fall off a horse, you get back on," Dude said gently, interrupting Wren. "I know bad shit happened there, but Jessyka feels horrible about that and has made some changes. If you're willing to give it another chance, I promise you'll have a different experience."

She took a deep breath and nodded. "All right. "

"Good. Safe'll set it up. We'll be in touch," Dude said. He gave her a chin lift and headed for the door, with Mozart at his side.

Then it was only Safe and Wren left in the room.

"Wow," she said. "My head is spinning."

"Yeah, that was a lot. What's the main thing you're thinking about?" Safe asked, turning her toward him and loosely putting his arms around her waist. He thought she'd mention the tracker. Or one of the other gadgets she'd been given. Or maybe even the info she'd learned about her father. But she surprised him.

"I don't want to go back to my apartment yet. I know Kevlar said Matt, or Barry, whatever his name is, has probably been arrested by now, but…I'd like to stay. At least until you leave."

"You can stay as long as you want. Even after I head out on my mission," Safe told her without hesitation. In the past, the thought of someone being in his space while he was gone made him cringe. But knowing this woman was there, amongst his belongings, eating his food, sitting at his table, sleeping under his roof…it felt right.

"Okay. I can get your mail and stuff," she told him.

"Don't give a shit about that. I can put a hold on it. Don't get anything important anyway, it's all junk. I want you there. Want you safe and comfortable. You aren't on your own anymore," Safe reminded her. "You have me, my team, Remi, and Wolf's team and their wives. You have a SEAL family, Wren."

"We just met," she whispered .

"When you know, you know," Safe countered. "You think I've done this before? Met a woman and within a few days, moved her in and introduced her to the most important people in my life? The answer is hell no. There's something about you that's so special. I know it, and I'm not stupid enough to turn my back on that. To let it, let you , slip out of my hands without a hell of a fight. Things between us might not work out…but what if they do? Stay at my house, Wren. Please."

"Okay."

"Okay," he echoed. "You ready to head home?"

"Yeah."

"Tomorrow when I pick you up, we'll go shopping. See what we can find that will not only look professional, but be functional. We'll go through all the survival stuff the guys brought you again and make sure you can use it. All right?"

"Sounds good."

"Tonight, we'll decompress. Think about nothing. Watch some trash TV. Relax."

She smiled. "That sounds perfect . To be honest, my head hurts a little. Bo?"

"Yeah, hon?"

"I'm worried about myself and this trip, but I'm also worried about you. And now all the other guys too. You're leaving soon, and I know you can't tell me anything about your mission, but I'm still worried."

"I wish I could take that worry away, but honestly? It feels good to have someone concerned about my well-being. It's a new feeling for me." Safe wished he could reassure her that he'd be fine. That their mission would be successful, and he'd be home maybe even before she left for South Sudan. But he couldn't and wouldn't do that to her.

Blink was a good reminder that not all missions went the way they were supposed to. He could be hurt—or worse, killed. He hated that, but it was a fact of life for him as a Navy SEAL. Yes, he and his teammates were well-trained…but that hadn't helped Blink's team.

So he'd reassure Wren however he could and hope everything turned out well. He wanted a chance to get to know this woman better. He wanted to make her his in every way that counted. But first, they both had to get through their upcoming trips. When they got back, he'd work on deepening their relationship.

"Well, I do care. I do worry. Don't forget that while you're out saving the world from bad guys."

Safe grinned. "Trust me, I won't forget."

"Good."

Safe turned and helped her pack all the things back into the box, then he picked it up, took her hand with his free one, and headed for the door.

It wasn't lost on Safe that if things did go bad for Wren and her coworkers, he and his team would be on the same continent. They'd be the closest available help. Safe knew it. Kevlar knew it. Dude and Mozart knew it. And so did Tex.

No one had said anything out loud, but it was in the back of his mind. Kevlar and the others were probably already thinking about the ramifications. Of getting their mission done as quickly as possible so they'd be able to cross the border into South Sudan from Chad if necessary.

As Wren smiled up at him from his side, Safe sent a prayer upward that she'd be fine. She'd go to Africa, do her thing, and come home a couple days later. That all their planning and precautions would be for naught.

But if being a SEAL had taught him anything, it was that nothing ever went according to plan. Safe just hoped that if something did happen to Wren, she'd be able to keep her head and stay safe until help arrived.