Her Loyal Seal Read Online Free Page B

letting up. It was because her voice was little more than a whisper.
    “I’m fine. I’m a SEAL. This is what we do.”
    “Even in Mexico, we’ve heard of Navy SEALs. You eat nails for breakfast, and have a beautiful girl in every city.” Her weak laughter tickled his ear.
    She was awake because he just made her drink some water. No matter how much he coaxed she refused part of a protein bar, finally she told him she would just throw it up. Since she gagged drinking the water he had to agree with her assessment.
    “Marines are the ones with beautiful girls in every city. SEALs are more discerning, we want the right girl.”
    Again, she laughed. “I might not have brothers, but I went to school with enough boys to know that’s not true.”
    He felt her head fall against the crook of his neck, a sign she would soon be asleep.
    “Lydia, maybe not every SEAL is looking for the right girl, but I know I am. I’m looking for a brave girl, a girl who believes in family, and a girl who has honor.”
    “She sounds nice. I hope you find her.” Lydia’s voice trailed off into sleep.
     
    ****
     
    It looked like the whip marks were festering even worse than they had that morning, and Lydia wouldn’t wake up.
    “Dare, do something,” it was a hoarse plea.
    “We’re almost to help.” Dare didn’t meet his eyes.
    They’d taken a break. Clint took one last look at Lydia then he staggered over to where Mason was standing. He motioned him away from Beth.
    “Mason, can’t we get going?”
    “I radioed the chopper. They’ll be at the extraction point at the designated time. We’re going to be early if we leave now, so we have time for this break. Mr. and Mrs. Hidalgo need it. Let Lydia rest.”
    “Mason, we have to get her to a hospital.”
    “Don’t you think I know that,” Mason growled. Then he took a deep breath and put his hand on Clint’s shoulder. “I’m sorry man. I’m worried too. We’ll get her there. She’s in the best hands possible with Dare. Go back to her, I’ll make sure we get to the chopper on time.”
    “I know, Mase.” Clint went back to Lydia.
    He sat down and carefully pulled her against him. He spoke to her in Spanish, then remembered how she had responded better to English during her nightmare and switched languages. Her eyelids fluttered.
    “We’re going to be in the States soon. We’ll get you to a hospital. Your family will be safe just like we promised.” He could swear her expression relaxed and he took an easier breath. He pushed her matted hair away from her face.
    “Just hang on Baby, please. I’m begging you, hang on.”
    Clint rocked her gently until it was time to load up. Darius helped to place her on his back, ensuring she was secure and safe.
    Once again, Darius took up the rear and they headed off towards their final destination point.
     
    ****
     
    Something was wrong. Really wrong.
    “Dare!” Clint screamed as the chopper whirled overhead. His friend helped to lower Lydia onto the ground. Clint frantically felt for Lydia’s pulse at the base of her neck.
    Darius shoved him out of the way and started to perform CPR. The huey settled into the clearing as Mason ran over to Clint.
    “Mase, I didn’t feel her pulse.”
    Mason signaled to the corpsman who brought a stretcher and an oxygen mask. They whisked Lydia into the belly of the bird continuing to perform CPR, with Darius running behind them. Mason directed the rest of the civilians to follow. Finn and Drake were next, and then he pulled in Clint.
    Clint skidded on his knees to the pallet holding Lydia. They had an IV in her arm. The corpsman working on her stopped compressing her chest. At long fucking last the corpsman gave Clint a thumbs-up. He moved away and Clint saw her breathe on her own. He touched his forehead to hers.
    “Thank God. Thank God.”
     
    ****
     
    There was a knock on the door.
    “Come in.”
    “Hello, Beautiful,” he said in a low voice.
    Lydia looked up from her hospital bed