Read Online Navy SEAL Noel by Liz Johnson - Free Book Online

frowned and slammed a palm on the counter, apparently understanding enough English to dislike her answer. “But there’s two of you now.”
    Grumbling as she held up an outdated scale, Jess didn’t bother to respond. Instead, she picked up a stoppered vial, walked over to the sink and poured something brown and chunky down the drain, wrinkling her nose as she did.
    Sergio covered his own nose and grunted, and Will was tempted to do the same.
    A sudden quiet descended as the driving winds and rain of the monsoon moved on, leaving only the wheezing of the air conditioner. Manuel looked at Sergio for a long moment before he announced,
“Vámanos.”
    When the two guards stepped out of the lab, Will checked the back wall. The water trail had stopped growing, and would likely vanish by the time Manuel and Sergio returned. Will’s shoulders relaxed. They’d been able to distract them this time, but they might not be so lucky the next.
    He and Jess had to be on that transport.
    * * *
    Spicy rice and black beans from dinner rolled over and over in Jess’s stomach as she leaned against the wall beside her door. Will had told her to eat as much as she could, because he didn’t know when they’d have another chance. And then he’d reminded her to be ready as soon as the compound went to sleep. She had heard the telltale sounds of men moving toward their barracks nearly an hour before. Slamming doors, drunken shouts and rumbling voices had faded at least thirty minutes ago.
    Still Will didn’t show.
    Jess pressed her fists into her eye sockets, swallowing down the bitterness that threatened to push her to the floor. She’d waited for him another time—the morning after she’d told him of Sal’s proposal.
    But Will said he was different now. He’d said she could count on him. That he’d get her out of here.
    Clearly, her dad trusted him. After all, he’d handpicked this particular SEAL to send to her aid. So why wasn’t Will where he said he’d be?
    The lock popped and her door swung in, just enough for the shadow of a head and shoulders to appear around the corner. Will’s eyes narrowed on her and he jerked his head toward the courtyard. “Let’s go.”
    Suspicion fought with the urge to trust him, but whether she was ready to rely on him or not, she knew this was her best chance of survival. She forced herself to take a step and then another.
    She trailed behind Will through the shadows and down an alley between her building and the snoring that drifted from the neighboring barracks. They crossed behind the big house, which had lights still on in one of the upstairs rooms. Will grabbed her hand and tugged. She was so close she could smell the soap he’d used on his hair.
    Suddenly her foot disappeared into a puddle, and she grunted at the flood in her shoe.
    Will didn’t slow down, but peeked over his shoulder and squeezed her hand. His nod seemed to ask if everything was all right, and she answered with a quick bob of her own head.
    Shadows loomed before them as they dashed along the base of the security wall. When they reached the corner, they turned with it. Will never eased his pace, even as the silence pressed down on them.
    Jess risked a glance up at one of the guard towers. “Do you think someone’s in there tonight?”
    â€œI’m sure of it.”
    Fear raced up her back until her scalp tingled. Despite the slickness of her hand, she held on to Will’s, following his every step.
    A crash of metal resounded from the nearest barrack, and Will slammed to a stop. She had to fall into the wall to keep from running into him. Rubbing her shoulder, she glanced around him, even as he pulled her closer.
    A loud shout sounded and a beam of yellow light flared from a window not far in front of them.
    â€œStay close.” His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her chin into his back as she nodded, and the