Read Online SEAL Under Siege (Men of Valor) by Liz Johnson - Free Book Online

see about...” She squeezed her fingers into a fist and took a deep breath. “Maybe a hotel would be better. Yes. I could get a hotel room.”
    If it was possible, his eyes narrowed even farther and he pressed his hands onto his hips. “A hotel room is hard to secure—it’s too easy for anyone to just walk in from the street. You’ll be safer at my place.” The tone of his voice was just like one he’d used with his team during her rescue. “And you’ll like my sister. Everyone does.”
    She blinked rapidly, taking a quick step away from him. “I’m sure she’s great, but I hate to intrude. She’s probably—”
    “She’s going crazy spending so much time alone when I’m on the base. And the doctor told her she had to cut back her hours at work, so she could really use someone to talk to.”
    Great. Now he’d cornered her so that if she backed out, she’d look as though she didn’t care about her own safety and that she didn’t care about a pregnant woman.
    It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested in befriending his sister. Ashley was probably a lovely woman.
    But watching a pregnancy in full bloom? Could anything dredge up more memories or remind her more fully of her own deficiencies?
    Staci attempted a smile at the same time that L.T. glanced over his shoulder—probably wondering what kind of trouble his men could be getting into on the other side of the front door. “I appreciate the invitation. But maybe it would be better for me to stay here. I could be some sort of...bait.”
    He shook his head and crossed his arms over the expanse of his chest. “There’s no need for that.” His voice dipped low, brooking no argument. “You’ll be safe with us until we can figure out who this guy is and what his plans are.”
    Just because he didn’t want her to counter didn’t mean she was going to give in. “I could just as easily run into him while I’m staying with you.”
    “Yes. And then I’ll be by your side. And I’ll take care of it.”
    The muscles in his forearms flexed. Oh, dear. If the sinewy ropes of those arms were any indication, he could handle pretty much anything.
    “But you said yourself that you’re at the base most of the time. You won’t be with me every minute of the day.”
    His brows knitted together, eyes squinting as he dragged a hand through his hair.
    There. He couldn’t argue with that. She’d have to be alone sometimes, and that meant that he couldn’t always protect her. She might as well stay in her own home, sleep in her own bed and keep her distance from pregnant women.
    “No. I won’t be with you every second, but at least at my place you won’t be alone all of the time. And my guys will pitch in and keep watch on you, too.” Staring hard into her eyes, he leaned forward, balancing on one foot and then the other.
    He seemed determined, but she went for one last try. “What if this guy waits until you’re not around to make another attempt?”
    He uncrossed his arms and flexed his hands. “If you’re concerned about it, we’ll figure something out. Wouldn’t you feel better staying with me? You just said yes, didn’t you?”
    Oh. He’d noticed.
    Any chance she could blame her mildly unbalanced behavior on three weeks in a Middle Eastern jail cell? Or a hit-and-run? Or the pipe bomb that his team had rushed out the door?
    Her lungs clenched as the reality of all of those surged through her, her knees buckling under their weight.
    She didn’t need a reminder why she should go with him.
    Her options were limited. Go with him and stay out of the lunatic’s line of fire. Or avoid the very pregnant lady and leave herself in the crosshairs of a madman.
    With a measured breath she emptied her lungs. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she nodded slowly.
    “I suppose you’re right.”
    “Fair enough.” He didn’t look particularly happy about being right, but his voice wasn’t unkind. “You want to pack a bag? I’ll clean up in here, then take you