Hot SEALs: A Mission of Love (A Hot SEALs / CSA Case Files Crossover) (Kindle Worlds) Read Free Page B

to the media if he doesn’t receive the money, thereby ruining my reputation,” Schultz said as he reached into his pocket to pull out his phone. He glanced at the screen but then gave her back his full attention. Julia would have given anything to know what the message said that he’d just received but he continued before she could ask. “He or she knows you. They were confident you wouldn’t allow that to happen and they were absolutely certain you wouldn’t come to me for help because of the nature of the photographs. Who knows you that well, Julia? I certainly didn’t.”
    Schultz’s last shot was a direct hit and she hissed in a breath as she pulled back, trying to dodge some of the pain. It didn’t work. And talking about this in public wasn’t working either. Julia made a decision and she hoped like hell that she wasn’t about to make a huge mistake. She stood as gracefully as she could and picked up her purse, sliding the thin strap over her shoulder.
    “I’m going to assume that your apartment is free and clear for us to continue to have this conversation because I’m through having it here. I’ll cancel the rest of my appointments for the afternoon and meet you there.” Julia held her head up high as she walked through the restaurant, grateful that the lobby was clear at such a late hour so she didn’t run into anyone she knew. It didn’t help that tears blurred her vision. She startled right before reaching the door, not expecting the feel of Schultz’s warm hand through the material of her thin grey blouse. “I told you that I’m not discussing this here.”
    Schultz escorted her through the door and around the side of the restaurant’s entrance until he had her back flat against the concrete of the building. Julia had instinctively placed her palms on his chest, amazed that she could feel the beat of his heart through the fabric of his jacket. The speed of his heartbeat matched her own. It was rare that either one of them put on public displays of affection, especially given their jobs and the fact that they attended high-profile functions.
    “You went behind my back to seek help from another man when you were in trouble…something that threatened both of us,” Schultz whispered in a rough voice, his lips inches from hers. His dark brown eyes deepened with emotion when she parted her lips to deny what he was saying, but he prevented that by shaking his head and sliding a hand up to cup her cheek. The gentleness of his touch contradicted the turmoil written in his features that led her to understand just how much she’d hurt him. “You’ve lied to me for the past two weeks, Julia. Where does that leave the two of us?”

Chapter Three
    SCHULTZ RESISTED THE urge to pour himself two fingers of Old Puteney 21 single malt scotch, his preferred drink when he was unwinding after a long day at work. The problem was that it was only going on three in the afternoon and alcohol would cloud his better judgment. He needed to remain sharp for a lot of reasons, mainly the upcoming no-holds-barred confrontation with Julia. He could easily see that she didn’t regret how she’d handled things or the fact that she’d purposefully kept him in the dark. It was like salt in the wound. He’d hear what she had to say and then spend the rest of the afternoon making her problem disappear forever. He just didn’t appreciate the doubts swirling in his mind that she’d vanish with them.
    “You’re all clear, sir. Nothing on the waterfall other than your neighbor’s Wi-Fi router and your security system’s encrypted cellular transmitter.” Braeden said, walking out of the bedroom holding a portable spectrum analyzer developed by the NSA specifically to counter detect electronic eavesdropping devices including the CIA’s own miniature burst transmitter models. “Will there be anything else?”
    “No, thank you,” Schultz said, turning from the large picture window that overlooked Lafayette Square. His