Protecting Ellis (Loved by the SEAL #1)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The call came in before Trip rolled out of bed. He hoped it wasn’t a trip out of the country. No question, he would go, but he didn’t want to leave Ellis again so soon.

He stepped into the bathroom as he answered. “Trip here.”

“Get ready for a long day,” Rider said.

“Really?”

“Just got word we’re conferencing in with a group doing an extraction. We need to be on base in an hour and ready to go. We probably won’t be home until midnight.”

He grunted, thinking about how the change would affect him. “Thanks for calling. I’ll be there.”

“See ya soon.”

Trip hopped into the shower, washing quickly. By the time he got out, Ellis was brushing her teeth. Her eyebrows shot up, questioning why they were up so early.

“Rider called. It’s going to be a long one. I’ll be home closer to midnight.”

She rinsed her mouth and then rose to meet his gaze in the mirror. “Want me to heat a breakfast sandwich?”

Emotions rose. She was the best. “Thank you.”

“Sure.” She rose up on her toes and brushed her lips over his cheek. This weekend he would make sure to focus on her. That she never complained when he had long hours or when work got in the way made him feel great. She cared about him, and that was special. He’d seen way too many people in the military get to the point their partner didn’t care for them. He would do everything possible to make sure Ellis never had reason to become jaded.

When he came out of the bathroom, Ellis had the sandwich wrapped and ready for him. She’d also poured up a travel mug of coffee for him.

“You’re the best.”

Her laughter was balm to his soul. Knowing there were people like Ellis here made fighting for his country even more important.

“No, you are. I’ll see you tonight, or if I’m asleep, I’ll see you in the morning.”

He held her close for a long moment, breathing in her scent. She smelled like happiness and home. When he loosened his hold, she tilted her face up to meet his. The kiss was slow, a prelude to a promise he knew she would fulfill.

“I have to go, but I want you to know when I get home, I’m not going to be distracted by work. I promise to leave that at the base so I can focus on you.”

She cupped his cheeks. “I trust you.”

He nodded. “I know, but I never want to give you a reason not to trust me.”

Ellis lifted on her toes and kissed his cheek before stepping back, her smile still warming him. “Have a good day. I don’t know what you’ll be doing but know I love you, and I’ll always be here when you come home.”

He reached out and cupped her cheek. “I love you, too.”

The drive to the base didn’t take long. He was early, so the stream of cars heading wherever they normally went in the morning was much fewer. Most of the guys were already there when he walked in. They had coffee flowing and were ready to get to work.

Being on this end of the equation was hard. Looking over other SEALs’ shoulders, telling them what to do wasn’t his favorite task. It was a necessary function of the job, and he would do it to keep the other SEALs safe. Everything they did was important, and he would treat this task that way.

After their initial assessment they headed into the situation room. He texted Ellis, telling her he would be without his phone for hours, maybe until the next day. Worry for her rose, but he tamped it down. She would be okay. She was smart, and cautious.

The police hadn’t found any connection to Bennet. The attack had to have been random. Ellis would be perfectly safe. She had to be.