Protecting Ellis (Loved by the SEAL #1)

Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The drive slowed the closer they got to their destination. There were just too many people living in the area and not enough space on the road for all the cars. Frustration built, and he wanted to be able to just zip past everyone.

They still didn’t know where Ellis’s mother was being treated, or if she was even in the hospital. Trip had been calling Ellis’s number every thirty minutes, and she hadn’t answered. That made him really worry.

If this was all some big misunderstanding, he would apologize profusely. Something in his gut told him he wasn’t wrong to worry.

When they had about twenty minutes left, Rider’s phone rang. He answered over Bluetooth. “Rider here.”

“It’s Tex. I woke late, sorry. I’ve been researching information. I couldn’t find anything about her mother being in any hospital, but I’ve got bad news.”

“What?” Trip asked, his stomach so tight it felt like it was in knots.

“It looks like a marriage certificate was issued for Ellis yesterday, and it’s not for Trip and Ellis.”

Anger exploded, and he had to clench his fists tight. “What?”

“Tex, do you know where they are getting married?” Rider was asking the important questions. They needed to know everything.

“I’m still looking. Most of those venues are booked out months in advance. It’s going to be somewhere small or unassuming. Or maybe a private club.”

Rider took the exit off the freeway. “We’ll start calling the private clubs.”

Trip grunted. “I’ll keep you updated and let you know if we find anything.”

“I’ll text if I find something. Stay safe,” Tex said.

“You know we will.”

The call ended, and Trip was close to exploding. “Shit, now we need to call more places.”

Q whipped out his phone. “I’ll pull up a list and have the guys in the other car call the bottom of the list. We’ll call the top half.”

Trip drew in a slow breath, trying to calm down. “Thank you.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Rider said.

Trip felt like they didn’t have much time. Something bad was going to happen, he could feel it.

Q gave him two places to call. Neither place had any weddings scheduled. He pulled up the map, looking at the area. He spied a church, and a memory hit.

“Ellis mentioned a church her parents were involved with. The name was…” he scanned the churches in the maps application, finding the place at the bottom of the list. “Found it. I’ve mapped a route to the church. I’ll text the information to the gang so they know where we’re going.”

“Do you think this is it?”

“Yes. From what Ellis said, her parents have been going to that place for years. It’s the best lead we have. I should have thought about it earlier.”

“Let’s go.” Rider took the turn that would take them to the church.

Trip sent a text to Tex, telling him about the church. Maybe Tex could find something to help them. If not, at least Tex would know where they’d gone.

He hoped they arrived in time to stop whatever bad shit Dean had planned. Trip was beginning to suspect that the attack had been orchestrated by Dean. He couldn’t imagine being such a dick to a child. Hurting Ellis on purpose was low. Ellis was one of the kindest people he’d ever met. She was honest, gentle, passionate, and sweet, and didn’t deserve anything Dean threw at her.