Page 92 of Beast

“Thanks, man. I’ll text you. Tonight, I just want to get home to see my dog.” Trigger had been staying with a SEAL buddy stuck on instructor duty, training BUD/S Phase One, for the wannabe SEALs.

“Okay. See you Saturday.” He gave me a man-hug and headed out.

Despite my best intentions, I hadn’t been able to resist keeping up with Annie’s return. Luckily, my name hadn’t been in the press and she had evaded revealing the details of her escape. She’d refused all interviews and her family had asked for privacy and time to heal. Of course, the internet had been rife with gossip—conspiracy theories, government cover ups, witness relocation. Maybe her choice to lie had been the correct one, because at least her and Gabriel’s pictures weren’t plastered all over the news.

I gathered my pack and gun. I couldn’t wait to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Kyle and I walked down the gangplank after most of the sailors and Marines had dispersed. I wasn’t in any rush. We were docked at the 32nd Street Naval Base. The beautiful view of the Hotel Del Coronado was behind me, and I marveled at the San Diego waterfront. I was happy to be home.

A sailor in front of me ran toward his wife, then cradled his infant, whom he was surely meeting for the first time. I couldn’t imagine having to come home to this new life, new baby, and trying to make up for all the time I wasn’t around. Being a stranger to my own family wasn’t something that appealed to me.

Before I could scan the rest of the crowd, Kyle whispered to me. “Your wife and kid are here.”

My head turned. Annie stood before me, Gabriel at her side. She was holding a painted “Welcome Home Patrick!” sign. What the fuck were they doing here?

“Hey, Hero.” She was stunning, and looked completely different than when I’d left her near her parents’ house. Her black hair was blown dry and had lighter highlights framing her face. Her hazel eyes now seemed more golden, set off by her purple eye shadow. She’d gained some weight and her body looked soft and round—perfect. I couldn’t take my eyes off the way her form-fitting pink sweater hugged her newly found curves. Curves which made my mouth dry. Gabriel was dressed in a little polo shirt and khaki pants. He beamed when he saw me and I scooped him up in my arms.

“Hey buddy!”

“Pat! Ship?” He pointed to the carrier. I wanted to give him a tour—but I didn’t know where I stood with Annie.

Before I could greet Annie, Kyle was hugging her. I put Gabriel down and Kyle gave him a high five.

“You look gorgeous, Annie. I got to bounce but I’m sure I’ll see you at Vic’s barbeque Saturday?”

Dammit Kyle. Way to back me into a corner. I didn’t know what Annie wanted from me or if she was visiting me out of gratitude or lingering feelings.

“I’d love to!”

“Great, see you then. Pat, I’ll call you later.”

Kyle winked and walked away, leaving me alone with Annie and Gabriel.

“How did you find me?”

Her hair blew in the wind and she smiled. “You’re not the only one who can find people. My dad’s was a Navy Lieutenant. He went to Annapolis.”

Why hadn’t she told me that before? Her dad was a ring knocker? Figured.

I wasn’t ready to see her. I had planned on finding her before I deployed again, but on my terms. “What are you doing here? I told you we couldn’t see each other—”

She bit her lip, her smile now sad. “Relax. I get it. Really . . . I just came to see you because I wanted to tell you thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry for the way I behaved detoxing and the last night on the ship. I clearly wasn’t myself. Don’t worry; I’m not going to stalk you.”

Maybe I wanted her to stalk me. Fuck, I didn’t know what the fuck I wanted. This new Annie wasn’t the same beaten down girl I’d left behind. She was now strong, sexy, and confident, which only made me want her more.

The wind from the Pacific Ocean blew up her skirt, and I glimpsed black lace panties. I wanted to take her right there on the pier, hike up her skirt and fuck her brains out.

“Need a ride?”

Did I ever. Mind out of gutter. I’d planned on taking the shuttle back to the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado where my truck was parked. “I’m good. There’s a shuttle.”

She paused for a second. “Can I take you to lunch? Just to thank you. Then I’ll leave you alone.”

“I could eat.” I followed her out to the parking lot. She pressed the button on her keys and a brand new deep purple Audi Q7 blinked its lights. “Nice ride.”

“Oh, thanks. My dad bought it for me. I didn’t want to drive anywhere by myself at first, but now I love it.”

She put Gabriel in his car seat and I opened the driver’s door for her. I came around to the passenger’s side and slid in. This luxury SUV had all the bells and whistles—navigation, MP3, seat sensors.