Seals Hunt Together (Book 3)

Chapter 3

Taking a deep breath, I step behind Jake and tap him on his shoulder. He spins around and stares at me. For a second, I thought he wouldn't recognize me, but he smiled like a Cheshire cat and hugged me.

"Ella. It's good to see you again little sister."

"It's so good to see you too Jake." I could the guys behind me, so I take a step backwards and motion for them to come forward. "Jake, I'd like for you to meet my best friends: Sam, Jason, John and Luke. Guys meet my brother Jake." They shook hands slowly. Sam accidently bumped against my left arm, bringing a hiss from me.

"Sorry Ace." I just smile it off. "Don't worry about it Flint, its fine." Jake looks down at my arm and I watched as he pales a little. "What happened Ella?"

"I stepped in front of a sniper's bullet on our last mission." Concern and worry flashed through his eyes. "I swear Jake, if you treat me like I'm made of porcelain, I'll kick your butt." The guys chuckle softly as Jake laughs. "You couldn't take me lil' sis."

"Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that." John speaks up. "Yeah," Sam pipes up, "She could take you with one arm tied behind her back." A deep chuckle erupts from my throat, and Sam looks at me confused. "What's so funny Ace?"

I just wait until it dawned on him what he just said. Everyone was laughing by the time he got it. Jason laid his hand on Sam's shoulder. "She could still take you with no hands Jake." A smile slide across my lips: I was glad that they were getting along.

Luke lays his arm around my shoulders and I lay my head on his chest. "There's something you should know Jake. Luke and I are engaged." He blinked a few times and slowly smiled. "It's nice to meet you Luke."

"Likewise Jake." They move to the back porch to talk, leaving me with Dad. "Are you here to stay?"

"I am Dad. The guys will be leaving soon on another mission and I wanted them to meet you and Mom. I have a feeling that something bad will happen. And I won't be there to stop it." I add quietly, looking out the back door.

"I'm sure they'll be fine Ella. They seem like a group of guys who can handle themselves rather well."

"That they are Dad. But we've had each other's backs for years. It'll be hard for me to sit back and watch them go without me."

"I know baby girl, I know." Mom walks out of the kitchen. "Dinner's ready Ella. Why don't you go get the guys?" I nod and head to the porch. Poking my head out the door, I speak. "Mom says dinner's ready. Come eat." I laugh as they jump up and follow me back into the house. We stayed up late that night, talking and laughing. It was good to be home with those I loved.

Jake left a little after ten. It was just before midnight when I crawled into bed. Within seconds I was out and I found myself in a nightmare.

Spark Plug and I were hiding in some thick bushes while Powder and Flint were laying charges. Tech was keeping a look out as S.P. and I looked for the objective. I spot him coming out of a small house to the west of us. Nudging S.P. and then nodding towards him, he motions to Tech.

They slipped off into the town. I was thankfully for the cover of darkness. Powder and Flint place the final charge and the three of us head towards Tech and S.P. Once we grab the objective, Flint blows the charges and everything breaks loose. His men coming running out of houses looking for the cause of the explosion, panicking when they see their leader's car in flames.

We were almost in the clear when everything goes wrong. Somehow, he manages to get free. He starts yelling and one of his men sees him so he starts shooting at us. The guy accidently kills our objective and his leader. Knowing we had no other option but to get out of Dodge, we turn and start to run. By now, others are firing at us.