The SEAL Next Door (Alpha SEALs Book 5) by Makenna Jameison

frustration from the past few weeks, all the fear she’d experienced in the last few moments, escaped as she clung to Matthew like he was her lifeline.
    “I know…I didn’t—I couldn’t….”
    “Shhh,” Matthew soothed.  “You’re safe now.”
    His large hand moved up and cradled the back of her head as the other securely held her to him.  Brianna felt dizzy and weak as the adrenaline that had been surging through her moments before all drained away.  If it wasn’t for Matthew holding her up, she didn’t think she’d still be standing.  And if he hadn’t gotten here in time—she shuddered, not even wanting to think of the end result.
    Humiliation and embarrassment washed over her now that she was safe.  She could hear Matthew’s friend—probably his SEAL team buddy—calmly relaying the information to the police dispatcher.  What would his friends think of her now, she wondered?  They’d flown down to Pensacola to support her brother, and she sure as hell hadn’t intended to meet them like this—being attacked by a drunk guy as she’d been waitressing in the very cocktail lounge they decided to stop by.
    “I’ll fucking kill you!” the drunk guy shouted, and Brianna jumped in Matthew’s arms.
    “Don’t give me a reason to break your neck,” the SEAL holding him down growled.  Matthew guided her away from the scene as the guy further dug his knee into the attacker’s back, causing him to wince in anguish.
    “The police are on the way,” his other friend called out.  “ETA is under five minutes.”
    “I’m taking you home,” Matthew said quietly, his voice deep as his lips hovered by her ear.  “I need to make sure you’re safe—that he didn’t hurt you.  And then I want you to tell me exactly what the hell you’re doing here.”

Chapter 8
     
    Matthew’s jaw tightened as he leaned against the exposed brick wall, waiting for Brianna to finish changing in the locker room.  The scent of stale cigarette smoke hung in the air, drifting in the vents from the patio out back.  A light flickered above him, and he resisted the urge to pound on the door, hauling Brianna out himself.  Just so he could assure himself that she was unharmed.
    Her dick of a manager had come by a few minutes ago, and it was all Matthew could do not to slug him in the face.  What the hell kind of place was he running, having the women prance around in skimpy little outfits without any type of security?  Maybe they were only serving drinks, but hell, they were asking for trouble mixing alcohol and scantily clad women.  Some guys had no self control—no respect for women.  A bouncer or two at the door could have prevented some of what had happened tonight.  If Matthew hadn’t been there, who knows what the hell that asshole would have done to Brianna.
    Scratch that.
    Matthew knew, and he shuddered just thinking of it.
    Just seeing that asshole slipping his fingers up Brianna’s dress had made him see red, and the way that the tears had streamed down her face as he’d held her against her will had nearly slayed him.
    He pounded one fist into his open palm impatiently, wondering what was taking Bri so long.  He hadn’t want to let her out of his sight, and the only reason he’d let her go into the locker room without him by her side was that she had a friend with her.  That willowy college-aged girl that had followed Bri in there didn’t look like she could harm a fly, but she also didn’t look like she could protect Brianna from any danger.  At least she wasn’t in there alone.  But what was the hold up?  Was she…crying?  Scared?  Afraid to come out?
    His chest clenched at the thought.
    Damn.  It was a good thing Beckett wasn’t in town, because as much as Matthew had wanted to inflict more bodily harm on her attacker, there probably would’ve been no stopping Beckett.  Missing leg or not.
    Matthew glanced back down the hall, watching as the police finally led the attacker away in