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

handcuffs.  About damn time.  At least that asshole wouldn’t be here when Bri finally emerged.
    Evan and Brent walked up to him, both looking madder than hell.  “How’s Brianna?” Evan asked, his brow creasing.  “Is she still changing?”
    Matthew blew out a sigh.  “Yep.  I’m still waiting for her.”
    “It’s too bad the police got here so quickly,” Brent spat out.  Matthew raised his eyebrows, waiting for the kicker.
    “I would’ve taken that mother-fucker out with my bare hands,” Brent continued.
    Matthew grimly nodded, not doubting for a second Brent’s anger.  Brent’s own sister had been killed by a jilted ex-boyfriend, and of all the men on his team, he didn’t take that sort of thing lightly.  Hell, none of them would stand for a man harming a woman.  Ever.  And the fact that it had been Brianna in danger?  Well, that affected Matthew even more than he wanted to admit to himself.
    “Who’s the dude in the suit?” Matthew asked, nodding at a slick looking older gentleman that had arrived and was currently talking to a uniformed cop.
    “The asshole’s lawyer,” Brent said.  “He hasn’t even been hauled off to prison yet, and his lawyer shows up.”
    “Figures,” Matthew muttered.  “He probably keeps him on retainer for all the trouble he causes.”
    “Aren’t there cameras?” Evan asked, eyeing the discreet sensors mounted on the walls.  “He shouldn’t be able to get away with anything if the attack is on tape.”
    Matthew nodded, his gut churning.  They very last thing he ever wanted to see was a replay of the night’s events.  It would haunt his nightmares as it was.  He’d seen a lot of hell in his days in the military, but to see the woman he love—wait.  What the hell was he thinking?  He wasn’t in love with Brianna.  He cared about her, yes, and he’d die if anything had happened to her.
    He swallowed, realization slowly dawning on him.
    The discussion Evan and Brent were having on the security footage faded into the background as Brianna finally emerged from the employee locker room, eyes red, her large handbag clutched in her trembling hands.  Matthew’s heart clenched as he crossed the hall toward her.  She looked younger than usual, her face scrubbed free of the heavy makeup she’d been wearing.  Now in jeans and a lightweight tank top, her blonde hair floating around her shoulders, she looked young.  Fragile.  He wanted to pull her close and protect her.  Keep her safe.  Never let her go.
    Her lower lip trembled as she met his gaze.
    “Are you okay?” he asked quietly, ducking his head down to meet her eyes.  Who cared if his buddies were watching?  He didn’t care if the whole damn world saw his concern for Brianna—as long as she was safe.  That was all that mattered right now.
    “Yeah.  Can you drive me home?”  She swiped a stray tear from her cheek, and he longed to thumb it away himself.  To caress her soft skin.
    “Of course.”
    Brianna’s friend followed her out of the locker room a moment later.  She’d also changed back into regular clothes and had pulled her long dark hair up into a ponytail.  “Should I tell Frank we’re outta here?”
    “He knows,” Matthew said, his voice steel.
    Evan and Brent crossed the hallway to join them.  “You need us for anything, Gator?” Brent asked.  “Otherwise we’re gonna split.”
    “You’re leaving your lady friend?” Evan asked.
    “Nah.  I’ll catch up with her later.  She gave me her address.”
    “Christ,” Matthew muttered.  He glanced from Brianna over to his buddies.  “I’m going to drive Brianna home.  Think you guys can rustle up a cab or something?
    Brent nodded, his eyes narrowing as he looked over at Brianna’s friend.
    Matthew followed Brent’s gaze.  “Are you okay getting home…?” he asked.
    “Ella,” she said, sticking out a slender hand.
    “Matthew,” he replied, grasping her hand in his.  “This is Evan and