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

Brent,” he said, gesturing to the guys behind him.
    She nodded, looking at the men somewhat warily.  They did make an imposing group, but hell.  She should know she had nothing to be afraid of.  “Yeah, I’m fine.  My car’s out back, so I’ll walk out with you guys if that’s okay.”
    “I’m in the front, but we’ll walk you out,” Matthew assured her.
    A door slammed down the hall, and Frank came stomping out of his office, looking furious.  The two policemen that he’d been speaking with were already headed out the back emergency exit as Frank stormed in their direction.  “Why the hell are you back here?” he asked Ella as he caught sight of her.  “Why aren’t you wearing your uniform?”
    She jumped a foot in the air, and before Matthew could confront their angry manager, Brent stepped in, blocking Ella’s small frame with his.
    “Both of them are leaving right now,” he growled.
    “But I need her—”
    “If you have a problem with it, you’re going to have to deal with me first.”
    Frank did a double-take, backing away from Brent’s imposing figure.  “Well, don’t expect a paycheck, Ella,” he snapped, storming off down the hall as he headed back to the restaurant.
    “Jerk,” she muttered.
    Brent moved to follow him, but Evan gripped his forearm, muttering, “Not now.”
    “What the hell’s wrong with him?” Brianna asked, her voice wavering.  “He can’t expect you to stay here after what happened tonight.  And he has to pay you.”
    Ella shrugged.  “Don’t know, don’t care.  But you’re not the only one quitting tonight.”
    Matthew nodded tightly.  “Let’s get going then.  We’ll walk you out.”
    He made a move to head toward the back door, but Brent stopped him.  “I’ll walk Ella to her car.  Then Evan and I can catch a cab back to the hotel.”
    Matthew slid his gaze between Brent and Ella.
    “Where are you guys staying?” Ella asked.  She didn’t look so frightened anymore, actually more relieved than anything.  Maybe it was good they were there to stand up to her manager, to show her not all men were jerk-offs.  That some guys actually respected women and would protect them, not harm them.
    Evan swiped his phone and read the hotel’s address.  “That’s right on my way,” she said.  “I’ll drop you guys off.  I’d feel better not being alone right now.”
    They agreed and all walked out the back together.  The cooler air outside felt refreshing, and without the noise from the crowd, TVs, and music, it was pretty damn peaceful.  Aside from the fact that they were still standing mere feet from where Brianna had been assaulted.  The sooner Matthew got her out of here, the better he’d feel.  After saying their goodbyes, Matthew escorted Brianna around the side of the restaurant to his car.  There was no way he was taking her back in there.
    They rounded the side of the building to the front parking lot, walking over to his empty car.  He unlocked the doors as Brianna scanned the lot.  When she caught sight of the one remaining police cruiser, she immediately burst into tears.
    “Hey,” Matthew said, pulling her into his embrace.  “It’s okay.  Everything’s okay now.”  Her small frame trembled in his arms, and he ducked his head low, inhaling the floral scent of her blonde waves.  He ran his fingers through her soft strands, wishing more than anything that he could comfort her.  Kiss her.  Take her tears away.
    Brianna pulled back and swiped the teardrops streaming down her cheeks.  “It’s not okay.  Nothing’s okay.  I lost my job, all right?  The great marketing one that you keep asking me about?  I got laid off, which is why I’m working in this shitty place.  I had to move out of my apartment, Beckett’s injured, and now with Frank claiming we won’t even get paid, I won’t be able to make my student loan payments this month.”
    “Is that why you’re working here?  Bri, I’ll loan you the