Second Chance SEAL(45)

“First thing’s first. We need new clothes.”

She looked down at herself. “You’re probably right.”

“I have blood all over mine. I know the Wal-Mart near here opens early, so I need you to go in there and get some stuff. Breakfast too, if you can.”

She nodded. “Okay, sure. I can shop for you.”

“No pressure. We just need clothes.”

“Got it. I’ll make sure to get you a studded leather belt and short shorts.”

“You couldn’t handle seeing me in short shorts.” I started the engine of the truck and pulled back out onto the road. “You’d lose your mind from lust.”

“I think I could handle myself.”

“I doubt it. I have great legs.”

She laughed as we sped down the highway, back toward town.

My arm ached, but I was pretty sure the bleeding had stopped. I was going to need stitches as soon as the bandage came off, but I didn’t want to tell Piper that. She was worried enough already without me adding anymore stress to the situation. I was going to survive and that was all that mattered.

We got to the Wal-Mart maybe fifteen minutes later. It was just opening up, but there were already a bunch of other trucks in the parking lot.

“Okay,” I said to her as I found a spot. “Get in and get out. Don’t stop no matter what. If anything happens, you run out here as fast as you can. I’ll be ready.”

“Okay,” she said and opened the door. “Don’t worry. I got this. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s shopping.”

“What a cliché,” I said, laughing.

She grinned then slammed the door and stalked toward the Wal-Mart. She was wearing dirty clothing and she hadn’t showered since the fight at the motel, but she looked absolutely gorgeous anyway. I hated sending her in there alone, but I couldn’t go with her. I’d draw too much attention considering the amount of blood on my clothing.

I leaned back and sighed. This was going to be one fucking stressful morning. Not only did I have to get through this Wal-Mart trip, but I also had to figure out how to make General Maron listen. I still hadn’t come up with a good plan for that yet. I just hoped that he’d be willing to see me and Piper, and once we were inside, I was sure I could convince him to help.

I leaned back and shut my eyes. I was exhausted, a deep, bone-shaking kind of exhaustion that I only ever felt out on the battlefield. I was at war in a lot of ways, though I didn’t have a squad to back me up. In this case, it was just me against my enemies.

Ten minutes passed, and then fifteen. I fingered my gun, itching to get out of the car and get in there. Images of Piper in serious trouble kept coming to me, but I knew I had to resist the urge to do something stupid. She was probably just stuck in line or something, or maybe she was using the bathroom. The chances that the mafia was in there waiting for us were pretty damn slim. Piper could take care of herself.

I took a deep breath. I hated taking this risk, hated being out of control. Another five minutes passed, and I was practically climbing out of my seat when Piper appeared at the front door. She strolled over to me holding two bags, a smile on her face.

She hopped into the car. “You okay?” I asked her.

“I’m fine,” she said. “I had to guess your pants size.”

“Thanks. I’m sure it’s fine.”

She handed me a pair of jeans and a pack of plain black t-shirts. “Thirty-two waist, right?” she asked.

“Close enough.”

“I got a belt too, just in case.”

“This’ll be good. Thanks, Piper. You did great.”

“I also got us some breakfast.” She took a loaf of wheat bread from the other bag, a pack of lunchmeat, and some mustard. “Not exactly what I normally have for breakfast, but it’ll do.”

I quickly got changed. It felt incredible to be wearing fresh underwear, a clean t-shirt, and clean jeans. I tore apart my old shirt to make new bandages, though I didn’t want to risk changing it. The blood had started to soak through, but it wasn’t critical yet.

Piper got changed into a similar outfit and then made two sandwiches as I drove out toward the base. It should be open and I was betting that General Maron was in. He was a man that liked to get into the office early, since he thought that showed discipline to his staff.

As I approached the base, I slowed down and looked over at Piper.

“Let me do the talking,” I said.

“Okay,” she answered.

“We’re not expected. So I’m going to have to talk our way in there.”

“Why couldn’t we have called ahead?”

“Didn’t want to take that risk. I can explain this better in person.”