“Did Jae tell them about the unruly Russian campers who waylaid him that first night?” Jae had given him the rundown while they waited for Audrey to find them after the mudslide, and they’d all figured it was too much of a coincidence for the campers to not have a connection.

“He said he would. He and Luke were both debriefed once it was clear you were going to be out for a while.”

“Good.” It was likely the RV full of Russian campers was long gone, but if they were still in Forks, they might be able to provide information on the third priority: finding the motive behind the attack.

On one level, it was obvious—an attack on an unarmed group of SEALs on American soil was a power play among enemies and would be useful as a recruiting tool for terrorist organizations. Like the bombing of USS Cole, this story would make headlines around the world if—when—the media got wind of it.

And, like the Cole bombing, it was less important to know who the big players were in the conspiracy than who the ultimate mastermind was. USS Cole had been attacked by al Qaeda under the direction of Osama bin Laden.

This time, the mastermind was undoubtedly a Russian oligarch, but which one, and was this part of a bigger game plan?

And why had the mercenary leader—Mikhail—wanted Xavier, Chris, and Audrey specifically?

Was this about the op to extract the Russian chemist and her son? Or was this a target of convenience, knowing that SEALs were going to be isolated and essentially unarmed in the forest for a week?

“How’s your head?” she asked.

“Better, actually. I think I passed out as much from the pain of my other injuries as from the concussion.”

“Have you had a concussion before?”

He nodded. “Got too close to an explosion once and was tossed through the air. Can’t say I recommend the experience.”

“And yet you went back for more.”

He did. And even after he’d been shot and out of commission, he’d never considered quitting. It was all ingrained in who he was. His life’s calling.

What would he do now?

It wasn’t a question he needed to decide right away. He had savings and, after twenty-two years in the Navy, would be able to retire with full benefits. Between re-signing bonuses he’d never touched and living cheaply on base for more years than not, he had a lot of money in the bank.

If need be, he could put off trying to find a job until six months after the baby was born. Maybe longer.

He could use that time to figure out the best ways to use his unique skill set. Hell, he could even go to college and learn something entirely new. If there wasn’t a school that fit his needs on the peninsula, he could take online classes.