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He needed to gain her trust. “I’m not the sicko who hurt her if that’s what you’re nervous about.” He held his palms out. “I’d never harm her.”
    The nurse in her was gaging his honesty. She knew his hands held out that way was a show of peace. “I helped a young woman the other night. Some lady was fixated on watching her choke in the alley.”
    “Woman?” Tar tilted his head. “Did she seem to know Keeley?”
    “Who’s Keeley?”
    Smart girl. Even in distress, she didn’t give her name. “Could you describe the woman you helped?”
    She sniffed indignantly. “Of course. Petite, warm brown eyes, dark blonde hair, maybe twenty-three, had recent surgery to her lady parts and was stitched up all over from knife wounds.”
    Tar exhaled heavily. “That’s her. Where is she?”
    Shelby leveled her gaze on his. “She needed blood. I don’t exactly have a way to give a transfusion.”
    “You took her to a hospital?” His voice gave away his horror.
    “No. Give me some credit,” she said with a lift to her chin.
    Tar instantly respected the hell out of this Florence Nightingale. “My apologies, ma’am.”
    “Shiiiiit. Law enforcement or military?” She slid her wounded leg to make a quick getaway. The fact she got around as well as she did without crutches or a cane said a lot about the willpower in this strong woman. A strength Tar knew all too well when fate stepped in and took everyone you cared for away.
    “SEAL. I’m not here to turn you in. Honestly, I’m just trying to find Keeley. I need to know she’s okay.” Emotions took over as his voice warbled and his bottom lip held a tremor. His hand scrubbed his face. “Please. I love her. I only want to help her.” His eyes were downcast until he heard the slight sob.
    Shelby couldn’t control the tears. The poor man meant her no harm, and Keeley was a lucky girl to have such a wonderful guy out searching for her. She made the decision despite the promise she’d given her patient. “There’s a don’t ask, don’t tell clinic I left her at.”
    “Underground medical treatment?” His brow arched with the inquiry.
    “Yes. Not everyone can afford it. Some won’t get help from those who follow protocol.”
    “True.” He fixed a hard stare on her. “It’s not a chop ‘em up for money type place?”
    She gasped, “Nooooooo.”
    “May I have the location?”
    Shelby already decided to give him the information before he’d asked. She went over to her shelf and grabbed a piece of paper, scribbling what he needed to know. Wasn’t an address per se, more of a turn right at the green dumpster kind of details, she handed it over as he held onto her hand. “Is there anyone I can call for you?”
    She shook her head. “My family is gone. But thank you.”
    “You need to know this isn’t the last you’ll see of me,” he declared.
    “Duly noted.” She gave him a half-smile that still held so much sadness.
    “Thank you for watching over her. You really are an angel.”
    Shelby barked out a laugh that shocked even her. Her hand covered her mouth as surprised by it as Tar was. “Your Keeley called me that, too.”
    “Then it must be true,” he said with sincerity.
    She hobbled over to a crate and sat down. “You best be going now.”
    Tar nodded, taking the hint as he walked away. He was good on his word, he’d be back. Shelby deserved a second chance at life. At love. At happiness. If he could help in any way, he owed it to her.
     
    *****
     
    The directions weren’t hard to follow, but gaining access proved to be more difficult than Tar expected. He needed in the damn place, now. His training kicked into high gear telling him what was necessary, a liaison. Someone they trusted. Shelby could provide that, however, he had no desire to drag her down there. The dude taking on duties as security screamed military background. Tar took a chance and barked orders. “Stand down, soldier. I’m on a mission and you are prohibiting