Joe put the rest of the pieces together and didn’t like the finished picture. That was to be his punishment. To babysit the president’s daughter and spend time with the Marcellis.

“I have a SEAL team heading out in two months,” he said. “There’s important work to be done.”

“Someone else can take care of that, Joe. Right now the president’s daughter is your responsibility.”

“Sir, sending her to the hacienda is an interesting solution,” he said, “but the winery is not easily guarded. There are hundreds of acres, employees, staff. Plus my relatives would have to be cleared for security purposes.”

“Already done. You’re right about the winery being an open space, but who would think to look for her there? The navy is cooperating with the president at his request,” Phillips told him. “Unless you want to call the president and explain why you’re unwilling to protect his daughter?”

Joe felt the doors of the prison swing closed. “What is my assignment, sir?”

“Coordinate with the Secret Service. Their job is to protect Darcy, but you are to facilitate what they need. Be another pair of eyes. Use your tactical skills to their advantage. When the kidnappers are caught, you’ll return here and we’ll see if the admiral has cooled off enough for you to resume your duties. In the meantime, do what you can to keep Darcy Jensen happy.”

Joe rose and saluted. “Yes, sir,” he said and left.

He was completely and totally screwed, sent away in disgrace, his career in jeopardy. He would be lucky to come back as an ensign.

As for keeping Darcy Jensen happy-from what he’d heard, that was a task even a SEAL couldn’t pull off.