Page 110 of The Soldier

Aidan nods, holding my gaze, but I’m not going to say anything to make anyone feel better. I’m the victim here. Marshall did ignore my calls.

It wouldn’t have stopped what had already happened. But maybe, just maybe, if he’d told me who Roger was before leaving, I might not have got in the Uber with him.

You ignored the red flags.

“Call me if you need anything.” Briar hugs me and I place my hand on the wooden door, then follow with my forehead as I close it after them.

Finally, I’m alone.

In my bedroom, I collapse on the bed and expect tears to fall. Instead, I feel numb and just stare at the ceiling.

Then I can’t help myself. I open my phone and look at Marshall’s message again.

Baby. I need to see you. To hold you. Message me when you’re ready. M x

After reading it ten more times, I delete it.

It’s better this way.

CHAPTER THIRTY

MARSHALL

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“He checked out in the middle of the night,” Josh says, leaning against the wall of the gym with his hands on his hips.

Sweat drips off me.

We’ve been going at this for fucking hours, and I’m still coiled up like a wild animal.

“Of course he did.” I punch the bag again, surprising Cole who takes a few steps on the mat to steady himself.

“Little warning.” He grumbles.

“We’ve been here for hours. What part ofI’m going to punch the fucking bagdo you need a warning about?” I growl.

Cole releases the bag and steps back, shaking his arms. I am a pain in his ass right now and his patience is almost unbreakable.

I’ve tried.

“I’m done. Go punch someone else.” Cole reaches for a bottle of water and almost downs the whole thing.

“Take a break.” Josh tells me pointedly—a warning in his voice—and pushes off the wall.

He stalks to the mini fridge in the gym and grabs a bottle of water. He throws it at me, and I have to catch the fucking thing with boxing gloves on.

I miss.

Curse.

Then tug the gloves off and rip the bottle open like I’m a thirsty man in a dry desert. Which I was a week ago.

I gulp it down and let out a guttural moan.

“So, where are we at?” I’m eager to get out there with the team but I know none of them will let me so it’s not worth wasting my breath.

My brain just keeps flicking back to Trina. Wondering what sort of state she is in. Mentally, physically. If she wants to see me, but is being stubborn.

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