Page 118 of The Soldier

I smile and dip my gaze.

I don’t hate him, and I’ve missed his cheekiness. Those blue eyes that have already roamed my pajama-clad body.

“Ma—”

Before I can finish his name, he takes a step forward and wraps his body around mine.

I almost burst into tears.

Immediately I feel the sense of safety I’ve been craving since he walked away last Friday.

I cling to his arms as Marshall carries me a few steps inside and kicks the door closed with his foot. Then he lowers me down and cups my face.

“Tell me you’re okay, little wolf?” he rasps.

“No. But I will be,” I reply honestly.

He throws his head back, blinking away the moisture in his eyes. “Fuck. Goddamn, Trina. I’m so fucking sorry.”

My chest tightens at his emotional reaction. I had no idea he cared this much. That he was so...he’s crying. About me.

I cup his face. “It wasn’t your fault, Marsh.”

“It was. I shouldn’t have left you there with him.” He shakes his head. “I think...I know he did this to hurt me.”

I blanch.

Hearing those words come out of his mouth shocks me. I wasn’t sure what Roger had meant when he was saying all the crude things at the time, but knowing Marshall was aware of it...

And he still didn’t answer my calls that night.

“What?” I step out his arms.

He simply stares at me.

“You knew he might hurt me?”

“No. I don’t know. Fuck. We served together and he was...on my last mission.” Marshall pales. “Trina—”

“Why did you pretend not to know him?” I push at his chest.

“He did it first and I wasn’t sure what your relationship with him was. Plus, our last mission was and still is classified.” He rubs the top of his head, something he does a lot.

I can’t believe this.

“Fuck classified. If you knew there might be a danger to me, you should’ve told me!”

How could I be so dumb? This man doesn’t care for me. If it had been any of the other girls, Josh, Ryder, Aidan—they would never have left the party. Never have left them alone.

When he just stares at me, I snap.

“Get out! Get the fuck out of my house.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

MARSHALL

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