Page 59 of The Soldier

They don’t fit well so that isn’t helping.

I just want to get home, have a shower, beer, and huge steak.

And then respond to the text message I’ve read a dozen times since connecting to the US network when we landed.

From Trina.

Marshall. Where the fuck are you? Tell me you’re okay or I swear I will kick your damn ass.

I grin again.

“Here we go,” the nurse says, handing me a bottle of antibiotics. “Two a day for seven days. You should be okay as the wound is nice and clean, but if it does get infected please see your doctor immediately.”

It will be fine. I’ve had flesh wounds before.

This one is pretty deep, but I can move my arm well enough so it’s just another scar to go with all the other.

I slide off the table and reach for my shirt, hating that I have to put it back on.

God, I want a shower.

“Hey home boy.” I hear a familiar voice and turn. “Heard you were hanging out with some of my buddies.”

I grin when I see Ryder.

“Yeah. Their party sucked.”

He snorts.

Then I freeze, my hand halfway into the sleeve of the T-shirt as I watch Trina circle around the former Delta Force operator.

My god she’s beautiful.

Her text was pretty to the point, but it didn’t portray the true emotion that sparkles from her worried eyes.

Well, well, well.

I think my little wolf might care.

And I don’t like that she was worried about me, knows whatever it looks like she knows, and is here. I’m happy as fuck to see her, butwhyis she here?

Ryder thumbs over his shoulder. “Couldn’t get this one off my back so she insisted she drive.”

“Well, have you been in a car with him?” Trina crosses her arms.

All her little lies are covers for a vulnerability and I’m starting to figure her out.

“Miss me, little wolf?” I smirk, as her eyes run over my abs and dilate. I wait a few seconds longer before I dress, enjoying the impact I’m having on her. She chews her bottom lip, then seems to snap out of it. Abruptly. Clearly she doesn’t like that she’s given away so much.

“You know what they say, keep your enemies closer and all that.” Trina shrugs casually.

Ryder laughs and grabs my big duffel bag, hoisting it over his shoulder. I’m glad for the assistance as my arm is hurting like fuck.

“Don’t stop taking those antibiotics,” the nurse says as we walk out.

I wrap my good arm around Trina’s shoulder as we follow the Ryder down the hall and whisper in her ear. “I missed you too, if it makes any difference.”

She doesn’t shrug me off. In fact, I am almost certain she slightly sinks into my hug.

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