Page 7 of Protecting Vera

She turned to him, her eyes narrowed. “What does that include?”

“I don’t know the specifics, but Thario is good. He can make sure you aren’t tracked.”

“Okay. I’ll do whatever you think is best. Logan has done a lot to try to destroy me. I wouldn’t put it past him to try to track me with my computer or phone.”

“Have you changed all your passwords?”

“I need to. It’s exhausting thinking about everything he has done and what I have to do to counter his actions.”

“Hopefully, this will be a new start for you.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything. With the Navy, he’d moved multiple times and was used to it. Being a SEAL meant he would probably stay in Coronado, but he could be sent to Hawaii or Virginia. It was something military people learned to deal with. Your local restaurants and bars would change, along with the people you hung out with, but you’d find people. It was one reason military people learned to stick to friendships with other military members. Sometimes those friends came back around after another move and it was like old times again. Since he was a SEAL, it was all different now.

He hoped Vera could adapt once the fear subsided. Adapting to the changes wasn’t easy for some people. He always found people he could hang with wherever he went because military people moved around, and there were always new people in the location. With her not being military, it might be more difficult for her to adapt.

Awkwardness twisted through him when they arrived at his place. Frizz had promised that Vera was good, that she had been a great roommate. Now was the proving time, and he hoped it went well. The last thing he wanted to do was live with a person who was difficult. He couldn’t do that. She would have to adjust or leave.

CHAPTER SIX

Vera was thankful that this man had allowed her to move in with him, but the weird feeling that settled around her needed to go away. This was Frizz’s brother, not really a stranger, but he was a total stranger to her.

He showed her the room she would occupy, which wasn’t huge, but it would do. There was a full-sized bed, so she at least had a place to sleep.

“Um, so the computer thing. I bought a tablet, but now I’m afraid to turn it on.”

“Let me call Thario and see if he can meet with us tonight.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”

Ben chuckled and shook his head. “Thario likes helping people. Freshen up, and I’ll let you know what he says.”

“Thank you.”

She used the restroom down the hall. It wasn’t big, but there was a shower stall that didn’t look like it had been used recently, which meant Ben had his own bathroom. She was thankful she wouldn’t have to share a bathroom with him. He was too good looking and the awkwardness of being in the same space had hit her. If she had to see him in a towel, or just fresh out of a shower, it would make it even more awkward.

Five minutes later, Ben knocked on her door. She opened it, hoping they could take care of the tablet tonight.

“Thario said to come on over. Are you okay with going now?”

She nodded. “Let me grab my tablet.”

Ben stepped away, and she followed a moment later. The reality of moving here was hitting, and she felt weird, like maybe she’d made a mistake. She didn’t know these people, and she was living with a strange guy. But he was Frizz’s brother, and it seemed like he wanted to help.

They were in the car and she wasn’t sure she’d understood the man’s name who was going to help her. “So the guy helping, what is his name?”

“It’s Thario. That’s his nickname. He was a SEAL, and he was a horrible flirt. Well, more than a flirt. He liked picking up women. And Lothario was too long, so he got the name Thario. He’s different now.”

“Why now?”

“He was on a mission, and it didn’t go well. He lost his legs. I don’t know exactly how bad his injuries were, but he changed.”

“Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say. There were military bases around where she used to live, but she didn’t hang out in the same places they did. She’d known a few people who’d joined the military, but she had little knowledge of their lives.

“His dog is nice but big. He won’t hurt you, so just be cool with him.”

The car stopped in front of a one-story bungalow. A man was on the porch with a dog. Vera saw the wheelchair and swallowed. She hated bugging people, and she hoped she wasn’t disturbing him too much.

They were out of the car, and the dog came out to meet Ben. “Hop, good to see you,” Thario called from the porch.

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