Page 12 of A SEAL's Heart
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We ride the elevator to the lawyer’s office on the third floor. In the confined space, I’m so close to Avery that my fingers brush against her hip. It’s all I can do to stop myself from clasping her, from holding onto her and pulling her soft body toward mine.
Instead, I shuffle half a step away, not trusting myself not to touch her.
I’ve never felt like this around a woman before. But there’s something about Avery Monroe that has my blood thumping in my veins and has me wanting things I don’t deserve to have.
The elevator door opens and I step out quickly, needing to get away from her. Away from this inexplicable urge I have to touch her, to wipe her tears away and draw her to my chest. But I have no right to comfort her. I’m the man who got her brother killed. I have no right to ask for anything from this family.
Yet here I am, the stranger at the will reading. Shona, Jake’s mom, talks to me softly asking me how I’m doing. Her kindness goes straight to my heart. They’ve lost a son, and she’s worried about me.
I take my pad out because I owe her the courtesy.
I’m fine.
I’m doing okay.
She frowns at the words and nods quickly.
“Spoken like a true SEAL.”
She doesn’t believe the lie any more than her daughter does, but she has the good grace not to push me.
The lawyer comes in, and I wait for the family to take a seat up front. I remain standing at the back of the room, ready to leave as soon as my part is done with.
“Thank you all for coming.” He has a soft-spoken voice with the right amount of compassion in it. The lawyer goes through the motions, speaking about what we’re here for and what will happen.
My gaze rests on the back of Avery’s head. Her ponytail is as perky as ever, even as her shoulders slump.
The lawyer speaks about Jake’s last wishes, and Avery folds in on herself. Her shoulders heave up and down in little sobs.
Hell, I can’t watch her in pain like that. I pull a pack of tissues out of my pocket and move around to the side of her chair. I crouch next to her and offer the tissue in my hand.
She looks startled, and her emerald eyes find mine. They’re wide and wet from crying.
“Thank you,” she whispers, and she takes the tissue.
I stand up and go back to my position at the back of the room.
I shouldn’t be here with the family and their grief. As soon as my part is done, I’ll leave and let them have this moment alone.
“Now we come to the part where Jake divides his assets.” The lawyer looks at us before continuing.
“To Avery Monroe, I leave my investment portfolio.” Avery gives a startled gasp.
“I’ve got the details, and I’ll go over them with you once the will is read,” the Lawyer reassures her.
“To Shona and Donald Monroe, if they survive me, I leave my cash assets. If they are deceased, then these are divided between my remaining siblings.”
Shona wipes her hand across her eyes, and I bet she’s thinking she’d rather have her son back than his cash assets.
“To Amos Monroe, I leave my SUV and my military gear.”
I glance at Amos, but he shows no emotion. If he’s getting the military gear, what the hell am I here for?
“And to Edward Turner, I leave the property at number 34 Willis Road.”
