Page 28 of A Soldier's Temptation
“Yup. I swear.”
“I guess I’m not as observant as I thought. But…” Her eyes met his, and they were like crystal clear blue-green pools. “I, uhh, the kiss was amazing but I’m not good relationship material. You’d be better off with someone who doesn’t have so much baggage.”
Ari never looked more adorable than at that moment, and he couldn’t hold back his chuckle. She was something else. He didn’t care what she said after they got the dirtbag put away for life, he’d show her just how great she could be at relationships.
“How about we agree to disagree on that point. You’ve had a long, stressful day. I’d hoped this would go a little differently, but there’s always tomorrow.”
“That’s for sure.”
“How about you get settled into the spare room. I have a few phone calls to make. If you’d like we can have some wine, or coffee and the tiramisu. Or you can just get some rest.”
“I’d completely forgotten about dessert. Dinner seems like days ago.”
“I know, Baby. I almost forgot the bag, but I caught Mr. Darcy sniffing at it. The last thing we needed to deal with tonight is tiramisu doggy farts.”
“Oh, yeah, he’s sneaky. Aren’t you, Mr. Darcy?” The dog actually looked contrite. It was amazing how much he seemed to understand them. If he’d believed in that type of thing, he might even think there was a touch of magic afoot.
The gassy furball followed her into the bedroom and curled up at her feet, while John pulled out his cell texted Elwood and his old SEAL boss, Chase Brennan. After being medically retired, he’d opened up a security firm in Florida. The last time Chase was in Calfornia, he’d ended up saving Faith from a stalker and taking her back to Florida. John hoped that Chase’s team could help them figure out what the FBI hadn’t. Something was off. Colin wouldn’t let things slide, but it sure as hell seemed like someone dropped the ball.
Elwood replied almost immediately. It was late, and he should have felt bad for disturbing him since they’d just gotten back from their deployment, but this was an emergency.
Pulling up his number, he dialed Elwood and waited for him to pick up.
“Hey, Riot. What’s up?”
“I need the team’s help.”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s complicated.”
“When isn’t it?” Elwood chuckled. “It’s the story of our lives, isn’t it?”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
“Does it have anything to do with that woman you were tailing?” If John wondered about Elwood’s powers of observation, he had his answer.
“Yes, it has everything to do with her. But I haven’t been watching her since I was reactivated. She has an FBI team for protection but they’re doing a piss poor job. Her apartment was broken into tonight and it looks like an IED went off in there.”
“Was she hurt?”
“No, thank God. She was at dinner with me.”
“So that’s how it is? It’s not just a good deed then?”
“No, I don’t know how it happened but I can’t get her out of my mind.”
“Tell me something I didn’t already know. You were like a high school kid with a crush. We had a bet as to how long it would take you to realize it.”
“Are you shitting me?”
“Nope. Looks like Disco will be cashing in.”
“Fucking unbelievable. So much for brotherhood.”
“Aww c’mon. If it was Chow or Gus, you’d have jumped all over that bet,” Elwood said.
John laughed, Elwood was right. He wasn’t as connected with this team yet, but they were still brothers and always had each other’s six. Which is why he knew he could count on them to help keep Ari safe.
