Page 21 of Harboring Shantae

"First, can I say how weird it is that you call him Camron? Granted, I know it's his name, but I think besides Falcon, Panther is the only other one who never even introduces himself with his real name."

Shantae thought back to a letter Camron sent her when she was in her first year of college. It was the first time one of his teammates from Scout Sniper School coined the codename Panther because of Camron's preference to hunt high-valued targets in the dead of the night. He felt the name suited him more than his given one. She remembered asking him if he preferred she address him as Panther. His answer had shocked her at the time.

Only those who are special to me can use my real name, and you are very special.

Thinking back on it, she probably should've realized in that moment that she would one day fall in love with him.

"Second," Ash continued. Shit, she had completely forgotten Ash was trying to make a point while she was busy walking down memory lane. "You and Panther need to speak in person. I don't want you making any decisions until you do."

Well, damn. These ladies meant business. They weren't going to let her hide behind her insecurities.

Chapter 10

Shantaewasfreakingout.He had known it would be a possibility. He was actually surprised it took the women this long to call him. He half expected a call from Ash or Trista the night before. The fact that it took so long to come meant whatever breakdown Shantae was having was more than Trista could handle. And that was saying a lot.

"Where is she?" he asked as he entered the kitchen.

He didn't bother to knock. They were fully expecting him, and if Bentley had a problem with it, then he would handle it after the wedding.

"Hiding in the bedroom," Trista dramatically replied from her spot against the counter.

"What did you do to her?"

He wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Trista said something that freaked Shantae out. The woman didn't know what a filter was.

"This wasn't me. Shantae is throwing herself on the damn sword because she's convinced you never want to get married and she's forcing you to go along with this plan."

Panther internally winced. Shantae wasn't wrong. He had told her numerous times that marriage wasn't in his future. But that was before he realized she needed help, and he was the only one who could do it. He could handle a marriage to Shantae because she didn't love him. There was no chance of him hurting her because he routinely left for his job. They would just be friends living together, and that much he could do.

"I'll go talk to her."

Ash pointed to where the guest room was before he could ask. Bentley, Ash's husband, wasn't on his team. He was part of Charlie Team, so Panther wasn't as familiar with their home as he was with his other teammates’ places.

He was pretty proud of himself when it only took him opening two doors before he found where Shantae was hiding. Sitting on the bed with her legs smooshed against her chest, it hit him hard when her gorgeous green eyes looked up and he could see the tears begging for release.

"Hey, now." He moved farther into the room and dropped down on the edge of the bed. Gathering her hands in his, he said, "What happened? Last night you were okay with the plan."

"Last night I answered without thinking. After some sleep, I realized I can't do it. I can't force you into a marriage just so I can get out of another one. It's not fair to you."

He caught the first tear as it trailed down her cheek. Brushing it away with his thumb, he cradled her face in his palm.

"Who said anything about forcing me? I thought I made it clear last night when Trista called me that I was on board with your decision."

Maybe he hadn't sounded as sure as he thought. He had tried to inject as much enthusiasm as he could without letting her know he was silently freaking out on his own.

"Yes, you said that, but come on, Camron. I know you. You don't ever want to get married. I can still remember the first time you wrote me that."

So could he. It had been just hours after Samantha told him what she had done. Shantae was the first person he turned to about it. It was also the only time he wished he knew who she was so he could find her and talk to her in person. Waiting weeks for a letter back was torture.

"I've changed." Liar. He was still the same. "My reason for not wanting to get married no longer applies." Liar again. He hated liars. Hated lying. But that was exactly what he was willing to do if it meant helping Shantae.

"I'm not stupid, Camron. No one just gets over what Samantha did to you. She aborted your baby because she didn't want a life with a Marine. She said horrible things to you because of the career you chose. Something like that changes a person."

Hearing Shantae recap out loud the reason he swore off marriage brought the pain back to the surface.

"I'm sorry." Shantae's eyes filled with tears again. "I never should've said that. You don't need me rehashing what happened. I'm such an idiot."

Panther pulled her into his chest and wrapped one arm around her back and the other cupped her neck. He wanted to comfort her before the hysteria kicked in. He hated to watch a woman cry. What he didn't plan for was how good she was going to smell or how his body was going to react to being so close to her.

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