Semper Mine (Sons of War #1)(37)

“What the f*ck? Someone here hits you, and you’re worried about defending yourself?”

Then what she says clicks. Him. Not a member of my team, which leaves every male kid here and …

Harris, the man sporting a swollen eye.

“Let’s pretend I’m not an idiot for a minute.” She’s getting pissed at me. “Some men don’t like being showed up by a girl. It makes them more aggressive, especially if they’re prone to being abusive already. I read about it in my classes. So, I took care of the issue. He won’t bother me again, but I’m not about to make things worse by being around him.”

I’m trying to digest her reasoning, because where I come from, it makes no sense whatsoever. Fighting with Brianna is one thing. With Harris, it’s a complete no-go. I’m old-fashioned when it comes to women. I don’t kill them in battle unless they’re holding a weapon, firing at me, and I don’t tolerate anyone hurting them outside of war.

“I give as good as I get. Maybe better,” she adds sweetly. “You wouldn’t know, though, would you?” She pulls at her wrist.

I tighten my grip without looking away. My goal isn’t to stare her down, but I’m struggling to maintain my precious self-control, especially knowing Harris is all of twenty feet from me. I can’t recall being this furious at anything in recent history.

“You’re freaking me out,” she says a little less confidently, searching my face.

My body is tense enough to hurt at the idea of someone hitting Katya. Taking a deep breath, I glance down at her wrist. “Where does it hurt?”

She shows me. The outside of her wrist is tender and a little swollen. “I’ll get a wrap,” I say and release her. “You can ice it when we get back this evening. Wait here.”

Ducking into the tent, I release a long, slow breath, my insides twisting. Why didn’t she come to me? I shouldn’t be angry with her, but I can’t help thinking that she’s surrounded by four members of the Special Forces – and she didn’t tell anyone, even her brother, or Harris would probably be dead. It’s beyond absurd. Not only does she have no sense, she’s absolutely, completely the most frustrating, difficult, stubborn, sweet, sexiest …

Stop. Breathe, think, let it go. I want to give her a piece of my mind about not telling anyone she had that big of a problem with Harris.

The urge to protect her is stronger, to fold her into my arms and drag her back to the safety of the sleeping bag, where we can both let down our guards again.

After I kill Harris. “This isn’t helping,” I tell myself. She’s not mine. She wouldn’t want to be. I don’t need someone like her in my life. I have a feeling Petr won’t be happy, if I handle this on my own. Out of respect for him, I should let him deal with Harris.

Even if I want to rip that son of a bitch’s head off.

I count to ten and repeat the Marine Corps code. Searching through my ruck, I grab an Ace bandage out of the emergency kit. By the time I emerge, I’ve decided two things: I need to keep more distance between Katya and me, and I’m going to make sure Harris understands exactly how many pieces he’ll be in if he ever touches her again.

I wrap her wrist in silence. She definitely got in a better hit than Harris did, which I’d like to take credit for, if I didn’t feel like shit ignoring this issue when every instinct in my body tells me to take control of this situation now.

“You’ve got five minutes to get breakfast,” I tell her when I’m done with her wrist. “No one will say anything to you about Harris.”

For once, she listens without smarting off. Katya goes to the mess tent.

I remain outside, needing to cool off before I see her or Harris again.





Chapter Fourteen: Katya


Captain Mathis is pissed at me. It’s the only explanation as to why he doesn’t talk to me the rest of the miserable day on the obstacle course. My aching wrist keeps me from noticing the chill in the air. As long as I’m dry, I’m okay.

The kids love the mud. I’m surprised even the girls get into the course. Our obstacles are marked with blue flags, so I run with them between the obstacles, lifting, pushing, pulling and picking them up out of the mud.

Captain Mathis stays with me, present but checked out. We work together for the kids without ever interacting. I’m not sure why I’m disappointed, but I really am.

Despite his distance, I find myself laughing a few times at the kids. The little ones trying to tackle obstacles too big for them, the big ones being over-confident and landing in the mud. They’re a great group. Captain Mathis manages them well, in charge and aware at every point, always calm and quick to resolve any issues. They’re skills I don’t possess, so I sit back and ride along, helping him when needed and the kids the rest of the time.

It’s not until the next to the last obstacle that I swerve off course and ignore his directions. Jenna tugs on my hand. It’s about six, and we’ve spent the fun yet grueling day on the course.

“I need to potty,” she tells me.

“Can you wait? The finish line is there.” I point. It’s about a quarter of a mile away.

She shakes her head.

Shit. I’m so not into peeing anywhere except a proper bathroom. “Okay. Do you want to go in the forest?”