Semper Mine (Sons of War #1)(41)

“Ever heard of a Ruptured Duck?”

“No.”

“It was a pin given to vets at discharge after World War One. Small little thing. Beat up and worthless to everyone but me. I took it everywhere from the time I was sixteen until a few months ago.”

I smile to myself. This friendly Captain Mathis I really like. It strikes me that we never really have small talk. We tend to be too busy circling and poking each other to talk about the weather or something as simple as a good luck charm.

I bet he’d be nice to talk to, if we could talk like normal people. I know he’s a good listener, and he seems observant and smart, if quiet.

“Got her!” Petr’s shout breaks the tension.

“Our turn.” Captain Mathis moves behind me.

I twist to see. He’s unwrapping the rope from his body. He secures it around me and eases away.

“I’ll go up then signal you to follow,” he says, back to business. “Do me a favor and listen to instructions for once.”

Asshole. I say nothing but grip the branches nearest me and wait.

Captain Mathis gives another display of effortless power, pulling himself up the rope with strength that makes me tremble inside for a reason other than fear. The sense I experienced last night – that he’s got the most perfect body in the world – is returning, along with awe and respect I don’t want to feel for him.

He reaches the top in seconds and releases the rope. Disappearing from view for a moment, I hear him talking to Petr without being able to make out either of their voices.

“Hel-lo!” I shout finally. “Waiting!”

His head appears, and his dark eyes hold mine briefly. Unreadable as usual, Captain Mathis pauses before taking the rope once more.

“Ready?” he calls.

I nod.

He pulls me up in another display of strength. I weigh one twenty five, enough that he should be struggling. But he’s not.

Man that’s so sexy. Whatever fear I should have about dangling over a ravine is gone as I sneak glances at his biceps between finding new branches and footholds.

In under a minute, I’m up. He wraps an arm around me once more and pulls me out of the air to the tree where he’s got a second rope tied to. We balance on the tree roots. The muscles of my lower body are shaky, my wrist killing me. I melt into Captain Mathis, leery of the ravine a few inches away. He’s got one arm wrapped around the second rope.

Petr is waiting on the other side of a few boards they laid across the mud. Riley is there as well, holding the other end of the rope attached to me, while the man I think is named Carson is holding a crying, shaking Jenna.

Petr appears relieved the moment he spots me and offers a tight smile. “You doing okay, Kitty-Khav?”

“Company could be better,” I reply.

A surprised look crosses my brother’s face before he belts a laugh.

“Cold. Captain Mathis saves your life and you still won’t cut him slack.” Riley lets a smile slip as well.

I can’t see Captain Mathis’ face, for which I’m glad. He doesn’t drop me, so I assume he’s not too pissed. After our unnerving exchange, though, I kind of hope he is, so we can go back to hating each other. Whenever we’re alone together, I learn too much about him and me that makes me want to leave camp and never look back.

“Come on across,” Petr tells me. “Slowly.” He holds out a hand.

Captain Mathis loosens his grip, and I shift around him, stretching one leg until my foot finds the first board. It’s not entirely steady, and Sawyer doesn’t release me immediately. Resting my full weight on the board, I take a tentative step.

He lets go, and I make my way across them and fling myself into Petr’s arms.

“Good Kitty-Khav,” Petr grunts, catching me and squeezing me tight. “What the f*ck made you leave the path?”

“Language,” I mutter.

“None of that shit, Katya.” He takes my arms and pushes me away, blue eyes piercing. “You know better!”

“Don’t yell!” I snap. I’m on the verge of crying again and give him puppy dog eyes.

He sighs. “Don’t scare me like that.” He bear hugs me once more.

I breathe in his familiar scent, comfortable in his arms.

“Is Jenna okay?” I mumble into his chest.

“Yeah. Scared. We’ll have a medic look her over.”

Guilt works its way through me. Petr is right; I’m an idiot. All I had to do was stay on the course, and everything would be okay. I didn’t listen, and Jenna might be hurt.

Exhausted after the long day, I’m ready to crawl into a real bed and cry myself to sleep.

Petr takes my hand and leads me away. I don’t dare look at Captain Mathis, embarrassed that he of all people had to rescue me. It doesn’t help that I’m replaying our conversation in my head.

I’m not broken. At least, I don’t want to be. I don’t know what’s what anymore. I’m too tired to think straight.

When you’re ready, let me know.

Of everything that happened today, I can’t stop the thrill that goes through me as I dwell on his words or the tiny voice in my head that can’t stop hoping maybe, he meant something more than talking.

Not that I want that. I don’t have a clue what I do want.