Soldier Mine (Sons of War #2)(30)

“I will inform you now that you shall lose,” Anton says gravely and places a game on the table. “Prepare yourselves.”

His delivery never fails to draw a smile from me. I really do adore Petr’s father.



We spend the day in the family area playing games. The time passes so quickly, I’m surprised when it’s dark and we’re invited down for dinner. Petr rarely leaves my side and holds my hand the entire time we’re seated with each other. He doesn’t kiss me again, for which I’m relieved. My internal turmoil is nowhere near done; if anything, the battle is heating up, the happier Todd becomes.

Todd, Maya and I are driven home by Anton’s driver after dinner.

For the first time in too long for me to recall, I go to bed feeling … good. I can’t get over Petr’s kiss or how natural it was being with him. I’m unable to quell the desire scattering my thoughts or the image in my head of Petr and me seated on the couch again, enjoying each other’s company.

The sensations are so foreign, I don’t sleep for half the night.

But when I do, it’s not Petr’s kisses I see in my dreams.

It’s replaying memories of the last time The Monster caught us and how he almost killed Todd.

I awake near tears, my pain so raw, it’s hard for me to stand until I calm myself.

I don’t know how to stay in town and not be with Petr. I don’t know how to leave town when being with Petr would be so natural, so easy.

I’m in too deep already, and I don’t know what to do.





Chapter Thirteen: Petr


I can’t remember the last time I was nervous about anything.

Monday morning, I arrive to the diner five minutes earlier than usual. My thoughts are going wild with anticipation. I experienced the tremble in Claudia’s hands yesterday and saw the way she looked at me when she left. I don’t think she was aware of either.

Her lingering gaze held the same sentiment I’ve given Brianna on more than one occasional: regret stemming from the wish we could be while knowing it’s not possible.

Maybe I moved too quickly in kissing her, but I couldn’t help it. Claudia is beautiful, and in that moment, the vulnerability in her features hit me as hard as an explosion rocking my HUMVEE when I was overseas. I needed to help her lift the fear for a moment, to give her a sense of relief. To an extent, I think I did that. We had a great time yesterday, and her smiles and laughter were as genuine as Todd’s.

But I’m pretty sure the kiss will end up being a setback.

It’s a shame. I care about her. A lot. I guess this saves me from being embarrassed when she reacts to my leg the way Brianna did.

Claudia arrives on schedule and meets my gaze with a smile. I catch her troubled expression when she turns away, and my chest tightens. When she approaches the table with my usual, I wait for her to say something about never wanting to see me again.

“Thank you for yesterday,” she starts.

“Not a problem. I’m glad you all had fun.”

“We did.”

I plunge forward, knowing there’s one way to determine where we stand. “You, uh, want to go to dinner at some point this week?”

She hesitates. I see the answer in her face. “Petr …” She clears her throat, distraught. The tremor in her tone disturbs me at a primal level. “I have to fix something before I can move forward with my life. I want you to ask me again tomorrow.”

“I will,” I respond. “I’ll ask you every day until you say yes.”

She appears doubtful as she studies me. “I hope so.”

“You okay with me stealing Todd away still?” I take her hand, unable to bear the distance between us or the pain in her gaze.

“As long as it’s not a problem. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Never.”

“Thank you.” She looks at our clasped hands and squeezes mine briefly before pulling away. Without another word, Claudia leaves.

I barely know her, and I’ve only kissed her once. Why is this whole situation hurting so much?

She comes back once but doesn’t speak, and I leave, dissatisfied, frustrated and wishing I knew how to fix a situation I can’t control. I’ll keep my word about asking her. I hope, sometime soon, I discover the real issue – and it’s not my leg.



My mood remains dampened for the rest of the day. The old me would tell her how I feel, but I’m not that person anymore. If anything, I think it might make things worse between us when she’s already struggling.

I put on a friendly face for my school visit. The kids do cheer me up. Today is a class full of seven year olds. Their genuine fascination with my leg soothes the side of me that can’t let go of the idea Claudia might be disgusted by it the way Brianna is.

Right at four, I drop by the diner and pick up Todd, who is waiting with all kinds of jitters for his first night of martial arts. He’s clutching his iPhone in one hand and shrugs off his backpack as he climbs into the truck.

“You don’t want to say hi to Claudia?” he asks.

“Don’t want to be late the first night,” I reply.

He appears apprehensive. “Is it a big class? I’ve never done karate before.”

“Nah. Small class. I’ll pair up with you the first half a dozen times to teach you the basics.”