Accidental Shield (Marriage Mistake #6)(77)

It’s the most excited I’ve seen her, the most empowered. I don’t want to spoil the afterglow.

She chatters on about seeing the SUV in her side mirror flying through the air, and how fun it was driving around the S-curves until we hit the highway.

There’s a drive-up place in the next town over with decent food, so we stop there and eat in the truck. It’s simple Hawaiian fare, kalua pork plates with white rice and mac salad.

She has a pineapple smoothie that damn near has her moaning. I do iced coffee with a splash of vanilla and macadamia flavor.

Before we’re finished, Davis, texts to confirm the route home is clear, so we carry on.

It’s a bit awkward without Bryce.

He was my security measure, helping keep my distance from Val. Without him, I feel the tension deepen, this lethal cocktail of adrenaline, uncertainty, and want.

Worst part is, she’s looking at me like I just swept her off her feet.

Look, I know damn well nobody ever said this hero stuff was easy.

I’m used to happy parents and spouses and grateful bigwigs sobbing their gratitude or pinning a shiny new medal on my dress uniform.

I’m used to the relief that comes from a job well done.

I’m used to my son smiling up at me when I do something worthy of being superdad for the day.

What I’m not used to? A chick as sexy and irresistible as Valerie Gerard eyeballing me like I just hung the stars.

I’m working my balls off to keep her out of trouble, but apparently, saving her from Cornaro’s minions means she’s closer to getting herself in real deep with me.

I hate this fucking paradox.





*



I spend some time roaming the house, making sure the security system is set up and fully armed, texting other team members.

Anything else I can think of to keep a safe distance from the girl who keeps looking at my lips like they’re part ripe strawberry. All while keeping an eye on her, though.

She’s on her phone, looking at her social media accounts, relaxing after sundown on the lanai with another tall glass of that mango tea.

When the clock finally strikes ten, I’m thankful and suggest we go to bed. She agrees and heads upstairs.

I take a shower and climb into bed, convinced I won’t fall asleep.

Eventually, I do. Because when my eyes snap open, I’m groggy. It takes a second to realize what just woke me.

Screams.

I leap out of bed and run, bursting through the house and up the stairs. Barely remember to tuck my gun into my waistband.

Throwing open the door, I half expect to find some intruder piece of shit in her room, trying to take her, but no. She’s alone, in the bed, thrashing and crying.

“Val? Valerie?” I don’t want to do more harm than good, so I’m cautious when I cross the room, saying her name repeatedly.

The screaming stops, but she’s still flinging herself around lightly when I touch her arm. “Valerie. Val, wake up, you’re okay. You’re safe.”

She goes still, blinking up at me. “F-Flint?”

“The one and only.” I sink down on the bed, pulling the gun out and shoving it in the nightstand drawer. “You’re here with me. Everything’s just fine.”

She wraps her arms around me. “Oh, Flint, they were trying to kill me. I-I was hiding. They found me. Pulled me out of the closet. Savanny was so afraid, I could barely hold him. He was bowed up and hissing and scratching and—”

“Shhh,” I say, hugging her body close. “It was just a dream. A damn nightmare. Savanny’s right here.”

I reach for the end of the bed, moving her foot over gently so she touches the cat. The beast looks up and purrs, rubbing his long ears against her heel.

“Oh, that tickles!” Her laugh is pure music, and too short-lived. “It was so real, Flint. Scary real.”

“I know. I’ve had a few dreams like that.” Easing my hold, I say, “Here, lie back down. Settle in. You need me to bring you anything?”

“How about you?” She tightens her hold, folding her little hands tight around my shoulders. “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” I lie down, then pull her down with me. “Just close your eyes, Val. Relax.”

Her head falls to my chest, and I can feel it as her breathing eases, growing calmer.

Unable to resist, I kiss the top of her head. “That’s it. Just sleep, baby girl.”

“It was real,” she whispers. “So real.”

“That’s how bad dreams always are.” I tell her, with plenty of experience. “Something in our brains just loves to cook up the worst bullshit, using ugly memories for source material.”

She snuggles her cheek against my chest. “Thanks for being here, for helping me.”

I should say it’s nothing, it’s easy, but my body reacts like a tethered bull to her being this close, this soft, this warm.

Fucking Aye.

It takes every bleeding bit of my focus to keep things platonic, even when I hold her against me, whispering how safe she is, and we drift through the long, dark night together.





13





Birds of a Feather (Valerie)





I’m awake in bed, staring at the morning light filtering through the sheer curtains, searching my mind.