Indefinite (Salvation #6)(9)

I keep my smile in place as I turn to the other guy.

Well, he at least looks to be my age. He’s tall with dark hair and a lean body, which is nothing like Quinn’s. This guy, who I’m assuming is Mike, has deep green eyes that are almost the color of emeralds, and his smile is warm and welcoming. Quinn’s eyes are more of a denim color, and smiling isn’t usually what he prefers to do with his mouth.

Great, I did it again.

“Ashton,” I say, trying to focus on the man in front of me.

He’s not Quinn. Quinn is gone. He’s not my man or my friend or anything other than some idiot who has made my dad his new biffle. I will not think of him again from this point forward.

“I’m Mike. It’s nice to meet you, Ashton.”

His brother snorts. “Yeah, you say that now since she’s not a dog.”

Well, that explains why he was the second one in. I smile. “You thought you’d use your brother as a shield, huh? Wasn’t sure if you were about to meet a Cyclops?”

Mike nods with a grin. “My mother is of the mindset that I should be married, no matter what the girl . . . looks like or how many eyes she might have.”

“For the man who is supposed to be my hero, it isn’t very brave to send your brother in first.”

He shrugs one shoulder, and his lips press into a thin line. “I had no idea you were in need of rescuing.”

“Still, nobility isn’t sending your little brother in first.”

He rocks back on his heels, his mouth relaxing into an easy grin. “Isn’t there some rule about keeping the higher ranks behind for strategy?”

This is sort of fun. If nothing else, this guy could become a friend. He’s able to banter, and Lord knows I need that in my life. All my damn friends left me, and I have no one to give shit to anymore.

“Maybe, but doesn’t a real leader want to protect his men?”

Mike’s smile grows. “And a better leader knows which men are expendable, right, Paul?”

Paul rolls his eyes. “Don’t let him fool you, I’d have found a way to make him pay.”

“See, that was why I was behind him, so I could protect you if need be.”

These guys are hilarious.

“Do you have a plan if such a need arises?” I ask with a playful tone.

Mike taps his chin. “I’m sure I’ll think of something. Any tips?”

There’s a knock on the door, and I smile. “Well, first you could see who else my mother has decided to throw into the mix as possible competition. Dueling isn’t something I’m against.”

He smiles, turns, and then opens the door.

Only, when I see who it is, the fun and games I was just enjoying is gone. My heart begins to race, my chest constricts, and I want to run into the newcomer’s arms, which is a bad thing.

After a few seconds, his warm voice washes over me.

“Fragolina, I’ve missed you.”

And then I remember I hate the bastard.





5


Quinn





This could go one of two ways, and based on the look in her eyes, it’s not going to be good. Not wanting to have her slap me or maim me in any way, I grab the crutch I leaned against the house so I could knock and tuck it under my arm. If she knows I’m injured, maybe she’ll take pity on me.

Her eyes widen, and she steps closer to me. “What happened?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s not what I asked,” Ashton says quickly. “What happened?”

“Ashton, are you . . .” Her mother’s eyes meet mine. “Quinn?”

“Hi, Mrs. Caputo.”

“Oh! Quinn is back!” she says with a huge smile. At least someone is happy to see me.

Ashton turns her head quickly, her red hair flowing around her. “I need a few minutes.” She doesn’t give anyone time to say anything, she just heads out the door, forcing me to limp backward a little as she closes it behind her.

Then we are standing on the porch, watching each other. I had a plan. I was going to come here, tell her how I feel, and clarify everything, but the words won’t come.

“Are you going to explain yourself or stand there and look at me?” she asks with acid in her tone.

I’d be fine with option number two if it meant she wasn’t pissed. “I was in an accident.”

Her eyes are filled with fear, even though I’m here and I’m fine. “What kind of accident?”

“I can’t tell you too many details.”

“Of course you can’t,” she says with exasperation and then looks away. Her wide eyes snap back to mine. “What about Liam? Was he hurt?”

“No, Liam is fine. He wasn’t with my squad this time.”

I thank God for that. Liam Dempsey is my best friend, and I would never be able to face his wife, Natalie, again if anything ever happened to him. He and I have been through hell and back together. Despite hating each other during BUDs, we’re thick as thieves now. There’s no better man than him.

“But you’re hurt?”

“I sustained minor injuries in the Humvee. Trevor and Bennett are worse than me, but . . . we lost King.”

She nods once before clutching her stomach. It’s her tell. The thing that always lets me know she’s afraid or hurting. As though by holding her stomach, she can keep herself together.