Page 15 of Gray

Gray nodded, the two men exchanging a knowing look. Lena could hardly imagine what they’d seen while serving together but knew all of the men would lay down their lives for one another. Gray might be haunted by his past, but that hadn’t stopped him from joining his teammates in more deadly missions. For running right into danger to save her.

As they said their goodbyes to Jett and Anna, Lena found herself heading toward the stairwell again, alone with the one man she felt safest with. Goosebumps covered her skin as Gray’s warm hand landed at the small of her back. He reached out with his other, pulling open the door, the heat from his muscled body seeping into her skin.

“It’s okay,” he murmured as she hesitated for just a beat on the stairs.

“I know.” Her voice was breathy again, but her nerves weren’t from returning to the basement. Not at all. The shakiness in her voice had everything to do with the man behind her. She smoothed her palms over her pencil skirt, looking up to meet Gray’s gaze.

Her stomach lurched, and Lena got the feeling that Gray knew all too well the effect he had on her.

The trouble was, she couldn’t do anything to stop it.

Chapter 7

Gray’s gaze trailed over Lena as they walked downstairs. Her dark hair swished behind her, the sexy floral scent she wore filling the air between them. He’d never been particularly chatty, but he kept to himself more than ever since that fateful mission. Maybe that was partly what drew him to this woman. Lena wasn’t overly talkative either. She wouldn’t pry him for details he didn’t want to share about his captivity or ask him to recount memories he wanted to forget. Gray felt an odd sense of peace around her. It was strange considering he didn’t actually know too much about her.

He did, however, know exactly what it felt like to hold her in his arms.

The more time Gray spent with Lena, the fewer reasons he had to stay away. Lena might think she was masking her emotions most of the time, but Gray saw the uncertainty she had. The very real fear she kept hidden beneath the surface. And damn if that defenselessness didn’t call out to him even more. She wasn’t helpless. Far from it. But while Lena might be independent, content to move through life alone, he didn’t miss the flush on her cheeks when he was near. Gray affected her. Even now, her breath had hitched as his hand landed on the small of her back, guiding her toward downstairs.

Gray swallowed.

He liked the idea of keeping her close. He couldn’t exactly spend the night with her even if he wanted to, not with the nightmares that tormented him. If Gray awoke, thrashing around and forgetting where he was, Lena couldn’t be anywhere near him.

His fists clenched. All the more reason he kept to himself since his Army days. Lena was too good for a quick fuck. If he ever made love to her, he’d want her close all night, her naked body pressed against his own.

He could never risk it.

Noise came from the stairwell above them, and he glanced up, Lena looking back as well. Sam and Luke were ambling down the stairs, Sam with a shit-eating grin on his face when he spotted Gray and Lena together.

“What’s up, buddy?” Sam asked with a smirk. Any other comments would no doubt be saved for later. Neither of the men would razz him about Lena with her standing right there. “Lena,” Sam added, shooting her a smile.

“We’re heading to the armory,” Gray said. “Did you two miss me already?”

“Sorry, but Lena’s way prettier than you,” Sam joked. “And yes, I’m hella happy with Ava, just pointing out who we’d rather see down here.”

“We’re hitting the gym,” Luke said.

Lena tensed ever so slightly, her mind no doubt on the other night. “I got the door,” Gray said quietly, reaching around her to pull it open. He shot a pointed look at his teammates, and Sam’s smile slid off his face. Both of them knew about the asshole from IT. It wasn’t like the kidnapping she’d endured, but the man had put his hands on her.

“Is Anna feeling okay?” Luke asked when they were in the hallway. “Jett seemed anxious to get her home.”

Lena frowned. “She said her morning sickness was better, but I think she’s been really tired.”

“Which is why we’re down here,” Gray said, his voice even. “Lena’s doing some of the inventory, so we’ll catch you guys later.”

Lena kept close to him as they moved toward the armory door, and Gray hated that she was nervous. Briefly, Gray wondered what could’ve happened if he wasn’t there the other night. Lena was a beautiful woman, and some men couldn’t take no for an answer. Given that he was new here, he likely had no idea about the kidnapping. While the media had revealed that several women were being held inside the home, no identifying details about Lena or Kaylee were included.

He swiped his badge, keying in the code, and then they were moving inside the armory, the heavy door swinging shut behind them.

“Are you okay?” Gray asked as a brief look of panic crossed her face.

“Of course.” But her hands were tightly clutching the papers she held. She took a deep breath, seemingly steeling herself against whatever memories were coursing through her mind.

Gray cleared his throat. “Would you rather I do the inventory alone?” he asked.

“No.” Her eyes met his, pleading. “And don’t tell Jett.”

“Tell him what?” Gray said with a shrug. It was a casual movement, but he felt anything but relaxed. His entire body was rigid, his pulse pounding. Aside from the ass cornering Lena against the armory door the other night, she’d been kidnapped two weeks ago. Forced inside an SUV by Cronin and Levins. Tied to a bed by Ivan Rogers. While Gray thought she probably needed more time off to process everything that had happened, Jett said she insisted on returning to the office. She was strong as hell for coming back to work this soon. Gray knew what itwas like to go on living when your entire world had been altered. Nothing was the same for him after he’d been tortured. His broken ribs and bruises had healed. The open cuts on his back were scars now, usually something he could ignore.

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