Page 45 of Guarded from Treachery

An entire battalion of Special Forces operators guarding hermightbe enough. Maybe.

It’s crazy. I’ve never doubted my own abilities before or those of my teammates. I’ve literally put my life in Erik’s hands during our missions overseas, and I trust Rhiannon just as implicitly. When it came to having my teammates’ six, I was always confident in my skills—IknewI could take out that tango creeping around the corner of the building or carry my injured brother back to safety.

But with Isla, I’m worried.

Not just worried. Scared.

When’s the last time I was actually scared? When Levi had appendicitis in elementary school and I had to steal my parents’ car to get him to the hospital? When that bomb went off in Afghanistan and I had to watch as Jeff bled out in front of us?

Yes. I was scared both of those times.

And then seeing that man grab Isla. Not knowing if he was going to hurt her, shoot her, even?—

Shit.

What happened this morning has thrown everything into stark clarity.

My feelings for Isla go much deeper than the client-protector relationship. Even though Iknowit’s not the right time, that it might never be, selfishly, I still want more.

I want to date her. Be there for her not because it’s my job, but because I’m her boyfriend. I want to go to all her appointments with her, holding her hand through the scary parts and celebrating the good ones.

It’s the height of irony. After forty years I finally find the right woman and there’s nothing I can do about it.

“How do you want to do this?” Erik asks as he turns into the hospital entrance. His eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror for a second. “I’m thinking we’re better off all going in together, but what are your thoughts?”

“I’d prefer the three of us go with Isla, too,” I reply. “How about if you drop us off at the entrance and we’ll wait inside for you to park the car? With security right at the entrance, plus me and Rhi, I can’t imagine anyone trying anything there.”

At least I damn well hope they won’t.

Rhiannon nods in approval. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Glancing at Isla, I force an encouraging smile. “Two of us will stand outside the exam room and one will be inside with you. We’ll all be armed. And as soon as the doctor checks you over, we’ll get out of here.”

Isla stares at me for a moment. Her chin quivers as she tries to force a smile. “I guess Erik’s not getting his cheeseburger mac and cheese.” She pauses. “I’m sorry, Erik. Maybe I can make something…”

“Don’t even worry about it,” Erik proclaims brightly. As he shifts the car into park, he turns to look at her. “I can go another time, Isla. It’s not a problem.”

In a small voice, she replies, “I guess. It just sounded fun…” Trailing off, she stares down at her lap. One tear trickles down her cheek.

Ah, shit.

She was looking forward to it.

Why didn’t I think of that? When we went to get ice cream the last time, it was obvious how much she enjoyed getting out—not just to work, where she sits at her desk all day while Erik, Rhi, or I stand guard in the hallway—but to do something fun. Something that can make her feel like things are normal for a while.

Squeezing her hand, I tell her, “We can get ice cream on the way home. And swing by the food truck for Erik’s revolting mac and cheese abomination. It should be okay.”

Erik’s eyes flash a warning sign in the mirror. Am I promising too much? If it were anyone else, would I insist on taking her straight home to make things less complicated? Maybe. But it’s not someone else, it’s Isla. And I would do pretty much anything to take away the sad look on her face and make her smile again.

“Are you sure?” Isla asks, her eyes big and worried as she looks at me. “I don’t want to put you guys in any danger?—”

“You won’t. We can handle a little stop for food. And we all need to eat, don’t we?”

“True. But we can eat at my place…”

“Okay,” Rhiannon interrupts. “Are we ready to do this?”

Isla startles again, but quickly hides it. “Okay. I’m ready.”

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