Page 8 of Allison

“Alice?” Worm has a pretty good idea he knows what she’s talking about, but he wants to hear her say it. A gorgeous smile comes over her face.

“Yeah, Alice.” Allison reaches inside her light jacket to reveal a shoulder holster where she removes a hot pink Glock 19 9mm pistol. She holds it carefully, keeping her finger away from the trigger. She turns it to the side so he can get a good look at it as he glances back and forth between her and the road.

“Nice,” he comments, having a mixture of pride in the way she handles the gun and trepidation over the fact she might have to use it to defend herself someday. He frowns. The thought doesn’t sit well with him. “Those are all good steps to take to ensure your safety, but they won’t protect you from a sniper.”

As soon as the words are out of his mouth he cringes.Why did he say that to her?He doesn’t want her to be worried about something like that, although it is something she should be aware of.

“Well thanks for bursting my bubble,” she complains. “I’m aware that if someone wants to do me harm, I might not be able to stop them, but I’m not going to stop exposing the wrongs in this fucked up world we live in. I have helped a lot of people, and I fully intend to keep doing the same until I can’t.” He can’t argue with her reasoning, but it won’t keep him from worrying about her.

“I’m sorry for bringing that up. It’s just I’ve seen a lot of bad in the world, and I’m just concerned for your safety.” Allison turns to face him once more. Her eyes on him as he watches the road before them.

“Thank you for being concerned about me,” Allison says, softly. “I haven’t had anyone other than Emma be concerned for me in a long time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure my parents are concerned for me. They’re definitely concerned about my eternal soul and its destination when I leave this world, but they don’t really understand what I do enough to realize I could be in physical danger. I don’t want them to understand either, because I’m not going to change my mind about my career choice.”

“I can understand how you feel,” Worm replies. “When my dad died, I considered putting in my papers and going home to take care of things, but I enjoy being on the team. We do a lot of good, too. It isn’t all good, but for the most part we are helping to keep our country and others safe. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

“So, youareon a team. Does that mean you are in special forces?” Allison’s question catches him off guard. He reviews what he just said to her and realizes his mistake. He hadn’t confirmed being on a team when she’d asked him before, but now he has just confirmed being on the team. His shoulders droop under the weight of his mistake. He has gotten entirely too comfortable with Allison and let his tongue slip.

“Yes, I’m a Marine Raider,” Worm confesses.

“Why would you want to keep it a secret?” Allison questions. “I would think you’d be damn proud of the accomplishment. I know becoming one isn’t an easy feat.” He grins at her assessment.

“You’re correct. It isn’t easy, but our country’s enemies can and will use our families against us if they can get their hands on them. Therefore, we do our best to keep our status on the down low if you know what I mean.” Allison nods, but he knows she doesn’t, nor could she truly understand without being deeply involved in his world.Would he want her to be that involved in his world?No, he wouldn’t. Not if it meant she could be hurt because of her association with him. Time to change topics.

“What do you do for fun?” Worm asks to get her mind off his work. She gives him a look that says she knows exactly what he is doing, but she complies without complaint.

“That’s a tough question,” Allison begins, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “Honestly, I don’t take much time for fun, but I have been known to go dancing on occasion or to concerts. What kind of music do you like?”

“I like all kinds of music. I listen to country, rock, pop, and even some old school 80’s tunes.” Russell chuckles again. “My parents always had 80’s playing when I was growing up. I have to say it was some really good music. I’ve also been known to listen to classical music when the mood strikes.” Allison’s mouth falls.

“I wouldn’t have pegged you as listening to classical music,” Allison laughs incredulously. “You look more like a heavy metal fan.” She smirks.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Worm demands, grinning. “I’m too caveman for classical music?” Allison grins, too.

“You are definitely a caveman.” Allison chuckles, again. “Who buckles a grown woman’s seatbelt?”

“Hey, I was making sure you were safe on this trip,” Worm replies. “What’s your problem?”

“Really? What’s my problem? It’s weird. You don’t know me. I’m not anything to you.”

“Sugar, you are something to me,” he informs her. His words shocking him, as much as they seem to surprise her. Yet, they feel right. “You are Emma’s cousin. She is my teammate’s woman. That makes you part of our family, and we look out for family.” Allison’s face is a mirage of emotions.

What is she thinking?He hadn’t thought about what he was saying. He’d simply said what was in his heart and mind. Silence descends.Shit!

Allison seems to recover. “It’s so 1800’s. Women are just as capable as men to take care of themselves. We don’t need a man to ‘protect’ us,” Allison grumps as she air quotes the word protect. Worm can’t help being amused at her ire.

“My commander does it all the time for his wife. She never complains. In fact, she loves it. She says it makes her feel safe and cared for.”

“Their situation is different. They are married.”

“True,” he agrees, deciding not to push for more conversation. He is getting too attached, enjoying this a little too much. Allison seems fine with not talking anymore, too.

Before long, Allison is relaxed in sleep with her head against the headrest. Her face is relaxed, so soft and tranquil.What would it be like to wake next to her in the morning?

Shaking his head, he turns back to the road. Time to put a stop to that line of thinking right now. Allison is Emma’s cousin. She’s off limits. He can’t think about her that way.Or can he? Would Emma be upset with him if they hooked up?

He dismisses that thought right away. Allison is not a hook-up kind of girl. That much is obvious. She deserves so much more than a one-night-stand or even a week-long affair. He lets out an unhappy sigh, focusing on the road ahead. He forces himself to put thoughts of Allison out of his mind, which proves to be easier said than done.

Hours later, they arrive at the hotel. Allison wakes as he slows the SUV to turn into the resort. She blinks a few times, confusion evident on her face. Worm reaches over and takes her hand, giving it a little squeeze.

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