Page 18 of Challenging Her Protector

The burn in his chest scorched through his entire body. He’d never meant to hurt his teammates by withdrawing. They didn’t know the entirety of what he’d become when left to his own devices. He’d become an amputeeandan addict.

He’d hid it well, but it took him two years to admit he was taking opioids even when the phantom pain in his nerves had dulled to a point where a few Advils might’ve cured it. He’d layer the pills with alcohol and sink into oblivion. No one knew about his addiction because he’d pushed everyone out of his life. No one knew when it started, and no one knew when he sought treatment to help pull him from that dark place.

“Are you sure you want her in your space?”

“What do you mean?” He wasn’t sure what Silver was insinuating. He just knew he didn’t like where this conversation was leading them.

“I haven’t missed the way you hold hands sometimes. How she looks at you while you’re looking away. Reaches for you the minute she feels uncomfortable. Then there was last night when you came back into the room to get the first aid kit. Something happened, didn’t it?”

“I needed to put some space between us.” He stared off toward the house, imagining what would’ve happened if he had kissed her.

“Right.” Silver leaned his hip against the car and crossed his arms over his chest.

Iron’s gaze snapped back to Silver. “She’s safe with me.”

“Don’t doubt that. Don’t think there’s anywhere safer for her now, but I’m not thinking about Vivienne. I’m thinking about you. You’re the first person to admit you like your space. That woman in there is bright and beautiful and if you let her, she’s going to turn your world upside down. You ready for that?”

“No, because it’s not going to happen. Every person in her life has used her. I won’t be one of them. I’m fucked up, and I’d never let that bleed onto her.”

“So, what’s your plan then? You going to let her walk away?”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.” And fuck it was going to hurt when she left. He knew every word Silver was saying was the truth. At first, he thought Silver was insinuating he was going to take advantage of Vee. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Silver looking out for him instead. For some reason, the SEAL looked almost disappointed in his answer. “Look, I’ve seen the way you react when you get a text message. How you pull over to the side of the road and smile like an idiot when you respond. Maybe you shouldn’t letherwalk away either.”

“Shit,” he muttered. “That’s fair.” Silver’s response only made him more curious about the woman he’d been communicating with. “Guess we’re two fucked-up peas in a pod.”

They got back into the car, but this time, he got behind the wheel and Silver took the back.

“Everything okay?” Vee’s eyes darted around the property before landing on him.

“Looks like someone tried to pick the lock.” He reached across the console and took her hand. Her skin was cold and clammy to the touch.

“Do you think it has something to do with me?” She was looking all around again, squeezing his hand.

“Viv, we’ve got your back,” Silver said. “But part of that is being honest about what is going on so you can make the best decisions to protect yourself.”

“That’s a yes then.” Her shoulders were so tight, she looked fragile enough to shatter.

“It’s too much of a connection to write it off as random. Maybe it’s nothing, but we want to proceed like there’s a threat so we can prepare for anything.” There was a pang in his heart when she shut her eyes and dropped her chin to her chest. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like you to stay at my place until Hannah gets back. That work?” Her eyes slowly opened, and her body relaxed, melting back into the seat. He didn’t deserve the faith she placed in him, but for whatever reason, staying close to him comforted her.

“I’d like that, as long as you really don’t mind.” She leaned back and closed her eyes. Absolute trust and it scared him to death. He kept glancing over at her during the ride. She was so still, she might’ve fallen asleep, but he wasn’t sure. Even if it had looked like she was taking the news okay, it didn’t mean she was. She’d had a lifetime of learning how to mask her emotions. Regardless, he’d make sure she felt safe at his house. Make sure shewassafe with him.

Chapter Seven

Someone shook hergently. “Vee, we’re here.” She blinked and glanced around her. They were in Silver’s SUV, only Iron was driving. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep, or maybe it was her mind letting her shut down after learning that someone might’ve tried to break into her sister’s house. Most likely because of her. One of the last text messages from her parents was that she had no idea the trouble she’d caused for the family. She didn’t care too much about messing up her parents and Scott’s plans, but her stomach twisted at the danger she was bringing down on everyone else around her.

She straightened from the awkward position she’d fallen asleep in against Iron’s arm. She probably drooled on him or something equally embarrassing. She’d never felt safe enough to fall asleep in the presence of someone else before. She’d never slept over at her fiancé’s house, and before that, she wasn’t able to go to birthday parties or sleepovers because of her modeling. After Hannah had gotten out from beneath her parents’ thumbs, they’d gotten even stricter with her. There wasn’t anywhere she could go without their knowledge. The part that bothered her the most was that their overbearing nature wasn’t a result of love, but control.

She glanced out the passenger side window toward Iron’s house. The weathered gray cottage surrounded by soft sand instantly loosened some of the tightness in her muscles. The sun was high in the sky, highlighting the strip of ocean visible behind the property. The seclusion suited him, as did the way the home mimicked the surroundings, seamlessly fitting into the seaside landscape.

“If you think you’ll be more comfortable in a nearby hotel or—”

“It’s so peaceful,” she said, quickly cutting off his words. This was where she wanted to be. Here with the man who’d rescued her and given her an incredible amount of kindness. She’d made him doubt himself when she remained quiet for too long, soaking in the view that already was a source of comfort if only because of the man who lived there.

“That’s what drew me too.” He got out of the vehicle and rounded the front, opening the door for her. Silver was there, too, holding a couple of the shopping bags they’d accumulated with toiletries and changes of clothes. The driveway was constructed of crushed shells marked by coastal shrubs and flowering plants that grew on either side of the property. Iron’s gait changed as he walked up to the front door. It was hard to move across the loose shells and doing so in his prosthetic must be challenging. Had he owned the property before the explosion or had he purchased it to challenge himself against his injuries, or worse punish himself? Iron wasn’t a man who did things because they were easy or convenient. She breathed in deeply, letting the fresh salt air coat her lungs. The roll of waves sounded in the distance.

“I’ll get in touch with everyone. Let them know Viv is staying here for now and that you’re settling in.” Silver said more to Iron than her as they walked up the front steps. “If there are questions about Thalia or new updates, I’ll be in touch.”

“Appreciate it.” Iron reached into his pockets and pulled out a set of keys. “When we get inside, Vee can program everyone’s numbers into her phone.” He unlocked the dead bolt and opened the door. There was a quick beep from a wall mounted security system in the entryway, and he punched in a series of numbers before turning to Silver. “In case she decides I’m a poor host.”

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