Page 34 of Delta: Retribution

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

There were picnic blankets everywhere on the rolling hill. Marlena hadn’t done that event since she was a freshman. Not that she hadn’t wanted to go to the movies over the last two years, but she didn’t have time because the biological engineering program was an ass-kicker,andshe didn’t have someone to snuggle up with on a blanket. Not many guys stood in line to play boyfriend to a girl who took harder classes than they did, which was funny, because she had such a self-esteem issue.

But there she was, on Trace’s arm, carrying a giant blanket from her closet. He’d shown up with a bag of food and drinks, looking slightly unsteady about what he was offering. The man was a tatted-up warrior. He’d seen death and destruction, he was avenging the death of his brother, but walking onto school grounds with a picnic looked like it might kill him.

It was also Marlena’s first major public outing since Delta had rescued her. She hadn’t returned any phone calls, and while she walked through the crowd with Trace, more than a couple of people said, “Hey”—both people she’d avoided calling, and others who were interested in the guy who held her close.

God, did he have to do that? And did she have to go with him?

Because with every footstep, she was falling harder.

He towered over her. Even when he wasn’t dressed as though he should be in an action movie, he still carried that air about him. No guns strapped to him—that she could see—but his attitude begged someone to screw with him. Marlena’s gaze skipped over the crowd, and—deep breath in—she’d never felt safer.

“Why ya grinning, Cinderella?”

“This is really fun.”

With a sideways glance, he snagged her around the waist and kept them moving. “We haven’t done anything yet.”

“But still having fun.”

His smile didn’t show up often, but when it did, it stole her breath. He gave a quick nod and maneuvered her to the corner of the farthest section.

“We won’t be able to see the movie very well.” Maybe that was the point, if he wanted to get a little wild where no one could see them.

He paused and scanned the crowded hills. “It’s the best strategic, defensive position.”

“Just lost a couple of romance points.”

Trace laughed. “Not very date-ish, huh?”

She smiled, shrugged, and leaned into him. “I don’t think we’re much of what anything should be like.”

“True enough, Cinderella.”

Music came on, and the screen lit up. “Here’s fine. Let’s hurry.” She had the blanket out and food on paper plates before the opening credits finished.

The crowd laughed as the movie rolled on. Marlena and Trace finished the sandwiches and sodas, and she lay against him. The casualness of it was oddly comforting. “I wanted to apologize. I’m not a twelve-year-old. I shouldn’t run off every time I freak out.”

His fingers traced her arm. “I’m sorry you think you have to run.”

“I want to ask you a question.”

He nodded. “All ears.”

“Why do you think you’re a lost cause?”

He sighed but didn’t stop sliding his hand on her skin. “I don’t know that answer anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“I…” He rolled onto his back, tucking her next to him. “I’m a SEAL. Once a SEAL, always a SEAL. But I screwed up. I lost that, and it meant the world. Now I’m Titan. Delta. And I’ll always be my brother’s keeper. Both in arms and in blood.”

She didn’t say anything, but he hadn’t really answered her many questions.

“Those dog tags I told you about?” His low voice was hard to hear over the movie.

“Yes.”

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