Page 8 of Protecting Andie

“That’s just so wild that the guy didn’t know he had to file taxes. But I guess if you’ve never worked for yourself, why would you know?”

She nodded. “It sounds like you know, though.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know if it’s because we’re special forces or if I just have friends who are smart. A few of the retired guys come back and mentor some of the new SEALs. Those guys keep us informed on what’s what.”

“That’s good. I get most of my general knowledge from Emily. Not that I’m using her, she’s just so freaking smart and our conversations go everywhere. She’s honestly how I got into teaching the business class.”

Rider was proud of his sister. She had beat the odds and made something of herself. She’d worked hard and excelled in school, then she worked really hard to get a good job, giving up her summers to intern. “She is great and I’m glad she helped you.”

“I’m glad you did what you could to help her. It made a difference.”

The waiter came back around, ending that part of their conversation. He ordered a steak and vegetables. Andie ordered fish. They continued talking about life and what they hoped for Emily and this week. Andie wasn’t just a pretty face, she was smart and witty. He could get used to spending time with her. If only she lived closer to him.

5

Anger slid through Tony as he watched that asshole wine and dine his woman. Andie may be an ugly bitch, but she was his. He might have kicked her to the curb, but he needed her back now. It was too difficult to find a decent woman out there, and Andie knew exactly how to be good.

He’d trained her to stay in line and never speak unless spoken to. The new bitches he tried to date were mouthy. They didn’t know when to shut up. He’d tried multiple times to train them to be decent, but they butted in, asking questions and demanding answers. Andie knew her place and how to stay in it.

When the jerk reached over and touched Andie’s cheek, he wanted to destroy the guy. No one had permission to touch his woman. She was his and no one else could have her.

Getting to her again at this hotel would be difficult. Maybe he could get one of the workers to give him some help. If he could get a keycard to her room, he could take care of her in minutes.

He thought about approaching the desk to grab a key when Andie stood. Maybe he could follow her and attack then. He could make sure she understood.

Tony was about to move when the jerk with Andie got up from his chair. He hung back, trying to blend in. The last thing he needed was that jerk to attack him again.

It boiled his blood to see Andie talking and laughing with that stranger. What the hell did that jerk even think he could get from Andie? She was a bitch and a whore. She wasn’t fit for company, and this guy was hanging on Andie’s every word. Ridiculous.

They entered the elevator, and Tony had no choice but to leave. If that jerk saw him again, he didn’t want to think about what the guy would do to him. He needed to find a way to get to Andie when that hulk wasn’t around.

6

Andie shut the door and closed her eyes. Rider was way too tempting. She needed to get her lust under control. No way she could be the cliché who slept with the bride’s brother. It was almost as bad as the maid of honor doing the best man.

“Get it together.”

She unzipped her dress and tugged it over her head. Rider’s gaze had been drawn to her boobs. She’d caught him looking more than once. He was just a guy looking at boobs. He wasn’t really interested in her.

She changed into sweats and a T-shirt, then grabbed her computer, looking for what else she needed to get done before morning. Her personal emails were easy to clear. Emily was very good at staying coordinated. They were prepared for this weekend. Work was a different thing. She needed to scan a document that had been mailed to her. Why did the university insist on mailing her paper documents when they insisted she send them back a digital copy?

She looked through her bag, searching for the file with the paper tucked inside. “It was right—” She slapped her forehead.She’d left it in her car. After pulling on shoes she headed down, ready to get this taken care of so she could sleep.

Rider couldn’t get Andie out of his mind. He wouldn’t get any sleep, not without wearing himself out. He pulled on his workout gear and headed downstairs, ready to work his ass off so he was exhausted.

He decided on running and breaking it up with things like burpees and push-ups. His workout earlier hadn’t been enough to get him tired, so he knew he would have to go for more than an hour.

He finished his second round of burpees when he heard someone scream. The yell wasn’t someone having fun, a drunken reveler. It sounded desperate, like that he’d heard in war zones.

The scream sounded again. He grabbed his phone and shoved it into his shorts pocket before taking off in the direction of the scream. It sounded like a woman, and from the noises she was making, she seemed to be fighting for her life.

Andie had just grabbed the folder when she felt a hand on her back. She spun, seeing Tony.

“What do you want?”

“I’m sick of your bullshit. You are coming with me.”

She tried to pull away, but his hold on her was too tight. She would have to break free, but she wasn’t sure how. She let loose another scream, trying to get someone’s attention as she clawed at his hold.

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