Page 41 of Wild Hearts

“Yeah?”

“I’m only going to say this once, but you’re not going anywhere with him alone in January. Better make plans for me to be with you.”

“You’re still planning to come back?” I ask, letting my anger at his reaction fade away.

“Yes. I’m sorry, baby girl. I’m on edge. I’m leaving and then you get a text from a guy wanting to bring you wine. I’m still angry, but I’m in this. That means, even when I’m angry, I’ll never just walk away. I’ll always fight for us.”

I give him a small smile. “When the going gets rough, we work through it.”

“Damn right. I’ll call you when we land and every single chance I can until I’m back home.”

“I love you.”

“I love you.”

Chapter 11

Mick

Ispend our first flight in silence. I know I overreacted, but after fifteen years in the military and watching too many brothers be cheated on, that text message was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. My brain shut off and went into protection mode.

Halfway through our second flight, Striker sighs.

“Spit it out.”

“She’s not a Jodi, she would never cheat on you,” he says, making me flinch.

“I know she’s not.” I rub my face in frustration.

“Steven McQueen is mostly harmless,” Striker grunts. “A cocky asshole, but he stands no chance. We’ve known him for years. He trains people for different things, so sometimes he will reach out and ask for help.”

I nod, not knowing what to say.

“I don’t blame you for being mad about that message. Hell, I’ll be the first to agree that it was way too intimate, but that’s just the douche he is.”

“I never planned on falling into a relationship with Shane, let alone falling in love with her. I haven’t been in a real relationship since high school. I have never had to leave a woman behind or worry about what she’s doing or if she’ll even still be there when I get back. You can’t blame me for being frustrated.”

“I don’t. Like I said, I would be too, but just remember, like your mother would say, give a little grace.”

“Quoting my mother now?” I tease.

“What can I say, she gives good advice. Besides, having you as a brother in more ways than one wouldn’t be a bad thing,” Striker quips, making us laugh.

“I know. I’m not angry at her. Honestly, I’m angrier at myself for having to leave. I’ve been so focused on easing her insecurities, I didn’t realize I might have some of my own,” I tell him, laying my head back on the headrest, closing my eyes.

“We all have them. Us men just don’t talk about them as much. I’m always here if you want to talk though, brother. Just maybe leave the intimate details out.”

I chuckle. “I can do that.”

I think over our fight. This is just a bump in the road. It will all work out.

* * *

Shane

“Come on! He overreacted,”I say, annoyed that she isn’t on my side.

“Did he though?” She raises a brow. “If some bitch sent him a text that sounded like that, you can’t tell me we wouldn’t be burying a body right now.”

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