Page 19 of Dangerous Games (Tempting SEALs 2)

"Raven, this isn't a game." His voice roughened with his anger. "She's going to get killed."

"And you can't help her?" Was she wrong about him? "Do you really have to worry Reno to the point that I have to cancel my honeymoon because you can't do what Reno would do? Reno would have protected me. He wouldn't have called you home, Clint."

"Reno loved you, Raven." He sighed. "He always has. There's a difference."

"And you don't love Morganna? Even a little, Clint? Enough to give her just a little of what you would give a total stranger if you were on a mission? What happened to you, Clint, that you hate her so much?"

"I don't hate her." He ground the words through the phone line.

No, he didn't hate Morganna, and Raven knew it. Just as she once had, he was fighting everything he felt, everything he wanted. Reno had broken through that fight, though, and it made her realize how much she was missing out on by missing out on him. She thanked God every day that he had done so.

"Reno will jerk her to a safe house, and he'll stand guard over her like the terrified brother he'll be," she murmured.

"Hell yeah," Clint snapped. "Why do you think I'm calling?"

"And in doing so, he'll alienate his sister forever, taking the last tie she has to a family. She'll never forgive him, Clint. And she'll never forgive you if you do it, either. Please don't hurt her like that. Don't steal her dreams, Clint."

"Party girls shouldn't play grown-up games," he snarled. "She isn't experienced enough for this."

"And you know Morganna now about as well as you knew her when she was a teenager," Raven said sadly. "Why not try looking past the makeup and pretty clothes, brother mine? You might be surprised at what you find."

As the shower shut off, she disconnected the phone and tucked it back in her purse, then she breathed in a hard, desperate breath. God, if anything happened to Mor

ganna, Reno would never, ever forgive her. Morganna was the last family tie he had left, and he worshipped his sister. Raged at her sometimes, rarely understood her, but he loved her, as only an older brother could.

And Raven knew she would never forgive herself, either. Morganna was the closest thing to a sister that Raven had ever known. If anything happened to Morganna, Raven would always know that by telling her husband the truth she could have saved her.

"Raven?" She jerked as Reno's voice, soft, inquiring, spoke behind her.

She turned to him, amazed anew at the man who was now her husband. She had sworn she would never marry a SEAL, that she would never trust her heart to a man in such a dangerous profession. He had changed her mind. He had shown her how much, she truly did need him. For as long as she could hold him.

"That was fast." She tightened the belt of her robe and walked into his arms, feeling the strength and hardness of his arms enfolding her.

"I missed you in there with me. What was so important out here?"

"Checking up on my brother." She hid her face against his chest. "Making sure he wasn't causing any trouble."

"And is he?" His voice was gentle, curious. Suspicious.

"About normal." Her arms twined around his neck as her lips pressed against his chest. "And it's my honeymoon. He's not allowed to ruin my honeymoon."

"No one is allowed to rain your honeymoon." He kissed her head gently. "But you know, Raven, sometimes your husband isn't as thickheaded as you think he might be."

She stilled in his arms.

"I've known about Morganna since she joined the Academy," he whispered at Raven's ear. "And unbeknownst to both of you, I attended her graduation and watched her take that diploma with pride. And, sweet wife, I am receiving regular updates on her progress."

She jerked back, narrowing her eyes before slapping at his bare arm and baring her teeth at him furiously.

He laughed, concern lurking behind the amusement in his gaze.

"Don't worry." He winked. "I promise not to let Clint get hold of me for a while. Okay?"

'That is so mean." She pouted. "I can't believe you hid this from me."

"You hid it from me," he pointed out. "I'm just sick of watching you worry about her on our honeymoon." Then he sobered, his eyes darkening in worry. "I know she grew up, Raven, and I know she has to make a life for herself. I'll head home if she needs me, but as long as Clint's there, she's safe."

Now Raven just prayed Clint didn't break her friend's heart and that he realized how easy it would be to do just that.

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