Page 139 of Rival Hero

You see, what had happened was

MIA

“Come to my place tonight when we’re done here, or invite me to yours,” he whispers as we amble out of the armory after everyone drops off their weapons.

My pulse quickens.

I’m dying to screamfuck yesfrom the top of my lungs.

Yet his suggestion reminds me of the shit show that might be waiting at my house. In all the chaos, I’ve had zero time to check on my house to see what’s wrong.

He must assume my delay means I don’t want to spend the night with him, because he adds a deal sweetener. “I promise I’ll make it worth it.”

“Oh, I’m already on board, but we might have a problem to deal with first.”

His head rolls lazily, and he stamps one foot, impersonating an angry toddler.

Sexy pouty baby.

“What now?” he whines.

The sight of a buff grown-ass man with a mahogany five o’clock shadow and tattoos, who’s decked out in tactical gear and pouting like a child is freaking hilarious.

A laugh escapes me. One of my loud ones.

Since we’re lagging a few steps behind the others, a few heads snap around to glare at us.

Yeah, that’s our bad. Happy hysterics isn’t quite the vibe.

If Lettie wasn’t with us, I’m sure the others would be cutting up and joking. After a risky op, the tension has to go somewhere. In my experience working with team guys, Rangers, and Deltas, I’ve learned they compartmentalize well. Everything they witnessed tonight is already tucked safely into a box they’ll never open again. Until next time.

“We can talk about it later,” I tell Cal, then change topics. “First, what the hell’s bells is up with Tomer and Violet? From what I saw on the chest cams, he’sdefinitelyentangled with her. And that complicates everything.”

Klein rolls his shoulders out, then drags his palm over his face. “Yeah. That was really something. He was so freaked. Did you see the way he ran from room to room?”

“He didn’t have a chest cam, but I heard it through his comms and saw it on some of the other guys’ cams. Utter panic. And when they slammed together.Oof.Thank goodness we found her.”

“If we hadn’t, or she was visibly hurt, I’m not sure how far off the handle he’d have flown. I’ve never…neverseen him like that before. I didn’t even know he had emotions beyond irritation.”

I swat his chest with the back of my hand, but it hits his chest plate and ends up hurting me instead of him. “Stop it. He’s not a robot.”

Cal rears his head at my exasperated retort, watching me skeptically. “What is the deal with you two?”

Jealousy hardens his tone, making my clit pulse.

While explaining my concern regarding Tomer, I flap my hand around to dull the ache. “We’re friends is all. Don’t get sand in your vagina.”

He chuckles at my bizarre phrase. I have no idea where that came from, but I’ve long abandoned trying to filter myself when I’m in a comfortable environment. And here, at Redleg, and with Cal specifically, I’m cozy as fuck.

“Friends, huh? You sure?”

Now there’s trepidation laced in his words in lieu of jealousy.

As we approach my office, I dart in and pull him behind me. But I don’t close the door, because we have a lot of ground to cover with the team before Cal and I can play tag with our privates. Being alone with him is far too tempting.

“Listen to me, please. You don’t have anything to worry about with Tomer. He’s like a brother to me. That’s all. Iseehim. And I happen to think that everyone here has been unfairly harsh where he’s concerned. I feel protective of him. All the jabs are wearing on him, and I can’t stand when people in my circle are hurt. Butyouare the one I want.”

I hope Cal can see the sincerity in my expression and hear it in my voice.

---