Page 12 of Saved By the Marines (Soldiers Of Misfortune)

“Who the fuck is this?” The fact that I could hear him screaming over the line told me just how pissed Ted was.

“Her new boyfriend. Don’t call her again,” he repeated, then hung the phone up and handed it back to me.

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I remained quiet. That was twice tonight that Jas seemed to be looking out for me. It was weird because usually he was pissed at me.

“Let’s get you back to bed. You shouldn’t be running around the embassy at night.”

I didn’t argue. Instead, I stood and followed him back upstairs. It crossed my mind that I should tell him about Peter, but I was determined just to deal with it by myself. I’d just avoid him and everything would be fine. He’d delivered his threat and I’d heed it. Everything would be fine. When we reached my door, I let him go inside first and search the room before stepping inside. “Thank you.”

He looked over at me. “Just doing my job.”

We both knew I wasn’t thanking him for searching my room, but neither of us commented further. We both also knew that it was more than just doing his job.

He paused at the door, looking at me over his shoulder. “Sleep well.”

His smokey baritone drifted over me then the click of the door signaled that I was once again alone. Angry Jasper I could handle. The man who’d just looked at me like he wanted to eat me? I didn’t know what to do with him. All three of these men had me tied in knots. It wasn’t fair to be feeling certain ways for all three of them. I shouldn’t feel anything for any of them.

Giving myself a stern talking to, I slipped into bed. I was determined not to dream of them. It wasn’t right and I needed to banish them from my thoughts. I knew I wouldn’t succeed.

CHAPTER6

Kip

“‘Morning, Beauty,” I said as Bailey came down the stairs.

She blinked at me, pausing on the last step as she tried to figure out my nickname for her. It shouldn’t be so hard to figure out, but there was a blush slowly creeping up her neck, so I took pity on her.

Glancing at my watch, I held my arm up as though she could see it from where I was standing. “Sleeping Beauty.” She just continued to stare at me. “You slept in late.” I had to bite back my grin. It was fun keeping her on her toes.

“She had a rough night. Leave her alone.”

We both glanced over as Jas walked into the room. Now we were both silently staring in shock. Since the moment she’d stepped off the plane he’d been a moody asshole. Now suddenly he was being nice and looking out for her?

“What the fuck happened last night?” I asked, a smirk creeping over my face. Wolfe had been quiet this morning, too. I regretted being the one to go to bed early while these assholes did whatever they’d done last night.

“Nothing.”

I watched as Jas walked out the front door, then turned back toward Bailey. My brow arched up as I noticed her blushing harder than before. Next time I wasn’t going to bed. I apparently missed shit when I did.

“What’s on the agenda for the day?” I asked, changing the subject.

Bailey sighed and gave me a rueful smile. “Shopping.”

My face fell as I studied her. “What?”

“Sorry, but we have to go to a fundraiser tonight and something tells me you guys don’t have anything for a black tie affair. Can’t have you three standing out, well, standing out more than usual.”

She wasn’t wrong about that. Wearing civilian attire while on duty was not a part of our job. Ever. This whole assignment was not a part of our normal mission type. I made a mental note to talk to Jas and Wolfe about this later. “Wait, we’re shopping for us?” That thought disgusted me even more.

She nodded and looped her arm around mine as she began dragging me toward the door. “Yup. You know the other guys’ measurements, right?”

“Measurements? No. Why?”

She shook her head and just kept dragging me out toward a car that was waiting for us.

I remembered myself long enough to open the door for her, then panic set in. My eyes darted around the compound, looking for Wolfe. This wasn’t in my job description.

Bailey stuck her head out and frowned at me. “Well, get in.” She didn’t wait for me to make excuses, just grabbed my arm and tugged.

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