He swallowed hard and felt the sweat drip from his forehead into his eye. He didn’t move, didn’t wipe it. A sniper knew to stay still, because any movement would give away his position and leave him vulnerable for a shot to the head.
He eased his finger on the trigger, giving one more glance at the bullseye before he pulled back and heard the shot echo through the quiet night. He didn’t even jerk, hadn’t felt much of anything, because he was so conditioned not to feel a thing. Not physically, mentally, or emotionally. He sometimes felt like a machine—some inhuman, government-engineered machine. He was tired of it. Tired of not feeling anything but negativity, constant obsession with training, staying fit and sharp and not feeling emotional about one God-damn thing.
He lay there on his belly and just absorbed where he was. In the woods way back on his and his brother’s property in Repose, Texas. A place far, far away from all that pain, all that negativity, and all those damn ghosts. Or so he thought, as he heard a sound in the distance, gripped his rifle, rolled, and aimed in the direction. He hadn’t lost his touch, his incredibly accurate and strong sniper abilities. Something was out there approaching. His mind began to wander. Was someone coming for him?
His heart began to pound, sweat dripping from his forehead into his eyes, but he remained focused. It’s not the enemy. I’m in Repose. I’m home, its safe here, and he told himself but kept a finger on the trigger and waited to eliminate the enemy. Then he saw the twitching ears, the fur, and the deer come into sight, two babies along with her, and he sighed. He watched them through the scope. Helpless, vulnerable, and they didn’t even know it.
It was a beautiful sight. One he would take over the memories of those fearful missions and the survival instinct of kill or be killed. He was safe here in Repose. They were safe here in Repose. He lowered his gun and just watched them, two babies and their mother, until he decided it was time to head back home and try to get some rest.
* * * *
“I’m so glad that you’re feeling better. You look great,” Carina said to Antonia. Antonia was happy that Carina stopped by. Her friend had avoided Cesar’s home, always seeming on edge and nervous around Antonia’s men, but especially Damon and Cesar.
“I’m so happy that you’re here, Carina. I’m going to be back to work this week and hoping to get back to the dojo. Have you been going?”
Carina lowered her head and looked toward the doorway where Cesar had just disappeared. He was on his lunch break, but Fox and Gino were around and taking care of Antonia.
“No. I haven’t gone back.”
“Why not?” Antonia asked, scrunching her face in surprise. She knew that Carina had liked the kickboxing classes and felt ready for the self-defense classes, too.
She smiled and then held her gaze and Antonia knew she was trying to pretend that it was no big deal. “I was waiting for you. It wouldn’t be the same going there alone,” she told her.
Antonia raised one of her eyebrows up at Carina.
“Seriously? You’re so full of crap. Does this have to do with Milton, Jack, Jesse, and Nevin?”
“Antonia. Please.”
“No, I think we should talk about it. They like you. Hell, I heard all about how Jack put the pedal to the metal to get to you first and quickly after the car accident. Then about how attentive Dr. Cortland was. You haven’t gone back for your checkup yet, have you?”
She sighed and then moved around on the couch. “There’s no need to. I’m fine now.”
“Well, then, you should be hitting the dojo.”
“I will be soon enough.”
“And the checkup?” Antonia pushed.
“Not happening.”
“You should reconsider, or Nevin might make you go to the hospital for the checkup.”
Carina’s eyes widened.
“Not happening.”
Antonia chuckled. “Don’t be surprised if he threatens you with that. You saw him for the initial evaluation after the accident and handled him fine.”
“I was avoiding the hospital. Okay, Antonia?” She held her gaze and Antonia stared at her a moment and it clicked.
“Because you do like him and his brothers?”
She saw the emotion in Carina’s eyes.
“Because I was avoiding the hospital and all the paperwork, the computer system, and getting my information in a public system. Not smart.”
“You mean they could find you like that?” Antonia was surprised. She never would have thought of that. “Shit.”
“Exactly. So no hospitals for me.”
Antonia exhaled.
“Maybe you should talk to Cesar. Let him know what happened and he could help.”
Carina shook her head. “No,” she whispered.
“You’re scared, Carina. Living in fear that your ex and his buddy will come looking for you. Don’t pretend that you’re not or that it isn’t a good possibility he’ll come. Look what Ray did to me. Look at the extent he went to, to catch me off guard.”
Carina looked at her and Antonia saw the emotion in her eyes, how different she seemed. She knew what Ray did to Antonia, and the car accident, too, had scared her best friend because of her own past.
“Do you really think they’ll come looking? I mean, wouldn’t they have by now?”
“Who says they aren’t?”
“They won’t know where to look.”
“Antonia, listen, I trusted you with what happened, but I wasn’t a hundred percent honest with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“It doesn’t really matter. It’s just additional crap that adds to my fears and anxiety.”
“That isn’t good. You should feel safe in Repose. Any of the men would protect you, you know that?”
Carina shook her head. She was denying her attraction to the Cortland men, even after their care for her and public display of guardianship. What hadn’t she told Antonia about where she lived and the circumstances that caused her to run, besides the assault?
“I have a plan. I just need to get my damn car back.”
“What plan, and what do you mean get your car back? I thought it was fixed and ready.”
“Oh, it is, but they want new insurance and registration papers and I can’t get those.”
“Why?”
“Because I kind of sort of bullshitted them and have everything under my grandmother’s maiden name. I told the mechanic that it was a screw-up and that I would fix it and then pick up my car. I can’t drive it without showing all the documentation.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Ride my bike for a while and walk. Luckily it isn’t the rainy season around here.”
“What if I register it under my name and you just pay me the insurance for it? Will that help?”
Carina opened her mouth and then stopped as tears filled her eyes.
“You would do that for me?”
“Of course. What are best friends for?”
“Are you certain?”
“Hey, if it gives you peace of mind and helps you to deal with hiding from the problems you had, then I get it and I want to help. You confided in me about what happened to you. I wouldn’t want those men coming here and finding you because of something as simple as your name in a computer. Oh, crap, what about the police report and accident?”
“It was filed under the name I’m using, not my real name.”
“I don’t like this. I really think talking to Cesar would be smart, just as a precaution. He won’t tell anyone else, and he could give you advice, too.”
“I’m having a hard time dealing with trusting anyone in law enforcement. There were things, Antonia, that I didn’t share,” Carina told her and Antonia could tell she was getting upset. Carina was twisting her fingers in her lap and then looked up.
“What things?” Antonia pushed.
“Just a different way the town did things.”
“You said you had to escape, to run away, and that your grandparents helped yo
u. Were the police corrupt?”
“And then some. Listen, it doesn’t matter. I just need to secure the car so I have a way of maintaining independence and not drawing more unnecessary attention to me. It will work out fine.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Sign a bunch of papers. I can bring them by in a few days.”
“Great. We’ll handle this together. Remember, you’re not alone.”
* * * *
Antonia walked Carina out and then headed back into the living room.
“What’s going on with Carina?” Fox asked her.
She gave him a smile and felt her chest tighten. She didn’t want to lie to him. She loved him and his brothers so much, but she understood Carina’s fears.
“What do you mean?” she asked, tidying up the magazines on the table. He stood in the doorway with his arms crossed, just staring at her.
“Cesar mentioned something about her not having insurance under her own name and that her car was registered under a different name.”
“A simple mix-up.”
“Then why are you offering to put her car under your name and insurance?” he asked.
She looked up at him, shocked that he had overheard their conversation—or had he been listening in on purpose? Did Cesar hear as well?
“Don’t even say it. I was walking by and the two of you were talking a mile a minute, as usual. It doesn’t take a detective to figure out that Carina is running from someone. If there’s even the slightest chance that she’s in danger, then Cesar needs to know about it. I don’t want you placed in any more danger, either.”
“That’s not fair, Fox. None of this is Carina’s fault, just like none of what happened to me was mine.”
“Ray manipulated a situation and made you question my love and commitment to you, as well as Gino’s love and commitment to you. So don’t stand here and try to minimize the potential danger Carina could be in.” He walked closer to her and then caressed her arms.
“You were once scared and unwilling to accept our attraction and our commitment to you. We worked through that. You mean everything to us, baby.”
“You mean everything to me, too.”
“I won’t ask you to break that trust you have with Carina, but know this—if she is in danger, then Cesar as well as her guardians need to know.”
“I’ll talk to her again about telling Cesar. I’m still going to protect her as much as I can and take care of the car situation. She was nearly killed because of Ray.”
“I understand, and we’ll help any way we can. You’re a good friend.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She thought about what Fox had said to her about overhearing their conversation and how she and Carina were talking a mile a minute.
“Fox?” she whispered and ran her palms up his chest and leaned closer. She kissed his chin and he caressed her back. “Did you hear anything else when we were talking?”
He was silent a moment.
“Enough to know she needs to talk to Cesar, and that maybe accepting the Cortland men’s guardianship could give her the peace of mind and freedom she so desperately needs.”
* * * *
Nevin had just finished lunch and was heading back to his office when he spotted Carina. She wore a pretty blue T-shirt and jean shorts and was trying to place some groceries into side baskets on her bike. He wondered why she was riding her bike and not driving and hoped that she wasn’t feeling scared because of the car accident. Maybe she needed someone to talk to.
“Carina,” he said, and when she turned to look at him, she dropped some things on the ground. He hurried over to help her, instantly inhaling the sweet scent of her perfume. “How are you?”
“Oh, good, thank you.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said to her and placed the bags of vegetables into the basket as she held it open.
“That’s okay. I was just trying to figure out how to fit all the stuff. I guess I thought the basket was bigger,” she said and slightly smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
He stared at her, noticing her perfect figure and how petite she was. She also stepped back from him, seeming scared.
“How are you feeling?” he asked her.
“I’m feeling great, thank you.” She moved the bike and he held on to the handlebars, covering one of her hands with his. She was slightly bent over, and it gave him a clear view of her abundant breasts and a small gold heart she always wore. It was delicate and feminine, just like her.
“You never came in for your checkup. I can squeeze you in right now.”
Her cheeks reddened and she worried her bottom lip.
“No need, Dr. Cortland, I’m perfectly fine. The bruises are just about all gone, too,” she said.
He stepped around the bike, keeping his one hand over hers. She was tense, and seemed to shiver. He did tower over her. He had this immense need to protect her and pull her close, but she was scared of him and he didn’t like that one bit.
“I really should take a close look and be sure. I think you minimized your injuries because you didn’t want to go to the hospital.”
Her eyes widened and it confirmed his and his brothers’ suspicions about her desperate need to avoid going in the ambulance the day of the accident. His brother, Jack, was in police mode over it and wanted to question her further, but Cesar warned him off.
She swallowed hard and he placed his hand on her hip and slowly stroked her side. She stepped back, but he held firm.
“Sweetie, are you sure you’re feeling better? It would make me feel a lot better if I examined you.”
She shook her head. “I’m good, Dr. Cortland.”
He bit the inside of his cheek. Why was she calling him Dr. Cortland? She damn well felt this attraction and was fighting it.
“Is there any reason why you’re riding this bike and not driving your car? I heard it’s all fixed.”
Her eyes widened and then she kicked up the kickstand and pulled back.
“I could use the exercise, and it’s a beautiful day out.”
He stopped her from backing up with the bike.
“Carina, listen, it’s normal to feel a bit of anxiety about getting into your car again after the accident. If you need to talk about it, or want someone to come along with you, I can make myself or one of my brothers available. Maybe Jack, since he was there for you when it initially happened.”
“No, no, that isn’t necessary. I don’t need any help. I don’t need to be rechecked, and I certainly don’t need someone to hold my hand to drive again.”
Her temper flared and she looked so damn sexy it took every ounce of discipline not to pull her into his arms and kiss her breathless. Holy shit, he was incredibly attracted to her. Why was she fighting him on this?
“Listen, I’ve helped a lot of individuals in all different circumstances get over their fears. I’ve helped a lot of men who come back from their military service and they have a hard time handling certain things. You know, maybe sounds, places, situations spark some bad memory or something.”
Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth and then closed it. So he was right, she had some sort of fears and it was beyond that accident. Damn it, how can I get her to open up to me?
He reached up and stroked her jaw and chin.
“You’re safe in Repose, and you will be safe with my brothers and me as your guardians.”
She shook her head.
“I don’t need guardians.”
“Friends first, sweetie. I’m trustworthy.”
“Sorry, but I can’t.”
She pulled back and he watched her, placed his hands on his hips, and stared at her. She sure was scared.
“Please don’t bother me again,” she said, shocking him before she got on her bike and took off down the road.
* * * *
“Cesar, it’s not my place to discuss it with you.”
“Antonia, you know I run a safe town and every resident is my responsibility.
I should have pushed for more answers sooner with you and look what nearly happened. My brothers and I nearly lost you. So if Carina is in some sort of danger, I need to know. She can trust me.”
“I talked to her, Cesar. I asked her to speak with you and she’ll think about it. When she’s ready, she’ll come to you.”
“I get the feeling that she’s afraid of me because of the badge. Is she wanted by the law?”
“God, no. Why would you ask that?”
“I can tell by the way she avoids me. She hadn’t expected me to be home when she stopped by and she looked ready to bolt.”
“You’re a big, intimidating man and the chief of police. There was a time when I was intimidated by you, too.”
“Oh, and you’re not anymore?”
“Not really, because I know you would never hurt me in any way. She needs time to learn to trust you.”
“She lied about her car insurance and registration. Under normal circumstances, Jack would have processed it and contacted the name on the insurance and registration.”
“Please tell me he didn’t?”
“You know more than you’re letting on. She’s in danger, isn’t she, Antonia? Antonia?” he pushed when she didn’t answer.
“I made a promise, Cesar. Please give her a few days and she’ll come talk to you.”
He exhaled.
“I’m not the only concerned citizen.”
“I know the Cortland men are, too. She isn’t ready for that. Just like I wasn’t ready for you and your brothers. To be honest, what has me most worried is that if we push too much, she’ll leave Repose and then none of us will be able to protect her.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours. Love you, babe.”
“Love ya, Chief.”
* * * *
“I’m a doctor, Carina. Let me do my job and make sure that you’re okay and not injured more than you’re telling me,” Dr. Nevin Cortland said to her.
She held her blouse tightly, still shaking from the circumstances of the car accident. She glanced at Jack, who stood there in the examining room like he had every right to be there. He rescued her, was the first on the scene, and broke the glass to get to her to ensure she wasn’t injured worse. She was relieved and then scared. She tried to tell him to leave, that she was okay, but he was insistent that he would watch over her. She wasn’t sure how to react to them. She didn’t have much of a choice. If she denied Nevin’s examination, then he would insist she go to the hospital to get looked at. That was something she couldn’t risk.
The Battlefield Series 3: Trusting Love (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 2
