Dixie Under Siege (A Warrior's Passion #2) - Natasza Waters Page 0,82

that Thane actually cared about me. When that happened, I wanted to sacrifice myself before I’d allow him to die protecting me.”

Josh glanced toward Tinman and Mace and, if he didn’t know better, could have sworn he saw tears in their eyes before they lowered their heads and looked away.

“When the Shark hunted me, those were terrible days. I don’t know Dixie very well, but I can see she’s a survivor like me. She’s strong. Those are two ingredients that can lead to disaster. Yet, the one that poses a fatal outcome is that she loves you. If she’s anything like me, in her heart, she sees herself as expendable. Dix knows Gesem was part of your life and you cared for her.” Kayla’s voice lowered to almost a whisper. “There’s only one person she can go to who will make this right in her eyes. The only man she thinks will accept her scarred soul—and it’s the predator that wounded her to begin with.”

Josh’s pulse slowed. The thud of his heart drummed in his ears.

“A word of advice, Commander.”

He looked up at Ghost, who stood beside his wife, and nodded for him to go ahead.

“No matter how much you say, or what you say, none of it will penetrate the damage. You can never heal that. It exists and will always exist. The only thing you can do is catch her when she falls. Put yourself between the enemy and her. She has to believe and trust that you are her strength and no matter what happens, you’ll never quit on her.”

Kayla smiled and tipped her head back to stare up at her husband.

In the next instant, a gaggle of screaming girls came running into the living room, each of them darting toward their fathers. Gabbs ran to Mace. Two girls ran to Fox.

“Daddy!” Sloane screeched and ran to her father.

Ghost swooped up Sloane, who looked like a miniature version of her mother, into his thick arms at the same time Kelsey, Marg’s daughter, pinned herself to the admiral.

Not far behind was the Austen’s son, who stopped at the entrance to the living room, the knees of his jeans caked with dirt and a large smudge on his cheek.

Kayla narrowed an eye. “Adam!”

“Just wanted to show them the snake I found, Mom. It’s cool!” he said brightly and lifted the reptile, twitching and jerking in his hand like a prize.

Kayla sighed and smiled. “Yes, sweetheart, it’s cool. Take it outside before Aunt Marg sees that in the house.” She turned her attention to Josh with a raised brow. “He’s his father’s son.”

Although Josh’s heart weighed heavy with emotion, he grinned. “Yeah, I can see that.”

Fox piped up. “That’s good eatin’, boy. Want me to show you how to skin that thing?”

“Gross, Dad!” Fox’s girls screeched in unison.

Josh glanced at his watch. “I’m going to head back to Dixie’s before she gets any crazy ideas, as you suggested.”

Kayla walked him to the door. Before leaving, he said, “I knew something was wrong. Dix and I had a fight the other night. When we were young, we shared everything. I just assumed she trusted me. I never thought I would have to earn that trust again. She’s been pushing me away since we found each other. I never considered another reason for her actions.”

Kayla patted his arm. “Tread lightly, CDR Hunter. Although Gesem is missing, Dixie’s past is holding her hostage. Chandler knows this, and he’ll use it to his advantage.”

“Thanks, Kayla.” He opened the door, then paused. “You mentioned that you had a moment of clarity when you realized Ghost loved you. What did he do?”

She seemed to gaze inward for a second. “He told me it didn’t matter how broken I was, he would walk through Hell itself to find me and bring me back to the light.” She brushed away a tear that slid down her cheek. “It wasn’t his words, but the fact he did exactly what he said he’d do.”

As Josh sped back toward Old Town, he debated calling Dixie. If she was sleeping, he didn’t want to wake her, but Kayla’s warning stirred the waters of doubt.

Chapter Nineteen

The core of downtown San Diego seemed desolate at this time of night as Dixie neared her destination. She’d intended on going to bed until she received a text from Chandler.

Her nav system indicated she’d arrived, and Dixie edged her BMW next to the sidewalk. A five-story structure with an exterior made from reflective glass sat to her