followed suit, putting my boots on seconds later.
When I was fully dressed once again, I slapped Zach on the back and said, “Thanks.”
“Welcome,” he grumbled as he slipped his own cut over his shoulders. “Just don’t make it a habit.”
I laughed as he walked away, then turned to face the man that had started this all.
“Told you to watch out for her. Not get her pregnant,” he grumbled.
I looked at Sebastian.
We’d met very briefly over a stint in the military.
He was getting out just as I was getting in.
But the one impression had stayed over the years and stood the test of time. We’d not been ‘friends’ per se, but more acquaintances. We’d shoot the shit when we were around each other, but ultimately, he was someone that was there, and I talked to, but didn’t really ‘know.’
However, when he’d called me out of the blue and asked me to watch over his girl, I’d done so.
And I’d fallen head over heels for a girl from a distance.
It was like a train wreck, honestly.
She was smart, beautiful, witty, and determined.
That first day that I’d seen her all those years ago…
• • •
“What the fuck are you doing, man?” Bruce, a fellow drill sergeant, asked.
“Had a buddy call and ask me to check on his girl. I’m headed that way.” I gestured with my chin.
Bruce fell into step beside me, his eyes taking in the scene in front of them.
They were doing push-ups in the dirt, and the majority of the ladies in front of me looked like they were exhausted.
All except for one.
My target in this endgame.
Our eyes connected over the length of the field separating us, and I all but felt my heart stall in my chest.
Motherfucker.
Outwardly, I was cool, calm, and composed.
Inwardly, however?
Yeah, my fuckin’ heart was rocketing out of control in my chest.
And I knew that, no matter what, I would watch out for this girl a whole lot more than necessary.
And not because her daddy asked me to.
But because I fuckin’ wanted to.
Holy hell, she took my breath away.
• • •
“Earth to Sin.”
I blinked at Sebastian.
“Sorry, what?” I asked.
He was watching me curiously.
“I have that look when I stare at my wife,” he murmured quietly.
I focused back on him, a feeling of curiosity passing through me now.
“Jesus, just let me go already,” I heard my girl order harshly.
I allowed my gaze to leave her father and focus on her.
Johnny had her in his arms and he was hugging her so that her feet didn’t touch the ground.
“What if I don’t wanna, baby sister?” Johnny taunted her.
“Then I’m gonna kick you in your nuts like Daddy taught me and not feel bad for it,” she growled.
Sebastian started to laugh. “I didn’t teach her that. Her mother taught her that. In fact, if we’re being honest, I taught her not to do that. Because, even if it fuckin’ sucked, I didn’t want her to use that on her brother since I knew it hurt.”
I focused once again on him to see him staring at his girl as if she was his world.
And she was.
But she was also beginning to be mine, too.
“I’ll never hurt her,” I promised.
Sebastian’s eyes focused on me. “No, you sure the fuck won’t.”
Then he was striding toward the group, leaving me standing there.
Not for long, though.
Blaise finally broke free over threats, then made her way toward me.
She didn’t stop until she was pressed up against me.
“I’m so sorry,” she admitted quietly.
I moved until she was wrapped up in my arms, her body curled into mine so completely that I could practically wrap my hands around her and touch my own shoulders.
Her head was tucked neatly underneath my chin, and I could feel her heartbeat thrumming wildly against my chest.
“Nothing that I didn’t expect,” I told her honestly. “Though, I thought that they were at least going to get a lick or two in.”
A lick or two being a punch straight to my face.
“They would never do that because they know I’d kick their asses,” she admitted. “Now, do you know everyone here, or should I introduce you?”
I didn’t know most of these guys.
But I wasn’t ready to let her go right then, so instead of doing what she expected, which was let her go, I pulled her tighter into my arms and whispered into her ear.
“I need to get you one of those,” I said, seeing her mom walk over to her dad and he wrapped her up in almost the same embrace that