“I like thatname.”
Diggs pulled to a stop and rolled the window down. Within the thick growth of bushes there was a shiny silver keypad about the size of her hand splayed open wide. He punched in a long sequence of numbers and then the gate she hadn’t even paid any attention to slid open and they pulled through. Inside the gate was just as overgrown asout.
“So, you still haven’t told me your name,” Diggssaid.
“Audra,” she answeredautomatically.
“Fitsyou.”
“What’s that mean?” shesaid.
“I don’t know. You look like an Audra, I guess.” Diggs hunched forward, both hands on thewheel.
“Is that acompliment?”
“Yeah, I guessso.”
Tingles bubbled up in her stomach. She’d have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to have a reaction to the walking sex god, but that still didn’t blunt the crash of guilt battering her senses. What right did she have to crush on Diggs when her brother lay fresh in a grave and his dog was only a step from joininghim?
Audra stroked Trigger’s fur, fighting back the constant sting of tears burning up her throat. She couldn’t lose him too. Trigger was the only connection to her brother she had left. The way Jeremy had talked about his dog had been so heartfelt, they’d formed a bond stronger than any blood ties. Every time Jeremy sent home a photo or did a video call with her, Trigger had been at his side. They’d been best friends. No, according to Jeremy, they werebrothers.
She felt the muscles on her face twist up and she screwed her eyes shut to keep the tears from leaking free.I will find out what happened, Jeremy, and I will avenge you. I swear it on mylife.
“Everything okay back there?” Diggsasked.
“Fine, just hurry up. He’s in a lot of pain,” she barked and immediately regretted her harsh tone. She’d been on edge since she’d gotten the video the same day she found out Jeremy was dead. She couldn’t seem to stop the bitterness creeping in like black tarry fingers around hersoul.
She’d begged him not to join the military. He’d been offered an amazing contract from the Amateur Baseball League. The scout said Jeremy would make the pros within a year. But Jeremy had said he needed to do something toserve.
Scenery buzzed by in a blurry haze of unshed tears. She knew she should cry and let out the emotions churning up her insides but she couldn’t. Not until she tracked down whatever asshole commander had gotten Jeremy killed and got justice for him. Audra dashed the heel of her palm against her cheek and firmed up her chin. She had to stay strong forJeremy.
Suddenly the car stopped moving, and Audra pulled herself from her thoughts to look around. They’d parked beneath a giant awning made of stone pillars that rivaled a Greek temple. Diggs was already out of the car and around the side, opening her door and offering his hand. Feeling just the tiniest bit remorseful for snapping at a man who’d only sought to help her, she placed her hand in his. A sizzle of heat passed down her fingers and she became instantly aware of the thick rough calluses and the strength in his grip as he gently helped her from the car. His thumb grazed across the back of her wrist as his dark chocolate gaze bore into hers and for the life of her she couldn’t lookaway.
“Are you sure you’reokay?”
She licked her dry lips and nodded, not trusting her brain to form aresponse.
“I’ll take the dog inside. Melissa should have a change of clothes for you. I don’t think we can salvage yours, but I can try if you want,” he said still holding herhand.
Melissa? He lives here with awoman?
Audra snatched her hand back and rubbed her palm against her hip. Of course, he was with someone. Men like him weren’t single bachelors living in mansions in the country. Men like him were neversingle.
“I’m fine, I’ll change clothes later.” She really wanted to get a fresh shirt and shorts; hers were covered in Trigger’s blood as were her hands and arms but she’d be damned if she accepted clothing from his girlfriend or wife orwhoever.
“Suit yourself.” Diggs brushed past her and leaned down low into her car. His massive arms slid beneath Trigger who whimpered when Diggs picked him up and cradled him against his hugechest.
Trigger still had the bandage on the stub where his front leg had been. The bomb that had killed her brother had taken out Trigger’s leg, too. Now seeing him hurt so badly—the pain bordered on physical incapacitation. It was all she could do not to grab her sides and sob. Instead she gave them her back, staring at the stone column near the huge front doors, fighting and clawing to get her riotous emotions undercontrol.
Finally, the muscles binding her lungs loosened enough for her to draw in a breath. She’d wasted precious time Trigger didn’t have, and bless him, the godlike man behind her was giving her room to breathe. The godlike man who wasmarried.
Audra snapped out of her selfish haze. “Are we just going to stand around outside, or are we going to helphim?”
