Page 69 of Viper

But her confidence wavered a tiny bit. Damn Atlas for putting doubt in her head.

When she was with Troy, he made her feel important. He made his world stand still so hers could turn. No one had ever shown her that kind of devotion. Protection.

Troy was one in a million. When he returned, she’d make sure he knew the depth of her feelings. Butterflies beat against her ribcage. What exactly were the depths of her feelings?

She wanted to be with him. To come home after a long day and fall into bed together. Order food late at night and just be in his company. Although, could she really believe she’d be okay with all the time he’d be away for work? Maybe not. However she was happiest when she was with Troy. More at peace.

That was exactly what she needed when she got out of here.

Troy.

“Don’t be mad at me, sis. I love you, that’s all.”

She met his gaze. “And I love him.” The words fell from her lips before she could stop them. It happened so fast her eyes rounded. She clapped her fingers over her mouth as tears brimmed in her eyes.

“Shit.” Atlas’s mouth firmed. “I’ve got a feeling you two haven’t said that yet.”

She shook her head, lowering her hand. “Don’t say anything!”

He laughed. “I’m not going to tell him you love him, you goofball. That’s your job. Good luck.” He stood and extended his hand. “Come on. If I have to hear another word about how much you love my best friend, I’m going to take a toaster into the shower.”

She wiped the happy tears from the corners of her eyes then placed her fingers in his. “You’re such an ass.”

He pulled her to her feet then folded her into a hug. “Yeah, I know. I’m not the one who’s in love with Viper, though,” he quipped.

Letting her go, he picked up his gun from the table and then stuffed it into the waistband at his back. “Ready?”

“Where are we going?”

“Let’s go for a drive. Grab some coffee and lunch for the road.”

“Sure.” She wiggled her feet into her sandals, and they slipped out the door.

They took the elevator to the main floor. When they reached the bustling sidewalk, Atlas quickly shifted so he was closest to the street, shielding her from traffic. He kept his head on a swivel, his body on high alert.

Paige wasn’t used to seeing her brother in action. Of course she knew what he did for a living and about his time in the military, but she’d never witnessed this side of him.

He caught her arm and pulled her to their parked SUV. He opened the passenger door, and she got in. After slamming the door shut, he rounded the vehicle, jumped in the driver’s seat, and turned on the engine.

“Everything okay?” she asked, throwing a glance at the sidewalk. “Maybe leaving is stupid. I didn’t see him coming the last two times he found me.” She crossed her arms, hating the crushing sense of defeat she felt every time she thought about how easily Craig had got to her.

Atlas raised his eyebrows. “Don’t worry about that. It’s my job to spot him. I almost wish the fucker would try. He’d get a bullet between the eyes and we could go home.”

Guilt gnawed at her. Atlas was currently on his time off and here he was in Florida, babysitting her. He pulled away from the curb and merged into traffic.

“I’m sorry about all this,” she offered. “You didn’t need to come here.”

He smirked, his blue-green eyes flashing. “Paige. You’re my sister. Why wouldn’t I ensure you’re safe? Besides, if anything happened to you, Mom and Dad would kill me. So yeah, I did have to come.”

She chuckled. “How sweet of you,” she said dryly.

They stopped at the apartment Atlas was renting with the guys. She waited while he threw in a load of laundry and marinated steak for dinner, then they got back in the vehicle.

He drove them to a local food joint, and they grabbed sandwiches and iced coffees for the drive. Half an hour later, they cruised down Casey Key Road.

The sight of the unspoiled beaches and cerulean water made her want to get out and dive. If she’d brought her snorkeling gear and swimsuit, she would’ve insisted they stop. The sun beat through the window, warming her face and skin. They rode in comfortable silence, Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly” floating softly through the speakers.

The sudden blaring of a siren jolted her gaze to the side-view mirror. A cop cruiser was behind them with its lights on.