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Something doesn’t add up.
I wish Kaye would get her head out of her ass and ditch the studies to pursue the Guardian. As much as I love the idea of becoming a top-notch lawyer, the idea of spending my summer buried in law books doesn’t thrill me.
Kaye on the other hand, can’t wait to hit the library and dive into her studies. If I could drag her from her obsessive-compulsion about her studies, I would. As it is, I leave her to do what makes sense for her.
For me, summer is all about soaking up the sun and having fun.
No school. No books. No job. Nothing but endless summer days with a sexy Guardian by my side. Except, Alec’s not by my side. He’s on a mission. A dangerous mission, with a gun and dangerous people potentially shooting at him.
While he’s out there risking his life, I’m sitting on the roof of my townhouse munching on pizza and drowning my man troubles in wine. I can’t sit still. How can Carmen and Rosalie be so chill? Oblivious to the danger Rafe and Hayes might be in?
“How do you do it?” I can’t stand it any longer and spring to my feet, then start pacing back and forth. My mind races with worry and fear.
“Do, what?” Carmen cocks her head like I’m a crazy person.
Rosalie takes a sip of wine and eyes the last slice of pizza in the box.
“How can you sit here while Rafe and Hayes are…” I gesticulate wildly, not really knowing what I want to convey.
My tenacity has always been one of my strongest traits. One day, it will serve me well as a lawyer, but for now it’s driving me crazy. I need to do something, anything, but sit still.
My heart races as I pace across the roof, my mind consumed with worry. My tenacity now feels like a curse.
“Are, what?” Rosalie turns away from the pizza to focus on me.
“In danger.” I ball my hands into fists. “How do you just sit there, all chill, while they’re out there? In danger?”
“Barbi…” Carmen shoots me a sympathetic look. “Are you worried about Alec?”
“Of course, I am.” I spin around and make another pass. “I feel like I’m going crazy with worry while the two of you are munching on pizza like it’s any other day.”
“Ah…” Carmen sets her wineglass down on the table and shoots me a sympathetic look. “For me, it’s hard to worry about Rafe when I’ve seen him in action.” She turns to Rosalie. “Don’t you think that helps?”
“I suppose so,” Rosalie says. “Maybe because Carmen and I have had a chance to see our Guardians in action? You know, like at their best? I know what Hayes is capable of because I’ve seen him do extraordinary things. They know how to take care of themselves.”
“But aren’t you worried they’re going to get hurt?” I run my finger over my throat.
“They’ve been hurt.” Carmen leans back. “Rafe lost a leg. Hayes, like Alec, lost two fingers. Their work is dangerous, but they’ve been trained by the best to be the best.”
“But what if they never come home? What if they leave and…” I can’t speak my fear because I don’t want it to magically manifest in this reality.
Best not to speak about death.
Lily chimes in, her voice soft and reassuring. With her white-blonde hair and pale blue eyes, when I met her, I thought she and Forest were related, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. “I understand how you feel.” She grabs a bottle of wine and fills her glass. “For Jinx and me, it’s a little different. We work alongside our men, and we’ve seen firsthand what Guardians are capable of. Has Alec shown you what Guardians can do?”
“No.” I shrug. “We haven’t really done much talking.”
“More like fucking.” Kaye doesn’t disappoint with her reference to sex.
I shoot her a withering look, my mind too consumed with worry to appreciate her humor. For a woman who’s sworn off men, she’s having a field day knowing me and Alec go at it like rabbits.
“We talk a little.” I can’t help but defend myself, but Kaye’s right.
Alec and I spend the majority of our time in bed, exploring each other’s bodies and desires. But despite the intensity of our physical connection, we still have so much to learn about each other.
We remain virtual strangers.
When he suggested that hike along the coast, I eagerly agreed. As we trekked through twisting trails, I couldn’t help but marvel at the way he moves. He’s light on his feet, agile, and exudes raw masculinity that makes my heart race.