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WORM

“ O h, get over yourself,” she grumbles. “I wasn’t jealous, just furious that a married man would cheat on his wife with a virtual stranger.”

“In my defense, I hadn’t cheated, just a little harmless flirting,” he counters. “Not that I have anyone to be cheating on.” He waggles his eyebrows at her for good measure. She gives him a dramatic eyeroll, him cracking up. This leads to a smile and a laugh from her, too. Allison relaxes, making Worm feel relieved. A comfortable silence descends, but he wants to keep her talking.

While he’s thinking of something to say, she turns to him. “Not even a girlfriend?” He shakes his head. “Friends with benefits?” He barks out a full-on belly laugh.

“No, sugar. I don’t have anyone. Do you?” She shakes her head. He grins in return. For some reason it makes him happy knowing she doesn’t have a man in her life. “Now, tell me more about the work you do.” She’d been rather vague when she talked about her work earlier. “If you don’t mind sharing,” he adds, not wanting to sound demanding.

“I investigate corruption and crimes, then I write about it and expose it, in hopes that the guilty parties will be brought to justice,” Allison declares proudly.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” Worm inquires. “I mean criminals usually don’t like being exposed. Aren’t you worried about them seeking revenge?”

“Sometimes,” she admits, vulnerability coming through in her voice. “I’ve been fortunate for the most part that the criminals were behind bars before my story went to print or air. However, I know I won’t always be so lucky. I’ve taken self-defense courses. I practice regularly at a gun range, and I never leave home without Alice.” She pats her side affectionately.

“Alice?” Worm has a pretty good idea he knows what she’s talking about, but he wants to hear her say it. A gorgeous smile comes over her face.

“Yeah, Alice.” Allison reaches inside her light jacket to reveal a shoulder holster where she removes a hot pink Glock 19 9mm pistol. She holds it carefully, keeping her finger away from the trigger. She turns it to the side so he can get a good look at it as he glances back and forth between her and the road.

“Nice,” he comments, having a mixture of pride in the way she handles the gun and trepidation over the fact she might have to use it to defend herself someday. He frowns. The thought doesn’t sit well with him. “Those are all good steps to take to ensure your safety, but they won’t protect you from a sniper.”

As soon as the words are out of his mouth he cringes. Why did he say that to her? He doesn’t want her to be worried about something like that, although it is something she should be aware of.

“Well thanks for bursting my bubble,” she complains. “I’m aware that if someone wants to do me harm, I might not be able to stop them, but I’m not going to stop exposing the wrongs in this fucked up world we live in. I have helped a lot of people, and I fully intend to keep doing the same until I can’t.” He can’t argue with her reasoning, but it won’t keep him from worrying about her.

“I’m sorry for bringing that up. It’s just I’ve seen a lot of bad in the world, and I’m just concerned for your safety.” Allison turns to face him once more. Her eyes on him as he watches the road before them.

“Thank you for being concerned about me,” Allison says, softly. “I haven’t had anyone other than Emma be concerned for me in a long time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure my parents are concerned for me. They’re definitely concerned about my eternal soul and its destination when I leave this world, but they don’t really understand what I do enough to realize I could be in physical danger. I don’t want them to understand either, because I’m not going to change my mind about my career choice.”

“I can understand how you feel,” Worm replies. “When my dad died, I considered putting in my papers and going home to take care of things, but I enjoy being on the team. We do a lot of good, too. It isn’t all good, but for the most part we are helping to keep our country and others safe. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

“So, you are on a team. Does that mean you are in special forces?” Allison’s question catches him off guard. He reviews what he just said to her and realizes his mistake. He hadn’t confirmed being on a team when she’d asked him before, but now he has just confirmed being on the team. His shoulders droop under the weight of his mistake. He has gotten entirely too comfortable with Allison and let his tongue slip.

“Yes, I’m a Marine Raider,” Worm confesses.

“Why would you want to keep it a secret?” Allison questions. “I would think you’d be damn proud of the accomplishment. I know becoming one isn’t an easy feat.” He grins at her assessment.

“You’re correct. It isn’t easy, but our country’s enemies can and will use our families against us if they can get their hands on them. Therefore, we do our best to keep our status on the down low if you know what I mean.” Allison nods, but he knows she doesn’t, nor could she truly understand without being deeply involved in his world. Would he want her to be that involved in his world? No, he wouldn’t. Not if it meant she could be hurt because of her association with him. Time to change topics.

“What do you do for fun?” Worm asks to get her mind off his work. She gives him a look that says she knows exactly what he is doing, but she complies without complaint.

“That’s a tough question,” Allison begins, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “Honestly, I don’t take much time for fun, but I have been known to go dancing on occasion or to concerts. What kind of music do you like?”

“I like all kinds of music. I listen to country, rock, pop, and even some old school 80’s tunes.” Russell chuckles again. “My parents always had 80’s playing when I was growing up. I have to say it was some really good music. I’ve also been known to listen to classical music when the mood strikes.” Allison’s mouth falls.

“I wouldn’t have pegged you as listening to classical music,” Allison laughs incredulously. “You look more like a heavy metal fan.” She smirks.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Worm demands, grinning. “I’m too caveman for classical music?” Allison grins, too.

“You are definitely a caveman.” Allison chuckles, again. “Who buckles a grown woman’s seatbelt?”

“Hey, I was making sure you were safe on this trip,” Worm replies. “What’s your problem?”

“Really? What’s my problem? It’s weird. You don’t know me. I’m not anything to you.”

“Sugar, you are something to me,” he informs her. His words shocking him, as much as they seem to surprise her. Yet, they feel right. “You are Emma’s cousin. She is my teammate’s woman. That makes you part of our family, and we look out for family.” Allison’s face is a mirage of emotions.

What is she thinking? He hadn’t thought about what he was saying. He’d simply said what was in his heart and mind. Silence descends. Shit!

Allison seems to recover. “It’s so 1800’s. Women are just as capable as men to take care of themselves. We don’t need a man to ‘protect’ us,” Allison grumps as she air quotes the word protect. Worm can’t help being amused at her ire.

“My commander does it all the time for his wife. She never complains. In fact, she loves it. She says it makes her feel safe and cared for.”

“Their situation is different. They are married.”

“True,” he agrees, deciding not to push for more conversation. He is getting too attached, enjoying this a little too much. Allison seems fine with not talking anymore, too.

Before long, Allison is relaxed in sleep with her head against the headrest. Her face is relaxed, so soft and tranquil. What would it be like to wake next to her in the morning?

Shaking his head, he turns back to the road. Time to put a stop to that line of thinking right now. Allison is Emma’s cousin. She’s off limits. He can’t think about her that way. Or can he? Would Emma be upset with him if they hooked up?

He dismisses that thought right away. Allison is not a hook-up kind of girl. That much is obvious. She deserves so much more than a one-night-stand or even a week-long affair. He lets out an unhappy sigh, focusing on the road ahead. He forces himself to put thoughts of Allison out of his mind, which proves to be easier said than done.

Hours later, they arrive at the hotel. Allison wakes as he slows the SUV to turn into the resort. She blinks a few times, confusion evident on her face. Worm reaches over and takes her hand, giving it a little squeeze.

“We’re here, sugar. Did you sleep well?” She sits up straight in the seat.

“Um…yeah. Sorry, I guess I dozed off for a minute.” Allison wipes a thin line of drool from the corner of her mouth. Worm smiles. She looks uncomfortable and a little embarrassed. There’s no need for that. She looks damn cute. He pulls into the valet parking.

“Hang tight, sugar,” Worm eases out of the driver’s side to round the vehicle, handing the valet his keys. He opens Allison’s door, and reaches for her hand. She frowns at him.

“I can get out by myself.” Worm’s eyes roll skyward, begging for patience.

“Come on, Sugar. Let’s get you checked in so you can take a proper nap.” Allison’s frown softens. Seeming to have a change of heart, she takes his hand allowing him to help her down. They grab her bags from the back. Placing his hand on her lower back, he guides her into the lobby. They’ve barely gotten in the door, when a woman’s voice draws their attention.

“Allison!” Emma yells, across the lobby. Emma’s blonde hair is hanging in soft waves around her face. Her fuller figure jiggles as she runs to greet them.

“Emma!” Allison drops the duffle bag she’d insisted on carrying herself and breaks into a run across the lobby, meeting Emma in the middle. The women squeal loudly, rocking side to side as they hug one another tightly.

Worm picks up Allison’s bag, before strolling over to them, with a grin on his face. Wallace, Tank, and Hack along with Ruby and Lisa join them. Everyone is smiling while they watch the women’s reunion.

“Allison! I’m so glad you made it,” Emma gushes, her rounded face flushed with excitement. “How was the drive with Russell?” She looks back and forth between Worm and Allison, who gives him a questioning look.

“It was fine,” Allison replies, leaving out all the details of their banter and conversation on the way.

“I’m happy you guys got to spend some time together,” Emma says, looking at them expectantly. Worm frowns. “You guys are paired to walk down the aisle together. Russell is your escort.” Allison turns wide eyes on him. Worm swallows hard. This is going to make it difficult to keep his distance.

“I really thought you were going to back out on me,” Emma confides, seeming to have missed the tension between them. “I wouldn’t blame you, but I really wanted you to be here.”

“I’m not going to lie,” Allison answers. “I seriously considered only showing up for the ceremony, but I couldn’t let you down, no matter how much torture I will have to endure, all alone,” Allison whines, before laughing. “You remember how awful Gloria’s wedding was for us?”

“God, no, I haven’t forgotten how Aunt Jenny and Aunt Lettie kept grilling us about why we hadn’t found a man yet.” Emma laughs, humorlessly.

“Now, I’m the last one left,” Allison complains. “I’m really happy for you, but girl, you know this will be a nightmare for me.”

“I know, Allison. I’m sorry. I’ll apologize in advance for their behavior,” Emma murmurs. “You know they mean well. They were all married by their early twenties. They just think we should have done the same.”

Allison nods, but still looks unhappy. “And to give you a head’s up,” Emma continues, “those two invited themselves to join us this week when they found out we were coming here early.” Allison groans, her lip curling up in disgust.

“I do know they mean well, but they should realize I’m a lost cause at this point.” Allison gives a half-hearted laugh that doesn’t reach her eyes. Worm doesn’t like the way this conversation is affecting Allison.

“Come on, sugar. Let’s get you checked in. We’re blocking the lobby.” Worm slips his arm around Allison’s waist, guiding her toward the counter. She gives him a confused glare but doesn’t protest. Emma laughs nervously, sharing a look with Wallace, who frowns, but shrugs his shoulders. The entire group follows them to the counter, much to Worm’s annoyance. What’s their deal? Why are they following us every step?

A few minutes later, Worm has Allison’s key card in hand. He leads her to the elevators with the group in tow. It’s a tight fit because everyone crowds into the elevator with them.

Worm leans in to whisper in her ear. “Well, sugar, looks like your room is right next to mine. It must be fate.” He straightens up, a smug grin on his face. Allison rolls her eyes, shaking her head. He waits for her lively comeback, knowing there’s one coming after their banter on the trip here.

“Dream on, caveman,” she sasses in a whisper. The doors have opened on their floor and everyone moves to leave the small space. Worm barks out a laugh. Allison shhh’s him. Emma and Wallace turn, giving them a curious look. Worm sees Wallace open his mouth to ask what’s going on, but he doesn’t get the chance. They are bombarded by Emma and Allison’s family that is waiting in the hall.