Page 2 of Angels & Whiskey

“Alys—”

“We were playing Fuck, Marry, Kill,” she blurted.

My jaw clenched. I didn’t want to hear who she wanted to fuck, but curiosity won. “Who’d you pick?”

After a few beats, she finally spoke. “You can’t get mad, Gabe. It was just for shits and giggles.”

“All right, I won’t. Tell me.” I brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear that had fallen from her bun.

“Well, of course, I’d marry you—I love you. And Stone and I both want to kill Major Dick even though he’s not bad on the eyes.” She paused and took a deep breath before continuing. “Now this is the part you can’t get mad at—”

“Just tell me, babe.” I knew I couldn’t get mad over a silly game, but it was just like when you had a dream and someone pissed you off in it; you’d wake up mad at them for no reason. And that’s how I was feeling. I wanted to know who mycompetitionwas.

“I’d … I’d fuck Jackson.”

My back straightened and my arms wrapped tighter around her. Yeah, I wanted to throttle him even if he was my best friend.

“It’s just a game C.H.” I smiled. CH stood for Captain Hottie. I knew she used my nickname to lighten the mood. “I only want to fuck you—anddoonly fuck you.”

“I know, babe. But my best friend?”

“Just a game, C.H. Just a game.”

“I need to come up with my own list.” I grinned at her. Two could play this game.

She slapped my arm playfully. “Don’t you dare!”

“All right, I won’t. But I hope these next six months go by fast. I want Jackson to know you’re mine.” I brushed my hand under the hem of her army green T-shirt, feeling her smooth belly and needing to feel her soft, warm skin.

She gave a tight smile. “Me too.”

“Maybe …” I paused for a moment before continuing to make sure I wanted to suggest this. “Maybe weshouldtell Jackson and Stone? I trust them and they can be our lookout people.”

“You want to risk them telling?”

My hands had worked Alyssa’s T-shirt from her pants without me knowing. I wanted her and at that moment, I didn’t care if my whole crew knew. If someone ran and told Major Dick, I’d deal with it. I’d risk getting kicked out of the army just to be with her and a chance to kick Major Dick’s ass. Major Dick wasn’t his real name, but he sure as shit earned it, and I’d leave with the respect of everyone in the army because no one likedDick.

“I’d risk anything for you.”

“Okay, let’s tell them. I trust them. Stone’s my best friend too.”

“Good.” I agreed and began to lift her shirt over her head until there was a knock on the door. We both stilled, me holding my breath.

“Cap, we gotta Dustoff,” Jackson called out behind the closed door. While I wanted to spend the rest of the day with Cochran on my lap, we had a MEDIVAC call we had to go to.

“Shit, he already knows,” Alyssa whispered, her eyes wide with concern then scurried off my lap.

I watched her, not saying anything while she tucked her shirt into her pants. Jackson knocked on the women’s door. He knew I was in there with her.

“How many?” I asked while Alyssa righted herself.

“Two.”

“How bad?”

“Urgent. No enemies in the area.”

I rushed to the door, swung it open with Alyssa on my heels. “You know nothing.” I pointed a finger in his face in warning.