Page 88 of Before and After

“It was dangerous. We were well in enemy territory. Our commander had gotten hit and was bleeding badly. I knew he needed medical attention, or he’d die.”

She pressed into me even harder. That steadied me.

“With our CO down, I was in charge. We ran. We covered so many miles of dense, suffocating jungle, and we carried him. We ran and ran, and I thought we were almost in the clear. The bullets came from nowhere.” In my head, I heard the grunts, the screams, and smelled the blood. “We fought back. Wells was yelling at me, covering my ass. He took a bullet to the head. He died instantly, right in front of me.”

Allie let out a small gasp.

“There one second, gone the next. Drew took two rounds next. He was alive, but in agony. I caught some shrapnel. We had to keep moving. I carried Wells’ body. I couldn’t leave him behind.”

“You made it out.”

“Yeah.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Pat, our commander, lost his arm, but survived. Drew is paralyzed and, in a wheelchair, and Wells is buried at Arlington. I still remember his pregnant widow standing at the funeral, sobbing.”

“Caden.” Allie kissed the underside of my jaw. “You brought them home.”

“I missed the signs of the rebel soldiers creeping up on us.”

“You aren’t superhuman. Everyone on your team knew the risks. And you’re all heroes for fighting, anyway. Honor Wells’ memory. His bravery. From the sounds of it, he wouldn’t want you to feel guilty. He’d be pissed you aren’t living your best life.”

I pressed my face to her hair. “Why did I survive, and he didn’t?”

“That’s above our pay grade.” She rose up on her knees. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you made it.”

Her words ripped through me, loosening things inside.

She looked at me, her face open and honest. Then she got to her feet, looking cute and thoroughly sexy in my shirt. She held her hand out. “I want you in my bed, Broody.”

My gut clenched. I felt so much. All of it for her. All of it for Allie.

I glanced at the photo of her and her brother. We both knew that life could change in an instant. The things you loved most could be ripped away at any time.

I needed her. She’d almost been taken from me tonight, and I could have lost her.

With a low noise, I pushed to my feet and scooped her off hers.

She gasped, holding me tight. “I have to confess, I like when you carry me.”

“Good.” I strode into her bedroom. It smelled like her. Intoxicating. I’d been so focused on her when I was in here last time, I hadn’t paid much attention to the room.

My gaze fell on her dresser and my eyebrows rose.

Allie cleared her throat. “Um, I have little thing about collecting fairy statues.”

“You don’t say.” There were dozens of them sitting on the dresser. All long, elegant creatures with wings. All of them in a dazzling array of iridescent colors.

Color filled her cheeks. “Sean bought me my first one when I was ten and I got hooked. He told me that in the old myths about fairies, they weren’t all cute and sweet, that they were dangerous and powerful.” She shrugged a shoulder. “I liked the idea of a powerful creature that could also be beautiful.”

“They suit you.”

The color in her cheeks deepened. Damn, I wanted my mouth on her skin.

“Don’t tell anyone.”

“I promise. It’s our secret.” Laying her down on the bed, I pushed the shirt up. “I think you’re beautiful and powerful.” I kissed her breasts, her collarbone.

She arched up. “Caden.”

I let my lips travel down her flat belly, over her hip bones, lower…