Page 13 of Lethal Threat

My nurse storms into the room. Anne’s face is a mask of fury. “Colonel Payne.” She glares at him. “That’s not what we agreed.”

“What?” My eyes bounce between them.

He lifts a brow, but doesn’t turn.

She drops her hands on her hips and gives him an even more withering look. “You’re upsetting my patient. We were going to let him tell her…”

I shake my head. This isn’t really happening.

Payne holds up a hand. “I thought she needs to know she’s engaged. That’s pretty important.”

My mouth is hanging open. I wheeze out two words. “I’mwhat?”

“Easy, Sierra.” Anne moves closer to the bed.

My pulse is racing. I clutch at my chest and practically shout, “Fiancés know each other’s names!”

They both look very concerned now.

Colonel Payne tips his head. “Master Sergeant Strong.”

“Wh-who?”

As if Colonel Payne hasn’t just delivered a crushing blow, he casually smiles. “Strong is your fiancé.”

I snort out a laugh. Because clearly this is all a weird dream.

Neither of them as much as cracks a smile.

Anne makes the first awkward face. “Sierra, I’m sorry you got shocked. But it’s true.”

There’s a serious risk that smoke might come out of my ears. I wrap both my hands around my face. “I can’t have a fiancé.”

In an about face, Colonel Payne looks almost cheery. “Yes, you do. Master Sergeant Strong.”

I can’t breathe well, but I sure can talk. “How can I not remember I’m engaged? If I am…. surely we had sex. I’d remember that.” Heat erupts on my cheeks.

I motion wildly in the air. “If we are engaged, we had to say,I love you.I’d remember that too.”

My gaze rockets to my ring finger. My tone risesto a crazed cackle. “What about a ring? You can’t even tell I wore one!”

Payne taps the footboard with his fist. “You’ll know everything soon.”

Damn right I will. One way or another. Even if I have to run up and down the halls screaming.

I glare at them. When I finally get myself under control, I smooth my sea-creature hair with a shaking hand and inform them of my feelings. “I’m not sure I’m engaged.”

Both of them continue to look at me. Anne bites the corner of her lip.

Shit. I implore her with my eyes to tell me this is all a made-up story.

“Anne, help me.” I plead.

“It’s true.”

My brain officially breaks. I go instantly cold.

I whisper, “Leave. I need to be alone.”