Her Lucky Number Thirteen (The American Soldier Collection 13)

Boian smirked as Dusty looked over her body and the tight tank top that hit mid belly, showing off her sexy abs and the short spandex shorts that were tight and hugged her figure.

“No, baby, I think it’s cute you trying to beat me, but a man is made differently than a woman. It will never happen,” he said, licking his lips.

Boian knew that Dusty was teasing her, but she didn’t realize that, and the next thing he knew, she was making her anger known. She stepped closer to Dusty and ran one hand up his chest under his shirt.

“You’re right, we are made so differently.” She pressed her hand lower then eased over his crotch as she spoke. “Men think with their cocks, women use their heads.” She poured the bottle of water over Dusty’s head.

“Nalia!” he roared and she ran behind Boian before Dusty could grab her.

“Let me at her. She’s going to have a nice pink ass in about ten seconds,” he said, trying to get past Boian.

Boian was laughing.

“I think you’re even, Dusty.”

Dusty stopped and stared at Boian. “Even? How the fuck so?”

“You insulted her. She didn’t know you were teasing.”

Nalia took off into the house and Boian laughed.

Dusty ran his fingers through his wet hair and then started chuckling.

“She is something else. Totally caught me off guard,” Dusty admitted.

“Looked like she almost beat you,” Boian added.

“She came pretty fucking close,” he admitted and then shook his head. “What are we going to do? We can’t live out here forever.”

“I don’t know. I think I could get used to this,” Boian stated.

Dusty looked at him with a serious expression. “We have businesses to take care of and responsibilities. Decisions are going to have to be made.”

“I know. Cosivan is in contact with Nicolai. I think we may have to head back to Chicago, or at least a few of us. Perhaps staying there a few weeks at a time for now until Vincent is located and taken care of.”

“Vincent isn’t our only problem,” Cosivan said, interrupting them. Boian squinted his eyes at him. Cosivan seemed angry.

“Looks like Scarlapetti is still running his business and has some supporters. Nicolai believes he knows what they’re after and unfortunately it involves all of us and real estate we own with Nicolai. Romeo Lapella has been sneaking in some people to steal shit right under Nicolai’s nose. With us being away the past few months, things appear like we’re giving up control. We have to head back.”

“But Nalia,” Boian started.

“I know. She isn’t going to be happy about this, but for the time being we will take turns showing face in Chicago and do our best to maintain control of our investments with Nicolai. He assigned some of our friends but it isn’t like when we show face,” Cosivan said to them.

“When do we leave and who goes first?” Boian asked.

“I’ll go and stay as long as needed. If I need help I’ll send for one of you next.”

“Cosivan, this is a shared responsibility. Nalia is now part of our family and our personal responsibility. If she’s going to be involved with us then she’s involved with this. We need to sit her down and explain,” Boian said.

Dusty agreed.

“Tonight. We’ll talk to her about it tonight, and then I’ll leave for Chicago in the morning,” Cosivan told them.

Boian felt his heartache and heaviness consume him. He was worried to say the least. It was different to be worried about his team members, his brothers, but now they had a woman, they had Nalia and she may not be able to accept this part of their lives. He didn’t want to leave her again. It reminded him of the past and how Karlicov forbade him to ever see her again, and now he was in love with her.

That was another issue they needed to face. Telling Karlicov and Nicolai that they claimed Nalia as their woman, that they were now her protectors and hopefully, one day, her husbands.

* * * *