She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (The American Soldier Collection 8)

“And you’re letting her work for this guy and his partner? What if they try something with her or hurt her?” Hunter asked.

“I don’t think this guy had anything to do with the murder. He has an alibi for the time of death and her disappearance. It doesn’t conflict with the coroner’s report of the time of death and circumstances.”

“Great, and she’s working late tonight and there’s no security outside in the parking lot,” Mace told them.

He explained about their conversation.

“One of us should go over there and be sure she’s okay,” Seno suggested.

“We can’t do that. We’re not her boyfriends, yet. It could scare her. She had a bad experience, I think, and that’s why she’s resistant to dating. I think she wants to be friends first and ease into a relationship.”

Justice told them about the short conversation.

“So someone hurt her and she’s distrustful?” Hunter asked.

“Seems that way. She’s really sweet though. I think she’s a good person but fears a repeat bad relationship. The only way to be sure is to get to know her and talk.”

“I agree.”

“Well, so does Sam. He has a plan,” Justice said and then explained it to his brothers.

“Party at Sam’s and his brothers’ sounds like an awesome idea. There’s plenty to do there, including that swimming pool,” Seno stated.

She’s really going to the race Saturday?” Hunter asked.

“That’s what Moira told Sam,” Justice replied.

Justice looked at Hunter, and he could see the concerned expression on his face.

“What’s going on in that head of yours, bro?”

“Nothing,” Hunter replied and then stood up, stretching his leg. He wasn’t wearing a prosthetic device as he reached for the crutches he kept around and started to move toward the kitchen. Hunter was in great physical condition. He was always working out, competing in races, and even Spartan events. He was one of a few amputees that could finish one of those intense races. His brother didn’t let his loss of half his leg from the knee down stand in the way of anything he wanted. However, since meeting Ellie, Hunter seemed discouraged.

“You know she likes you, don’t you, Hunter?” Seno asked before Justice could.

Hunter looked back toward them and stared at all three of them.

“I don’t need sympathy,” he replied.

“Sympathy? You seriously think Ellie feels sympathetic toward you and nothing more? She hardly batted an eye at your leg,” Mace stated.

“She did more than bat her eye. She stood up for me as if I were disabled and unable to fight my own fight. She also turned us down as a whole because I’m not whole. It’s the same ole, same ole. I’m sick and tired of it. You guys move on and be happy. It’s all I really want in this world anymore.”

“Absolutely not. I can’t believe this shit is coming out of your mouth, Hunter. You, the man who doesn’t back down from anything, is telling me that you’re giving up on our dream? You’re no longer interested in sharing one woman and completing this family? Ellie is the first woman to come along who we all are attracted to and are willing to take our time getting to know,” Justice said to Hunter.

“That’s because she’s sweet, and our buddies are good friends with her roommate. If there were no other connections, then the three of you would have seduced her into bed that night at Casper’s.”

“Oh man, you are so wrong. Entirely way off. I thought you had more self-confidence than any man I’ve ever met. Now here you are feeling sorry for yourself, for the fact that you have half a leg despite all you’ve overcome and accomplished? Hell, Hunter, we all have our heavy baggage from the service. Just because the three of us have our limbs and all our parts doesn’t mean we don’t have scars and bad memories. I think Ellie is the one. Call me fucking crazy, but I haven’t even been able to look at another chick since meeting Ellie. And I have access to a lot of sexy, hot chicks willing to rub and tug with a snap from my fingers,” Seno stated, sounding angry as he stood up and began to pace.

“I think we need to calm down here. It’s obvious that Ellie affects us all. It’s not a bad thing. Now, Hunter, just keep an open mind and let’s see if this leads anywhere,” Justice stated.

“That’s easy for you three to say and have such hopes for. I’ve been with a few women since losing my leg. I see that look in their eyes as they avoid looking down, or that expression of pity. It tears right through my heart. None of you get that. After Ray Anne, I just don’t think I have it in me to receive a look like that from Ellie or any other woman the three of you think might be the ‘one.’ Sorry, but it’s just the way I feel.”

Hunter walked out of the room, leaving Justice, Seno, and Mace alone to ponder over his words.

“I didn’t realize how badly he’d been feeling. He puts on such a show, his tough guy, soldier face,” Seno whispered.

“Fucking Ray Ann fucked with his head. We should have seen that, and should have intervened,” Justice added.