Their Masquerade (The American Soldier Collection 6)

He walked toward the row behind her as Jeb sat on her right and Deacon sat on her left. Quentin and Axel sat on either side of him. They all automatically surrounded her to protect her. As the prayer began, L.T. closed his eyes and focused on his own memories of Michael. Another lost soul. Another good guy leaving the earth too soon. It made him question his own existence and his own mortality. Was there more he wanted in this life? Was there a woman to share what time he had left with, or had his sole commitment to the military, and now his job, taken precedence over everything? He couldn’t help but to stare at Mariah’s platinum blonde hair that flowed down her back in healthy waves. But as the reverend mentioned Michael’s name again, L.T. cleared his head. This was his best friend’s baby sister. He couldn’t give a woman like her what she needed. Besides, he couldn’t even make love to a woman without his team with him.

They all became dependent on one another in that aspect. They feared the one-on-one contact and that feeling of giving into their emotions, their weakness, and exposing themselves unprotected.

They’d learned to feed off of one another, and bring fulfillment to each of them as they brought a woman to exuberant pleasure. Mariah was too good for that. She was too sweet, too petite to handle their hard ways. Plus, Michael would kill them.

He had to stop lusting over Mariah. She was finishing up college, trying to establish a career and they were too old for her anyway. She was off-limits forever.

* * * *

“I feel terrible. I know the guys are so upset. Garrett said that if you need anything at all, he, Gunner, and Wes will get here as quickly as they can,” Gia Marie told Mariah. Michael had been in the service with Garrett. They had been friends ever since, and he loved going to their family restaurant and bar, Casper’s.

That’s how Mariah had met them and Gia Marie.

“I appreciate that, Gia. I know it has to be tough on Garrett and the others. They went through war and some seriously dangerous missions to get back home safe and sound. I can’t believe that a shootout with the bad guys took Michael’s life.”

“Neither can any of us,” Gia Marie whispered then gave Mariah a hug. She sure did appreciate the kindness and the support of such good friends and family. Living out here, where there were so many retired military just trying to live their lives and put the horror of war behind them, made times like this a bit more bearable.

Gia Marie walked away, and Mariah glanced over toward Deacon Rayas, one of Michael’s close friends and troops. He was in a dead stare at her and gave a small smile. Just as she was about to smile back, feeling her entire body hum with a sexual awareness of him, she heard Randy’s voice.

“I finally got a chance to talk with you. You’ve been such a good host.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. It was the third or fourth time he had done so. She looked past him to see Deacon again, but he was gone. Her heart sunk with disappointment. She really had a major crush on all four Marines.

Mariah listened to Detective Randy Rimarez as he tried to flirt with her. She was so tired, as she shifted her feet to try and place more weight on her other foot, when really she felt as if she could collapse. It had been a long day, and tomorrow would be the most difficult.

“I just can’t believe that Michael is gone,” Randy whispered and he ran his hand over the back of his neck as he hung his head. “He was such a good friend.” Mariah took his hand and squeezed it, offering some support to him, even though she felt about ready to crash. This is what she had been doing the last few days.

He looked at her. “You’re so strong, Mariah, and you don’t have to be. We can be here for one another.” He lowered his voice and then reached up and caressed his thumb against her cheek.

She wasn’t totally surprised by his flirting, even now, during this somber time. Her silence must have made him realize that she wasn’t ready for this conversation of the hidden innuendoes, because he asked another question.

“So, when are you headed back to school?” he asked as he nibbled on his lower lip and stared at her so intently. She swallowed hard.

“I’m going to stay here for another week to help out Uncle Jeb. I have midterms coming up, and a lot to accomplish if I want to complete my degree earlier.”

“You’re amazing, Mariah. Smart and beautiful,” he said then winked as he gave her one of his very sexy smiles. She had to admit that Randy was a good-looking man, but she really didn’t date much. Because she had blonde hair, blue eyes, and was raised on a ranch, guys thought she was easy and naive.

“I appreciate the compliment. I’ll be glad when I graduate and then get a job.”

She thought about Michael, and his words of advice. He had been so proud of her and her accomplishments. They’d lost their parents when he was away in the service and he felt terrible for not being there for her. Truth was, things hadn’t been great between their parents, and they fought a lot. They were arguing that night when they had the car accident.

She instantly felt such a loss. How was she going to go on without Michael?

Mariah felt the hand on her arm. She looked up to see Randy caressing her.

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; “Hey, are you okay? You zoned out for a second.”

She nodded her head and began to feel really numb with all the emotions. Her head began to spin, and she didn’t want to pass out. Not now. Not in front of all these people and especially not in front of L.T., Axel, Quentin, and Deacon. They would think she was immature and weak. That was definitely the opposite of what she wanted them to think of her.

She placed her hand over Randy’s.

“Will you excuse me, please?”

“Do you need me to come with you?” he asked.

“I’m good. Thank you.”

Mariah walked away from him and headed toward the stairs. She gripped the railing and prayed that she wouldn’t stumble. Before she reached the top of the stairs, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist and lift her up. Gasping, she grabbed on to the muscular body, relieved to see Axel.