Their Masquerade (The American Soldier Collection 6)

“What?”

“You. Where’s that sweet little angel who left here two years ago all innocent and quiet as a mouse?”

“Working my ass off the last two years and establishing a lucrative career in Europe has made me mature and worldly. So you can stop sugarcoating what happened and spit it out.”

“It’s not your concern, Miss Worldly. And by the way, what did you say to L.T. and Axel to make then leave last night? They care about you.”

“They don’t need to care about me. I’m not a child. I sure as hell wasn’t one when I left here either. They need to know that.”

“Honey, those men know you’re not a child. Every damn male around could see that just by looking at you. You’re beautiful, Mariah. Your parents would be so proud, and Michael, too.” She swallowed hard and looked around the place. It hadn’t changed at all. She wasn’t surprised about the emotional feelings she had coming here. She kept thinking about Michael. She would use the emotions as fuel to accomplish her mission.

“Well, I don’t need them to act like a bunch of big brothers. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I don’t need them.”

“Well, maybe they need you?”

She shot her head up to look at her uncle. He was watching her, and in that way that told her he was trying to read her mind and her body language. He had always been good at telling what was going on in her and Michael’s lives. Michael had confided in him a lot, but it was her that Michael told about distrusting those around her.

“They hardly even called when I was away, and last night they were offering financial support and a place to stay as if I was their sister. I’ve got a lot of money saved, and I’ve had fantastic job offers. They have their lives and one another like always.”

“They’ve had a hard time. Losing Michael was difficult to say the least. L.T., Deacon, Quentin, and Axel have a lot of fears and especially when it comes to you.”

“To me? Why?”

“Because they care.”

“Yeah, well, I got that. It’s nice that they care.”

“I mean, really care. They’re attracted to you, always have been.”

She shook her head.

“No. They don’t see me in that way. They never have. Besides, I’ve been meeting a lot of really nice men who pay me attention, and understand my wants. I can’t give affection to men who aren’t open to receiving it or who see me below their level.”

“Below their level? Damn, Mariah, you might be worldly in your travels and living in Italy and advancing in your career, but you don’t know shit about attraction and love.”

“Attraction and love?”

“Life has thrown all of you some serious heavy hardballs, but each of you has survived. Perhaps giving those men a little understanding will help them admit to their attraction and act on it.”

She pushed away from the counter.

“I’m not having this conversation with you about them. Stop trying to play matchmaker. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. I have meetings this week, interviews at a few corporations in Dallas, and some parties to attend. We live in different worlds now. It would never work. So, let’s get back to the question you have so very sneakily avoided. Who messed you up and why?”

He was silent and he wouldn’t tell her. She wanted to know if it had something to do with Michael’s death. Her gut told her it did. Her uncle was stubborn. It ran through their blood. He was probably trying to get information about DeLacruz. She couldn’t confide in him what she’d found out. He would insist that she stop and forget about it. That wasn’t happening. But as the silence drew on, she felt more unease.

“Just promise me that you’ll be careful. Always be aware of what’s going on around you, and don’t be so willing to trust new people you meet.”

“I know that. Michael taught me well.” She didn’t mention her training by Gustavo, Sienna’s lover’s cousin.

“Well, I’m going to head out for a while.”

“Where are you going exactly?”

“Just around. You know, seeing the old familiar places. I’ll be back in time to help prepare for supper.”

“Bring your cell phone with you. Don’t be going anywhere without people around.”

She turned to look at him, wondering why he was being so protective.