The Greatest Fight of All (The American Soldier Collection 5)

At the same time Galen’s friends came over, and Galen turned to talk to them. Amelia was walking away, along with Regan, when she felt the hand on her arm.

“I want to know your name, baby.” She stared up at him.

“Let go of her arm.” The voice came from behind her and in a flash, she was surrounded by three extra big men and Murphy.

She could hear Regan saying something, but she couldn’t see a thing as these men flanked her, placing her behind them.

“Just being friendly, Mad Dog. No need to come over here with your brothers. This ain’t none of your business,” she heard Buckey say.

“You okay?” She looked to her right and smack into a black shirt. Tilting her head slowly upward, she finally saw the face of the man who asked her if she was okay.

She nodded her head. He looked mean, pissed off, cold as ice, yet his thick build and big muscles made every feminine instinct react.

When she felt the hand grab her hand, she turned toward Regan. “Buckey won’t bother you with my brothers around. Brody, meet Amelia,” Regan said and Brody, the one Amelia knew was called Ice, and for obvious reasons, widened his eyes as if surprised by her name.

She reached out to shake his hand and when their fingers met, she felt a shock of awareness and looked back up into his eyes. Something changed in the deep tone of them. They were dark blue, but almost too dark.

She pulled away and looked back at Regan.

Regan smiled then grabbed her arm and pulled her close.

“I told you that my brothers are big men.”

“Big? Holy crap,” Amelia whispered. Then she heard someone clear his throat and there was a friend of Galen’s.

“I’m Michael. Galen told me you were looking for a dance partner. Care to dance?”

“Hi, Michael. Sorry, but I’m not quite ready to venture onto the dance floor and do the two-step. It’s been years,” she said to the good-looking cowboy. He seemed sweet and completely opposite to the two Haas brothers. Remnants of their dark good looks still lingered in her mind. Michael was not dark, mysterious, or what her body felt as lethal. He was cute. Blond hair, a dimple in his chin, and light green eyes. Why she was comparing, she didn’t know, but she did acknowledge the fact that there wasn’t an instant spark with Michael like there had been with Murphy and Brody.

“We can go out there together,” Regan suggested. She looked up behind Amelia, but before Amelia could turn to see what the exchange was about, Regan smiled.

“Michael, you take it easy on her. Amelia’s out of practice.”

Michael took Amelia’s hand and smiled down at her. “No worries, darling, slow and easy. The way I like it.” He placed a hand on her waist and ushered her toward the large crowded dance floor.

She felt the blush hit her cheeks and realized that cowboys sure knew how to flirt and use their Texas accents. Now hopefully, she wouldn’t fall flat on her face and make a complete ass out of herself. This Yankee was going to show them that she could do the two-step like a pro.

A quick glance over her shoulder and she saw the four men staring at her. She nearly tripped on the small step that brought them up to the dance floor but Michael grabbed her tight.

“Don’t be nervous, sweetheart, I’m right here with you.” He turned her backward and off they went. She looked up, uncertain why her eyes zeroed in on the Haas brothers one more time. Mad Dog and Ice looked lethal, and the other two, whom she hadn’t met, were just as fierce looking. One had his Stetson real low and he kind of looked familiar. It was hard to see. As Michael began showing her the two-step, she caught sight of the men again. Her heart nearly stopped as she realized that the one brother with bruises on his cheek and near his eye was the same guy from the airport. She swallowed hard as Michael pulled her closer.

* * * *

“That’s Amelia?” Ricky asked then took a slug of beer and watched her just like his brothers were. He heard Sniper whistle.

“Wow,” he said, staring at the woman. His brother appeared as if he knew what she looked like or something, but Brody knew Sniper had never met Amelia.

“Tell me about it. The first time I met her today, she was wearing a bikini,” Mad Dog stated, and his three brothers looked at him. Ricky felt his insides clench up. He didn’t know why.

“You met her today?” Ricky asked.

Mad Dog didn’t take his eyes off the dance floor or Amelia. A quick glance in that direction and Ricky could see Michael trying to help Amelia do the two-step. His hand was on her lower back, way lower than it had to be.

They didn’t say another word, but as Ricky looked at his brothers, their expressions grew darker and they seemed pissed off.

“So it looks like Regan and Galen are an item,” Ricky said to his brothers. They made some annoyed sounds.

“I don’t like it,” Sniper stated.