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

“How come you don’t have a lot of clothes and personal items? Did you leave things at home in New York?” Ricky asked as Murphy stood by the doorway, arms crossed, leaning against the door frame.

Amelia went about pulling items out and adding them to dresser drawers.

“I don’t have a home back in New York. I had an apartment but that was it. I basically left all the household items there.”

“Don’t women usually have a lot of clothes and shoes?” Ricky asked. “You have barely anything.” It was obvious to Murphy that Ricky wasn’t buying her story.

She turned to look at him then sat on the edge of the bed.

“Listen, Ricky, I have the bare necessities. Things were tough for me back in New York, which is none of your business really. I told you that I didn’t need a lot of help because I don’t have a lot of personal belongings.”

She was filled with attitude. Murphy noticed she had been this way since leaving Regan’s apartment. He had a feeling that she was attracted to them, but was fearful. He couldn’t help but wonder why.

She stood up and began to walk out of the bedroom and brushed by him as she did.

The scent of her perfume and the concern in her eyes spoke volumes. He grabbed her hand to stop her and she froze in place.

She wouldn’t look up at him. He felt her shaking. She was nervous.

“Darlin’, we’re just trying to get to know you, that’s all. Don’t be afraid of us. We’re good men.”

She slowly looked up toward him.

“Murphy, I need my privacy. I don’t want to talk about New York.”

He wanted to push for answers but knew he couldn’t. He released her hand and followed her out to the living room. Ricky followed and walked over toward the one remaining blue plastic bin.

“What’s in here?” Ricky asked as he began to undo the lid to peek inside.

“No. Don’t open that.” She walked over toward it.

“A secret, huh? Maybe it has some clues to what you’re all about, Amelia,” Ricky teased, but Amelia didn’t take a liking to his brother’s teasing.

“I’ll take care of that one later. You guys can leave. I’ll handle things from here.”

Ricky pulled Amelia into his arms. “How about a little break?” He looked about ready to kiss her.

“No. No break, no fooling around, Ricky. I’m not interested.”

“You didn’t like my kiss before in the elevator? It seemed like you did because I sure enjoyed it.”

“You’re a good kisser, and you’re also good at seduction, but I can’t get involved with either of you.”

“Why not?” Murphy asked. He didn’t move closer to her. His gut warned him that something was up. But what?

“I don’t date,” she said then shyly turned away.

“Honey, did you forget that we were present for Paul’s conversation with you?” Ricky asked.

“I don’t date men like you.”

Ricky raised his eyebrows and Murphy felt insulted. What the hell did she mean by that? “Men like us? You mean men that like to share their woman with their brothers and cater to her every whim?”

She swallowed hard and pulled away from Ricky. She walked a few steps away and wrapped her arms around her waist.

“I don’t date men who were in the military. It’s a rule I have.”

There she went again, getting under his skin.