Baby Love (The American Soldier Collection 14)

“What’s wrong? What’s going on?” she asked, and Freeman got out of the parking lot and headed out of town.

Atlanta kept his eyes on the road and kept glancing behind them. She saw a few more police cruisers and deputy cars speeding into town.

“Nalia and some friends, plus men from Viktor’s team, were in town on the other side. Someone took her whil

e she was in a dressing room,” Freeman said to her.

Nina covered her mouth and gasped. “Oh, God, no. Who was it? Does anyone know? How did they find her?”

“We don’t know, but we’re not taking any chances,” Atlanta said to her.

She felt the tears reach her eyes, and then she couldn’t help but let them fall. “Did these same people kill Zinc and Cobra? Is that what Viktor thinks?” she asked him.

“We don’t know anything. We got the order to keep you under guard. An investigation is still ongoing in your brother’s death. This is a precaution,” Freeman said to her.

She looked at Atlanta then back out the window. “I hope they find Nalia. That poor woman. She’s been through so much.”

Freeman placed his hand on her knee and gave it a squeeze. “They’ll find her, and the ones responsible will pay for it.”

Nina was shocked at the feel of Freeman’s hand on her knee and the bolt of attraction she felt immediately. His warm, hard hand was huge over her knee, making her core tighten and her look to him in shock. He must have felt it, too, as he looked at her, then away, and then stared at the road as he tried to drive and concentrate. She wiped her tears from her eyes. Atlanta opened the glove box and pulled some tissues out of it. He handed them to her. She swallowed hard and held his gaze.

“Thank you.”

“No more town, and no more flirting with guys. Anyone could be in disguise. Anyone,” he scolded.

“I wasn’t flirting with anyone. They started a conversation with me.”

“You were pretending to be shy. Just cool it. This isn’t Chicago. No hooking up with anyone and making your way through the town,” Atlanta said, and she was shocked. Freeman parked the truck, and she turned in her seat to look at Atlanta.

“You are such an asshole,” she said to him, and he looked smug.

“Truth hurt?” he said and got out of the truck.

She slid out quickly and followed him.

“It’s not the truth, and you don’t know anything. You’re wrong. Dead wrong,” she yelled at him. He turned around to face her.

“You’re the one who is invading my vacation. I’m not going to babysit you and protect you while you choose the next stray guy to shack up with. You’re not allowed back in town. That’s final.”

She growled she was so angry at him. Why was he being such a jerk to her? She was insulted, pissed off, and felt compelled to defend herself.

The storm door slammed closed, and there stood Corona and Jessup.

“Thank God she’s okay. It’s a fucking mess on the other side of town. No one saw shit. We need to keep Nina inside, just in case this is somehow connected,” Corona said, and Nina saw him look at her, and then Jessup gave her the once-over.

She didn’t have her blouse on, only the camisole, and her breasts were pouring from the top, thanks to Atlanta pulling her out of the boutique in town before she was fully dressed.

“She’s fine,” Atlanta snapped.

“Corona, I don’t want him near me.”

Corona widened his eyes, and Atlanta turned around, pulled off his sunglasses, and stared down at her. “Why not?”

She held Atlanta’s gaze. “Because he’s delusional.”

“I’m delusional?” Atlanta asked and pointed at himself.

She stepped closer. “Yeah, you are. You have no clue about anything. You ramble on, spewing fire and shit in your path, and you expect respect? Ha!”