To Dare A SEAL (Sin City SEALs 2)

Lucia smiled. “I know it’s scary, falling for a gorgeous warrior determined to prove he wants a place in your life—trust me, I’ve been there. But when the alternative is walking away from the person you love? From a future where the good outweighs all the bad—past and present—simply because that person is a part of your life? I think the odds are in your favor.”

She shook her head as tears trailed down her cheeks. “Not for me. Good things don’t happen to me. Our parents died in a car crash. Two foster families sent us back. Because of me. And the third—”

“What happened to me was not your fault. If you had been there…” Lucia drew a long shaky breath. “If you had been there, the bastard might have gone after you.”

“I know.” She spent years wishing she’d stayed home, that she’d drawn his anger away from Lucia. “I should have been there that night.”

“No!” Lucia was on her feet the minute the words slipped out, crossing the sitting area and drawing her up into her arms. “I hate what that man did to me. But I have never blamed you. Not once. You were there for me. Always. Even in some of the darkest moments, you were my good thing.”

Tears ran down Natalie’s face, and she clung to her sister. “But I barely got to see you. When you were in the hospital, and then after…”

Lucia drew back and met her teary-eyed gaze. “But even when I was lost in pain and anger, I knew I had a sister who loved me, who would jump to my defense, even going as far as sending her best friend to play bodyguard. I’m just sorry I haven’t been here for you. You deserve the love of a good man, Natalie. You deserve a SEAL.”

“But what if—”

“Shh.” Lucia pressed a finger to her lips. “Stop waiting for the sky to fall.”

She pulled free from her sister’s embrace and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I’m not sure it’s Jack. He…he pushes me out of my comfort zone.”

And yes, she’d chosen those words carefully. She was not about to discuss sexual positions or kinks with the little sister she was just getting to know—or anyone else. Not even Cade. He knew her better than anyone on the planet. But there were some lines they didn’t cross.

Lucia laughed, her eyes, damp from tears, sparkling. “Cade did the same thing. And it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“What if I try and it doesn’t work?” she said softly.

“You’ve still won,” Lucia said firmly. “Because you gave the relationship a shot. And I bet you’ll succeed. I’ve never known you to back down from anything.”

“Just what I need, another bet,” Natalie murmured.

“Even if he breaks your heart,” Lucia continued, clearly pretending she hadn’t heard her. “You’ve got us. I’ll be there to help you pick up the pieces. I promise. And so will Cade. This time, if it all goes to hell, you won’t be alone.”

“You’ll have your hands full with your family.” Natalie nodded to her sister’s stomach.

“You are my family,” Lucia said firmly. “If he hurts you, I’ll be there. And Cade will kick his ass.”

She closed her eyes. If she took the risk and the cloud of doom that seemingly hung over her life let loose a hailstorm, she wouldn’t be alone. That was something. But was it enough to say I trust you to the Prince Charming of Navy SEALs?

Chapter Twenty-One

Jack routinely operated on very little sleep knowing that someone would be waiting to kick his ass at sunrise. But today was different. He planned to let his opponent win. And he’d come bearing gifts for the man who’d likely throw a punch or two first, and then ask about the bakery box.

He stepped off the elevator and found Cade staring out the lobby window with his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts. “Hey man, about last night,” he said when he reached his teammate. “I messed up. I should have insisted on a real, honest conversation with Natalie before the clothes came off and—”

“You should stop right there and open the box,” Cade said.

Jack flipped the white lid off and revealed a dozen doughnuts. Boston cream. Powdered sugar. Glazed. Chocolate. He’d listened to his teammate bitch about the lack of doughnuts when visiting the world’s terrorist hot spots and knew this was his best chance at placating Cade before he started throwing punches on his wedding day.

Cade selected a chocolate glazed. “You do realize that you’d have a better shot at talking to Natalie if you showed up at her door with doughnuts.”

Jack shook his head. “I won’t be showing up at her door again. You have my word on that. Natalie made it clear that she’s done.”

“You’re giving up?” Cade headed for the front doors to the hotel.

“I’m not going to stalk your girl. The bet was bad enough.”

“Yeah.”

Jack followed his teammate out to the valet area where Cade’s Jeep stood. He glanced at his teammate. “Having second thoughts?”