Escape from Obsession (The American Soldier Collection 1)
“Yeah, I didn’t think so either. I can’t stay long. I haven’t even been home yet.”
“Did you see Dale, Jim, and Deanna outside?”
“Yes. I wanted to check in with you.”
Duke wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Your cousin is amazing. She has so much patience with kids, too. I thought I was going to lose it.”
Gia chuckled and casually pulled away from Duke’s embrace but not before looking over toward Gunner and Garrett. Teddy peeked at them and saw their pissed-off expressions then them walking over.
“She sure does have a lot of patience. This is a great event. There’s quite a crowd outside.”
“Yeah, I’m going to go check it out now,” Duke said then gave Gia a light tap on her arm in a flirty, teasing manner and she chuckled then shook her head.
“He is gigantic. Holy crap, I bet the bad guys see him coming and just give up on the spot,” she whispered to Teddy.
“Hey, Gia, that was great. It looked like you were having a lot of fun,” Garrett said as he joined them. He immediately placed a kiss on Gia’s cheek and Gunny followed doing the same. Gia blushed and Teddy decided that maybe she did like them and was considering trying to date again.
 
; “Gia, can you come help with the cotton candy machine? It’s running amuck,” Lee said as he stood in the doorway.
“Excuse me, guys,” she said then hurried toward the door and Lee. He was smiling as he placed his arm over her shoulder. Gunny and Garrett made a noise.
“Hey, I wanted to talk with you two.”
“What’s up?” Gunner asked in his very serious and abrupt manner. He was hardheaded and strong willed. All the McCallisters were.
“It’s about Gia.”
“Is everything okay?” Garrett asked.
He eyed them over. He didn’t quite feel comfortable getting involved with this, but he took it as his role. Gia had called him months ago about her situation. She was in danger and dire need and she reached out to him, her only family. Having been through so much, she needed him, the older cousin, to guide her and assist her. She was worth any uncomfortable feelings he might have.
“Well, to be blunt, what are your intentions with my cousin? I mean I know you two and Wes like her. That’s damn obvious by the daggers you send to every guy that’s next to her.”
Garrett looked very serious.
“If she would accept an invite for a date we’d have a better answer for you. I mean we are definitely attracted to her and like her. The three of us have never liked the same woman before.”
“Well, is this something that you’ve considered in the past? A ménage relationship?” Teddy asked, feeling more uncomfortable. His cousin was “hot,” as his son Dale and his friends referred to her. But she wasn’t stuck up or a bad person. She was fearful still.
“We have. We’ve discussed the possibility amongst ourselves. We want her and we’re interested,” Gunny said very firmly and as if Teddy didn’t have the right to ask any further questions.
“Listen, Gunny, I know you’re older than I am, but I’m her only family. When she needed help, she called me. I feel responsible for her. I just wanted to know your intentions and tell you to take things slow. She went through some shit in New York. That’s all I’m saying on the subject. She’s a good woman and a kind woman that has had a lot of struggles in her life. Don’t hurt her, or I’m coming for you,” he said. Enough of the uncomfortable feelings.
“We won’t,” Gunny said.
“We promise,” Garrett added and then they shook hands before heading out of the dojo.
* * * *
“I really don’t want to go there today. I’m tired from the event,” Gia said as she put on a pair of hip-hugger jeans and a camisole with a sheer blouse overlay.
“Come on, Gia. Everyone is going to be there. We don’t have to stay late. We have work tomorrow,” Sammy said.
“I know you like Shane. He and his brothers are going to be there right?”
“Yes, please come with me. I need you. Plus Helena and Kaleigh may be going, too.”