She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (The American Soldier Collection 8)

“Hi,” she said and totally didn’t introduce him to the three men, or even acknowledge them any further. Nor did Moira, Donella, and Jessie who seemed upset to say the least.

As Justice took Ellie’s hand to lead her down the stairs, Seno took in the sight of her. She looked gorgeous with her snug-fitting green sundress and strappy heeled sandals. Justice wrapped an arm around her waist and laid his hand possessively over her lower back and near her ass. Seno chuckled. His brother just couldn’t resist. She was that appealing.

“Is Hunter nervous?” Moira asked him and Donella.

“If he is, he’s not letting on. I think once he gets through the first race and can place in the finals he’ll be good,” Seno told them.

As Donella and Jessie walked ahead of them, Seno spoke to Moira.

“Who were those three guys talking with Ellie back there? None of you seemed thrilled to see them.”

Moira rolled her eyes. “They’re friends with an old acquaintance of Ellie’s.”

“Acquaintance?” he asked, raising one eyebrow at her.

“Her ex’s cousins. Although the three of them are very interested in Ellie for themselves. No need to worry though, Ellie blows them off every time they approach her, call, or text her. She’s not interested.”

“And her ex? Is he around here, too?” he asked, glancing around them.

She paused and looked toward Ellie, her expression changing. She seemed nervous. He stopped her from walking.

“Moira, what is it? Is he around here? Is there need for concern?”

She swallowed hard and placed her hand on Seno’s arm. “It’s not my place to say anything about her ex. I like you and your brothers. Please take things slow. If you push her, or come across too strongly, she’ll run. She’s been through hell, a living nightmare, and the last thing she needs, or will accept right now, is any show of dominance and control.”

Donella called her name and Moira smiled and then headed toward her seat. Seno glanced at Justice who took a seat next to Ellie. Their brother, Mace, was kissing her cheek hello and smiling.

Seno felt his chest tighten. It seemed their little spitfire had a painful past of her own. Could he and his brothers be patient with her as Moira suggested, or would their natural, dominant personalities scare her away?

He looked at Justice, who saw his concerned expression. “Everything okay?” he asked.

“Later. We’ll talk later,” he whispered as the announcer began the opening ceremonies.

* * * *

Ellie became excited the moment she had seen Seno and Justice. It was great timing to boot, considering that Paul’s cousins spotted her and took the opportunity to hug her hello, caress their hands over her ass, and whisper how hot she looked. Those guys had no limitations. They knew what their cousin had done to her, and even afterward, when they stopped by to be supportive, they were already flirting and indicating that they were interested in her and would treat her the way a woman should be treated. Such jerks.

The sight of Justice and Seno totally, rudely interrupting the chance meeting, was appreciated, even if they didn’t know what they were doing. Justice and Seno were way bigger than those men and they looked damn good. Justice and Seno wore blue jeans and tight T-shirts that showed off their muscular bodies. Both shirts had law enforcement logos on them in support of their department, and the team that Hunter was running for. She saw Hunter’s matching shirt as well as Mace’s. As Justice walked her down the stairs, taking her hand in a possessive manner, she felt that tingling awareness and acceptance to the feel of his large hand encasing her small one. But what shocked her most, and had her pulling her hand away, was the deep feeling of protectiveness, as well as physical attraction to him. She shared that same feeling when Seno kissed her hello, and now, when Mace placed a hand against her cheek and told her how beautiful she looked before he kissed her cheek.

She spotted Hunter standing near the track. He wasn’t the only amputee running in the race. There were four of them and the other thirty or so were regular guys, or at least guys with both legs. She took in the sight of the metal leg, and thin silver arc that was in place of his leg and foot. Mace whispered next to her ear. He told her about the prototype, and about the special prosthetic device

s that were available to men and women in the military who lost a limb while serving. There were plenty of others around them, and a sense of pride, respect, and also compassion overtook her mind. These men and women were no different than any other men or women who served. They were now dealing with their injuries the best way they could.

She looked around the crowd and saw families supporting their mothers, fathers, or spouses, and one little girl who jumped up into her father’s arms caught her attention. The man, a soldier who Justice waved to, had only one arm and one leg. Yet he held his daughter up against his chest, a huge smile on his face and hers as he introduced her to other runners. She watched Hunter, standing alone, looking very serious, and she was certain if she were closer that she would see the sadness in those eyes as well.

As everyone stood for the national anthem, she watched in awe as everything stopped. No one moved or spoke as a young teenage girl sang the anthem in front of the very large crowd of people.

When it was over, everyone cheered, the excitement of the race beginning momentarily.

“Damn, I can’t believe Theo is here. That fucking guy is fast,” Mace stated toward Justice and Seno.

“I know. Hunter saw him. I hope he doesn’t let that guy in his head. It’s tough enough that no one with a handicap has ever won this race,” Mace added.

“What?” she asked, shocked at the news. She figured with all the different people racing that it could go either way.

“No amputee has ever won this particular race before. If he wins this, it will be a great achievement for Hunter,” Justice told her as he took her hand, squeezed it, and held her gaze.

She looked back toward Hunter, who just so happened to glance up into the crowd at them.