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

“No.”

“Good. You let me know if he calls you, or if you see him when you’re out. I don’t trust that guy, for obvious reasons, but I also don’t trust his friends. He had help getting those charges dropped.”

“I had to drop the charges, Unc. Uncle Brian was killed in the robbery, I was so depressed and felt abandoned and weak.”

“I was there for you to lean on. You should have shared your concerns with me.”

“Unc, I’m sorry. It was just easier to let the assault charges stick than to pursue the entire other charge, drag me through a trial, testifying in front of strangers and everything else that would come from that. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to fight that battle. Besides, like the lawyer said, we were dating, proving rape would be almost impossible even with the assault charges, and the recorded injuries I sustained. I couldn’t handle it physically or emotionally. Not when mourning Uncle Brian. Why the hell are we having this conversation again, anyway?” she asked, feeling frustrated.

“Because Paul contacted you and I know what he did to you that night. He got away with all of it. He even got to keep his job.”

“Well, family ties with politics helps a lot, now doesn’t it? Us lowly servants to the system need to pay our dues and work our asses off. Ya know, the old-fashioned way.”

He shook his head and stared at her.

“Becoming cynical now, too?”

“You must be rubbing off on me.”

“I’m not cynical. I just believe that justice should be served. That little asshole will get his one day. He can’t keep out of trouble.”

“I’m sure you’re right, and I really don’t care either way. Well, I’d better get a move on it. I need to head home, shower, and change and then meet up with the girls.”

“You be careful. Make sure they lock up before they leave that place of yours. Remember when I stopped by a few weeks ago and Donella’s window was unlocked. With her room in the front of the house by the garage, anyone could break in and take her. None of you would hear a thing.”

“I know. I got on her for that and so did Moira and Jessie. I guess I’ll see you next week. Hopefully we can do lunch.”

“I expect that to happen. Family is important, friends come and go.” He stood up and pulled her into a hug.

“Thanks, Unc. Talk to you soon.”

She exited the bar waving a good-bye to some of the regulars as well as to Ray. As she got into her car, she pulled out her cell phone to check it before she started driving. When she saw the multiple texts from her friends, she smiled, but then she saw the one from Paul.

You can’t ignore me. What we had was special. I’ll see you soon.

The tears filled her eyes, and that feeling of uncertainty and fear gripped her chest. Was he messing with her to scare her on purpose, or did he really think that she would forgive him for assaulting her both physically and sexually?

Her therapist’s words popped into her head. “He’s only as strong as you allow him to be. You’re different now. You’re a fighter, a survivor.”

Maybe taking Moira up on her offer to attend those private self-defense clinics should become a priority?

Chapter 2

Ellie was locking up and checking all the windows and doors in their house before they left for the night.

They were dressed pretty sexy, except for Ellie. On their insistence she wore a dress even though she wanted to wear pants. She wore dresses and skirts every day for work. But Moira, Donella, and Jessie were fashion gurus. They knew what the latest styles were down to their Jimmy Choo shoes. Tonight in particular, Donella was sporting a black designer dress that hugged her curves, and she sure did have curves, the trim lining the bottom of the dress where the material bounced against her upper thighs was hot pink. She wore black stilettos that matched with hot pink along the bottoms, and on the strap.

Moira wore her signature green and black. The color matched her eyes and brought out the natural Irish glow of her skin. Then there was Jessie. A Texan through and through, she wore a pretty tight red dress with sequins along her bust line that accentuated her deep cleavage. Wearing her custom-made, designer red-sequined cowgirl boots with high heels made her shapely calves and thighs look amazing.

“Damn, Ellie, that dress fits you like a glove. How come you’ve never worn it before?” Jessie asked her as she joined her in the living room.

“I forgot about it. But Donella was in my closet and just so happened to place it on the bed as a hint.”

“Well, she did good. You have got the perfect figure, for a petite little thing,” Jessie stated, giving her the once-over with a smile.

“Plus she has the boobs to hold up that strapless dress. Never mind the muscular legs to wear those Louis Vuitton heels. Those are so sexy with the strands of beads hanging in the back over the high heel. The colors match the sequins along the trim at the top of the dress,” Moira stated.

“Told you. Now are we ready to go have a great time or what?” Donella asked.