Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
I’m hanging by a thread when I shove open the door and stride out into the weak morning light.
Aria took care of me.
What the living hell?
I barely notice the rain has stopped for the fog in my head. When I glance up, it’s clear this break in the weather is only a small reprieve. Soon we’re going to have more rain filling flooded caves that we need to search for the missing woman.
That’s what I need to be focused on. Not the fact that Aria slept next to me. Touched me. Cared that I was safe.
Fuming, I jerk open the driver’s door of the truck.
“Hey, Scout!”
When I look to my right, following the unwelcome voice, I curse. Dammit. With all the chaos inside, I forgot my boss is here .
I can’t exactly ignore him and Camile. That would be a total dick move, but I’m so strung out and spun up, that would be the smart thing to do.
Beast climbs out of the rental truck he’s been driving and takes a few measured steps toward me. Camile hops out of the passenger side and heads for the terminal without looking my way.
Damage control.
Divide and conquer.
He leans a hand on the truck’s roof. “You okay, brother?”
That’s some nerve.
“Do I look like I’m okay?”
His frown deepens as he inspects me from head to boot. “You look like you finally got some sleep.”
“Guess I needed it. She said I collapsed.”
Beast gives me a suspicious look. “I hope after, not during.”
“Fuck you. I didn’t sleep with her. I mean I slept with her, I didn’t get in her pants.”
Shit, just saying such a callous remark about Aria makes my gut go sour. I really am a jackass.
His left brow goes up as an almost grin tugs at his mouth. “Wouldn’t fault you if you did.”
I stride away, before I tear his head off, rounding the truck to the fucked-all-to-hell side. This bitch needs a bodyshop like I need a cup of coffee.
When he follows me, I give him a look that leaves no doubt I’m unhappy. “Well you should fault me.”
“What’s that mean?”
“She’s Griff’s little sister for starters.”
He stares at me. Shakes his head. Whistles. The trifecta of shock .
“That explains why he’s been blowing up my phone trying to find you two.”
I rest my hands on the hood and hang my head. “That’s gonna be a problem.”
“Only if you let it be.”
I bang my fist against the dented metal. “You don’t know Griff.”
“I know plenty of men like him.”
As I look at Beast, I laugh darkly. “Then you know if he thinks the wrong guy so much as sniffs around his sister he’s going to want blood.”
“What if you prove you’re not the wrong guy?”
Pushing off the truck, I fist my hands in my hair. Which reminds me, I need my damned hat.
“That’s impossible. I am the wrong guy.”
“You’ve been a tight-lipped asshole since you joined the team. I think it’s about time you let me in on what’s going on with you.”
That’s a hard no.
“There’s nothing going on with me.”
“Then why?—”
“Look, I respect the hell out of you as team lead. You’re a great SEAL. An outstanding boss.”
As he studies me, I kick the broken running board, breaking the dangling part loose. After it clangs to the ground, I turn to face Beast.
“But you are not picking apart my sex life. Or anything else about me. I do my job. I get results. You need me to be locked on. Every minute that passes, is another minute that our missing woman needs us.”
“You’re right. We do need you locked on.” Beast crosses his arms and leans against the truck. The fender groans under his weight. “But I need to know you’re okay. ”
“I’m fine. The truck is not.”
The light in his eyes goes hard. I know this topic is far from over, but he cuts me a moment of slack.
Maybe I look as unhinged as I feel.
“You assholes keep destroying our trucks.”
I feel a presence at my elbow—the small feminine kind that smells good and makes my wiring light up—causing me to grit my teeth.
Aria holds her hands up toward me. My baseball cap is in her palms. It’s filled with packs of Twinkies and a plastic bottle of water.
“You should eat and drink water.”
After she shoves the contraband goods at me, she turns to give Beast a lift of her chin. “Technically, I wrecked the truck. Or the bad guy did. He rammed me four times. I got in the way to save your boy’s life. Since I know it’s expensive to replace someone like him, I think that should knock down the cost for me to replace this behemoth. But send me a bill for the balance.”
By the time she finishes, her hands are on her hips.
Beast chuckles.
I do nothing but stare at her because I can’t get a damned thing in my mouth to work.
With one more glittering glare in my direction, she turns to leave. “I’ll be in your boss’s truck since it’s clear you don’t want my company this morning.”
My mouth slides open as my forehead wrinkles.
Hellcat.
When she walks away, Beast grins so hard his face might crack. “Sassy. I like her already. I think I’ll make you two ride back to the ranch together.”