Page 6 of Protecting Bree
Thereissomething between us.
He wasn’t wrong. There was definitely something between them. It was confusing and kind of scary, considering she didn’t know him. Not really. But she knew she couldn’t leave Riverton before figuring out exactly what it was that drew them together.
It was dumb. And she was weak. She was bringing danger to his doorstep, yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave.
Sighing, she turned onto her side.
That small sound made Smiley open his eyes. “You good?” he asked sleepily.
“Yeah,” she whispered.
“You uncomfortable? You could move to my bed.”
Lust shot through Bree so fast, it made her suddenly uneasy. Thinking about being in this man’s bed came with visions of sharing it withhim, both of them naked and having wild, crazy sex. He wouldn’t be an easy lover. He’d be demanding and forceful. And she’d love every second.
“I’m fine here,” she croaked.
He made some sort of noise in the back of his throat that she took as acceptance.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?” he asked.
“I just…habit,” Bree explained quietly. “When I slept in my car, I was constantly on alert. Every light I saw, I thought it might behimcoming to get me. Every noise was him breaking into my vehicle. It’s hard to trust that I’m safe. He’s out there. Waiting. Watching.”
Smiley sat up, and Bree realized she shouldn’t have said anything. Should’ve just made up some lame excuse and let him go back to sleep. It was still a couple hours until the time he normally left for the base, but Smiley looked wideawake now, and she hated that she’d disrupted his rest. He didn’t get enough as it was.
“I hope hedoesshow up,” he said in a low, menacing tone.
It should’ve freaked her out; instead, it ramped up her arousal. This man…he wasintense. And apparently she was a sucker for a bad boy. For a dangerous man.
No, that wasn’t true. She normally didn’t go for assholes. Or men who made her nervous. Smiley was both, and yet she knew down to her core that he wouldn’t hurt her.
“Anyone who contributes to the assault and exploitation of women—hell, of humans in general—is the lowest of the low. The scum of the earth. We’re all on the same rock trying to live our lives, and no one has the right to use or abuse someone else for their personal gain. Whether that be money or to sate their lust. And rape is the worst offense a man or woman can commit in my eyes. Iwantthe guy who’s after you to find you. So I can rip off his head and shit down his throat.”
Bree couldn’t help it. She chuckled.
“You think that’s funny?” Smiley asked, scowling.
“No. Yes. I don’t know! I mean, I’ve heard that quote in a few movies, but never heard anyone say it in real life.”
“I’m being serious,” he insisted.
Bree sobered. “I know. Thank you.”
“Shit. I can’t believe we’re having this conversation,” he bitched under his breath.
That made Bree struggle to hold back another chuckle.
“And she’slaughing,” Smiley said with a roll of his eyes.
But Bree could tell that he wasn’t upset. In fact, if she was reading him right, it seemed as if he was…pleased? She had no idea what he was so happy about, but after spending so much time with Carl and rarely being able to please him, making Smiley happy, even in the middle of the night when they should be sleeping, felt amazing.
“Can you tell me what the plan is? I mean, to try to fix this mess I’ve found myself in?” Bree asked in a small voice. She needed to know. Was the kind of person who didn’t do well with surprises.
“In the morning, I’m going to call a former SEAL named Tex Keegan. He’s a computer genius. Get him on this. Try to figure out who your fucktard ex sold you to. Get a tracker or two, so if the worst happens and youdoget taken, Tex’ll be able to tell us where you are and we can come get you. Need to get your car detailed too, even though you aren’t going to be driving it for a while.
“As soon as possible, I’m going to introduce you to Addison and MacGyver, to set up a meet-and-greet with Ellory and Yana. I’m sure all the other women will want to meet you too. And I want to call Fiona and Cookie. Maybe Julie and Hurt. Both women were kidnapped by human traffickers and taken to Mexico quite a few years ago. I feel like talking to them might be of some use to you. And Josie, Blink, Remi, and Kevlar are getting married in a couple weeks, and they’re having a huge shindig at Aces Bar and Grill. We’ll go to that. You can meet and get to know everyone.”
“To each other?”
