Page 1 of Protecting Bree
CHAPTER ONE
Jude “Smiley” Stark stared at the woman sleeping on his couch. He couldn’t believe he’d found her…or rather, she’d foundhim. And for the second time, she’d played a huge part in saving the lives of his teammates’ loved ones.
Without Bree Haynes, Ellory and Yana might have ended up in a shipping container, sold for their organs. The two kids owed their lives to Bree for leading the bad guy away when they were hiding from him. Smiley hated that she’d taken a beating for her heroic actions. He could still see the almost-healed bruises on her face…and he was sure she had more all over her body, as well.
Then there was yesterday, when she’d snuck into the backseat of the car owned by the man who’d kidnapped Kelli, texting Smiley directions as to their location, thus allowing him and Flash to arrive in the nick of time to prevent the asshole from killing his teammate’s woman.
Bree was reckless. Impulsive. Didn’t think before she acted.
And he’d never been more in awe of anyone in his entire life.
Ever since he’d met her in Las Vegas—after Josie’s dead ex-boyfriend’s psycho mother sold her to a man who had connections in the sex slavery industry—he’d been hooked.
There was just something about Bree that had captured him and wouldn’t let go.
And now she was here.
In his living room.
Sleeping on his couch.
He’d actually demanded she take his bed, but in the end she’d proven more stubborn than he was.
Smiley had been looking for her ever since that fateful night in Vegas, when she’d been tied up in the back of a car, scared out of her mind. He freed her—and then she’d disappeared into the chaos of that night. And even though Smiley had been irritated and frustrated that he wasn’t able to find her after months of searching, he was also impressed. She’d done a very good job of staying under the radar. In fact, he’d venture to say that if she hadn’t come to Riverton, hadn’t gotten involved in the lives of his friends, he might never had found her at all.
Which led to the question…why had she done it?
Why come to Riverton? Why track him down? Why help his friends?
Why not run to the opposite side of the country?
And why was the man who’d “bought” her—Smileyhatedthat in today’s day and age, humans were still buying and selling other humans—so bound and determined to get his hands on her?
Smiley had so many questions, and the only person who might be able to answer them was Bree.
A part of him wanted to shake her. Make her sit up and talk to him again. But now wasn’t the time. She was exhausted. He’d seen it in her face and body language while questioning her earlier, even though she’d tried to hide it.
Smiley was tired too, but he was afraid that if he went to bed, he’d wake up in the morning and Bree would be gone. He’d lose his mind if that happened. So he was going to keep his ass right here in the living room and watch her sleep.
“Why are you called Smiley?”
He jerked in surprise, caught off guard. Bree was awake. And he’d had no clue. Her breathing hadn’t changed. She hadn’t shifted.
Making a mental note that this woman was more observant than he’d given her credit for—which was stupid, considering all the things she’d done recently—Smiley leaned back in the easy chair and shrugged. “Because of my outgoing personality?”
Bree’s eyes opened and even in the dim light of his apartment, Smiley saw her hazel gaze zero in on him with an accuracy that made him realize she’d probably been awake for much longer than he’d thought. “No offense…but no,” she said with a small smile.
Smiley blinked. Had he ever seen this woman smile before? Nope. She’d never had any reason to smile the few times they’d interacted.
And very suddenly, he wanted to see her happy, smiling, more than he wanted anything. More than he wanted information. More than he wanted to catch bad guys.
More than he wanted to be a Navy SEAL.
Thatwas…disconcerting.
“It’s sarcasm,” he blurted, sounding more curt than he’d intended. “One of my drill sergeants commented on how I wasn’t exactly Mr. Smiley, and it stuck. How long?”
She frowned, and went to sit up on the couch.
