Page 78 of Protecting Bree
She snorted at that. “Ialreadymiss you, and you haven’t even left yet.”
Smiley looked into her eyes. “I’m not losing you again,” he declared, somewhat dramatically.
Bree couldn’t stop the small smile that formed on her lips.
He looked confused. “What? That wasn’t funny in the least.”
“You didn’t lose me the first time. I was kidnapped. By assholes.”
It was his turn for his lips to twitch. “Semantics.”
“Go, Smiley. Before I change my mind and become someone I don’t like. A weak, begging, pathetic woman who can’t function without her man in sight.”
“Don’t do that again,” Smiley said sternly, all humor gone from his expression and his tone.
“Do what?”
“Denigrate yourself. You aren’t weak or pathetic. And if youdidbeg me not to go, I’d never hold it against you. Not after everything you’ve been through.”
Bree swallowed hard and nodded.
Carefully, Smiley moved her to the side and put her asson the wooden board he’d been using as a seat. Then he began to move other boards and debris around the small area.
“What are you doing?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“Arranging things so if someone does happen to look in here, all they’ll see is junk. If you hear something, don’t move. Stay as silent and still as possible. But if someone discovers you, scream. As loud as you can. I’ll hear you and come running and kill whoever it is who dared put their hands on you.”
Bree frowned. That made her remember what he’d done back at the port. “I’m sorry you had to kill those men.”
“Why? I’m not.”
The three words made Bree blink. Whywasshe apologizing? Yes, those men might have families, people who relied on them. But they were also working for Mateo. Were going to take her to his jungle compound and most likely take part in sexually assaulting her.
“I have no remorse over killing anyone who puts one fucking hand on you. If that’s not something you can live with…I’m sorry, but…tough. And I’m not saying I’ll lose my shit in the future if someone does something stupid in a bar. I’m talking if they hurt you. If they try to force themselves on you. They’re dead.”
Smiley was definitely not the easygoing, fun kind of guy the rest of his teammates seemed to be. Yes, they were all Navy SEALs and had probably killed bad guys. But Smiley had an edge the others didn’t. And Bree might be crazy, but she loved him all the more for it. Because when hedidshow his gentler side…it made her melt. “All right.”
He stared at her for a beat, then asked, “All right?”
“Yes,” she told him with a nod. She wanted to smile at the ridiculousness of their conversation. How so much could be shared with a few simple words was beyond her. But with Smiley, nothing surprised her.
“I’ll be back,” he told her firmly.
Bree’s first instinct was once again to protest, but she took a deep breath instead and simply nodded.
But he hesitated. “I only have one tracker on me,” he said softly.
Bree frowned.
“I’d give it to you in a heartbeat, but it’s sewn into my boxers.”
“It’s okay, Smiley.”
“It’s not. The team brought extras but they’re in my pack.Fuck. I’m such an idiot.”
Bree hated how hard he was being on himself. “You’re not an idiot. You’re my man. My SEAL. And you found me. I trust you, Smiley.”
“I love you,” he whispered, running the backs of his fingers down her cheek in a barely there caress.
