Page 96 of What Doesn't Kill You…

He frowned a little, concentrating. "I know that," he said at last. "You're the warrior. I'm your protector. Aren't I?"

"No, Alan. I'm a former cop and you're a former soldier." She hesitated, wondering if it was wise to push him. Who knew what would happen if she challenged his delusions. "You know you've done some things you shouldn't have, don't you?"

"I've only ever taken out the enemy, Ma'am," he said defensively.

And at some point, between one of his stays in hospital, Alan had decided that anyone who harmed her was the enemy. There was no reasoning with him. He was firmly in his own little world. She looked back at the house, at Max, and at the bastard beating him while Damien Poole sipped his scotch and watched with glee.

"I can't ask you to go in there, soldier," she said. "This is my battle, and I won't have you harmed because of it."

He straightened his shoulders. "I'm here to protect you, Ma'am."

Although he clearly believed what he was saying, she still couldn't drag him into harm's way. Alan Thomas needed help, not more danger.

"In that case," she said. "Your orders are to stay outside and man the perimeter. Am I clear?"

He nodded slowly.

"Don't let anyone past you," she said firmly. "I'm counting on you to have my back."

"Understood, Ma'am." For a second, she thought he might salute, but he didn't.

"Do you have any weapons on you?"

He lifted his fists.

Yep, exactly as she'd thought. He was a man who liked hand-to-hand combat. Had probably excelled at it during his training too, if what he’d left behind was any evidence.

"You know my team, don't you?" she asked.

"Your army? Yes."

"If you see them, fill them in on what's happened."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Violet indicated the far corner of the house, which gave her a better angle of approach toward the study. From there, she could sneak up to the patio doors and open them before Damien realized she was coming.

“We'll move to that position, and then I'll go inside,” she told him. "Don't come in after me. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am." The rain poured down his face, but he didn't seem to notice.

She glanced back at Max and felt sick at the sight of his bruised face.

"Remember," she said. "It's your job to stop more of Damien's men from getting into the building." Not that there would be many outside in this weather anyway. "And if you see my team, update them."

"Understood," he said.

"Then it's time to head out." There was nothing else she could do to keep him from harm's way.

Violet ducked under some low-lying branches and crouched as she made her way to the corner she'd picked out. She didn't look back to see if her stalker obeyed her. She didn't have time.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Max was going to vomit. The room was spinning and every muscle in his body hurt. He could taste blood, tangy and metallic, in his mouth, and one of his eyes was swollen shut. So much for his grand plan to bring Poole down.

"Stop," Damien ordered as he came out from behind his desk.

The henchman stepped back without a word, but Max saw his smile. He was pleased with his work.