Page 37 of The Commander

But this...accusing me of fraternizing with an officer and believing others on base instead of his daughter.

You kissed Noah.

“I’m going to leave.” I waited for my father to say something or apologize, but he didn’t. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him apologize.

My shoulders slumped, and my jaw went taut as I held my tongue for my mother’s sake and then I walked out of the house.

I’d driven home in tears, on the phone to Jeannie, and I’d gone to bed questioning my life. It was then that I first began thinking I should leave the state.

The following week, one of the other female soldiers approached me.

“Parker, got a moment?”

“Sure.”

“Hey, I just thought you should know what I overheard.” She slid a hand into her pocket and leaned against the wall where we sort of huddled. “Some of the guys have a betting system set up to see who can bang you first. The Quinn Parker Challenge.”

My eyes had bulged.

“The what?”

“I heard them talking while waiting for Frank to come out of the gym.” Frank was her boyfriend. “And I know your rule, so clearly the rumor that you fucked Captain Jenkins is bullshit.”

My stomach curdled.

“Complete bullshit.” I nodded.

She straightened. “Thought so. Ignore them. I just thought you should know.”

“Was one of them Brooks?”

“Yeah, that guy has it in for you,” she replied, meaning Tyrell.

After she walked off, I went to the office and put in for my transfer.

It was time to put miles between me and Noah.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

NOAH

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My eyes don’t leave Tyrell as he shifts to stand behind Quinn after she moves. That fucker thinks he can harass her, but he has another thing coming. I’m not under the same restraints as I was when enlisted, and if he’s stupid enough not to work that out, then I’ll be happy to enlighten him.

With my fist.

Not that Josh or Aidan would let me rough the guy up. Not that anyone needs to know it was me.

In saying that, I don’t want to fuck up my new career or upset Quinn. While she despises the guy, I know she wouldn’t like me breaking a few of his limbs.

She would, but she wouldn’t admit it.

“You were emailed the program outline, so should be familiar with what we will be doing over the next fourteen days. There are two free days, so you can leave the compound or stay here and chill,” Josh says, then glances at Cole, Marshall, Ryder, and me. “These are your trainers. All highly experienced warriors.”

Ryder has shown up to see how things are being run, but he’s now heading up the new national bodyguard program, so will be disappearing soon.

I have a feeling Josh would’ve liked the former Delta Force operator to be involved given his background and experience but since Ryder married Savannah and she had their baby, leading time-consuming courses is unlikely to give him the flexibility that he needed or time at home with his wife and baby.