Page 57 of The Commander

There’s my reason.

Dad would love to learn I was involved with Noah and had been to some degree or another all these years. Because I have. But that doesn’t mean I had a hand up the ladder in any way.

Noah hasn’t said it, but I know he thinks I shouldn’t care what others think. That may be true with the likes of Tyrell and some of the other men in my old platoon. I may never see them again.

But my father will always be in my life, and he’s been the one that really mattered all along. Perhaps he shouldn’t, but he’s my dad, and he does.

Whether I like it or not.

“Yeah.” I nod. “Next month he’s discharging with honors.”

When I glance away, I spot Noah standing with his thick, muscular arms crossed, talking to a new guy. His eyes are locked on me, determined, possessive and predatory.

Sadness plows through me.

I’m going to break both our hearts all over again.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

NOAH

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“Let’s do one last pass and check everything again,” I say as Aidan wanders over.

“It’s been done three times, Noah; relax.” Aidan shakes his head. “If it was the cartel, they’ve sent their message and will be done. Some of the guys are beginning reinforcement on the boundary while we start today’s training, so we’re on top of it.”

Bullshit.

I don’t like it.

I know this is a me issue. Seeing Quinn get hurt yesterday pushed my buttons, and knowing she still might be vulnerable does not sit right with me. Even if it was just a fucking cut on her hand.

Being intimate with her last night changed me. If I thought I was protective before, watching her get ready to start some arguably dangerous training today and over the next few days is making me itchy.

Not to mention the way she glanced at me across the field with worry in her eyes. She’s doing way too much thinking. Which is why I got under her defenses last night. Her brain was off; her body turned on. I need to keep her in that heightened state to remind her what she truly wants.

Me.

Us.

A future together.

Josh blows a whistle, and the day kicks off with the trainees broken down into smaller teams. He pairs Quinn with Tyrell, but I keep my mouth shut. They’ve trained together many times before, and if the little shit tries anything, I am here to step in.

In saying that, none of the BHS team will put up with someone picking on or bullying a woman, so a part of me wants him to try and see how it works out for him.

Hint: it won’t.

We start with fire and movement drills where one team shoots blanks at an imaginary enemy while the other team moves to a new position. This is called bounding. Then they switch roles, constantly keeping an eye on potential threats.

The names of those threats are Hayden, Cole and Marshall, who are hidden in different spots, ready to surprise them.

I observe as they do just that, trying not to focus on Quinn as she pops up, takes Cole out and then supports her team to reach their next position.

As I trained her years ago.

Nice work, sweetheart.