Page 17 of Too Guarded to Love

Adozen questions clamored for attention in Olivia’s drug-induced mind as the doctor stitched up her shoulder.

Because of a freaking bullet wound.

She pushed that incredulity, and the million-dollar questions about who shot her and why, back into the haze and focused on something even more mind-boggling.

How the hell had the stranger in the rain, in a beach town way outside of DC, managed to be her brother’s super soldier teammate?

She’d heard about playboy Captain Nicolas Romero. Saw the Green Beret’s photo in the Department of Defense’s press release about their program to repurpose special forces amputees into security jobs. If it hadn’t been raining and dark tonight, if thunder hadn’t boomed when he’d introduced himself, she may have recognized him before she…

Oh God. If the nurse wasn’t holding one hand and the other wasn’t numb, she’d bury her face in her arms. Instead, she shook her head.

The doctor’s stool squeaked. “We’re almost done stitching you up. You’re lucky the bullet went through and didn’t damage anything vital.”

Oh, there’d been damage all right. She’d nearly treated her brother’s best friend to a blow job. She should have introduced herself as Kane’s sister the moment realization hit, but his arm was as beautiful as his face and as fascinating as his chiseled torso.

She’d only seen her brother a handful of times since VIPER had given him a bionic leg and reason to boast about being a super soldier. As a sister, she laughed at his cockiness as she thanked the Department of Defense with all her heart for giving her brother the gift of mobility and a second chance at his career. As a surgeon, she wanted to know every nuance about the medical marvel attached to his hip, but she wasn’t getting that close to her brother’s crotch, even in the name of science.

As a woman, she couldn’t stop herself when she discovered who Nic was. The whole man was a work of art. Her examination of his arm hadn’t been born from mere curiosity. She’d been drawn to him, like a force called her to learn the secrets of not just the sleek black metal that made him something extraordinary, but the man beneath. When the part of him hidden by his boxers made an appearance, she’d needed one more taste before she confessed her name and broke the connection she felt to her core.

And when her brother found out she’d seduced his teammate, he was going to kill her.

Let Joe handle it.

Keep her safe.

“Fuck it.” Nic pushed open the double doors to the waiting area as he cursed Olivia and his sense of responsibility.

Rounding the corner, he spotted Joe by the intake desk. Gloria stood beside him as Jonathan Garrity, Nic presumed, spouted credentials and demanded to see his fiancée.

Good luck with that. Gloria would cut this guy down so quickly there’d be blood on the floor when she was through with him.

Nic shoved his hand into his pocket as he inched closer. He didn’t need Gloria or his superpowers to deal with the arrogant ass in the expensive-looking charcoal suit. He didn’t need intimidation either. Instead, he employed a survival skill he’d picked up long before he’d joined the military—listening.

Gloria hugged her tablet against her chest. “I understand you’re worried about your fiancée. Since you are the most well-known, well-respected neurosurgeon in Atlanta, as you mentioned, I’m sure you understand privacy laws.”

Joe hooked his thumbs on his utility belt. “If Dr. Darren is here, and if she agrees to share information with you, we will be in contact.”

Jonathan didn’t bother to mask his irritation as he brushed his hand over his silver-speckled brown hair. “If my fiancée is here, I deserve to know. She shouldn’t be alone.”

Nic stepped next to Gloria. “Olivia’s not alone.”

Something flashed in Jonathan’s muddy-brown gaze. Was that recognition? Nic was sure he’d never met the guy before.

Jonathan held out his hand. “I’m Dr. Jonathan Garrity, Olivia’s fiancée. And you are?”

“A friend who knows nothing about a fiancée.” Nic shoved his steel deeper into his pocket. “And I didn’t see a ring on her finger.”

Jonathan dropped his hand as he lowered his gaze to Nic’s hip.

Good. The jerk had noticed the handshake snub. Nic only let people he liked touch his steel.

Jonathan shoved his own hand in his pocket and withdrew a cell phone. “Olivia and I have both been busy. We haven’t even had a chance to announce our engagement yet or look at rings, but I assure you she’s mine.”

Nic prayed she wasn’t. He didn’t want to add “cheater” to the list of reasons Dr. Olivia Darren spelled trouble, and he didn’t want Kane to end up with this douche as a brother-in-law. He ignored the part of him that didn’t like thinking about her with another man. “Olivia’s family designated me as the only person who has access to her and her information, so for the time being, she isn’t yours.”

“Her family?” Jonathan’s eyes widened as he darted his gaze around the crowded waiting room. “Is her brother here?”

Joe stepped in front of him. “It’s time for you to leave, Mr. Garrity. If Dr. Darren wants to contact you, she will.”