Page 3 of A Very Grumpy Green Beret

I move past my girl to grab the spare tire and carry it over to the flat. Kneeling in the dirt, I use the tire iron she’s dropped next to the flat to loosen the bolts. I make quick work of changing the tire, then realize I should’ve taken my time so I could spend more time with her.

“I’m Luca, by the way,” I introduce myself.

“Perry,” she says after a beat.

I try to think of something else to say, but come up blank.

How do people make small talk? Why is this so hard?

I know why. I’m used to being alone or only dealing with other surly green berets whose vocabulary consists of grunts and swear words. I don’t know how to handle scared women who are clearly running from something, but I’ll learn for Perry. I’ll do anything for her.

Anything but let her go.

2

Perry

I should probably be nervous to be alone with this stranger, but something about Luca makes me feel safe—which is a foreign concept to me because it’s been forever since I felt safe or cared for.

Growing up the way I did meant I learned not to trust anyone outside the family. My parents worked as low-level employees for the Bianchi crime family. My mom was a maid and worked for Don Gio, the head of the family, and my dad was his driver.

They were trusted employees, which meant I was always half in that world and half out. I always wanted to be out. I had no desire to live that way, following their hierarchy and always having to look over my shoulder. I wanted a quiet life, a normal life. My move to Wolf Valley was supposed to be a fresh start, but so far, it’s been hard to let go of my old fears.

I keep looking over my shoulder to make sure no one followed me. I’m sure no one from the Bianchi family cares that I’m gone. Even my own parents don’t seem bothered that I left.

But it’s not them that I’m worried about. Bryan Marchessi is the problem.

He took an uncomfortable liking to me over the past few months, always showing up where I worked and chatting me up, but I wasn’t interested. Bryan is an insufferable wannabe mobster, who’ll never achieve real power.

Unfortunately for me, he can’t seem to let me go. He fancies himself in love with me, but I know better. His fragile ego can’t take rejection. And now he’s texting and calling me, threatening to drag me back if I don’t come home.

I glance at Luca. My instincts tell me he could keep me safe.

The thought hits me out of nowhere, and I step back from the scarred man as he finishes replacing my spare tire. He wears a perpetual frown, and I wonder what he’d look like if he smiled. Probably even more handsome than he already is.

His biceps flex as he tightens the final bolt on the tire. I swallow hard as my body heats and my core clenches, staring at his thick thighs and the ripple of his muscles beneath his shirt.

I haven’t seen him around town. I’m sure I would have remembered him. Although that’s not saying much since I’ve only been in town for about a week and a half.

I think I could like living in Wolf Valley. It’s a small town and is off the map enough that I hope no one will find me here.

“All set,” Luca says, pushing to his feet and brushing his hands off on his dark jeans.

I give him a grateful smile. “Thank you so much. It would have taken me an hour to do that.”

“No problem.” He lifts the old tire easily and sets it in my trunk.

I reach past him to close the trunk. I don’t want to leave this man, but we can’t stand on the side of the road all day. I’m sure Luca isn’t interested in me. I mean, he’s ripped and looks like he could bench press one of the trees surrounding us. Meanwhile, I’ve always been chubby and a bit of a wallflower. My mom told me once that I looked like the printer had run out of ink when I was born. I’m all pale skin, light blue eyes, and white-blonde hair.

Luca doesn’t want me. He’s just a good guy who stopped to help a damsel in distress. Forget about this stupid crush and say goodbye.

“Are you going far?” Luca asks.

“Why?” I ask, backing up a step.

What if he’s with Bryan? What if he made the hole in my tire or set this up? Shit!

I glance around the empty road, my heart pounding as my situation fully sinks in.