Page 4 of A Very Grumpy Green Beret

“Because you won’t be able to get far on this spare tire. Not on these back roads,” Luca says, nodding at the tire.

I let out a whoosh of air, my body sagging as I realize he’s just worried about me and not one of the bad guys.

“Oh, yeah, I’m not going far. Just into town. I’ll get it fixed today,” I lie.

The truth is that I don’t have the money to pay for new tires right now.

Luca gives me a hard look, and I shift nervously on my feet. I swear he knows I’m lying.

“Uh—”

I’m cut off as another car approaches. My gaze locks onto the shiny black sedan, and my heart climbs into my throat. I curl my fingers into my sweaty palms as the car slows, my breath stalling in my lungs as the car gets closer. I can’t move or look away, even though my head is screaming at me to hide.

It’s him. He’s found me. He’s going to⁠—

One second, I’m staring at the car and the next Luca is standing directly in front of me, blocking me from the view of whoever is driving past.

I’m so damn grateful to the grumpy giant that I could hug him. I love that he seems to be able to read my mood and stepped in to help me again.

I’m too embarrassed to meet his eyes as the car finally passes. What must he think of me? I haven’t exactly been playing it smooth with him.

“Thanks again,” I mumble, sidestepping past him and speed walking to the driver’s door.

I force myself not to look back as I start the car and drive the back roads toward town. I’ve been taking a different route to the motel each day, hoping to spot anyone who might be following me.

Finally, I park outside my motel room, scanning the parking lot as I climb out and go up to my room.

I swear I can feel eyes on me as I climb the stairs and unlock my door, but when I look around, I don’t see anyone.

I shake off the uneasy sensation, closing the door behind me and flipping the lock.

3

Luca

Now that I’ve talked to Perry, I can’t stay away. I stayed up all last night, riding the high from helping and speaking to her. She knows my name now. I’ve made contact, so step one of my plan to get her to fall in love with me is complete. Now I just need to run into her again, strike up a conversation, and ask her out.

Yeah, easier said than done.

I glance at her tracker, sighing when I see that she’s still at the motel. I hate that she’s staying there. If there was a way for me to move her to literally anywhere else, I would’ve done it by now.

I force my eyes back to my work, but that doesn’t last long. I keep stealing glances at my phone, checking on my girl.

After answering a few emails and finalizing a report, I notice Perry’s tracker moving. As soon as I see the dot gliding along the map, I’m on my feet and grabbing my keys.

I check my phone to see she’s stopped at the diner in town, and I think about how best to approach her as I speed down the back roads toward Main Street. Spotting her car in the parking lot, I park next to it. I glare at the tire that I told her to fix yesterday and shake my head.

I should have taken care of that tire yesterday, but I was worried about freaking her out. She jumps at shadows and loud noises, sleeps with all the lights on in that shitty motel room, and flinches whenever anyone gets too close to her. I know she’s running from something—or someone—but I don’t know what or who yet.

Once I find out who hurt her, I’ll deal with them. They’ll be begging for her mercy by the time I’m through with them.

I look through the windows of the Nosh Diner, and my heart kicks when I spot her curvy form leaning against the counter. I try to play it cool as I approach the front door, but I’m sure I look way too intense. I can’t pull my gaze off her, can’t stop my palms from sweating, and my heart from going haywire.

“So you’re not hiring?” Perry asks Cameron, the server behind the counter.

“No, we don’t have any positions right now. Sorry,” she replies, shooting my girl a sympathetic look. “You can leave your resume, though. I’ll give it to my boss to keep on file for the future.”

Perry’s shoulders slump as she nods. “Okay, yeah, that would be great.”