Page 34 of Home Again

Sebastian looked down at her and saw her resolute expression. “Are you sure?” he whispered.

She rolled her eyes and shoved at him again. Sebastian took a step backward. She hopped off the counter, then wove past him so that she could confront Armand. “You know, Armand, if Sebastian decides to kiss me, that’s his business.”

“Looked to me like you were clinging to him like a spider monkey,” Armand squinted at her.

She laughed. “How are those beer goggles working for you, Armand?” She twirled back to look at Sebastian. “Sebastian, it’s like I told you, I’m only going to be in town for a little bit longer, so there really can’t be anything between us. I hope you’ll understand.”

Sebastian unclenched his fists at Gianna’s words. He'd been ready to beat the shit out of his uncle for disrespecting Gianna. Instead, he stood here in awe of how she was able to handle the situation.

Armand’s head swung from Sebastian, then back to Gianna, then back again. He started to smile. “Shit, Bastian, guess the rumors are wrong; you SEAL types don’t get all the pussy.”

Gianna sucked in a shocked breath. “Armand, you should be ashamed of yourself using language like that!”

Armand lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Gee.”

“I’m going back to the carriage house,” she said with an outraged huff. “Don’t expect to see me back here tonight.”

Sebastian couldn’t help but admire the way her jeans molded to her ass as she stormed out the back door. Then he quickly moved across the kitchen floor until he had his uncle by the front of his shirt. “Listen here, you old bastard. You stay away from her, do you hear me?”

“So she means something to you, huh?” Armand gave him a considering look.

Sebastian lifted him off his feet. “You better listen to me, you really don’t want to make me angry.”

He shoved him aside then slammed out of the kitchen. He needed to talk to either Kostya or Gideon.

* * *

Sebastian took the stairs two at a time as he hustled up to his room. God, he wanted to just take off and drive for a little bit, but that would set off the men in the library if they saw him leave. He checked the charge left on his phone, then tried to get ahold of Kostya. Thank God he picked up on the first ring.

“Sebastian. I think you need to come back to Virginia.”

His body went on alert. “Are we gearing up for a mission?” he asked his lieutenant.

“I think that place is no good for you.”

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. Shit, Gideon must be worried about him and shared that with Kostya, because the only time that Kostya Barona’s English was a little off was when he was really worried.

“It’s fine. I’m fine. Look, I need you to check on something for me. I hear that my reenlistment papers might have been put on hold.”

“What the fuck?” There was a loud thump. Kostya had just hit something. “This is because of politics from New Orleans?” Kostya was incredulous.

“That’s what some decrepit old man down here is saying. I need you to check up on this for me.”

“I’m going to call Captain Hale right now.”

Sebastian grinned when he realized that Kostya had hung up without saying goodbye.

Next up was Gideon Smith.

The call went to voicemail. He didn’t leave a message, he texted instead, then he laid down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, trying to get his temper under control. Being angry didn’t solve anything. He’d learned that as a SEAL. Goddammit, he’d learned that!

He shut his eyes and kept picturing his mother. It was always the same memory that came to mind. She’d taken him to a waterpark and they’d laughed that entire day. She’d been so beautiful and happy and they didn’t leave until the park had closed down.

His phone vibrated in his hand and he swiped over the screen to answer Gideon’s call.

“I hear that the alligators will eat a body. If there’s no body, they can’t press charges. I’m thinking if me, Landon, and Ryker come down we can take care of some things for you.”

Sebastian fought a grin.