Page 40 of Before and After


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“She’ll be okay,” I said.

Allie nodded.

“I’ll park the SUV. You want to wait?”

She nodded again.

“Wait inside, Allie. It’s too cold out here.” Especially with her legs bared by that damn skirt.

After I’d parked the SUV, I found Allie inside, in a small waiting room with uncomfortable chairs. She was pacing, with a phone pressed to her ear.

“I’m sorry for such short notice, Mrs. Jenkins. I appreciate you watching him and putting him to bed.” She paused. “Tell him someone at work got sick and I’ve taken her to the doctor. I will. Thanks.”

She turned. She looked tired and worried.

“This is déjà vu. I feel like I’m back at that night Tessa got poisoned.” Allie shook her head. “God, I was so scared and worried that night.”

And here she was, worried about a woman she didn’t even know.

“Until you promised to find who’d done it.” She shot me a wry smile. “You calmed me down.”

“You were ready to go off half-cocked and maybe murder someone.”

“True. And you caught Rupert, thank God.”

My gut tightened. “Eventually. He almost hurt Tessa again.”

“You saved her. And it all worked out. Believe me, I don’t give Rupert a single thought these days.” She smiled. “Nor does Tessa.”

I bet Ro still had a few violent thoughts about the guy. I sat down on one of the chairs and Allie sat beside me.

She fidgeted, the chair creaking. “I really hope this woman is okay.”

“Me too.”

Silence fell. She shifted, crossing her long legs. Which served as a reminder that she wasn’t wearing anything under that short skirt.

And that I’d touched her.

My cock—still half hard—twitched in my pants. My fingers curled into my palm. Fingers that had been inside her, pleasured her.

Then I’d hurt her.

I’d seen it in her eyes.

A part of me wanted to pull her onto my lap. I wanted to hold her, comfort her.

Fuck. It wasn’t that simple. It was best for her that I kept my hands to myself.

If I’d still been the man I’d been before the military… But I wasn’t. Allie deserved more than the broken shell I had to offer.

“They did this, Caden.” Anger vibrated in her voice. “One of ESG drugged her.”

I took her hand.So much for not touching. She stilled, then relaxed. Her fingers curled around mine.

Hell. I hadn’t held hands with a woman for years. My fingers were covered with lots of old scars. Hers were far softer and more elegant than mine.

“The doctors will test to see if she was drugged?” Allie asked.