Duty Bound (4 page)

I started to say “no,” since I wanted to get away from him as soon as possible, but it would be a real pain to try to drive home with bleeding hands. “All right. Thanks.”

“I’m really sorry,” he said again, as we walked into his building. He put his hand on my back in a protective gesture, or maybe just to turn me toward the right hall.

“You didn’t mean it. I’m not hurt. Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean a little fall is going to break me. Don’t treat me like I’m delicate. I’m
not
delicate.” I sounded a little snippy, but I was flustered and disoriented. I was also trying not to like the feel of his hand on my back.

“I don’t think you’re delicate,” he said, unlocking his apartment door. “You were always that way. Looking like a pretty little flower but actually as tough as nails.”

I stared at him in surprise, since I never would have dreamed he’d think something so nice about me.

“What?” he asked, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“You never thought that about me,” I said at last, trying to read something in his expression. “You never thought I was anything but an annoying pest with a loud mouth who you sometimes laughed at.”

He’d led me over to the kitchen sink, and he grabbed and wetted a couple of paper towels. “You
were
annoying sometimes.” His tone was different now. Warm. Almost fond. “You never left me and Gavin alone. You always had to tag along or interrupt our game or join in our conversations. And you always did have the loudest voice I’d ever heard on such a little thing.” Very gently, he started to wipe the blood off the palms of my hands.

I’d been softening from his tone and his careful touch, but I stiffened again when I processed his words and jerked my hands away. “That’s what I thought. And that’s still how you’re treating me. And you don’t seem to realize that, while it might be okay to think of a little girl that way, it’s incredibly patronizing to treat a grown woman that way.”

He took my hands back so he could finish cleaning them up. Then he raised his eyes, and they took on that hot, breathless look again. “I know you’re a grown woman, Harper. I’m not likely to miss that fact.”

My breath quickened, and I couldn’t seem to pull my hands out of his grip. “Well, maybe you should act like you know,” I managed to say, not terribly lucidly.

One of his hands lifted to my face, and he cupped my cheek. I couldn’t look away from his eyes. They were the hottest things I’d ever seen. My whole body was overwhelmed with a rush of excitement and feeling. “And how do you think I should treat you like a woman?”

There was one obvious thing that came to my mind. In fact, I couldn’t think of anything else. I felt myself swaying toward him, and he seemed to be leaning down toward me, and I wanted to kiss him so badly I couldn’t see straight.

Then he shifted my hand slightly, causing a sting of pain from the cuts, and that brought me back to my senses. I stepped backward at almost exactly the same time that Levi stepped backward too.

I dropped my head and pretended to be drying off my hands with a paper towel as I tried to pull myself together.

Giving into an attraction for Levi would be a huge mistake, and I wasn’t going to be that stupid. I just wasn’t.

Trying to get back to casual conversation, I glanced around the kitchen. “Did you just move in?”

“What do you mean?”

“The boxes.” I nodded toward a few opened boxes in the corner. “And you don’t have anything hung up on the walls or anything. How long have you lived here?”

“A month or so. Since I got back.”

“What? Why haven’t you finished unpacking and setting the place up? It hardly looks like anyone lives here.”

He shrugged. “I don’t care about that kind of thing. I just pull things out as I need them.”

“But don’t you want to make the place comfortable?”

“I’ve got a chair and the TV. Works for me.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Then I walked into the living area and saw that he did have one photo. It was lying flat, but I went over to pick it up.

It was a picture of Levi, Gavin and three of their friends—the three who I’d met at Gavin’s funeral. It was a casual snapshot, and they were just joking around, but they all looked happy. Close. Alive.

My eyes rested for a long time on my brother’s smiling face. He wasn’t alive anymore.

I put the picture down quickly when I started to tear up. I didn’t want to cry in front of Levi. I didn’t want to show any sign of weakness in front of him.

When I dared to look up at his face, I saw his expression had sobered. For a moment, there was something lost, poignant, aching in his expression, before it disappeared.

“He loved you more than anything,” Levi said quietly, after a moment.

I swallowed hard and looked away, trying to control the emotion. “He was always bossing me around, even after we grew up.”

“Because he loved you. If he was here, he’d want to take care of you and make sure you were safe. Since he’s not, I’m going to do it instead.”

I understood more than ever what was motivating Levi. It wasn’t that he was amusing himself by interfering in my business. It was that he felt like he needed to do it for Gavin—out of guilt or obligation. Duty.

Either way, I didn’t like it, since it took away my self-sufficiency.

“It’s not your job,” I said, quickly wiping away a stray tear.

“Then whose job is it?”

“It’s
my
job. I take care of myself.”

“If someone is really threatening you, then you’ll need help. Even the strongest person can’t stop a bullet.”

“Don’t be melodramatic. There’s some petty, spiteful person who doesn’t like what I’m saying, but that doesn’t equal a threat on my life. If I need help, I’ll ask for it.”

“But that’s the thing.” For the first time, Levi actually looked angry. “You
won’t
ask for help. You’re so determined to show the world you aren’t delicate that you won’t take help when you actually need it. Remember the bees?”

I gasped in outrage at being reminded of that horrible day at age twelve—when I’d been stung multiple times and then had to make it home on my own feet, so Levi and Gavin couldn’t be proved right in saying that they needed to carry me. “Just because you think I need help doesn’t mean I actually do. I got home just fine that day, and I can handle this situation right now fine too. You don’t get to impose your help on me just because you get it in your head you want to be a hero.”

“For Christ’s sake, Harper,” he snapped. “Why are you always so stubborn? I’m not trying to be a hero. I’m worried about you.”

“Well, stop worrying.”

“I
can’t
stop. I can’t stop worrying about you.”

“Then keep your worrying to yourself. I don’t know where you get the nerve to come into my life and make assumptions and judgments about me, as if you have it all together. I mean, look at you. Is your life really so together that you can look down on mine? You cut yourself off from everyone so you can stand on your mountain and look down at us. But is that really living? Not getting involved in anything that matters? Laughing at me because I really care about things and want to get other people to care about things too? What was the last thing you really cared about, other than being a Marine? What do you have left now that it’s gone? I mean, you don’t even live in this apartment. You haven’t done a thing to make it into a home. You don’t have friends here. You don’t give back or do any sort of volunteer work. You don’t even have a damned dog. And you think something is wrong with the way
I’m
behaving.”

He was angrier than ever. I could see it on his face. But he pulled it in, suppressed it, so it only showed in the tightness of his jaw and the blaze of his eyes.

Ridiculously, I was still attracted to him. I wanted to touch him, kiss him, press myself against him.

And also wring his neck.

With a frustrated sound in my throat, I swung around, grabbed my keys, and hurried to the door before he could say anything in response.

Being around Levi was obviously very bad for my mental health, so I’d have to do better about staying away from him from now on.

Levi

I worked with about a dozen people every day and rarely uttered a word. But sitting there with Cole, Declan, and Sebastian in a bar on a Friday night, I was suddenly chatty Kathy.

“So what gives?” Cole asked. “You think she’s really in danger?”

I hadn’t meant to even mention Harper. Unfortunately, it seemed like she was all I could think about. I enjoyed my time out with the guys, since I was the most comfortable around them. Most of the time we hung out, had a couple of beers, maybe played a game of pool or darts, and talked about shit that really didn’t mean all that much to anyone. But Harper was on my mind, and I figured that, if I needed a sounding board, these guys were it.

Shrugging, I took a pull from my beer before answering, as if that might make me seem a little less obsessive about the situation. “Danger’s a pretty strong word. She’s definitely pissed someone off, though.”

“Gavin always said his sister wasn’t happy unless she was challenging something,” Sebastian said.

I’d lost count of all of Harper’s causes over the years. Gavin used to always gripe about one or another of them. “If she saw someone swat at a fly, she’d be ready with a petition to protect the entire fly population,” I said, chuckling. What once was annoying, I was now starting to find a little endearing. Not that this current situation was endearing, since there was a real possibility of Harper pissing off the wrong person.

“If the people around town know that about her, then why would this suddenly get someone riled up?” Cole asked.

Why didn’t they get it? Seriously, it was like I was the only one who understood the potential for this situation to turn ugly. “Look, this isn’t about something trivial. She’s attacking the military, the government, hell, give her a little more time, and she’ll be banging on the door of the damn White House. You know how fanatical some people can be where matters like this are concerned.”

Sebastian leaned back in the booth and stretched. “It seems to me like maybe she’s the fanatical one in this situation, bro.”

I was already walking a thin line where Harper is concerned, and it wouldn’t take much to make me snap. “Right now she’s just talking. Nothing more. The person who slashed her tires and wrote her that note? They’ve taken it to the next level.”

“Maybe that’s all they’re going to do.” Declan appeared bored with the entire conversation. “Maybe you’re just looking for reasons to stick close to her.”

Crap.
Am I that transparent?
“What the hell are you talking about?”

Declan smirked and leaned forward on the table. “Look, there is no denying that Harper is an attractive woman.” He paused and looked at his friends. “You can all sit there and look shocked that I’m saying it out loud, but there it is. I would have never made a statement like that if Gavin were here because he would have kicked my ass, but there’s no denying it. Harper’s hot in a sexy, pixie-ish kind of way. I think maybe you’re just being a little overly sensitive to her right now because she lost her brother.”

It was an observation that I had been struggling with more and more since coming home. How much of what I was doing was based on some sort of duty to Gavin, and how much was based on the fact that Harper was the first woman who had even piqued my interest in a long time?

“It doesn’t matter what she looks like, Dec. The reality of it is that she could be in danger. Don’t we owe it to Gavin to make sure she’s okay? You know he would have done the same for any of us if the situation was reversed.”

It was never a good thing when we all fell silent at the same time. Silence meant that we were remembering, and usually that wasn’t something I wanted to do. Before my thoughts got too heavy, I figured it was time to change the subject. I’d deal with Harper on my own and let the chips fall where they may.

“It still seems strange,” Cole said quietly.

“What?”

“Being back. I mean, I always thought I’d be a career military man. And now? I’m sitting in a bar on a Friday night, and my knee is killing me.”

We all nodded because it was how we were all feeling. The injuries were all different, but the feeling of disappointment was the same.

“I can’t figure out what it is I’m supposed to do with myself,” Cole continued. “Moving back to my hometown wasn’t the smartest move. Everyone remembers me as
that no good Martin kid.
They don’t see me for who I am now. I made something of myself, and if it wasn’t for this damn injury, I could have maybe wiped away all the old crap. Instead people look at me as if they’re thinking that I screwed up in the service too. It sucks.”

There wasn’t much I could say to make him feel better because I was dealing with my own shit. The transition back to our former civilian lives shouldn’t have been this difficult, but we weren’t returning with a sense of celebration. We were home against our will and injured.

Broken and injured.

“I’m working with my dad,” I told him. “I never wanted to do that. Growing up I was forced to, and I couldn’t wait to leave here. I was downright giddy the day I signed up. Hell, even getting deployed gave me relief because it meant that I didn’t have to be here. Now I’m stuck. I have no idea what to do with myself, but it looks like the decision has been made for me.”

“Please, I’m in family hell,” Sebastian said. “Now that I’m back everyone thinks I’m going to step right back into the family business. My father is practically salivating at having the chance to groom me to take over.” His disgust at the prospect was obvious. “I never wanted to work in the corporate world. It’s not my thing. For all the money and the power we have thanks to that business, I don’t want any damn part of it.”

Sebastian had never been quiet about his uneasiness with his family’s wealth and their position in the community. While his parents had used their money to get whatever they wanted, no matter who they had to destroy in the process, Seb had a conscience. He didn’t mind having his family’s bank account, but for all intents and purposes, he lived a fairly normal life away from his family. He used to say that he preferred to sleep with a clear conscience than with a pile of money. It was good to see that he still felt that way.

“Oh, boo-freakin-hoo,” Declan said sarcastically. “Poor you. Poor little rich boy having to sit in his big corner office while piles of money are dumped in his lap.” He turned to Cole. “And you? Screw anyone who says you’re still that same kid. They’re not worth your time. You’re a freakin hero, damn it! You don’t have to prove anything to them.”

I knew it was coming, but I still cringed inwardly as I waited. “And you, Levi? Seriously? You’re the most normal out of all of us. Your family welcomed you back with no expectations. If you told your old man that you didn’t want to work with him, I bet he’d help you find another job. You needed something to do and so he gave you a job. And this thing with Harper? Maybe she needs your help, maybe she doesn’t. Either way, if it makes you feel better, then keep an eye on her. If you need help, you know that we’ll be there for you in a minute. And not just because of Gavin.”

“Yeah, because she’s hot,” Sebastian said with a laugh, obviously trying to lighten the mood.

Before long, we were all laughing, and the tension of just moments before was gone. Thank God.

“Maybe you won’t have to worry about it,” Cole said casually as he sat back and smirked. “Maybe her boyfriend will protect her.”

Boyfriend?
“What the hell are you talking about?”

Cole nodded his head in the direction of the front of the bar and, sure enough, there was Harper with some guy who had his arm around her. “Looks like she may not need your…protection,” Cole added with that same smirk.

My immediate thought was to jump across the table and throttle him, but I couldn’t take my eyes away from Harper. Who the hell was this guy? Why hadn’t Harper mentioned him? I was on my feet before I even realized it.

“Oh, shit,” Declan said with a chuckle. “This isn’t going to be good.”

“Sure it is,” Seb said, unable to hide his own amusement. “Levi’s going to go over there and make an idiot out of himself. And we all get to witness it.”

“And use it at a later date for our own entertainment,” Cole put in. The three of them twisted in their seats and watched as I walked across the room.

I knew the instant Harper spotted me because she stood a little taller, and her face got a little pinched like she had sucked on a lemon or something. Not the kind of reaction a guy looks for when an attractive woman sees him, but it’s still kind of cute. “Hey, Harper,” I said casually. “Fancy seeing you here tonight.”

“Hmm,” she replied, doing her best to ignore that I was standing right in front of her.

It was a good thing I’m not easily deterred. “Hey,” I said, louder than normal, extending my hand to her date. “Levi. And you are?”

“My date,” Harper snapped. “We’re here for dinner and some drinks. Don’t you have people waiting for you?” She looked beyond me and waved to the guys.

I could see that said
date
was feeling a little confused by our exchange, but my hand was still firmly waiting for an acknowledgment. I stared the guy down until I could almost see him sweat. I used my best look of intimidation and even arched one brow at him. Finally, he caved.

“Tom,” he said. “Tom Walters.” He shook my hand, and I put a little too much of myself into it and watched him wince. Harper saw it too and shot an angry glare at me
.

“So,” I said as I tucked my hands in my pockets to keep them from removing Tom’s arm from Harper’s waist. “How long have you kids been dating?”

“Uh—” Tom began, but Harper cut him off.

“None of your business, Levi,” she hissed. “Seriously, your friends look like they’re waiting for you.” She motioned toward the guys, and when I turned, they were all grinning like a bunch of loons and waving at us.

My first thought was that I’d kill them later, but first I needed to know more about…Tom. Even his name annoyed me. “You were saying,
Tom.”
Moving a little closer, I managed to make the guy remove his arm from Harper’s body as he took a step back.

“Um, Harper and I work together. It’s just a casual dinner, you know. Not a date. We’re not dating. No. Just friends.”

It shouldn’t have pleased me so much, but it did. I looked over at Harper and shook my head as if to say,
“What were you thinking?”
She must have read my mind because that pinched look returned.

“If you’ll excuse us, Levi,” she said with that syrupy voice she only seemed to use on me. “It looks like our table is ready. Have a good night.” She gave me a little wave as she hooked her arm through Tom’s. “I know I will,” she added under her breath, and I felt my fists clench at my sides.

“Hey, Levi,” someone yelled from across the room. I turned and saw Cole standing next to the table with a now-empty beer pitcher in his hand. “Next round’s on you!” The guys all cheered, and I flipped them the bird before stalking over to the bar.

Have fun, will she? With that guy? With
Tom?
That guy wouldn’t know how to have fun if it hit him over the head. He looked like the type that sat around and played Scrabble or did the
New York Times
crossword puzzle. Maybe Sudoku. Chances were he wouldn’t have a clue what to do if anything happened to Harper. Hell, she could probably take
him
out with one of her little kickboxing moves. The image was enough to make me laugh.

Grabbing the pitcher, I threw my money on the bar, walked back over to the guys, and sat down. They were deep in conversation about some game, but I couldn’t help but look over to where Harper and Tom were sitting. He was talking, she was smiling, and I was pissed. Doing my best to rejoin the sports talk, I heard Harper’s laugh and turned my head in that direction.

“Are you sure you wanted a beer, Levi?” Declan asked.

“What? Why?”

“Well, I was just thinking that maybe you’d want something like a cup of tea or maybe a pint of Ben & Jerry’s while you watch that little chick-flick unfolding across the room.” He broke out laughing. The guys all joined in.

“Do you need a Snuggie or something to curl up with?” Cole asked, cracking himself up.

“Maybe we should head back to your place and relax. You know, we can stop at the local Red Box and rent
The Notebook
or something if it will help you,” Sebastian added.

Only these guys could get away with this kind of ribbing. If it were anyone else, I would have flipped the table by now. I needed to get a grip. They might have been laughing at me, but the truth was they had a point. I needed to take a step back and just ignore Harper—and
her date.

Once the laughter died down, I managed to pretty much stay focused on just the four of us. We had made a pact to get together at least once a month, and now it was time to start thinking about next month. Cole didn’t live far from here, but Declan and Seb had to put in an effort to make the drive.

“How about we meet on my turf next month?” Declan suggested. “Make a weekend of it.”

Everyone was on board, but my mind kept asking, “
What if Harper needs me?
”
I couldn’t possibly share that thought with the guys without getting seriously ribbed, so I just agreed and figured I’d deal with it when the time came. “How about a game of darts?”