Read Online Navy SEAL Surrender by Angi Morgan - Free Book Online Page B

had moved back in and had no reason to change things around. His dad had told them more than once that he liked keeping his wife’s belongings close to their everyday life.
    Alicia gave him a look and he knew the answer. Roy had married Shauna and she’d changed the open kitchen area into a dark cave. Heavy drapery blocked the sunlight.
    “She didn’t like seeing the barn and constantly complained about how her eyes hurt in the sun.”
    “Was she hungover or high?”
    “That would have been understandable. I don’t think so. Honestly, I have no idea.” Alicia’s voice sounded older, sadder.
    More than the room was dark. Gone was the tenderness this woman had shown for Joe Searcy. She walked through the house with her arms crossed and hands tucked into fists.
    “A lot of things were packed away as soon as she moved in. She told the movers to donate it someplace. Roy had it stored somewhere for Dwayne to look through one day. Less than a year later he was gone. Roy followed not too long after.”
    She squeezed her eyes shut and he patted her shoulder, afraid of the thoughts passing through his head. Inappropriate thoughts of desire shot through his body and made him drop his hand.
    “The court said she could sell anything that they’d bought as a couple.”
    “There’s not much left.” He gestured to the near-empty everything. “I know it’s difficult, but I’ve got to ask. Why did Roy marry someone young enough to be his daughter? Was he that lonely?”
    “She went through a divorce just after Dwayne and I married. I talked to her one day at the grocery store. Then she asked to come over. And kept asking. We didn’t want to be rude and I actually thought she was lonely. She must have come over when Roy was alone one night. I think she tricked him into thinking she may be pregnant. He never said anything to anyone. Especially not Dwayne.”
    “Is there a wall safe?”
    “No, I don’t think so. And even if there was, he never kept anything here. All his papers were in his office at the show stables. I told you earlier you wouldn’t find anything.” Her voice choked up a little and he could see tears flooding her eyes.
    “Sorry for putting you through this. I didn’t mean to upset you more.” Don’t touch her, man. He didn’t listen to himself. Pulling her into his arms and letting her cry was probably the worst idea he’d ever had. Right up there with that failed maneuver in Afghanistan.
    A bad idea, because he couldn’t trust himself. He wanted a second kiss and more. They were both adults. They could handle a real relationship now. He rested his chin on her head and encouraged her cheek to lie against his chest. Wisps of her curls caressed his hot skin. Hard to believe less than a week ago he’d been halfway around the world in mock maneuvers.
    What the hell was he doing?
    Waiting here was putting her in danger. Bringing her inside with him put her in danger. They should have been in and out. Fast. And he was delaying so he could hold an old girlfriend.
    Emotion had no place in reconnaissance and was not allowed in rescues. Period. There was no room in his lifestyle and career for emotional attachments. He’d seen too many of his buddies lose their families. Partial custody or not seeing their kids for months at a time tore them up and made them lose their edge.
    Man, she has a little girl. Dwayne’s kid. He couldn’t do this.
    “If you’re okay, let’s get out of here.” He held her shoulders and kept looking over the top of her head, to keep from seeing the sadness in her eyes. Sadness for another man she loved—even if he was gone.
    “I’m fine.”
    Words with no substance, if wiping away tears was an indicator. And yet she stood straight and didn’t complain.
    Was it strength? Completely different from what he experienced with his team. A kind that he hadn’t seen in a long time. Not since his mom died and the community had rallied around his family.
    Alicia should come with