Read Online The Right to Bear Arms: BBW Military Paranormal Romance (Wild Operatives, #1) by Vivienne Savage - Free Book Online

want, now, is she?” His hand glided over my damp skin and cupped my breast, a gesture that seemed more for comfort than any attempt to arouse himself or me. “My wife was... she wasn’t much smaller than you when I married her. Taller, maybe, and that made her seem skinnier, but I always appreciated how she had some meat on her. She was thin after the sickness, but the woman I keep in my heart and memories was almost as thick as you. And you know what, baby? I wouldn’t change either of you for anything.”
    He hadn’t shared much about his wife beyond the assurance of her passing and that he was truly a single man. I hadn’t noticed a photo of her yet in the house, but of course, I also hadn’t seen his bedroom with more than the weak light of a lantern.
    “You really loved her.”
    “Completely.”
    I didn’t make it back to my house until late afternoon, and if not for Russ’ keen sight, I probably wouldn’t have noticed something was wrong until the next day when I came down for work.
    “Baby, was your car always scratched up like that on the driver’s side?”
    “Scratched up?” I leapt out of his truck and ran toward my car for a better look. A long horizontal scar ran from the front tire down the side until it reached the rear light. A sick feeling churned in my stomach and my body went cold. I couldn’t feel my toes or my fingers anymore.
    “Shit,” Russ muttered from the other side of my car. I glanced over at his red face, tensed frame, and clenched fists. I dreaded crossing over for a look, but I did it anyway. Someone had scratched the word ‘BITCH’ into my passenger door in capital letters.
    Closer inspection revealed the dash had already been defaced with a particular ‘C’ word I didn’t want in my vocabulary. My driver and passenger side windows were also on the seats along with pooled rain. Someone had bashed those out.
    “Who would do this?” Tears burned my eyes and my throat tightened. I knew exactly who. Mike. My driveway swam in my vision, blurred by tears and dizziness. Passing around the front of my car revealed the last of the damage. I stepped on fragments of glass from the shattered headlights.
    I couldn’t drive to work like this. A sob tore from my throat as I slammed one fist into the hood of my car. If insurance didn’t cover all of the damages to the electrical system, I’d be forced to buy a new car.
    “Breathe, darlin’.” Strong arms surrounded me while I struggled to get enough air in my lungs. “Slow it down and breathe, Daniela.”
    While I struggled to get it under control, Russ made a call to the local police department. Someone came out and took a statement. After I told them about my ex-husband and how he must have come last night while I was away on a date, the cop said he’d follow up on that and keep me updated on any news.
    Russell offered to stay with me, but respected my wish to be alone. I called in sick to work when Monday came and spent it beneath the blankets in bed. I didn’t want to see anyone, and I didn’t want anyone to see me.
    ***
    I didn’t venture out of the house until the second day after my car was vandalized. With a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, I retreated to the backyard where I hoped the sunshine would pull me out of my funk. Before settling in the hammock, I placed my cell phone and drink on the wrought iron table beside it.
    The shade trees helped set the perfect atmosphere for a lazy afternoon. Between my spiced chai, the chirping birds, and my raunchy romance about a sexy FBI agent, my mood lifted enough for me to be able to shyly send a text message to Russ.
    In hindsight, I felt awful about sending him away so fast and rushing into my house to have a pity party. It wasn’t his fault my psychotic ex-husband keyed my car, but I hadn’t wanted him to see me fall apart.
    Hi, Russ, I sent to him. I waited a few minutes, listening to the chirping birds. When he didn’t respond an hour later, my