Embattled Minds (Military Romance) (Lost And Found Series) Read Free Page A

direct.”
    She smiled and Zeke caught his breath. This close he could see every pore in her smooth skin, and her dark brown eyes had golden flecks in them that sparkled when she smiled. Her dark bangs curled over her forehead to rest on her brow, damp at the temples. “Like the military?”
    Chad smiled and nodded. “It’s worked very well for hundreds of years. You should try it.”
    Her eyes dimmed. “My dad tells me the same thing, but I feel bad when I tell people what to do. It’s just not my style. Are you guys all military?”
    Zeke nodded. “Former.”
    Her gaze swung in his direction. One lone finger reached out and teased at the edge of his straining T-shirt sleeve, tracing the bottom of the anchor, globe and eagle tattoo. “Are all of you Marines?”
    Goose bumps pebbled his skin from her gentle touch, and his jaw ached from being clenched. His dick hardened painfully as her fingers drifted away, and he shifted in his chair. She switched her attention to the other three at the table before she could see his reaction.
    Chad nodded, but Terrell grimaced. “You couldn’t pay me to be a jarhead. Navy.”
    She grinned at Terrell. “I have a cousin in the Navy. She loves it.”
    He winked at her and rocked back in his chair.
    “Best place to be.”
    They all laughed and disagreed, but it was what they’d done many times before.
    Ember laughed along with them. “Looks like you’re in the minority, here.” Terrell shrugged and continued to smile, content.
    *****
    Ember realized as she sat there that she really liked these guys. They were thoughtful and kind, and weren’t talking to her just to get into her pants. She wanted to touch Zeke again. Feel that power beneath her hand. “So, what do you guys do now? Other than hang out in my restaurant every Saturday night?”
    Chad, the cute one with sharp blue eyes and Texas twang in his voice, leaned forward. “We run an all-veteran investigative service, and provide corporate and personal security.”
    Ember raised her brows, genuinely surprised. “Really? That’s interesting. My dad’s a former Marine and worked for a while at Denver PD. He’d probably like to meet you. He’s part owner of this place, but he’s not here tonight. Maybe some other time he can have a drink with you.”
    “We’d be honored.”
    “I’ll let him know when he comes back,” she promised. “He loves meeting other vets. It’s why he bought this restaurant. He wanted a place he and his buddies could be comfortable in. The guys from his company all come out once a year just to hang and reminisce.”
    She smiled sadly. “Unfortunately, that’s kind of why he’s been off for the past few nights. One of his good friends took his own life last week.”
    The men fell silent, then Chad offered their condolences. She shrugged. “I didn’t know him, but it’s really tearing my dad up. He hasn’t been sleeping or eating right, and he’s been off work for several days now.”
    She was afraid to tell them that she lived in fear that she would go home one night and find he’d done the same thing.
    No, he’s taking care of Drew. He wouldn’t do that in front of his grandson.

Chapter Two

    D uncan glanced at his ringing cellphone on the floor beside the weight bench, but didn’t recognize the number. If it was important, they’d leave a message. He continued to butterfly the forty pound weights, working his pectorals. The burn felt good. He’d gotten out of the habit of exercising the way he used to, and his body was starting to show it. Just going a tad soft around the middle, a little less cut. But that little bit of definition he was losing now would be five times harder to put back on than it used to be.
    Damn, it sucked getting old.
    Preston punched a weight bag hanging from the corner ceiling, and didn’t even seem to be breathing hard. But then, Duncan had twelve or thirteen years on him.
    Chad pounded along on the treadmill, steel blade on his left leg flashing.