Innocent Next Door (Military Men Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

Ribald amusement surfaced at the idea. He could hear Henry’s curses already, and none of the language sounded printable. “I know better than to interrupt a man on his honeymoon. Once he gets back is soon enough.”
    Jake righted a chair and straddled it. “You want us to stay?”
    The glint in his friend’s eyes made Nikolai sober and edginess seep into his muscles. He straightened to face off with his mate. The attempt at intimidation didn’t shift Jake’s smirk. Finally, he decided to pretend ignorance. “You might as well head off. I doubt they’ll be back tonight.”
    Louie leapt in to pick up the gauntlet. “You and the babe be okay on your own? You don’t need chaperones?”
    Jake chortled.
    Nikolai bared his teeth but there was no amusement involved. “Thanks for coming. Appreciate the help.”
    The three men walked to the door together, his two friends still chuckling loud enough to scrape him the wrong way. Never mind that he’d lead the joking if it were one of them in the same position.
    “How’s the knee?” Jake asked.
    “Better. I start physio next week.”
    The phone rang, and all three men froze.
    Louie scowled. “Damn funny time for the phone to ring.”
    Nikolai headed inside at a jog, ignoring the pain signals traveling from his knee. The ringing ceased.
    Louie followed. “Too late. She’s answered it.”
    “Summer!” Nikolai hollered.
    She appeared at the end of the passage, and he saw her pallor even with the distance between them. When she saw him, she ran toward him. An instant later, he held her trembling body in his arms.
    “Who was it?” he asked, already suspecting the answer.
    She shivered. “I don’t know. They told me they’d be back.”
    Nikolai tightened his hold as if he could stop the shaking by sheer willpower. “Anything else?”
    “He told me I wouldn’t have guard dogs all the time.”
    Nikolai waved off his hovering mates. “Catch ya tomorrow.”
    Louie nodded. “Ring if you need us.”
    “I think Nikolai has things under control,” Jake said deadpan.
    Stone-faced, Nikolai indicated the door with a jerk of his head. “Good night.”
    Summer pulled away from him. “Thanks for the help.”
    Jake winked, his pretty face wreathed in a babe-mag smile. “Anytime.”
    Nikolai growled, and Louie chuckled without restraint.
    Summer glanced at him, her eyes wide and blue. They shimmered in the light, and seeing that, he braced for an emotional outpouring. Hell, he hated weeping females. Laura used to excel at tears on demand. It’d taken him a while to catch on, but experience still hadn’t taught him how to cope with the feminine emotion.
    “Where did they get in?” she demanded.
    He did a double take. Not a tear in evidence. Instead, fury vibrated through her, rage making her glow with an inner fire. “Laundry window.”
    “Would you mind boarding it up while I finish checking the rooms for missing items?”
    “No problem.” Bemusement shaded his tone.
    Her head dipped in a no-nonsense nod as she headed for the lounge.
    A flash of tanned limbs drew his gaze. “What happened to your legs?”
    She slowed and glanced down with indifference. “I jumped out my bedroom window. Uncle Henry’s rose garden is below.”
    Nikolai swallowed. He was trained to deal with medical emergencies in the field, but it was different, worse somehow, seeing her injured. Angry scratches marred the creamy perfection of her calves. The right leg appeared worse. The scratches went all the way up her thigh, disappearing beneath the flimsy hem of her nightgown. Closer scrutiny showed protruding thorns. “That must hurt. Why didn’t you say something?”
    She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I’ll live.”
    “Where does Henry keep the first-aid kit?”
    “You sound like my mother. Stop fussing. I’ll grab the kit when I’ve finished checking the rooms.”
    He didn’t know whether to laugh or groan. The lady had enough prickles to rival a rose bush without borrowing from