Hero: Healing a Warrior, Book 4: The Guardian Series, 4

By Maggie C. Brynnon

Tom and Indy have come a long way from that first night in the alley way back when.

With their future seemingly as bright as ever, and their relationship having grown stronger from facing numerous trials together, it would almost seem like there was nothing left that could possibly tear them apart.

Almost.

Then Tom and Indy learn the hard way that having too trusting a nature can come back to bite you in the butt. Faced with the ultimate betrayal, and an interloper determined to come between them, Thomas and India have to fight harder than ever to hold onto what they’ve built.

With the groundbreaking 'Heroes' center set to have its grand opening in just a few days, the timing is all wrong for another hurdle. But fate has its own timing.

Will the pair jump this hurdle and race toward their future? Or will India be forced to choose between Thomas and the one man she might possibly love more than him.

This book is Part Four of “Hero: Healing a Warrior, The Guardian Series”
(A BWWM Interracial Military Romance)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rapps
• Release date: Apr 1, 2016

Book preview

19

Chapter 1

NEEDLESS TO SAY, BREAKFAST the next day was tense.

The promise of crispy, sizzling bacon was usually enough to put a smile on anyone’s face and induce a deep sense of contentment. But this morning both Thomas and Myles were quiet and brooding, India noted with a frown.

Did something happen last night? she wondered as she continued to putter around the kitchen.

It was a tense meal. They all three ate their food in relative silence, the men hardly looked up from their food, and when they were done, Myles volunteered to do the dishes. When he’d finished washing up, he made a beeline for his room in the back of the house.

Where are you going? Thomas asked him, his voice taking on a rougher edge that India had never heard before. In fact it startled her a little.

Myles froze where he stood and turned to face Thomas with wide eyes. He stammered. I... I was just going to wash up and get ready for any work you had for me today, he murmured.

Thomas gave a curt nod. Hurry back, was all he said.

India looked at him questioningly and then followed him into the master bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind them. What’s wrong, Tom? she asked quietly.

Nothing, he quickly replied.

But she wasn’t convinced by his response. Something must have happened, she questioned.

No. Nothing happened, he murmured as he walked into the bathroom and started to move around items on the bathroom counter as if he were looking for something in particular.

Then why are you in such a bad mood? she pressed.

Thomas was silent for a minute before he answered, craning his neck slowly from side to side. I slept wrong, he muttered, finally rubbing his neck. Crick in my neck. That’s all.

This was his way of telling her to drop the subject. And normally she would. But they had agreed that if something happened, he would tell her, so she kept on asking questions.

You sure that’s it? she asked again.

He sighed, and India could tell her questions were starting to annoy him. Yes, love, he said, walking over to her and placing his large hands on her small shoulders. That’s it.

He leaned in and gave her a quick peck before changing the subject. I’ve got a lot of work I want to get done around here today, so I’m gonna grab Myles and we’ll get started on that. You gonna be alright?

Yeah, she smiled. My other boyfriend will keep me company just fine.

Thomas raised his eyebrow. Other boyfriend?

Yeah, she replied, turning on her heel to walk away dramatically, my handsome four-legged boyfriend with the great coat, Bandit.

He laughed at her answer and grabbed her before she got two steps away, whipped her around, and then kissed her again. This time more deeply. Then he disappeared through the bedroom door on his way to find Myles.

Thomas went to the room he’d prepared for Myles and knocked hard on the closed door.

Yeah? came a voice from inside.

It’s me, said Thomas gruffly. You ready?

Just a minute, came the reply.

When the boy finally came to the door, Thomas looked him up and down. I’m ready, Myles said. So... what are we doing today?

Thomas answered him shortly, Follow me.

They went out through the back door and walked out to where most of the open land was. Thomas had planned to explain the basic principles of farming to Myles and begin teaching him some of the skills he would need to be able to run a farm of his own, should he choose to do that.

Somehow, though, Thomas was doubtful that he would want to do that. But there was another matter weighing on his mind too. He had already lied to India about it, and that was bothering him too. He had promised to tell her if anything was off, and he hadn’t so far.

But the truth was he didn’t want to further pit her and Myles against each other or try to come in between them. He sensed that this situation was a losing proposition for him anyway, no matter what he did. And also, he hadn’t actually caught the kid doing anything wrong. Yet.

But it didn’t change the troubled feeling that he had about the kid, deep in the pit of his stomach. That feeling there told Thomas that Myles was up to no good. That the kid was planning something that he and India were not going to like.

Thomas had learned to trust that gut feeling more and more over the years. It was that instinct that had kept him alive in the desert and on the battlefield.

Before we start, he said, turning to Myles. I want to talk about last night.

Immediately, the kid’s eyes dropped to the ground. OK.

What were you doing up and out in the living room last night? Thomas asked bluntly. And don’t lie to me.

Myles looked up, attempted to meet Thomas’s questioning gaze, but then dropped it to the ground again. He started to kick dirt around with his sneakers. I told you, he said. I couldn’t sleep, and I was just looking around. I noticed your pictures.

And that’s all? Thomas asked again.

That’s all, Myles lied, I swear.

Thomas was silent. He rubbed his chin, his brain working but not really coming up with much to handle this situation yet.

You don’t trust me, do you? Myles finally asked.

He looked at the