SEALs of Honor: Shadow by Dale Mayer Read Free Book Online

he disappeared in the bushes too.
    Cooper smiled down at her. “It’s nice to see you already understand Shadow.”
    “I don’t know that I understand him,” she cautioned. “He saved my life.”
    “And you saved his,” he said cheerfully. “Isn’t there something to that old adage about saving a life and being responsible for that life ever after?”
    “Then our scales would just cross each other’s off as we’re even,” she said a little reluctantly, intrigued at the idea of having a man like Shadow feel a little responsible for her. Not totally responsible because that would feel like a ball and chain over time, and she couldn’t handle shackles. Still…he was…all man. Sigh.
    “Not at all. It would mean that he is to look after you, but that you are also to look after him.”
    “We’re so different, that would hardly work,” she said with a smile, speaking in light tones. Too bad Shadow wasn’t still here.
    “Oh, but you’d be caretakers of different parts of each other. Like you could look after the part of him that feels alone. Empty,” Cooper added quietly. “Shadow needs to know that he has someone in his life besides his brothers.” He tapped his chest. “He and the rest of our team.”
    “Doesn’t he have any family?” It would be tough to be all alone. She didn’t like her stepmother, had learned to deal with her gruff father, but she’d be lost without Kevin.
    Cooper shook his head. “And he’s very private.”
    She nodded, staring into the bushes. “Poor man.”
    “I don’t think sympathy is on the menu.”
    “No, neither is pity. He doesn’t need it either. He’s survived and that’s the best any of us can do sometimes.” She tilted her head back to see the rope too high up for her to reach. “I need to get back up to my brother.” She turned to Cooper. “Can you give me a boost up?”
    The words weren’t fully out of her mouth before she was literally tossed up into the air in the direction of the rope. She grabbed on and scurried up to where her brother sat anxiously waiting for her.
    Her arms were aching, and her breathing uneven by the time she got to the top. But she made it, and with her brother tucked up close in her arms, the two of them safe against the trunk, and the rope once again looped around the branch, she closed her eyes and rested.
    Shadow…an interesting name for an interesting man.
    *
    Shadow studied the four men in front. They weren’t as well trained as the other soldiers and stood talking as a group. Then he realized that his group hadn’t been much better. And that was disheartening. Trust a woman to create such a situation. Hell, before she’d arrived he’d been doing well. Now he was scattered and confused. He shoved all thoughts of Arianna back inside. She was a job. That was all.
    Liar.
    But he wouldn’t listen.
    Swede joined him. Markus on his heels. Shadow glanced behind.
    “She’s with Cooper.”
    Shadow nodded but the thought soured his gut. Great. The only other single guy in the unit and one who was friendly and got along wonderfully with everyone. Wait, Markus and Evan were here too. Great. More men for her to choose from. Yet he shouldn’t give a damn. She was nothing to do with him. Good for Cooper if he found someone. He’d had a shitty year. Then Markus deserved a relationship after losing his wife. And what about Evan’s divorce? He could use a sweetheart himself. Someone like Arianna would be perfect.
    And that made his stomach want to heave.
    Suddenly the enemy in front of him were on the move, two to the left and two to the right. He headed right, Swede beside him. Markus walked the center line.
    The two men went down without a fight. Shadow stared at an unconscious man at his feet. He quickly secured him and turned to see Swede already lifting the other over his shoulder.
    They were collecting the men and keeping them on the other side of the hill under heavy guard. So far they’d managed to take several out