Page 20 of Criminally Yours

She jerked away, pressing closer to the door.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean…” He opened the glove box and revealed the same style tool, although his was green and black.

She twisted hers more frantically. “No, it’s me. I didn’t realise… Was yours army issued?”

He chuckled. “No. My army buddies bought it when they’d had enough of me tapping things in the bunk.”

“Do you miss the army?” she asked as she cleaned her glasses with the edge of her sleeve.

His shoulders hunched. “I miss my platoon, but I don’t miss being told what to do and being constantly at risk.” He gritted his teeth. “There was no control, and my existence was always about what others wanted.”

“Like what?”

He swallowed slowly, pain clouding his throat. “Just army stuff. But I made friends for life, like Stal and Nails. I have people worldwide who would do anything for me because we have this unbreakable bond.”

“That bit sounds nice.” Her sad sigh nibbled at his curiosity.

“You must have lots of people who care about you. Your mum was always protective. We’ll get you a phone so you can contact people. Your partner must be worried about you.”

They neared a well-hidden stone building nestled between the trees.

“I told you earlier I was going to a singles event. I wouldn’t do that if I had a boyfriend,” she snapped.

The tightness in his chest eased slightly. “I wanted to check.” Temptation pinched him, but if she wanted him to know what was on her phone, she’d have said, “Well, you tell whoever. Friends or people you associate with or…”

“I’ll let my family, clients, and some internet friends know. There’s no one else.”

“Noted.”

“You said you didn’t like the lack of control in the army.”

“I left to regain it.”

“From the brief time I’ve spent with you, it’s clear you consider everything. You used to be goofy and sometimes impulsive. I can’t see any of that now.”

He gripped the steering wheel as he flexed his jaw. Within twenty-four hours of running away to join the army, he’d wanted to return, but she’d told Bear, through her brother, that she never wanted to see or hear from him again. Before heleft, he should have spoken to his parents or considered the future, but he ran, believing it was the best decision for her.

“I’ll regret how impulsive I was as a teenager for the rest of my life.”

Her eyes pinched, and he quickly added, “Anyway, I wanted to leave the army and start this business. I’d done what I set out to do when I joined up.”

“Which was get away from me. Well done for your achievements,” she replied.

“That’s not how it was,” he griped as they reached the outside of the main house.

He parked quickly and turned, but she pushed open the door and stepped out of the vehicle. His fingers brushed her arm as he reached for her, and she recoiled.

She snapped her fidget tool and shoved the remnants into her hoodie pocket.

“Don’t, Caleb.” His eyebrows lifted, and she shook her head. “I mean, Strike. Just don’t. I don’t need an explanation. You made mistakes because you were impulsive. You regretted having sex with me so much that you joined the army, leaving me alone and full of regrets.”

“Millie, I didn’t?—"

Millie slammed the door loudly and turned to face Liss, who must have heard it all.

CHAPTER 9

Millie