8
Alyssa knew Jake had a past in the military, but she’d never seen it. He’d only been gentle and caring with her. She’d never worried he would hurt her. Not until he spun on her.
Then she caught the look in his eyes. The pain. The sorrow. The anger.
“Alyssa,” he said, the sound ripped from his throat in a painful growl. “I’m sorry.”
Alyssa didn’t hesitate. She just stepped into his arms and held him. His arms closed around her and he pressed his nose into her hair. She felt him trembling and heard his heart pounding in his chest. He clung to her, like she was the only thing keeping him from collapsing. She wanted to drag him to her room and just hold him the rest of the day. Somewhere safe. Somewhere away from whoever walked by. Away from the baby crying.
Baby?
“Is that a baby?” Aly
