Chapter 327
[ 500 words ]
Chapter 327:
Evelyn’s gaze was blunt. “She’s the apex predator’s mate, Riley. Colonel Romero does not share, and he certainly does not appreciate young corporals offering snacks to his legally wedded wife.”
The reminder hit Evan like a physical blow to the chest. The color drained completely from his face.
His eyes widened in sheer, unadulterated terror as he realized he had been lingering around the apex predator’s mate.
He remembered how he’d looked at her legs when they pulled her from the mud, and his stomach dropped into his combat boots, heavy as lead.
𝗟а𝗍𝘦st c𝗁𝖺pte𝗋s оn 𝗴al𝗇𝗈𝗏𝗲𝘭𝘀.𝖼o𝗺
The protein bar slipped from his trembling fingers, hitting the linoleum floor with a soft, pathetic thud.
Evelyn sighed and kicked the protein bar under the reception desk with the toe of her shoe, hiding the evidence of his suicidal sympathy.
“For the sake of your continued breathing,” she advised, her voice flat, “forget you ever saw her face.”
Evan snapped a rigid, panicked salute, his brain screaming at him to evacuate the medical building immediately.
Before he could turn and sprint for the exit, the heavy double doors of the medical bay slid open with a quiet hiss.
K. C. Bell stepped through the doorway, his eyes sweeping the room with cold, intelligence-officer precision.
Right behind him, Caroline walked in, wearing a fresh, oversized pair of gray scrubs, completely unaware of the bomb that had just detonated in the young corporal’s world.
Caroline stepped into the brightly lit reception area, her eyes immediately landing on the young soldier standing rigidly by the desk.
She recognized Corporal Evan Riley instantly, his face etched in her memory from the muddy perimeter during the storm.
A genuine, warm smile broke across her face. She walked directly toward him, bypassing K. C. Bell without a second glance.
Evan watched her approach, his heart pounding so hard against his ribs he felt like he might have a cardiac arrest.
Caroline stopped two feet away from him. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For helping Captain Hayes bring me in last night. I appreciate it.”
Evan’s eyes darted frantically to K. C. Bell, who was watching the interaction with narrowed, predatory eyes.
Sweat beaded on Evan’s forehead. He immediately snapped his gaze down to the tips of his own combat boots, his posture becoming inhumanly rigid.
“It was my duty to assist, ma’am!” he barked at the floor, the words loud and formal, ensuring K. C. heard his extreme, unwavering respect.
Caroline blinked, slightly taken aback by his sudden, robotic military formality. It was a stark contrast to the genuine concern he’d shown at the fence line.
She smiled awkwardly. “You don’t need to shout. Are you doing okay?”
Evan took a distinct, physical step backward, creating a massive, safe distance between them.
“Yes, ma’am,” he stammered, his words a rapid-fire burst. “I must return to my post immediately.”
Without waiting for her reply, Evan executed a sharp about-face and practically sprinted out of the double doors.
Caroline watched him flee, completely bewildered. She turned to Dr. Reed. “What was that about?”
Evelyn chuckled dryly, picking up her clipboard. “Survival instincts just kicked in.”
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