Free All Her Men (The Queen's Men Book 1) by Brina Cary Page A

car had melted crayons in the backseat, from long before she had received the hand me down. The blues and yellows intertwined into an odd greenish and brownish glob. Try as she might it never came out. Sliding her hand over the slick cool fabric she resolved to buy herself a car with leather interior if she ever got out of this mess.
     
    *****
     
    As they entered through the front doors of the castle, they found Fiona waiting for them. “Ma’am, we heard! Are ye all right?”
    “Of course, I’m fine. Don’t listen to Jacob. He’s going to make it out to be this big hubbalub and it wasn’t. A glass broke and he freaked.” There wasn’t any reason to worry anyone.
    “This came fer ye.”
    Amelia took the letter from her. It was slightly stained with a dark colored liquid. Maybe coffee? Out of habit, she sniffed the envelope. It had a muted smell of almonds. Turning it over, she opened it up. She gasped. There were five simple words: ‘Next time I won’t miss.’
    Turning to Jacob, she looked for him to help her — to tell her it wasn’t real. His eyes were angry, as if he was still focused on the shooting. He wouldn’t be able to reassure her. “Jacob, here. I’m going to change.”
    She needed some time hitting a punching bag and there was one in the tunnels. It would be perfect. Physical activity was perfect for a stress release. If that didn’t work, then she would see what Jacob could offer. Her body was still deliciously sore from their previous night’s activities. She sighed as she walked away. First change and time in the tunnels, then she’d seek out Jacob.
     
     
     

 
    Chapter 15
     
    Jacob watched Amelia from the shadows. She moved gracefully in the candlelight. Stretching back and forth she moved as if she had been doing the movements every day for years. Strength was in her movements.
    Her mother had taught her well…
    “Jacob, you can stop watching and come join me if you want.”
    She knew he was there?
    “I heard you breathing. You’re enjoying the view a little too much.”
    He stalked forward. The smile on her face was just too much to take. It was sad; however, there was a tinge of humor. It tore at his heart and made him angry all the same. The emotions waged war in his soul. Here was the woman that he had sworn to protect, that had just won against a sniper’s gun, and she still seemed as if she was challenging him.
    It was just too much for him to bear. She placed herself in danger and mocked him when he tried to protect her. How could she…?
    Sighing deeply, he shook his head. “Lass, I said ye’d pay fer yer behavior. I think ‘tis time now.”
    “I won’t be paying for anything. It’s not my fault that you guys didn’t consider that someone might shoot at me. That sounds like a personal problem.”
    “Come again?”
    “No, I don’t think so.” She turned and swung at the punching bag again. He stood staring after her, like a love sick puppy. She had no idea how he felt. The realization slammed into him, tearing at him, as if an unseen enemy was snapping his tendons in an attempt to break his bones. It smashed at his heart, splintering his dream of happily ever after that he had worked so hard for.
    “Amelia, I have a gift for ye.” She turned back towards him, a curious expression on her face. “Promise me ye will wear it?” Her eyes narrowed at him and he sighed. It was just his luck that she would question a gift. “Please?”
    “What is it?”
    “A gift. One normally says thank ye at receiving a gift.” He smiled at her in hopes that it would calm whatever fears or concerns she might have while he fished it from his pocket. “’Tis a simple thing, to show ye…” He stopped before he said something he would regret. Would she feel the same? Was there a chance that she would? It was all so fast for her, but for him… for him, it had been fifteen years in the making. It was a slow love that burned brighter than any candle.
    As she held her hand out