Lily's Outlaw (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 2) by Kori David Page A

mean did I see you throw him off the porch, land with his fancy butt straight up in the air, before he tucked-tail and ran to his black Mercedes Benz, then yes, I saw him.”
    Lily stifled another laugh as Jesse smiled at the image. “Do you happen to recollect how long he was inside Ms. Richardson’s home before she arrived?”
    She didn’t even blink, just nodded. “He was in there about an hour.”
    “I knew he was lying, that snake.”
    Jesse reached out and took her hand in his, but he stayed focused on Eunice. “Anyone else snooping around?”
    “As a matter of fact, yesterday two Mexican men came by doing some yard work. I didn’t like the looks of them, especially since Lily doesn’t trust anyone but me to water her flowers, so I told them I was calling the police to check out their story. I thought they were spending a little too much time up by the windows and the front door. They took off right quick then.”
    Lily looked up at Jesse and knew he wasn’t going to take any brush-off this time. He’d followed her, not out of hurt feelings like he’d said, but because she was in very real danger still. He knew it and she knew it. And it was time she stopped hiding it.
    And she was tired. Tired of being afraid. Tired of not trusting anyone. And tired of trying to prove that she was good enough, tough enough, to handle the situation she found herself in.
    “Thank you, Eunice, for being a wonderful neighbor, as always,” Lily said. “I think I should take Jesse inside and get him out of those wet clothes.”
    “Smartest thing I’ve heard all day.” And with a wave, Eunice and her muumuu were gone.
    Lily looked at Jesse’s big tanned hand linked with hers. Whatever happened next, she wanted him with her. He was already taking root in her heart. And dear Lord, she wanted him in her bed. Maybe for the rest of their lives.
    “I guess I have some explaining to do.”

Chapter 9

    Lily’s house was bright and sunny, but also cozy with big furniture that a man wasn’t afraid to sit on. Jesse had taken his shirt off and given it to Lily for the dryer, but since his pants were barely wet, he kept those on.
    “We leave in ten minutes, if not sooner,” Jesse called down the hall.
    “I know we can’t stay, but at least let your shirt dry.”  
    She disappeared to retrieve the pictures she’d taken. She was finally going to trust him, and it was about damn time.
    He found the remote and flipped on the television. He set his bag at his feet with his gun sitting within easy reach. He searched the local news station and waited for something interesting to come on. When it did, he sat forward and steepled his hands. There was no such thing as coincidence in his world.
    “What was the name of that Army General from your picture?”
    “Alton Maddox,” she yelled back. “Why?”
    “You need to come in here.”
    “What’s up?” she asked. She had a manila folder in her hand.  
    She’d changed into a peach-colored tank top and white shorts and if he hadn’t been positive that their time at this house was about to be compromised, he might have stopped everything to explore all that creamy skin again.  
    Jesse pointed at the screen. The banner at the top said Army General found dead, and the scrolling banner at the bottom said that the General had been found deceased at his vacation home in the mountains of Colorado. It was ruled a homicide. It was news in Texas because this particular General ran one of the largest bases in the state.  
    “That is no coincidence, Lil.”
    She sat down hard on the leather couch. “He was only in his fifties.”
    “Cold-blooded murder tends to shorten a life span.” He knew his tone was grim. “The Army isn’t going to release any details to the media and will do their own investigation as soon as they can, but the local police department would have arrived on scene first. They might even have the body since, technically, it’s their jurisdiction. I’ll call a