Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) by Tricia Andersen Page A

and then started on the other one.
    I am not a child.
    His deep blue gaze shot up to hers. The message in his glare was unmistakable. It was time to drop it and let him take care of her. Once her feet were free of the skates, he shed his quickly and returned both pairs.
    Avery gingerly stood on her good leg. She concentrated on her bag a couple feet away with her shoes inside. It wasn’t too far. She could hop there.
    A gasp escaped her lips as she was scooped off her feet. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Rico’s neck as he scooped up both their bags and strode from the building with her still cradled in his arms.
    The stubborn woman in Avery was nearly offended at Rico taking control of the situation. She was the one hurt, not him. But then, she studied his face. She could see the determination in his features. She saw the worry. Does he really care that much about me?
    He sat her down in the Jeep and signed. I’ll be right back.
    Avery watched Rico storm off a distance and whip out his cell phone from his jeans pocket. He pressed a couple buttons and held it to his ear. She couldn’t read his lips at the moment but by his pacing and the urgency in his motions, he seemed anxious.
    As he talked, she pondered the past week with him. They had butted heads more than once, especially about her independence. He was just as stubborn as she was. He held himself with a confidence she hadn’t seen many men have. She smiled to herself. They were more alike than she had ever imagined. She liked it.
    She shifted her foot slightly. The searing pain that shot through her body brought her back to the problem at hand. She glanced up as Rico slid into the driver’s seat.
    I am probably all right. But I should go home.
    Rico shook his head. “I have a friend who will look at it. I just called him.”
    I am not sure your friend—
    Rico stopped her hands with his. After a moment, he smiled. “My friend is an ER physician. This is right up his alley. We’re headed over to his place.”
    »»•««
    Rico stopped alongside the curb in front of the brick townhouse. He glared at the building. He needed Mark right now. He hated seeing Avery hurt. The thought stunned him. Knowing someone he cared about was in pain had never torn him up like this before.
    He had also pleaded, demanded, that Mark get rid of anything that might associate Rico with his MMA career. The two men had been on posters and programs together. The big man had told Rico that he would. However, Mark had a bad habit of not taking things seriously. If Avery sees one hint of my life in mixed martial arts… He clenched his eyes shut. He didn’t want to think about it.
    His eyes shifted to Avery’s, and he smiled. He hopped out of the Jeep then met her at her door before she could get out. She didn’t have to sign to him. Her exasperated look told him she wanted to walk. Without a word, he scooped her into his arms and strode to the front door, knocking on it with his knee. Barking was the response.
    As the door opened, they were greeted by an excited, wagging, chocolate brown pit bull.
    Rico frowned. “Kinnick, move.”
    Mark popped around the corner, an impish grin plastered to his face. “Hey.”
    “Could you please move Kinnick?”
    “I could.” After waiting a moment just to irritate him, Mark nudged the dog away. Rico stepped inside the living room to find Dan sprawled across the loveseat, a video game controller in his hand and his long, thin legs draped over the arm. Rico took a sweep of the area. There were MMA magazines on the end tables and his gear bag sat on the floor by the television. With a relieved sigh, he gently set Avery on the couch.
    Kinnick wiggled to Avery’s side for attention. She petted the dog as Mark kneeled before her.
    “ Hi, Avery. My name is Mark. I am going to check your ankle. All right? ”
    Avery nodded then typed something on her phone. She showed Mark.
    Mark grinned as he gently massaged her ankle. “This is Kinnick.