Jesse Carter was once a Marine who served in the Middle East. Unfortunately, he has seen and witnessed things that still haunt him today. In addition to those demons, his father was abusive while Jesse was growing up. Jesse finds support and comfort in what is now his family at the Knightâs Rebels. Belle is a nurse at a local hospital and has meet Jesse previously. She thinks he is hot but way out of her league. Belle asks Jesse and the Knightâs Rebels to help find her sister that has been missing for several years. Eventually, Belle and Jessie end-up together but with both their personal issues, the relationship is strained. Jesse father ends up of dying and he embarrasses Belle to death in front of all their friends. After Jesse finally starts to get himself straightened-up, he knows that he loves Belle and that she is the only woman for him and sets out to win her back.
I have read all the Knightâs Rebels novel and this is probably my least favorite. Jesseâs character truly was a jerk sometimes. I liked the book but I thought it was missing some of the action or suspense that have happened in the previous books. This characterâs conflict was more internal than external as in the previous novels. I really liked Belle. She really had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. I also liked that the other ladies married/in relationships with the other Knightâs Rebels men were there for Belle and continued to support and be her friend even when she and Jesse were not together.
4 Stars
I wake up to the heat of someoneâs palm against my shoulder. Twisting around, my hand moves faster than my brain, and I snatch it off me.
âJesse, itâs me, Bell,â she rushes out before I can take it any further.
âFuck.â I release my grip on her arm and sit up, forcing myself back to the here and now.
âDid I hurt you?â I reach for her searching for any sign of a mark left by me.
âItâs fine. You barely touched me.â She holds her arm out letting me inspect it. I check it over one more time before releasing her and relaxing.
âYou wanna talk about it?â I study her face, eyes calm, soft mouth. Sheâs not freaking out.
âJust some shit that visits my dreams sometimes, nothing that needs to touch you,â I reply, shocked Iâm not retreating.
âI donât mind, Jesse,â she pushes, and I almost cave. Almost.
âThe last thing I want to do is talk about this shit, Bell.â She doesnât argue or press, and Iâm grateful for it. I donât think Iâd be able to keep my cool if she did.
âCome back to sleep.â She lies back down and I follow her. She doesnât ask me any more questions, or make me feel like I need to tell her everything.
âThat ever happens again, donât wake me,â I warn. A menacing thought strikes through me picturing what could have happened if I didnât wake in time. Sheâs lucky I didnât hurt her, like the last time a woman touched me while I had a nightmare.
âYou donât always have to be so brave, Jesse.â Her hand moves to my dog tags. I donât stop her. Iâm starting to like the feeling of her hands touching them.
âNever tried to be, Bell. But talking doesnât help me. Never has.â I think back to the time when I did try and it forced me out of control. Talking about those triggers only amplified my insecurities. When death sits afar, mocking you in the dangerous confines of your surroundings, it fucks with your head; nothing was going to change it.
Besides, my issues werenât what I had done. They were what I had survived. My conscience wasnât clear and my honor wasnât clean.
âPromise me you wonât touch me.â I keep my tone even, controlled.
âI promise.â I take her hand in mine and bring it to my lips. Maybe one day I will let someone in. Let her in.
Today isnât that day.
But today, I didnât push her away.
That has to count for something.