by Leah Brooke
Whoever he spoke to must have said something to piss him off because his lips thinned, his eyes hardening as he turned away.
He’d made it clear that he wasn’t happy having her here. He’d obviously agreed to take the case because of his friendship with Logan.
And yet she found herself as intrigued with him as she was with Caleb and Devlin.
Devlin touched her arm. “Is everything okay?”
No. I’m stupid and the accident must have rattled my brain.
Forgetting her injury, Stormy shrugged, surprised that it didn’t hurt. “I took a case I shouldn’t have taken, and I’ve put a lot of people in danger. I just hope like hell nobody gets hurt because of my stupidity.”
Devlin ran a hand over her hair. “We’re not gonna let anything happen to you. Why don’t you go lie down for a while? The sooner you heal, the better.”
Stifling a yawn, she got up to look out the window, watching Lucas talk on his phone. “I’m fine.”
She’d told Nicole that she trusted Lucas, Devlin, and Caleb, but trust didn’t come easily for her.
They had a security company, and seemed adept, but she couldn’t forget that they lived and worked in a small town.
They would be out of their league, and she very much feared that their promise to Logan to protect her could very well get all of them killed.
And it had already become very obvious that she was out of her league with them.
Staying in Desire would cause nothing but pain to all of them.
Chapter Eight
Lucas glanced at the house, hoping Stormy would be sleeping by the time he got back inside.
She needed the rest, and he wanted to talk to Caleb and Devlin alone about her case.
Stormy James was just too damned much of a distraction.
He’d never been distracted by a client before, and he sure as hell had no business wanting his friend’s little sister.
She wasn’t his usual type.
He preferred dark-haired, dark-eyed women—women who had an exotic appearance—but found himself enthralled by green eyes and long, thick hair streaked with every shade of blonde he could imagine.
They’d promised Logan they would protect her, and being attracted to her could be a distraction they didn’t need.
“Lucas, are you there?”
Stiffening at the concern in Ace’s tone, Lucas continued his scan of the property, checking to make sure nothing was out of place. “Yeah, Ace. I’m here.”
“Something wrong?”
Irritation that thoughts of Stormy had distracted him again, Lucas cleared his throat. “No. Just checking the motion detectors. Have you heard anything?”
“The State Police caught the men chasing Stormy, but they can’t question them yet.”
Lucas fought back the rage building inside him, reaching for the icy control that fit him like a glove. “Why not?”
“Because they wrapped their car around a tree running from them. As soon as they can question them, they will, and they promised to keep me informed. They know the situation with Stormy and want me to keep them posted. And before you ask, I’m only talking to people I trust in case Kline has cops in his pocket.”
“Good. Keep everyone away. I don’t want any attention brought to her.”
“I know. I’ve already started passing the word that I don’t want anyone talking about her when there are strangers present. Hmm. I’m working on the pictures Caleb emailed me of Stormy’s client. Knowing that she lied to Stormy about her identity makes the back of my neck itch.”
Lucas glanced at his bedroom window, the memory of Stormy lying in his bed making his cock twitch. Annoyed that he couldn’t stop thinking about her, Lucas purposely looked away and moved around the side of the house toward the front. “I know what you mean. As soon as we find out who this woman is, the sooner we can see the big picture. Having threats to her life coming in from all directions is bad enough, but the fact that her client lied to her about her identity adds another unknown factor that might put her in even more danger.”
“Agreed.” Ace’s tone hardened. “I’m printing out photos of this woman to pass around to my men, and I’ve called Agent Price.”
Pausing at the corner of the house, Lucas scanned the area. “Isn’t that the FBI agent that was in charge of Erin’s case?”
“Yes. She told me to call if I ever needed anything. I’m gonna take her up on it.” Ace blew out a breath, the tension in his voice tangible. “I have a feeling we’re gonna need all the help we can get.”
Lucas continued around the house, slowly making his way to the private road in front of it. “I agree. I’m gonna call in a favor so I know when the contract is cancelled.”
Ace blew out another breath. “I won’t ask. Just let me know when it’s cancelled.”
“Will do.”
“Lucas, how is she?”
Turning to look at the house, Lucas once again found himself thinking about her green eyes. “Sore, but trying not to show it. Scared, but trying not to show that, either.”
Hiding something and trying not to show that, either.
“Do you need Doc?”
“No. We’ve got it. Let me know what Agent Price has to say.”
“I will. Stay in touch.”
After disconnecting, Lucas called another number, a number he didn’t keep stored in his phone but had memorized in another lifetime.
“Hello.”
“Let me talk to him. Tell him it’s Lucas Hart.”
Seconds later, another voice came through. “Lucas! How are you?”
Lucas didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “I need to collect on one of those favors you owe me.”
“Of course. I can never repay you for getting my daughter back.”
Years earlier, before Lucas, Devlin, and Caleb moved to Desire, they’d spent their early adult years on the streets of New York. “It was a long time ago.”
“Not for me. I’m a grandfather now. Hard to believe. What do you need?”
Lucas told him about the contract. “We’re gonna make sure Kline gets locked up, and when he is, I want everyone to know that the contract’s cancelled and that, if they kill her, there’s no way they can collect.”
“That’s it? That’s only a phone call. I can do better than that. What’s her name?”
“Stormy. Stormy James.”
“There’s something special about this woman, isn’t there?”
Lucas hardened his tone. “She’s the sister of one of our friends.” He didn’t want the other man to know how special Stormy was to him.
Joe Bonetti chuckled. “Interesting. I wondered when you moved to that hick town if you and the others would ever find a woman to share. Doesn’t make any sense to me, but then, I’m the possessive type. The three of you always did stick together like glue.”
“She’s not ours, Joe. What are you gonna do?”
The creak of expensive leather told Lucas that Joe had sat back in his seat, probably puffing on one of the Cuban cigars he loved so much.
“I’m going to put the word out on the street that she’s under my protection and anyone who tries to collect on the contract will answer to me.”
Lucas smiled, some of the knots in his stomach loosening. “I’m not sure your reach is this long.”
“You underestimate me. I’ll take care of it.”
“I don’t want him dead. I want him in jail.”
The other man chuckled. “Always so moral. One of these days, you’re going to lose that icy control of yours and do what needs to be done. I’d love to be there when it happens.”
“Jail. I want him to pay for what he’s done for a long time.”
“Fine. I’ll take care of it, but watch yourself. If he’s already put the word out there, it might take a couple of days to call everyone off.”
“I appreciate it. We’re even.”
“No. I don’t think we are. You and the others saved my only daughter’s life. That’s somet
“Yeah. Photos of him committing murder are kinda hard to dispute.”
“Unless the person who took them isn’t around to verify them.”
Lucas had already thought of that. “She’s well protected.”
The older man chuckled. “I would imagine. You and your sidekicks always were real protective of the ladies. I’ll take care of it.” Joe Bonetti disconnected, probably already barking out orders.
Confident that word about the contract would go out, he made his way the rest of the way around the house to the back door again, entering quietly so he didn’t wake Stormy.
Instead, he found her still sitting at the kitchen table.
One look into her sleepy green eyes and Lucas felt his world tilt.
Keeping his distance emotionally seemed to be getting harder and harder.
* * * *
Stormy ignored Lucas’s dark look and divided her attention between Caleb and Devlin. “I still think that I should call him. If I agree to meet him somewhere, we can set a trap for him.”
“No. Why aren’t you lying down?” Lucas encompassed all three of them in his accusing look as he crossed to the coffee maker.
Chilled, she rose to refill her coffee mug, standing several feet behind him as she waited for him to move away.
After filling his mug, he turned and snatched hers out of her hand. “I’m cutting you off.”
Caleb looked up from the laptop. “What did you find out?”
“Ace is passing around pictures of Kline, along with Stormy’s client. They’re all looking out for him, and any other strangers. It should be over soon.” He gave Devlin and Caleb a meaningful look. “I called New York.”
Devlin’s dark brow went up. “Really? And he’s gonna let you know when the contract’s cancelled?”
Lucas shifted his gaze to hers, setting her mug in the sink. “It should be cancelled by now.”
Stunned, Stormy gaped at him. “What? That’s great! Who the hell did you call?”
It seemed a little too easy, making Stormy extremely suspicious.”
Caleb frowned again, eyeing her. “It’s gonna take some time for everyone to get the word, though.”
Lucas took a sip of his coffee and moved away from her with a piercing look, making his way to the table. “Yes. She’s not out of the woods yet, and we still don’t know who her client is. It’s gonna be a long time until the trial.”
Stormy’s stomach clenched. “Wait. You don’t really think I’m going to stay here until the trial.”
Caleb looked up from his laptop, his eyes narrowed. “You’ll stay with us until you’re no longer in danger—no matter how long that takes. Everyone in town is on alert and will be keeping a sharp eye on their women.”
Lifting her chin, Caleb studied her eyes. “Go lie down before you fall down.”
“Jesus, you’re bossy.” She glanced toward Lucas and Devlin to find them both watching her. “I’m sure this is a new concept for you, but I’m a big girl. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, and despite what my brother thinks, I’m damned good at it.”
Lucas lowered his mug, his eyes narrowed. “You need to heal, and you’re not gonna do that unless you get the rest you need.”
“That’s not up to you.” With her hands on her hips, she took several steps back and faced all three of them. “Listen, I’m not one of the women who live in this town that don’t mind being pushed around or who bow to their husband’s demands.”
Devlin blinked. “Pushed around? Bow to their husband’s demands?” Shaking his head, he reached for the laptop, pulling it toward him. “Have you ever met any of the women who live here?”
Stormy shrugged and took a sip of her water. “Of course not. But I can imagine.”
Devlin turned in his seat to face her, a faint smile tugging his sensuous lips. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. The women in town are all headstrong and confident. Sometimes too headstrong, which is why the men in this town have to be strong.”
His smile altered slightly, the erotic promise in it making her stomach clench. “Women are much more easily managed when they’re satisfied, which makes pleasing them very important.”
Shaking her head, Stormy smiled sarcastically. “Managed? Good God. You people have a low opinion of women.”
Sitting back, Devlin held her gaze. “Not at all. In Desire, our women are our main priority. Keeping them safe is ingrained. Giving them pleasure and making sure their needs are met is more than a matter of pride. It’s a way of life for all of us. Real men don’t disrespect their women. Real men value them for the delightful creatures they are.”
Caleb smiled. “Beautiful. Mysterious. Strong. Damn, they’re exciting.” Leaning back against the counter, he studied her features. “Any man worth his salt figures his woman out and knows how to make her happy.”
Raising a brow at that, Stormy met his gaze steadily, even though her face burned. “Really? By dominating them? Just make the little woman have an orgasm and she’ll do whatever you want?” Snorting inelegantly, she set her bottle of water aside. “The men in this town probably run roughshod over their wives.”
Shaking his head, Caleb reached for his coffee cup. “The women who have been claimed are all very secure. They know they’re loved. They’re happy and safe and know their men would do anything in their power to make sure they stay that way.”
“I’m sure you men like to believe that.” Allowing a smirk, she went to the sink to retrieve her coffee mug, only to have Caleb take it from her again.
“You’re cut off, remember?” Handing her the bottle of water she’d set aside, Caleb shook his head. “It appears nothing we can say will change your mind. I guess you’re just gonna have to see for yourself.”
Setting the bottle back on the counter, Stormy smiled sarcastically. “I’ll go do that now.”
Shaking his head, Caleb smiled and slid an arm to her lower back, turning her toward the doorway. “Very funny. You’re grouchy. You’re still recovering from a bullet wound and a car accident. Frankly, I don’t know how you’re still on your feet. Go lie down. You’ll feel better after you get some sleep.”
Devlin stared at the laptop screen, his features hard and cold. “Shit.”
Shaken that the warmth from Caleb’s hand spread rapidly to every erogenous zone, sharpening the memory of the pleasure he’d given her. “I’m not a damned child who—”
Devlin shot to his feet. “Get down!”
Stormy stopped abruptly, Devlin’s shout coming just seconds before the sound of dull pings hit the house.
Recognizing the sound of gunfire, she instinctively turned toward it, reaching for the gun she usually kept tucked in the back of her waistband.
She barely had time to remember that it was in her bag before bands of hot steel wrapped around her and she found herself on the floor.
Even as the gunfire continued, she saw Lucas and Devlin race toward it, guns in hands, disappearing from view into the living room.
Glass shattered, followed closely by the sounds of Devlin and Lucas firing their own weapons.
Caleb’s full weight covered her, his hand over her head preventing her from lifting it.
Next to her shoulder, he gripped the nine-millimeter handgun that she’d seen on the counter.
“Let me up.”
The gunfire suddenly stopped, and seconds later, she heard the front door flying open.
Tires squealed, the sound becoming more distant.
An engine started, followed by more squealing tires.
She tried to lift her head to see into the other room, but Caleb touched his lips to her hair. “Be still. I’m getting up, but I want you to stay just like this until one of us comes back for you. I won’t be far.”
She turned her head to watch him, impressed at the stealthy way he moved.
Before her eyes, the three of them had changed into men she barely recognized, their quick reactions and change in the way they looked and moved far different from the casual, easy movements she’d become accustomed to.
Sirens sounded in the distance, some moving farther away while another came closer.
Sitting up, she took several steadying breaths and got to her feet, startled when Caleb appeared at her side.
She stiffened then slowly blew out a breath. “Shit. I didn’t hear you. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Gentle, but firm hands turned her, not stopping until she faced him again, his blue eyes glittering like ice. “Did I hurt you when I took you to the floor?”
Still shaking with adrenaline, and chilled from nerves, Stormy found herself involuntarily leaning into him. “I’m fine.”
Closing his hands on her waist, he drew her closer, setting his gun on the counter and running his hands up and down her back. “Are you sure?”
She found herself lifting her hands to his shoulders, reveling in the warmth of his body against hers. “Yes.” Surprised at the huskiness in her voice, Stormy cleared her throat and stepped away, unnerved by the pinpricks of awareness that seemed to break out everywhere.
Closing his hands on her shoulders, Caleb closed the distance between them again. “I hurt you.”
“No.” Shaking her head, Stormy found herself backed against the counter. Lifting her hands to his chest, she took a shuddering breath. “You didn’t hurt me.”
Adrenaline pumped through her veins, heightening her senses and making her desire for him even more intense.
Alarmed that her shaking had nothing to do with pain and everything to do with the way it felt to be held in his arms, Stormy took a shuddering breath when he pulled her closer.
The warmth and solidness of his chest against her nipples filled her with a sense of femininity that made her weak in the knees while the cocoon of safety surrounding her gave her a sense of power that made her dizzy.
His cock pressed against her, the knowledge that he wanted her adding fuel to the flames already licking at her.
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