To Protect the Heart of a Brazen Woman [Brazen Sisters 6] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Rita Sawyer

  Jake walked up the steps and paused in front of the door. If he was lucky he’d be able to explain the precarious situation he’d unintentionally gotten Bobbie into before she came downstairs. Since they were already pissed that he made her cry, he could just imagine how this was going to go over. He didn’t bother to knock. He just opened the screen door and let himself in. Jake moved down the hall and stepped into the living room.

  Jessie spotted him before anyone else. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to fetch your sister.” He kept his voice low and hoped they’d do the same.

  “Not without telling us what the hell is going on,” Frankie said, and everyone seemed to nod or grunt in agreement.

  “I figured as much, but before I do I just want to let you know I’ve already told Bobbie, and she agreed to come with me. So this is really just a courtesy.”

  Tyler shook his head and groaned. “Dude, not the best way to start.”

  “Jake’s got an honest streak a mile wide. He tells it like it is.” Sam didn’t necessarily sound like it was a trait she liked.

  “So what’s up?” Victor asked.

  “I’ve gotten a few threats that may include using Bobbie to hurt me. So we’ve decided the best thing is for the two of us to disappear for a while.”

  “Who’s making the threats and why? How are they planning to use Bobbie?” Cameron lurched to his feet and yanked his phone out of his pocket.

  Jake held up his hand and Cameron clutched the phone, not dialing. Cameron had plenty of high-powered connections that could probably help, but Jake knew the best people were already working on this and he trusted them.

  “A woman I put away years ago has gotten out and insinuated that she’s coming after something I care about. Bobbie falls into that category.”

  “Your brother and Charlie?” Sam asked, laying her hand on her belly.

  “Beau took her on a spur-of-the-moment vacation. Just like the one I’m going to take Bobbie on.”

  “Jake, that is a monumentally bad idea.” Georgie started to stand up, but Tyler put his hand on her thigh, stilling her.

  “She’s right.” Joey got to her feet and started forward, but Cameron wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. “Cameron, everyone in town will be talking, which none of us really put stock in, but others do.” She turned to Jake. “Are you willing to put her reputation at risk?”

  “Screw her reputation, this goes way deeper. Bobbie has had her sights set on you for years. Don’t you think taking her away with you might lead her on?” Jessie asked.

  Her husband, Victor, put his hand on her shoulder and looked at Jake. “Are you prepared for that?”

  “It doesn’t matter, because as he already told you, I’m going with him,” Bobbie said as she came down the stairs.

  Jake turned around and had one thought. Shit! How long had she been there listening? Bobbie hated people making decisions for her, and sitting around talking about her was just as bad. She didn’t even spare a look for him as she tossed the duffle bag she’d been carrying toward the door. Instead, she focused her narrowed gaze at her sisters and walked right past him. He knew she was still upset with him, but her family may have inadvertently drawn some of her ire from him to themselves. Right that second, they were all in trouble.

  Jake knew what he was about to do was risky. “Jessie, to answer your question, I’m prepared to do whatever I have to do to protect your sister.”

  Bobbie glanced over her shoulder and raised one eyebrow in question. He decided to let her read whatever she wanted into his comment. They could fight about it later. Right now he just wanted to get her out of there.

  “Whatever.” She waved her hand, dismissing him. “Jake has assured me this woman making threats is being dealt with. Until she is, we’re going—”

  “On a little trip.” He cut her off before she told them the truth.

  Bobbie took a breath so deep she seemed to get taller. “As I was saying. We’re going away for a few weeks.”

  “You’re not going to tell us where?” Jessie shook her head, answering her own question.

  “Sorry, no.” Jake glanced at Cameron, trying to catch his eye.

  “So if a strange woman shows up asking questions, what are we supposed to do?” Sam asked, and Bobbie laughed.

  “You tell the truth. Bobbie and I went away for a few weeks.”

  “Do you think she’ll just leave?” Trent wanted to know.

  “Actually, I’m hoping she’ll stick around to see if you’re lying, or to wait for us to come back. The longer she’s in one place the easier it’ll be to catch her. But I think it would be a good idea for you all to stick close together.”

  “Should we let someone know if a strange woman comes around asking questions about you or Bobbie?”

  “No. People are watching. My guys will still check in at the lodge nightly. If there’s something really important, slip one of them a note. On that point, I’d appreciate it if none of you took the night shift until this is over.”

  “That won’t be a problem,” Trent and Cameron said in unison.

  Jake hadn’t thought it would be. He knew he could count on the guys to make sure Bobbie’s sisters weren’t going to put themselves in danger. When it came to the Brazen sisters, the men in their lives, himself included, always stepped up to protect them. If it was one of the other women in trouble there was no doubt they could count on him to do whatever he could to help. It’s what a man did for the women in his life. And Bobbie was firmly planted in his, whether she should be or not.

  Chapter Six

  Bobbie laughed as she turned and headed for the door. Men. She rolled her eyes. Would she ever meet one who didn’t think it was his job to be the protector? Wouldn’t her brothers-in-law all be surprised to know just how capable her sisters were, pregnant or not?

  “Jessie, I’ll leave my keys in the console so you can move my car when you get the chance. Jake, I need to grab my backpack out of my Jeep. You can carry that.” She pointed to the duffle by the door.

  Jake nodded and she walked outside. She heard her sisters asking him more questions and knew time wasn’t on her side. She trotted over to her Jeep and grabbed her backpack off the floor. She opened the flap and plucked out a pen and small notepad. Jake might think he was running the show, but she had to do what she thought was best for her and her family. And that meant making sure her sister, Jessie, wasn’t driving herself crazy worrying about her.

  She scribbled a quick note telling Jessie where they were going. There was no need to tell her that she probably wouldn’t have cell phone or internet service. Hopefully, just knowing where Jake was absconding to with her would do for now. She tucked the note and keys into the console as Jake walked out of the house.

  They both headed for his truck, meeting at the passenger door. Jake opened it and tossed the bag he held onto the back seat before taking the backpack from her hand and stowing it with the other one. He stood back and waited for her to climb in. Bobbie had to admit, Jake’s parents had raised him to be a gentleman, but in this case she wondered if he was sticking close in case she decided to run.

  “So tell me, Jake, how is our destination going to be a secret if we’re taking your unmistakable truck?” she asked as he slid in behind the steering wheel.

  “I have a plan.” He sounded confident and a little cocky, which shouldn’t have surprised her.

  “Where did Beau take Charlie?” she asked, feeling a strange need to keep a silence from settling over them.

  “He took her to Niagara Falls, and they’re going to fly to Disney from there.”

  “I understand why he would want to get Charlie out of town, but with his skills, I’m surprised he didn’t stay to protect you.”

  “You think I need protecting?” She nodded and he laughed. “You do realize I taught Beau everything he knows.”

  “Maybe the student has surpassed the teacher, because when I had dinner with him and Charlie
the other day she told me how he whooped your butt.”

  He stomped on the brakes, jerking her forward against the seat belt. “You had dinner with Beau and Charlie?”

  “Yeah. He didn’t tell you? I brought the books to Charlie and he asked me to stay for dinner. He got a little angry when I told him I kissed you, and he said he was going to see you.” She was really surprised that Beau hadn’t eagerly volunteered the details with him, especially with the way he’d stormed out.

  Jake let out a low growl and pressed his foot on the gas pedal hard enough to send her back against the seat. She couldn’t make out what he was mumbling under his breath, but it didn’t sound like happy thoughts. In fact, she was getting the distinct feeling that even after this was all over, Beau might not be out of danger.

  “Anyway, I was thinking more along the surveillance side of things. Everyone knows how Beau likes his toys.”

  “He put a few things in motion before he left.”

  “I’m sure he did.”

  “Enough about my brother. With everything that’s happening I’m sure we can come up with something else to talk about.”

  “Fine.” She tried to think about something else to talk about, but came up blank.

  Jake didn’t seem in a rush to suggest a topic, either. Bobbie knew it was ridiculous to think he might be jealous. Still, she couldn’t think of any other reason for him to be unhappy about her hanging out with Beau and Charlie. For crying out loud, she’d been babysitting Charlie for years.

  Bobbie leaned her head back against the seat and turned her gaze out the window. It seemed like the closer they got to town, the slower Jake drove. Much slower than he needed to. Bobbie saw people stop what they were doing and watch as they drove past.

  “Is part of your plan to flaunt us together all over town?”

  “Yeah, the more people who know we’re together, the easier it’ll be for Patrice to find out. And it would help if you smiled at least a little.”

  As they drove past the post office, she saw Kerri standing on the stairs. Their gazes locked and they stared at each other for a minute. If the other woman’s frown was anything to go by—which Bobbie wasn’t sure since she’d never seen her smile—she wasn’t happy to see Bobbie with Jake. Still, it made her wonder if their friendly date had meant more to Kerri than Jake.

  With a huge smile, Bobbie turned to Jake and batted her eyes. “Your ‘not a real date’ friend just looked at me like she wished I hadn’t come back.”

  “Well, she’s the only one.” He winked at her, and Bobbie cursed her traitorous heart for racing. “Seriously, it wasn’t the same without you. Everyone missed you.”

  She turned back to the window so he wouldn’t see her eyes fill with tears. Bobbie knew he hadn’t meant to hurt her, but the way he edged around his feelings cut a little deeper now than it had before she left. She didn’t understand why he couldn’t just come right out say “I missed you”. Was it really that hard for him to admit it out loud?

  He reached over and took her hand in his. As always, his touch calmed her nerves and sparked her desire. No one else had that effect on her. She wondered if he knew what he could do to her without even trying.

  “It’s going to be okay. This will all be over before you know it.” He gave her hand a little squeeze before letting it go.

  That’s what she was afraid of. Bobbie understood the seriousness of the situation they were in. It was hard on both of them to be without their families, but over the years she’d dreamed of having Jake all to herself. She’d envisioned cozy romantic weekends and wild, crazy flings, but the next week or two wouldn’t be like anything she could have thought up. Still, it might be her only chance to see if she could show him how things could and should be between them.

  Neither of them spoke as Jake continued to drive through town. When he turned off the main road, Bobbie didn’t need to ask where he was going. She’d driven this route enough times to know they were headed to his house.

  “You said we were going to your shack.” She surprised herself with the flat tone of her voice.

  “Cabin,” he clarified. “And we are, but you were right. We need to switch my truck for something less conspicuous.”

  They passed the little dirt road that led to a vacation house and then the one that would have taken them to his brother’s place. Jake turned on the rutted dirt lane that led to his house. Bobbie watched silently as it came into view. Most people wouldn’t have thought a gingerbread Victorian house would be Jake’s style. They probably would have expected a rambling log house like his brothers’. But Bobbie knew it suited him, even if it was a little sparse. He needed to fill it with kids, and then it would be a perfect fit.

  Jake backed the truck up to the three-car garage and got out. Bobbie didn’t follow him. She needed a few minutes to clear her head. She’d never been the wishy-washy type. She knew what she wanted and went after it. Win or lose, she gave it her all. So all the wavering feelings she’d been experiencing since her return were slowly driving her insane.

  She heard the garage door open and turned around in her seat. Bobbie saw Jake take a couple of boxes out of the back of the truck and load them onto a trailer attached to his four-wheeler. Damn it, he was smart and sexy, a combination that turned her on. They’d be able to get to the cabin virtually unseen if they kept to the woods. Even better, she thought as she eagerly hopped out of the truck. She’d have a reason to wrap her arms around him. Their closeness would probably drive him just as crazy as it would her, but it would be so worth it.

  * * * *

  Jake loaded the trailer without looking at Bobbie. He couldn’t take the risk of her seeing how much he wanted her. He’d thought he had a handle on his emotions, but whenever she came near him he wanted to ignore all his instincts and claim her for his very own.

  For years he told himself she was too young and innocent to get involved with him. She hadn’t experienced enough, though he didn’t like the idea of her experiencing anything with anyone but him. Just the thought of her with anyone else made him want to hit something. Hell, when she left he’d lost it. For the first two days, he didn’t talk to anyone unless necessary. Then, during his sparring session with Beau, he’d let his anger loose and given him a black eye. Beau hadn’t taken it well and returned the favor, kicking his ass in the process. They both knew what his issue had been, and his brother had no problem pointing out that it could be easily rectified.

  Jake, in a moment of pure desperation, had gone after her, but halfway there he came to his senses. The very same day, he’d agreed to that stupid date with Kerri. Even though he’d stressed they’d be going as friends, he’d told himself he was a free man and could see whoever he wanted. It had been a test of sorts, and his heart had proved him wrong. It had been an evening of torture that he knew he’d come to regret.

  That sure hadn’t taken long. The Brazen women had barely given him the time of day since then. Their husbands were a little more understanding, but he figured they may have felt a little bit of pity for him. After being the stubborn ass he was, he really didn’t deserve their sympathy. His brother and friends had pointed out on numerous occasions that if he didn’t do something about his desire for Bobbie, it was going to eat at him until there was nothing left. Jake was beginning to believe them. Still, he wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to do. Between her leaving and Patrice’s threats, he’d been pushed him into admitting she was important to him. The question was what the hell was he going to do about it?

  Deep down, Jake knew his reason for not letting all their flirting go any further than a few heated, stolen kisses was because he was afraid. His brother had gone as far as to call him a coward. Hell, he’d face flying bullets and worse, but one sexy woman had him quaking in his boots. Jake knew once he got a taste of her he’d never be the same. God, she was so young. What if one day she changed her mind about loving him?

  He finished loading the trailer and couldn’t find a reason to stall this any lon
ger. “We should get going.”

  Bobbie smiled as she stepped out of the way. He climbed on the Quad Runner and drove it out of the garage. Bobbie closed and locked the door before climbing on behind him. He handed her a helmet and waited for her to put it on. She slid behind him and rested her hands on his shoulders. It wasn’t enough for him. He pulled back on the throttle, shooting them forward. As he had hoped, her natural instincts kicked in. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing herself against his back.

  Her hands were close enough to his dick that it got the impression she might touch it and hardened. Or it could have been her perky breasts pushing against him that made him want to yank her in front of him and give her a real ride. He was glad she couldn’t her him groan above the rumble of the engine. Jake made the decision right then and there that he needed to give her whatever she asked for. He wasn’t going to make the first move, but he’d be damned if he denied either of them any longer.

  Chapter Seven

  By the time they reached the cabin the sun had fully set. Between the darkness and the trees they would have been invisible, but the headlight and rev of the engine gave them away. Against Jake’s edicts, Bobbie helped him unload the small trailer. Bobbie believed in pulling her weight in any situation. This wasn’t any different, unless she focused on the fact someone might be hiding out there in the woods, watching them, waiting for a chance to do her harm. Once they started, the job was quickly completed.

  During her trips in and out of the little house, she couldn’t miss noticing it had been scrubbed clean since the last time she’d been there. She wondered how much time Jake had been spending there, and with who? He was focused on whatever he was doing in the kitchen, so she grabbed her bag and headed for the bedroom.

  Bobbie tossed what she thought was her duffle onto the bed. She yanked the zipper across it, planning to pluck out a towel and some clothes and go take a shower long enough to forget where she was. One glance inside made her laugh. She didn’t even try to hold it back. Not caring if Jake heard her, she laughed loud and hard and it felt so good.