“Be right there!” she called out in return.
“Sorry, I better go.” Hooking her thumb, she pointed toward the house. “Grandpa likes to watch his shows but he gets the system all messed up and then grumbles until it’s fixed.”
I nodded. “I understand. Let me just take a quick peek around and I’ll be on my way. We’ll have to get in the house later, not just outside, but we will talk about that when we meet tomorrow.”
She nibbled on her lower lip, something I was noticing she did when nervous. “Guess that means I better have that talk with Gramps and Jett. I’m exhausted, but I will after we meet tomorrow, I promise.” Ruby gave me a little smirk and then threw my words back at me. “I’m a man— Oops, I mean, awomanof my word.”
I dropped my head back and roared with laughter.
“You’re so damn cute.” The words tumbled free before I could stop them. My chest tightened when the moonlight revealed the blush staining Ruby’s cheeks..
“See you tomorrow, thanks again.” Without another word, she briskly walked toward the house.
I watched her go. Every step she took, carrying her further away, I wanted to pull her back. She was fun to be around even if the circumstances sucked.
Once she was inside, I did a fast survey of the outer property and then slid back into my truck. The floral afternotes that Ruby had left behind hit my nose and my senses short-circuited.
It was going to be alongnight.
ChapterFour
RUBY
Wow.
The masculinity in the room during the meeting atNoSurrenderhad been off the charts. After getting to know them a little better, I’d learned that the guys were a group of highly intelligent, charismatic, protective, and very fine-looking men. All of them had significant others except for Lyric, but even if every one of them was single I would’ve only been drawn to one of them.
Lyric.
At first sight, I thought he was handsome with his olive-toned skin, dark brown hair, strong jaw, alluring hazel eyes that made me want to get lost in them and never return, facial hair that added to his rugged sex appeal, and a chiseled body to die for. But after I learned more about him the night before, the attraction went well beyond his devastating good looks. With Lyric in the room, my focus was split between the task at hand and taking peeks at the desirable man when he wasn’t looking.
But when it was all over, everything we discussed sank in and the reality of my situation all consumed me. I’d been scared for a while, but the evening before, when I ran to the guys for help, I was terrified. I also hadn’t been thinking about what I was going to tell Grandpa and Jett or about the expense of it all.
In the end, if it helped keep my family safe then no amount of money was too much. It still didn’t mean that I wouldn’t stress about how to pay for it all and keep it up too. Sure I had two jobs, but I was still paying off college loans, had people to take care of, and also had the house to keep up. Grandpa had his social security and some retirement, but I wouldn’t allow him to use a cent of it for something I got us into.
After thanking all the guys, Lyric walked me to my car. It would only be a couple of days before a few of the men would descend on our home to install a security system and cameras around the perimeter of the property so I knew it was time to have that talk with my family.
Reaching my car, I turned to Lyric.
“What’s that frown on your face for?” he asked in a concerned voice. “Are you fretting about the big talk or is it something else?”
With little effort, he’d pinned down half of why I was making faces. Something I didn’t even realize I was doing. I didn’t want to tell him the other part about me being worried was because of the money.
I forced a smile. “Yup, you read me like a book. I’m dreading the talk.”
He cocked his head and looked at me for a second. “I may be right but that isn’t everything.”
I blew out a breath. “How do you know?”
“Call it intuition.” He pointed to himself. “Cop, remember?”
I relented because I knew he’d know if I wasn’t telling the truth or was leaving something out.
“Besides havingthe talk"—I made air quotes and Lyric smiled—“I’m a little worried about the cost. But rest assured I have it covered.”
Lyric immediately frowned.
When I’d asked the guys what the damage was, they said even with Lyric’s assessment they’d like to look around first, but for me not to be too concerned. How could I not? I knew it wasn’t going to be cheap.
