These women pouring their belief into me, though there was no mistaking the anxiety they expelled. The frantic glances they cast at their men. Their men who were huddled with Cash on the other side of the room, their voices hushed and vicious as they made their plan.
They broke apart.
Violence emanated from their big, intimidating bodies.
Streams of brutality dripping from their consciousness.
They strode over, thunder beneath their feet, ferocity pouring from them as they each kissed their women, gripping them hard in their own promises.
Cash was there again. His forehead dropped to mine. “I love you, Daisy.”
My eyes squeezed closed as I curled my fingers in his shirt. “I love you. So much. Please come back to me.”
“There is no monster ruthless enough to match me. His days are done.” He pulled back, his jaw clenched as he looked between the five of us. “There are six men stationed outside. Two are currently searching the perimeter, but we don’t believe anyone is in the area. Think Ethan’s in town, trying to figure out the best way to get to you. We’re going to get to him first. Do not open that door under any circumstance until one of the guys gives you the clear.”
So frozen by the fear, I could barely nod.
“We’ve got you, Daisy,” Otto promised.
I gulped around the barb that rolled my throat, and I forced myself to speak. “I know. Thank you. All of you.”
River came forward and touched the back of my hand. “It’s what family does. We take care of each other. Whatever that looks like.”
A crash of appreciation, love, and dread collided in my spirit.
My heart so full while I was terrified it might splinter apart.
The guys turned and piled out, metal grinding as the locks were engaged. The alarm beeped as it was set.
We listened as their bikes were turned over, the engines loud as they took off down the lane.
For a moment, we just looked at each other, worry flooding between us.
Charleigh broke through the tension. “I’ll make tea.”
“Good idea,” Emery said as she took my hand. “Come on, let’s sit down.”
She guided me to the couch, and I couldn’t stop the way I was trembling.
Agitation blistering through my insides.
Emery sat down on my right side, Piper on my left, while Raven sat on the floor, shifted around with an arm on Piper’s leg so she could see us.
It only took a few moments before Charleigh was there, passing me a steaming mug. “Here.”
“Thank you,” I muttered, not sure I could stomach it. I winced when I sloshed a little onto my lap since I couldn’t control the shaking.
Raven rubbed my leg. “Hey, it’s okay. They know what they’re doing.”
I attempted a smile. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around that.”
Charleigh sat down on the floor near Raven and peered up at me. “He told you?”
My nod was reticent. “Yeah.”
Emery brushed back a piece of hair that had gotten matted to my cheek. “If you can imagine what they do for strangers, imagine what they will do for you.”
“I know.” I didn’t really. Only on a vague, elusive level. A reality I could so easily ascribe to fiction. But I had witnessed theevil in Ethan firsthand. It wasn’t even a mystery. I understood true danger.
