For some reason, that calms me. I’ve only been with him one day, but already I know I will always be soothed by his presence. Just touching him relaxes me. The thought of him staying with me when I give birth changes my entire perspective.
My lips tremble as tears come to my eyes. “I love you.”
He beams at me. “I love you, too, sweetheart.”
“Can I get up yet?” I ask, mostly because I want to hear him switch to his caveman voice and tell me no.
I get my wish. His expression switches from the huge smile to flat lips and a furrowed brow. “Not until I say, and if you keep asking, I’ll make it longer.”
I shudder at his bossy words. I suspect he knows they turn me on, and that’s why he’s being so demanding. It’s like a little game we’re going to play for the rest of our lives, and I like it. Biting my lip, I try not to grin, but I doubt I’m successful.
Sixteen
Adam
* * *
The first gunshot has me leaping out of bed so fast I nearly lose my balance. The second causes me to scoop my woman off the mattress and drop low to the floor, covering her with my own body.
“Adam?” Her voice shakes with confusion and fear.
I reach out with my hand, set my thumb on the top of the gun safe that’s attached to the underside of the bed, and hold my palm out so the pistol can drop into my hand.
Rebekah starts crying.
I cover her mouth with my free hand. “Shhh. I know you’re scared. Try not to make any sounds. Can you do that for me?”
She nods, still whimpering.
I’m glad we didn’t close the thick blackout curtains before we went to bed because the faint light from the moon allows me to see my wife’s expression.
We’re both naked, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let any fucker frighten me and my wife in our own home so badly that we stop sleeping naked. The idea enrages me.
A third shot fills our ears, making Rebekah curl into me and cover her ears. She’s trying so hard to be brave. Her eyes are wide with fear, but her lips are pursed shut.
Next, I hear shouting. I can only make out the word motherfucker and the fact that the voice is Asher’s. I wonder how he got this close to us so fast. I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s probably been on the prowl day and night since we left Richard Sharp stomping angry at his house yesterday.
I suspected this would happen. It’s why I gave my girl lectures and instructions about saferooms in both houses. Thank fuck I added her thumbprint to the keypad already. There was no chance that asshole was going to let Rebekah and me walk into the sunset without a fight. The abusive prick was using her as his own personal slave. He has lost his workhorse.
Glancing around, I spot my T-shirt close by, snag it, and hold it in front of Rebekah. “Pull this over your head, sweetheart.” I try to keep my voice calm. I don’t want to panic her further.
I’m far less concerned now that I know my brother is out there. He’s an excellent marksman. No fucking way would anyone get the best of him. Nevertheless, I want to go outside and help.
Luckily my wife obeys me and has my shirt on in seconds.
“Good girl. Look at me.” This is going to test her. I know she won’t be happy about it. “I need you to crawl over to the closet and get in the saferoom.”
She shakes her head and grabs my arm. “No. Please.”
“This is important, Rebekah. You may defy me on every topic tomorrow, but don’t argue with me on this tonight. I need to know you’re safe so I can help defuse this situation. You could be carrying our first child. Would you risk their life?”
“No,” she whimpers.
“Good girl. Go.” I release her and pat her bottom. She looks back at me before scrambling across the room and into the closet. My heart races as I wait for her to reach up and push the button, and I’m fucking relieved when the light from the saferoom streaks across the floor before disappearing.
I grab my jeans from the floor and shrug into them as quickly as possible before slipping on my shoes and palming my gun. Without turning on the lights, I sneak toward the back door and peer out through the window.
It’s probable that the shots are coming from Richard Sharp. The man was furious when I saw him yesterday. He’s here for revenge. It’s unlikely he knows which cabin is mine, so I doubt he’s watching this particular house. He’s nearby because I hear him shout again as I open the back door.
