But Horse was surprisingly calm as he walked next to her. She heard the murmur of voices and she realized the storm must have eased up.
It had to be getting close to morning.
She stared around the doorway into the entrance, surprised to find a tall sheriff’s deputy standing there.
“Don’t give me any bull. I need to see her with my own eyes and check on her,” the deputy said.
“Arabella is fine,” Eli said. “Do you really think we’d harm her, Duncan?”
Duncan? Was this their brother? Who was married to Laken?
“Of course I don’t,” Duncan said impatiently. “But we’re doing checks on all of Haven’s residents who live alone. I’ve got to go check on Abe, her neighbor, next. So just let me see her and I’ll move on.”
“Jesus, you’ll give him a heart attack, knocking on his door at five in the morning,” Eli told him.
“Actually, he probably won’t hear you,” she said, making them all turn.
Shoot. Maybe she should have thought before saying anything.
All three men stared at her. Duncan held such a powerful flashlight that she could see all of their faces. Duncan looked at her with curiosity. Kellan with cool composure.
While Eli looked a bit . . . mad.
Suddenly, the power flicked on, making her cry out in surprise and Horse let out a howl.
“Jesus, that’s a big dog. Are you sure it’s not part-horse?” Duncan asked.
She smiled at him. “That’s his name.”
“What? Big Dog?” Duncan asked.
“No, although that could have been an option. His name is Horse.”
She couldn’t look at Eli or Kellan. Because she couldn’t believe what they’d just done. That Eli had held her on his lap and kissed her while Kellan directed them.
At the time, it had felt magical. Amazing.
Like nothing she’d felt before. Her entire body had been on fire and she’d wanted more.
Who knew how far she would have gone if they hadn’t been interrupted?
But she couldn’t trust her own feelings towards these two men. And she couldn’t place herself into a position of being vulnerable. Where she might get hurt.
She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t do that. That she would protect herself even if it meant that she had to keep up some walls.
Only, she kept feeling like her walls were crumbling.
Her heart started racing. And it felt like the walls of the hallway were beginning to press in on her.
“Hey, baby? Are you okay?” Eli asked.
“Arabella? What’s wrong?” Kellan demanded.
“Shit, she’s not breathing properly!” Eli said.
“Arabella,” Kellan said firmly, taking hold of her right hand and squeezing. “I need you to listen to me and do as you’re told.”
Do as she was told?
