Ben didn’t because he wasn’t sure he knew, but he owed his brothers an explanation of some kind. If he was willing to risk the anonymity of the Legends, they deserved to know why.
“You already know I was bullied a lot as a kid because of my stutter. Well, the first time I met Paige was when she stood up for me. She got all the bullies to back off. She went from being one of the most popular girls in our class to being an outcastbecause she defended me. She didn’t care. She was the only friend I ever had until I came to live with you guys.”
Luke took his eyes off the road long enough to see his brother’s face. “So this is what? A way to say thank you?”
Ben almost nodded but stopped. “No. That’s not what this is. I wanted to help her before I realized she was the same girl I knew back in school. We were six when we were friends before, so when I saw her at the motel, I didn’t recognize her. I tried to ask for extra towels, but I scared her so much that she punched me and broke my nose. It was not a common reaction of someone who is caught by surprise. She’s deeply afraid.”
“But she won’t tell you why? Even after you told her about the Legends?”
Ben narrowed his eyes at his brother. “How did you know I told her?”
All of them were careful with whom they told about their work. His brothers had taken a while to open up to their wives about the Legends, and he’d only told Paige that morning.
Luke rolled his eyes as if Ben asked a question he already knew the answer to. “You’re risking a lot for this girl.”
“I might be wrong, but I believe she’s worth it.”
“Now that we know who she is, why don’t you let me do a deep dive on her? At least make sure she hasn’t done anything in the last twenty years that raises red flags.”
Ben shook his head. “Is it wrong that I want her to tell me what’s going on instead of us digging it up?”
Luke sobered. “No. I don’t like not knowing what you’re getting yourself into with her, but I get it. You’re in love with her.”
Ben drew his mouth into a thin line. “What? I’m not in love with her. I haven’t seen her in years. I don’t know anything about her. We’ve only spent a little time together since I’ve been in town.”
“You don’t realize it yet, but you’re in love with her. I just hope she doesn’t crush you while you’re trying to be her hero.”
“Stop saying I’m in love, jackass. That’s not what this is, and it’s not me wanting to be a hero. I wish you, Easton, and Jackson would realize that. What’s wrong with me wanting to help her? If you saw how frightened she is, you’d do the same.”
“Sure, I would. But my heart is not involved like yours is. You can swear all day that your concern is the same as what you would feel for any client , but that’s bullshit. You’re drawn to this girl. I can see it. Why the hell can’t you?”
“If it’ll make you happy, I’ll admit it,” Ben shouted. “I’m drawn to her. Can you blame me? She’s beautiful. Sweet. Works hard. She deserves to live a life where she’s not looking over her shoulder all the time. I believe we can make that happen for her. Am I wrong?”
“Nope. I just want to make sure you’re going into this with your eyes wide open. If she’s caught your interest, she’s gotta be someone special. But she has no idea what you’re risking for her. And you have no idea how she feels about you.”
“She could hate me, and it doesn’t matter. She needs us. We can’t walk away. I can’t walk away.”
“So we don’t. But I’m checking her out. It’s what we’d do for any client, and I’m not treating her different just because you owe her,” Luke warned.
“Fine, but I don’t want to know what you find out. I want to hear it from her.”
“And if she doesn’t tell you?” Luke countered.
“I don’t know. I have to believe she will.”
Ben pointed out Mona’s house, and Luke parked in the driveway in front of the two-car garage.
“Let me do all the talking,” Ben cautioned him.
“You do your thing. I’ll do mine.” Luke reached behind his seat for the backpack that held his laptop. “You go on in. I can work out here, and I’ll check in with Jackson and Easton. Call if you need backup.”
Ben nodded, squared his shoulders, and walked to the front door. He raised his fist to knock, but the door swung open before he did. Paige stood in front of him, her eyes wide enough for him to see the pale gray of the irises. He’d come ready to plead his case, but her obvious vulnerability had his arguments flying out of his mind. He hated the resignation in her posture as if she was giving up.
“Can we talk?”
Paige shook her head. “There’s no point. I saw a news report. There’s a lot of attention on you right now. I have to steer clear of that.”
“I do too. My brothers want me to head home with them, but I can’t. Not until I talk to you.”
