He slammed a lid on where his thoughts were turning. “Enough,” His voice cracked like a whip, a hush fell over the room. “Shay, each man here would defend you with their lives.” All nodded in agreement. “They are all honorable. I leave the choice to you to pick where you stay, everyone agree?” He looked at each of his teammates, his friends, his brothers. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for any one of them. Even let go of the woman of his dreams into their custody. Even if she found love in one of their arms instead of his. He would sacrifice his happiness for one of theirs. After everything life had thrown at them, they deserved any kind of happiness they could.
The military may have turned its back on them. Deeming them all useless anymore, but never him. He would never turn his back on them.
By the looks in each mans eyes they felt the same. Everyone nodded in agreement. The choice was Shay’s and no one would argue.
“Shay, where would you like to stay?”
Shay looked like a deer caught in headlights as everyone stared at her, waiting for her to make a decision. Her chest rose and fell rapidly under his sweater.
Which brought up a reminder that she didn’t have any clothes besides the ones on her back. Everyone was single so they didn’t have women’s clothing at their homes. Their families all lived far away. It wasn’t safe to go shopping herself. Someone would have to go out and get enough to get her by. She could order what she needed online.
“Um,” Her eyes darked around the room like a cornered rabbit surrounded by hungry foxes. For as vibrant as she was, she was quiet and reserved. She didn’t like having attention onher. Every once and a while she’d stand up for herself and others she would curl into herself like she was trying to make herself invisible. He hated that. She deserved to be heard and seen. To feel free to voice her opinions.
Hearing some of the stories about her father he could see why she was quiet. The man sounded like an overbearing ass.
“Aren’t you just going to stash me in a hotel or something?”
Drew felt his lip twitch wanting to smile. She was so cute and naïve. He heard a few of the others chuckle. “That’s not how our protection works. If we did that, anything could happen to you and we’d never know if you are alive and well. One of us would be with you the entire time. Day and night.”
“So when you said I’ll be staying with someone…”
“You stay with one of us in our home while we collect evidence and bring those that took you to justice. When it’s safe your free to go back home and school again.” He laid it all on the line so there was no confusion.
He could stash her in a hotel like she asked about. Someone could stay with her or check on her daily but he didn’t like the thought of her on her own. She needed someone to watch her back. He had a feeling no one ever had. Any of his friends would do it, none so more than him but be kept that to himself.
He wanted her with a fierceness that defied reason. He’d never felt so light and free as when she danced in his arms. He didn’t remember being so happy as when they cooked together even when he was logically trying to tell himself to distance from her.
They came from two different worlds. He wasn’t good enough for her. He could never offer her all the comforts she was used to living in her fathers mansion.
He would put his personal feelings to the side and keep Shay safe. When the time came he would let her go back to her life and he would continue with his.
“So what’s it to be Shay? Who will you stay with?” He held his breath waiting for her answer. He told his men they had to respect her decision. The same went for him. He had a feeling she would choose Jack. He was the more charismatic of the bunch.
Drew knew it was a façade. Nightmares tormented him just the same as the rest of them. He was just better at hiding the demons he kept at bay than some of them. Jack kept all his feelings buried deep down. Drew feared the day they would get the better of him but they would deal with it when the time came.
Shay wrung her hands in her lap, a clear sign she was uncomfortable but he wanted the choice to be hers. She didn’t have enough say I her life and she deserved to pick where she was going to be hiding until they brought her kidnappers to justice.
“I choose to stay with Drew.”
Drew forgot to breath. Had he heard her right? She’d said his name. Had picked him.
He met her gaze and was unable to look away. He tried not to outwardly react to her intense gaze, but it was like being punched in the gut. She wore her expressions in her eyes. He could see the steely determination in them but also the unbridled lust.
She wanted him. Just as much as he wanted her. Despite him trying to put a distance between them she just closed it with efficiency. They were now going to be confined to his home for an unseeable amount of time.
Chapter 16
Shay was questioning her sanity but it was too late to back down now. She’d made her decision and she was going to stick with it. She could have picked any of Drew’s teammates. They all seemed like great guys. Jack was definitely the most flirtatious of them all. Yet, for as easy as they all made her feel when it came down to choosing who she wanted to be confined with, Drew was the only man that came to mind.
Drew had seen her at her worse. When she’d been running for her life. Afraid of everyone. Not knowing who to trust. He’d spoken to her calmly. Treated her fairly. Never once trying to take advantage. He’d saved her life. Had been injured because of her. There was no doubt now that she could trust Drew with her life.
He set her heart racing. Made her feel like a desirable woman. Since the moment she’d met him, long before she even knew his name, she felt safe with him. And that’s why she’d chosen him over the others. Despite, his rude behavior earlier she trusted him to keep her safe.
This might be the only time in her life she got to do what she wanted on her own terms. She didn’t have her father controlling her every moment. Even Drew was letting her make all her own choices. Choosing where to stay. Giving her the choice to help them with their investigation. He’d never know what that meant to her.
To be treated and valued as a person and not just an object. None of the other guys thought to give her the choice like their leader. They just looked at her with lust. Wanting in her pants. Had been arguing who she was going to stay with. Shayhad no doubt they would keep her safe. That they would lay down their lives if need be—she prayed it wouldn’t come to that.
Everyone watched her in silence, as if her answer startled them, but true to their promise to Drew they didn’t argue. Just accepted her choice.
