What made her different from any other woman in need? It was a question he couldn’t immediately answer. He knew his emotions always got involved, that he never remained a passive observer in any situation where a woman or child was in danger. But never to this extent. He never had crazy thoughts, like wanting her to move into his house. To become . . . his.
He’d never wanted to put his personal stamp of possession on another woman. And with Eve? And it wasn’t just Eve. He already looked at her siblings as . . . his. Just as he already viewed Eve as his.
And God help the man who tried to take them away from Donovan.
None of the retribution they’d taken in the past would even come close to the havoc Donovan would wreak if someone came after what he considered his.
“If you’ll wait here, I’ll get you and Cammie some clothes. There’s a large soaking tub in the bathroom as well as a shower. I thought you and Cammie could get cleaned up and into dry clothes while you wait for Maren to arrive.”
“Thank you,” Eve said in a soft voice.
Her eyes were still clouded with worry, but she didn’t look as panicked as she had earlier. Donovan took that as a positive sign and a step in the right direction at least.
Donovan stroked Eve’s cheek, unable to keep himself from touching her.
“It’s going to be all right, Eve. You’ll see. Now you and Cammie get changed and into more comfortable clothes. When you get out, Joe and Swanny will have lunch ready. We can eat in the living room. I’m going to go check on Travis and make sure he has what he needs. If you need help, call me, okay? Don’t try to do too much yourself.”
She flushed but nodded. Then to Donovan’s surprise, Cammie launched herself into his arms from where she was kneeling up on the bed. He gathered her in his arms and hugged her back, his heart softening as he held the tiny little girl against his chest.
Finally tearing himself away, he left the bedroom, pulling the door shut behind him. Travis was still in the living room when Donovan reentered and he was pushing himself up from the chair, his face a wreath of pain.
“Whoa there, son,” Donovan said as he hurried over. “Don’t try to do too much on your own. You likely have some busted ribs. One wrong move and you could puncture a lung.”
Travis paled at Donovan’s words and sagged against Donovan.
“I can’t afford to be hurt, sir. My sisters depend on me.”
Donovan tightened his hold around the boy’s shoulders. “Listen to me, Travis. You’re a kid. And I don’t say that to take away from anything you’ve been doing for your sisters. I admire your guts and determination. But everyone needs help sometime in their life. You can’t keep up the pace you’re keeping. And I’m going to make sure that ends here. Now I want you to go into the bedroom I’m putting you in. Take a shower, but be careful. I’ll lay out clothes on the bed and when you’re done, come into the living room so you can eat. The doctor will take a look at you and then we’ll go from there. But the thing you need to know is that I’m here now, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your sisters. Understand?”
Travis relaxed, fatigue evident in his drawn features. Then he simply nodded and Donovan helped him into the other bedroom, pointing out the bathroom, the towels and where he’d lay out the clothes for Travis to change into.
Donovan left, his hand reaching for his phone as he walked into the kitchen, where Joe and Swanny were preparing sandwiches and soup.
“You weren’t wrong about them,” Joe said quietly.
Donovan shook his head. “I know.”
“What are you going to do, Van?” Swanny asked.