Sam rubbed a hand through his hair and exchanged glances with Garrett. Almost as though they were deciding who was going to speak up first.
“Just spit it out,” Donovan said impatiently. “It’s obvious you have something on your minds beyond what’s already been discussed.”
“I’m concerned—we’re concerned,” Sam amended. “I guess we’re worried that this is some sort of wish fulfillment on your part.”
Donovan reared back in surprise. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Garrett shifted and then shoved his hands in his pockets. “Look, man, of all of us, you’ve always been the biggest homebody. You were always the one who wanted a wife and a large family. It surprised the hell out of us that you weren’t the first to get married and have a house full of kids.”
“We’re just worried that you see Eve and her siblings as a shortcut,” Sam interjected. “A ready-made family. We just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into. You know nothing about Eve or her situation. And you know nothing about what you may be bringing to our front door or the danger you could be placing our families, our wives and children in.”
Anger simmered and boiled up in Donovan’s throat. He flexed his fingers, finally balling them into tight fists in an effort to rein himself in. The last thing he wanted to do was do or say something he’d regret in the heat of the moment.
“I’d never do anything to endanger any of my sisters- in-law or my nieces and nephews or any of the family and you damn well know it,” Donovan seethed. “I’d give my life for them in a heartbeat. And if you know me so damn well, then you know I’d never turn a blind eye to any woman or child so desperately in need.”
“That’s the point we’re making,” Garrett said quietly. “You’ve always had a huge soft spot for women and children. Especially children. We don’t want to see you get attached and then have them taken away. You have no idea about the mother or the father in the picture or if Eve herself is the danger to Cammie and Travis.”
Donovan fought to keep his cool. He understood his brothers’ concerns. He got it. But it still pissed him off, and judging by the looks on his brothers’ faces, they knew he was pissed.
“You know we’ll always have your back,” Sam said. “We aren’t immune to Eve or her siblings. We just don’t want to see you get hurt. We’re concerned that you’re becoming too emotionally involved, and you have to turn it off. Treat it like any other mission. Help her and her brother and sister, but keep a distance and keep your heart out of it.”
“Sarah was supposed to just be a mission,” Donovan challenged. “Remember how quickly that became personal for you? And you, Sam. You got involved with Sophie while on a mission and the very last thing you should have been doing was fucking around with a woman when we were hot on the trail of Mouton. Do either of you regret that now? Look at what you have. Wives. Children, and children on the way. How can you know that Eve is not the one for me? Would you deny me the same shot at happiness that you received yourselves while on a ‘mission’?”
Discomfort crawled across Sam’s face, and Garrett flinched.
“I know Eve isn’t just a goddamn mission. I know that. I also know that a lot has to be resolved. I have to gain her trust so that I can be prepared to face whatever she’s running from. I don’t believe for a minute that she’s some criminal. She’s just a desperate woman doing whatever it takes to protect her family. Wouldn’t we all do the same? Whatever it takes. Just like you do for your own families. Your wives. Your children.”
“You’re already looking at Eve, Cammie and Travis as yours,” Garrett pointed out. “We just don’t want to see you get hurt, man.”