Billionaire's Island Bride(41)

Dare led her down the hallway and toward his suite and this time she was eager to go. There was a mighty beast outside pummeling the trees and battering the house and she was too frightened to stay alone.

They’d entered the sitting room and Dare was walking over to the table to rest the lantern down when a loud crack rent the air and the lights went out. Erin screamed and reached blindly for Dare.

“It’s okay, Erin, it’s okay.” His voice came to her from across the room and then he was beside her, gathering her trembling body close to his.

“Wh…what was that?”

“Probably a tree uprooted by the wind. It sounded like it crashed into the house.” Dare stroked her back as he spoke, soothing her jangling nerves. “I’m guessing it fell on a power line and that’s why the lights went out. I’ll go check-”

“Oh, no, you won’t.” Erin clung to him. “You’re not leaving me in the dark all by myself.”

“You’ll be alright. I’ll leave you with the lantern and take the flashlight.”

“I’m coming with you. I’m not staying here.”

“Erin,” Dare said with an exasperated sigh, “you’re safer here. I don’t want you exposed to danger.” As he spoke he reached behind his back to pry her fingers open. “I have to go check what’s happening at the other end of the house.”

He loosened her arms from around his waist and stepped away. Erin almost cried out but she bit down on her bottom lip and swallowed, containing the fright that threatened to creep up from the pit of her stomach. She pulled her robe tighter and went to stand beside Dare who was testing a huge flashlight.

He looked over at her when she came near. “Why don’t you lie down for a bit? You have to take it easy, remember? You’re in your sixth month now.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m an invalid,” she retorted. “I don’t need to lie down.”#p#分页标题#e#

He reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I want you to. You can have the loveseat or just go into my bedroom. You’ll be a lot more comfortable there.”

“In the dark? All by myself? I don’t think so.”

“We’ve discussed this already, Erin. You’ll have the lantern-”

“No, I’m coming with you.”

“Jeez.” He blew out an exasperated breath. “Talk about stubborn. Okay, come on, but stay behind me at all times. When I open the door any kind of debris can fly in. I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“And what about you?”

“I can take care of myself.”

Erin snorted. He’d spoken like a typical man. And that was why she was making sure to follow him. She’d be there to make sure he didn’t do anything rash. He was a man and men did stupid things sometimes, thinking they were strong and brave and therefore near invincible. Well, not this time. She’d be there to save Dare from himself.

And it had absolutely nothing to do with being scared about being left alone with just a lantern as company.

With Dare in the lead Erin padded back down the hallway in her bedroom slippers even as the wind howled outside. The sound had gotten louder now, sounding like a huge freight train rushing by, and Erin’s heart pounded harder with each passing minute. When would the assault end? Would the house still be standing when it was over? Would they still be alive?

That didn’t even bear thinking about. She shook her head and kept on walking, making sure Dare was just within the reach of her arm.

When they got to the foyer he pulled out a second flashlight, clicked it on and handed it to her.

“I’m going over to the west wing to see what happened. You stay here.” With those words he began to turn toward the hallway.

Erin grabbed his arm. “You said I could come with you.”

“I know,” he said, his face grim. “I changed my mind. There could be broken glass everywhere. The downed power line could have even started a fire. I don’t want you anywhere near that.” He shook his head. “I should have left you in the suite where you were safe.”

“No, you shouldn’t,” she retorted. “You’re not leaving me here so let’s go.” Before he could object she set off down the hallway, her flashlight on high beam, marching on as if the darkness ahead didn’t bother her one bit. She breathed a sigh of relief when, with a grunt of what was probably exasperation, Dare followed her. As they walked Erin could feel a current of wind that flowed stronger and stronger as they went farther into that section of the house.