Rules of Desire: Protecting Erin(37)

His chest swelled when she settled at once, and taking her hand in his, he stared down at her, love for her clogging his throat. “What the hell would we have done if—”

“Shut up. I don’t even want to think about it. Let’s just get through tonight and get her home.” Jared crossed the room, glancing at Reese, who woke and eyed each of them. Dropping into Duncan’s chair, he leaned back and closed his eyes. “I’ll just be glad when this is over and Cramer’s locked up.”

Duncan feared the same thing. “I’m sorry I didn’t beat the hell out of him when I had the chance.”

Jared smiled faintly, not bothering to open his eyes. “You’re not the only one.”





Chapter Twelve




Although relieved to be home, with William settled at his grandparents’ house, Erin paced, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.

Sitting at the kitchen table, Reese sipped iced tea, his eyes following her. “You okay, baby?” Reaching out when she started past him again, he pulled her onto his lap. “You haven’t been still since we got home. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

“No. I want to do it.” She curled into him and immediately felt better. “I’m mad. Frustrated. I’ll be glad when this is over. I’m still having a hard time believing all of this is really happening. I still can’t believe Wes told Nelson that I was the one who stole his money.”

Reese slid his hand up and down her back, a comforting gesture that she’d come to rely on from all of them.

Somehow, they each knew when she needed it.

Firming his massage, Reese sighed. “Yeah. I know what you mean.”

Lifting her head from his chest, she looked into his eyes, unsurprised at the lingering concern she found there. “I’m really sorry I made such a mess of this.”

“I know you are. So do Jared and Duncan.” Cupping her jaw, he raised a brow. “And all three of us are trusting that it won’t happen again.”

“It won’t. It wouldn’t have happened this time if I hadn’t underestimated Wes. I promise, no matter how unimportant I think something is, I’ll tell you.” Pressing her forehead against his, she smiled. “I’ll bore you to death.”

Reese chuckled. “You do that, as long as something like this doesn’t happen again.”

“Yeah.” Erin’s eyes burned with unshed tears. “I guess there’s a part of me that’s not used to having someone to lean on. I don’t like leaning. It’s not something I think I’ll ever get comfortable with.”

Closing his arms around her, he nuzzled her neck. “We’ve got all the time in the world for you to get comfortable with it.” Lifting her chin, he stared down at her. “We’ll help you.”

Nodding, she reached up to wipe away a tear, but Reese beat her to it. “The three of you are turning me into a crybaby.”

Hugging her close again, Reese pressed his cheek against the top of her head. “You’re not a crybaby. Maybe we’ve finally made you feel secure enough to let go. I hope you know that we’re always here for you. You can lean on us anytime you need to.”

Remembering Reese’s words, Erin smiled when Reese and Duncan sat on the sofa on either side of her while the FBI agents set up the recording device on the coffee table in front of them.

The agents had been joined by their supervisor, a take-charge woman with short black hair who was obviously used to giving orders. Almost as tall as the men in her charge, she’d made it clear that Wes Cramer wouldn’t slip through their fingers on her watch.

The agents didn’t bother to hide their surprise at learning that Erin was married to Jared, Duncan, and Reese, but a short, hushed conversation with Ace kept them silent on the subject.

Leaning toward Reese, Erin whispered, “I’d love to know what Ace said.”

Chuckling, Reese kissed her hair. “No. You don’t.”

Watching them finish setting up the equipment, Erin thought about what she would say to Wes, her mouth going dry at the thought of speaking to him again. “I need some water.”

She started to get up, but Duncan patted her thigh and rose. “Stay put. I’ll get it for you.” Smiling her thanks, she leaned against Reese, welcoming his firm support.

Listening to Agent Price’s last minute instructions, Erin stared into Jared’s eyes as he lowered himself into the recliner he favored.

Leaning forward, Jared held her gaze. “She knows what to say. My wife is real good at rilin’ someone up when she wants to.”

Duncan appeared at her side, chuckling as he lowered himself to the sofa next to her and handed her the glass of water he’d brought. “Yeah, she does have a way about her.”