Page 35 of Unlocked

“No, sweet girl.” I rush to comfort her. “He is most likely laughing his ass off because he got to be the one to interrupt us.” She shakes her head.

“Men!” she complains weakly, with a chuckle. “Let’s get down there before we are the talk of the house.”

“We already are.” I smirk. “You might as well get used to it, at least, until someone else falls in love.”Shit! Did I just say love?Is that what I’m feeling?Her breath halts as she stares up at me. She doesn’t comment, and neither do I. I don’t want to give her the wrong idea…or maybe it’s the right idea? Am I capable of being in love? “Come on, sweet girl.” I stand, taking her hand to pull her to her feet. I smooth out her clothing and hair. I can’t do anything about her swollen lips or the flush on her face. With a chaste kiss, I take her hand and lead her downstairs.

Chapter 21

Shelby

I’m reeling from the turn of events over the last few hours. I’d spilled my guts to Bo about the demons of my past. Other than my therapist, no one else, not even Marley knows so much about how I grew up and the aftermath of it. I had been certain he would be ready to run for the hills when he heard how screwed up I am, but he didn’t. He was kind, understanding, and sweet.What does that say about him?Volumes.

Bo has been a source of strength all afternoon. He has remained at my side throughout the entire interview with the FBI. I don’t think Agent Morris, is very happy about it, but Luke has refused to leave Marley’s side, too. These Robertson men are very intense when they feel territorial over someone.

“Luke, this is not how we do things,” the agent protests when we are all seated in the dining room. “You know this.” Luke glares at the man fearlessly. I can’t believe he is arguing with the FBI, but Luke isn’t giving an inch. Neither is Bo for that matter.

“Jim,” Luke begins in a calm, unrelenting tone. “If you want to interview the women, this is how it will be done. Bo, nor myself will allow them out of our sight. Especially after the whole Jones debacle.” Luke gives the agent a stern look. I wince at the name of one of our captors. I notice the agent cringes, too. Ifrown. What are they talking about? Does the agent know Jones? Marley looks a little confused as well.

“All right, Luke,” the agent concedes. “You and Marley are getting married. I understand, but Bo can go. You can look after Ms. Brooks’ interest.” Bo tenses next to me. His grip on my hand under the table tightens almost painfully.

“Not happening.” Bo’s tone brooks no argument. “Shelby is mine. I’m not going anywhere.”

It should make me uncomfortable for Bo to say I’m his, like I’m a piece of property, but I’ve accepted his interest in me as being genuine. It feels good to be his. He is holding my hand like he enjoys it. I can’t help remembering how his kissed me and touched me when we were in his room. He drove me out of mind with need. I wanted more. I needed more, but I’d been afraid, too. I regret telling him to stop and for resisting his attention for so long. I still haven’t told him just how inexperienced I am when it comes to men, to sex. I don’t want this to end before it can begin.Is that fair to him?Probably not.What if he doesn’t want someone who is inexperienced?I have no doubt he has plenty. My doubts and fears take over.

An unexpected wave of jealously washes over me as I think of women he has been with in the past. It’s irrational. I know. We can’t help our pasts, but the thought of him being intimate with someone cuts me deep. I have no right to feel this way. I wish we’d had more time to talk about all these things, but after I’d confessed my past to him, we didn’t do much talking.

I’m in so much fucking trouble where he is concerned it isn’t funny. How am I supposed to keep my heart in check when every touch of his hand sends it into a frenzied rhythm? It’s just obsession. I tell myself. It’s because he is the first man to show interest in me in ten years. Correction, the first man I’ve accepted his interest in years. There is a guy at the finance company where I work who has, on several occasions, asked meto dinner or the movies, but I’ve always declined. He seems like a nice enough guy, but I haven’t allowed anyone to get close to me. Not until now. I didn’t intend to let it happen, but it has. I can’t get Bo out of my head. I’ve tried, but even when I was being held, beaten, and starved, he was there with me. Keeping me sane, giving me hope. At the time, I thought I was being ridiculous dreaming of him coming to rescue me, but then, he did come, and he has declared he wants more…with me.

The interview with Agent Morris doesn’t take as long as I expect, I don’t have much to tell him. I’m able to pick out three of the men and the woman who held us from a photo album of criminals. Agent Morris informs me I’ll be expected to pick them from an actual line up like you see in the movies later this week. Even though he questions me over and over, I can’t give him any other information as I was only used to get Marley to talk. I had mentally checked out within the first few hours we were taken. I was lucid a few times, but I can only remember snippets of conversations I’d overheard, but none of it made any sense.

“Are you sure you don’t remember anything else?” Agent Morris asks again for the third time. Bo’s body is rock hard next to me. I can tell he is as irritated by the repeated question as I’m beginning to be.

“I’m certain.” I keep my eyes on the agent’s. I have nothing to hide. Although I’ve always cowered from men like him, I won’t look away. I’m bolder with Bo at my side. He won’t allow anyone to hurt me as long as he is around. The agent lets out a heavy sigh and nods.

“Thank you, Ms. Brooks.” Agent Morris relents. “I appreciate your cooperation and patience with the process. I’m glad your injuries aren’t severe.” I just dip my head in assent. Bo shifts to put his arm around my shoulders protectively. I’m suddenly very fatigued after reliving my captivity. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. His hold tightens as I sigh.

“You’re finished with her?” Bo’s voice vibrates through me as he speaks. I shouldn’t enjoy it as much as I do. The agent nods. “Are you ready to go, sweet girl?” Bo’s voice has gentled when he speaks to me. Agent Morris’s eyes bug out of his head at the endearment before understanding covers his face.

“So, it’s like that, huh?” Agent Morris asks Bo, who grins at the man.

“Yeah, it’s like that.” I look back and forth at the men as some silent communication passes between them. Bo turns to me then, “Ready?”

“Yes.” Although I don’t know where we will be going.Will I be staying here at Luke’s again? Will Bo take me back to his place? Does it really matter?I just want to get out of this dining room, away from the memories I’ve had to recall. Bo stands reaching for me. I take his hand, rising to my feet. We move toward the living room where everyone else is waiting. Marley and Daisy look up as we enter. I can see the concern on both women’s faces. They’ve both been in this situation before. I suppose they understand how I feel.

“I’m taking Shelby to my place,” Bo announces to the room at large, my head whipping in his direction. “Rosco, would you go up and get her suitcase for me?” The two men stare at one another a beat. Rosco’s scrutiny lands on me. I do my best not to squirm under his gaze.Is he wondering if this is my choice?They all heard our argument earlier, though no one is bringing it up. I appreciate him looking out for me, but I don’t want him and Bo to be at odds with one another. I take Bo’s hand in mine. Rosco must see what he’s looking for because he rises and leaves the room. “I’ll give you a minute with Marley and Daisy before we go,” Bo tells me. His voice soft and low in my ear. He kisses my temple before releasing me. He turns to leave, and Luke follows him out of the room. The other men file out, too.

“Shelby.” I look up to see Daisy on her feet coming toward me. “If you don’t want to go with him, you don’t have to. You know that, right?” She takes my hands, holding them comfortingly. I grin at the apprehension in her voice. “My brothers can be clueless, especially when it comes to women. If you don’t want this, just say so. You can stay right here.” Marley is next to us now, nodding her agreement.

“Shelby, I know you needed space from Bo the night we were taken,” Marley interjects. “We can all see he isn’t giving it to you. Luke will force him to leave you alone, if you want or need it.”

“It’s fine.” I try to placate their fear for me. “Bo is just being Bo as I’ve come to learn.” My lips tip up of their own accord as I recall how bossy he can be, but also the care he’s taken to get me what I need, like the keto bread. Marley’s eyes narrow briefly, then acceptance dawns on her face.

“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” Marley accuses, astounded. Daisy looks just as taken aback as I am by Marley’s question. I shake my head, but I’m not certain if I’m telling the truth. I look away from the women as I consider her accusation.Is it love?I wouldn’t know. I’ve never experienced it before. I do know that when he holds me, whispers all those sweet things to me, I feel safer and happier than I have ever felt in my life.

I swallow hard as reality comes crashing down over me. This shouldn’t have happened. I wasn’t supposed to let myself care for him. This is all Bo Robertson’s fault. He has wormed his way under my skin and unlocked the heart I’ve tried to keep hidden all my life. “Oh my God! Shelby!” Marley exclaims, squeezing me tightly. Daisy is grinning, too. I spend the next few minutes denying and arguing with the women and their assessment. However, at last, I have to admit they are right.

“Shit, Marley!” I shake my head, accepting my fate. “What am I going to do?” She looks at me disbelievingly.

“What do you mean? What are you going to do?” Marley demands. “You are going home with him and show him how you feel. That’s what you are going to do!” My face heats at the images her words invoke. I shake my head. I can’t do that. I’ve neverdonethat, but she doesn’t know this. I drop my head in my hands as I try to find some measure of calm in this sea of uncertainty. “Shelby, what’s wrong?” I lift my head. Whatever is on my face gives me away. Marley jerks back as she takes me in. “You’ve never been with a man.” It isn’t a question. Daisy gasps, and they share a look.

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