Page 98 of Unguarded

He nods. His hand curls around my waistline, gripping me tightly, like he just doesn’t want to let go. My chest caves in.

“I’m sorry I left you … unprotected. This was my fault.” His green eyes darken.

“No, it wasn’t.” I shake my head. “You can’t be my bodyguard forever.”

My throat tightens when I realize he could have easily died, trying to protect me. Any of them could have, and yet not a single one backed down from the fight or told me to get out, to handle my own problems.

I glance over at Dolly. Duke and Sam are with her on the edge of the couch. Sam is pressing two fingers to her neck, right beneath her jawline. Her eyes are trained on his face.

“Her heart rate is a little fast,” he says.

“We should take her in, just to get looked at,” Duke says.

Sam pulls back, folding his arms and studying her.

Dolly shakes her head. “I’m okay. I’ll schedule my biannual checkup a little early when the office opens on Monday, but the ER won’t do anything helpful. If I was about to kick the bucket, I promise I would tell you.”

Rosie nods. “I’ve been monitoring her. Her heart rate is always a little fast.”

Duke looks at Sam. “What do you think?”

Sam shrugs. “I’d take her in if it were my call.”

“But it’s not,” Dolly snaps.

I’m with Sam on this one, but I don’t voice my opinion since she seems to have made a decision.

Duke pins her with a glare. “Sam’s grandfather has had heart problems for years. He knows the signs to watch out for, Dolls.”

“And Rosie is a nurse! If I were dying, she would tell you to take me in.”

“I can tell you what’s not good for her heart is all this screaming. Let’s just chill for a night and reevaluate in the morning. Okay?” Rosie goes over to Duke and lays a hand on his forearm.

He finally nods, retreating toward the hallway and mumbling something about needing a shower.

“I need to wash up too. You want to come help me?” Cash tugs on my hand, pulling me to a stand. He winces, his mouth forming a hard line.

I nod, following him toward the back door in the kitchen that leads to the bunkhouse.

“We’re going to bed,” Cash calls over his shoulder.

“Night, girls. Thank you … for everything,” I say.

“Night, Monroe.” Dolly smiles.

“Try to get some sleep,” Rosie adds.

Cash pulls me up under his arm without the blood, tucking me close as we walk. I look up at the night sky,studying the array of bright stars that can only be seen way out here in the sticks.

“I can’t believe he’s really gone.”

He grunts, “I can’t believe he set foot on my fucking property to hurt my—” He stops himself, pulling me tighter as we continue walking.

“Your what?” I can’t help but ask.

When we get to the front porch of the bunkhouse, he still hasn’t answered. He twists the doorknob, leading me inside. He carefully checks each room, closet, behind the shower curtains, and every possible hiding place.

I wait in the kitchen, tracing over the edge of the granite countertop. He steps up close to me, brushing his hands over both my arms, pricking goose bumps on my skin with the contact. Just his touch makes me feel electrified.

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