Page 80 of A Touch of Frost
“Tex.” I answered it.
“I’m going to be keeping an eye on you in there.” Tex told me without even saying hello or any of his usual smart-ass comments. “If he so much as breathe on you the wrong way, I will make sure he doesn’t live live long enough to regret it.”
“Tex…”
“No.” Tex interrupted. “This man is against everything we’re about. He tried breaking you and I’m not taking that lightly. You’re family, no matter how long you’ve been MIA—you’re still family and he doesn’t get to mess with you and walk away free.”
“That won’t happen.”
“You damn right it won’t happen.” Tex told me. “I have ways of makin’ him suffer, and unlike him, being the coward that he is who jumps you when you weren’t expectin’ it, he’ll see his ass-kicking coming.”
I sighed.
It was a waste of energy trying to talk Tex down.
John Keegan protected his own—always.
I knew he was a lot like Jesse and no amount of convincing would work.
“You and Jesse are like bulldogs.” I groaned.
“I think you mean Pit Bulls.” Jesse finally spoke up.
“Oh, hey Jesse.” Tex greeted him. “Didn’t know you were there too.”
“Over my dead body was I going to let her walk in there alone.” Jesse growled.
“My man!” Tex approved.
“Okay, could you two calm down with the testosterone for a second?” I asked. “I can take care of myself, you know? But it’s nice knowing I have you guys with me.”
“I think you should wait to see if that place is still standing before you say that.” Jesse grumbled.
Tex murmured his agreement.
By the time we arrived, I was stronger.
I stole a moment with Jesse, stealing kisses and allow him to hold me so I could scrape myself together. By the time we climbed from the vehicle, I could stand on my own, with my head lifted high.
“Before you go in there…” Jesse reached into the SUV and grabbed something from between the seats. “Here.”
“What’s this?” I asked, accepting the velvet box.
“Open it.”
When I did, I smiled down at the bracelet in the box. It was white cold, and very simple, but it fit me perfectly. I wasn’t the kind of woman who needed flashy things to be happy.
Jesse took it up and strapped it around my wrist. After he clasped it, he met my eyes.
“It’s beautiful.” My voice cracked.
Jesse kissed me, took my hand and led me forward.
Together, we passed through security checkpoints then met with Wolf and Mozart on the inside. After hugs, Wolf headed off and Mozart escorted us into a kind of secluded area where we had to wait for them to bring Striker in.
He was chained and had to be shoved into the metal chair that was welded to the floor. He smirked when he saw me. Jesse stepped from the dark corner and it was almost as if Striker hadn’t noticed he was there.
“You need a man to protect you now?” Striker asked.
