Her Three Wilde Champion Men (Wilde, Nevada 2)

“And your bacon?”

“Crispy.”

“Just like me.” He placed the bacon in the pan and listened to the crackling. “I’ll have our meal ready in no time.”

“Don’t you have other cases to work?” she asked. “I don’t have to have round-the-clock supervision, do I?”

“You might. The real killer is still on the loose, plus Byrd isn’t going to stand down until someone is fingered for this crime.”

She nodded and neither of them said a word for a bit.

He brought out the plates of food and they ate their meal in silence. How was he going to protect her from Byrd? “Until we get this all worked out, you need to stay here.”

“That might take forever. I have a job, a life.”

He stood up and knelt down in front of her, grabbing her hands. “Whatever it takes, sweetheart, I’m going to make sure we find the true killer and prove your innocence.”

She leaned forward and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Brandon.”

Her lips on his skin and her scent in his nostrils sent him over the edge. He grabbed her and pressed his lips on her full mouth, relishing the taste of her. It didn’t quench his thirst one bit, but instead increased his desire for her even more.

Damn it! This isn’t right. She’s my client. But I want her.

An image of Shelby behind bars with a sneering Byrd holding the keys to her cell floated into his mind, helping him to quell his lust.

“Sorry about that,” he said, coming up on his feet.

“Nothing to be sorry about,” she said sweetly, capturing him with her big blue eyes. “So be honest with me, counselor. What are my chances?”

He broke free of her stare and glanced down to her hands, which she was wringing in her lap. “Shelby, we will beat this. I will beat this for you. I am the best.”

“Are you? What if I’m the one case that mars your record?”

Before he could answer, his cell buzzed.

Shelby stood, her anxious gaze on his phone.

He looked at the caller ID. “It’s my dad.” He brought the iPhone up to his ear. “Hey, Dad.”

“Son, how’s Shelby doing?”

“As good as can be expected. What’s the news? How’s Lucille?”

There was a pause on the other end. “She didn’t make it, son.”

He never had been fond of Lucille, but she didn’t deserve to go out that way, gunned down in her own home. Shelby’s situation had gotten a whole lot worse. This was now a murder case. “Where’s Byrd?”

“Still at the courthouse. Since it’s so late, the judge has yet to show up. Byrd is about to learn that Lucille passed away. Alex sent a nurse to tell him. Even with the bad blood between Byrd and the judge, he’ll get his warrant after this. We’ve run out of time to get to the bottom of things, son.”

“Pop, you taught me not to give up, and I’m not giving up. Shelby deserves our best.”

“What is it? What does your dad know?” Her panic cut him like a knife.

He put his arm around her, and whispered,” Hold on, sweetheart.”

“You’re right, Brandon. She does. What’s your plan?”

“I sent Justin to find Trixie. I’m hoping she might have something that can help us.”