Dare to Trust (The Dare 1)

Marlena took a deep breath and wiped her sweaty hands on her apron. She could do this. She could accept their help, their love and protection. Everything would work out fine, and Peter wouldn’t hurt any of them. If he did, then she would disappear and make Peter follow her so no one else got hurt. She’d face that fight if and when she had to. There weren’t any other options.

Marlena entered the kitchen to see Jack standing there with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He looked her over and he opened his arms wide. She practically ran into them and hugged him tight. The scent of his cologne, the feel of his strong, muscular arms gave her a feeling of instant protection and love.

He ran his hands along her back up and down and then kissed her forehead as she look up into his eyes, her head as far back as nearly her shoulders.

“We’re going to stop by the cottage and grab what you need. We’re going to bring you to our place. We have a security system in place and one of us will be with you at all times until this guy is located and found. Understand?” he asked in a firm tone that totally told her not to even think about arguing.

She parted her lips and he challenged her with one raised eyebrow and a firm expression. She bit her bottom lip.

“Is that necessary?”

“No room for discussion, and yes. It is,” he said. He seemed pretty upset. Had she missed something more when she escaped to the back bathroom for an emotional reprieve?

“Jack, is something wrong? Did Detective Morgan divulge more information?”

“He did privately, between Mike, Danny, and the sheriff and me. We’ll talk about it later. Right now plans are being made and the town is being placed on alert. That dick even considers coming here, we’ll know about it and take him out before he even gets close to you.”

He took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Then they headed out of the kitchen and almost everyone was gone. She sighed in relief. She hadn’t realized that she didn’t want to face them again. It was a combination of embarrassment and admiration.

She glanced at Mike, who was talking with Detective Morgan and the Sheriff, along with Taylor. Alicia, Adele, and Mercedes were there and the second they saw her they approached.

“How are you doing, honey? Hanging in there?” Mercedes asked and drew her in for a hug. Alicia hugged her next and then Adele.

“I’m okay. I just want this over with.”

“I’m sure you do. This town is amazing, the way everyone has come together to help,” Alicia said.

“They put everyone on high alert and all women must be escorted around town and even on the outskirts until this situation is resolved,” Adele added.

“Is that normal protocol?” Marlena asked Jack. He placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Yes. It’s how things are done here. Protecting the women of Chance is priority and we especially take these precautions wh

en one is in danger like this,” Jack told them.

“Is it really necessary for every woman to be escorted and watched over?” Mercedes asked.

“It sure is. Men are being assigned as we speak,” Taylor said, joining them.

Marlena watched how Mercedes locked gazes with Taylor and then looked away.

“In fact, I’ll be walking you back to the sheriff’s department, Mercedes. So if you’re done here, we should head back now,” Taylor told her.

“But Marlena needs me,” Mercedes said.

Taylor was firm in his response.

“You’ll come with me now. Marlena has her men to watch over her and some additional plans to make.”

“I guess I don’t have much of a choice and need a babysitter,” Mercedes said with attitude and then hugged Marlena.

“Be nice,” Marlena whispered to her and Mercedes’s cheeks turned a nice shade of pink. Mercedes definitely liked Taylor, and it was obvious Taylor liked her but did his brothers, too?

As Mercedes said good-bye, the front door to the diner opened. Leo Ferguson was there and shook hands with everyone as he entered, but his eyes landed on Adele.

“There you are. Looks like my brothers and I will be your personal escorts for a while. How about we head back to the office and then I’ll drive you home?” he said to Adele.

“I’m okay. This isn’t necessary,” Adele said, appearing a bit nervous.