“Her and Kenneth are on their way,” Max told her.
The door opened and Shelby and another man who had to be Kenneth walked in. Shelby hugged Caroline.
“Oh God, are you okay? They said you passed out,” she told her as she hugged her tight.
“I’m okay now.” Shelby pulled back and caressed Caroline’s cheek.
“They were insisting on putting my name in the computer. So I told them I couldn’t take the chance. Shelby, I want to go home. I don’t want to be here,” she whispered as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Shelby, you need to explain to your sister that she is safe here and that we want to help,” Max told them.
She glanced at him and Caroline saw the way Kenneth looked at Shelby with care and concern but also firmness.
“Shelby, you’ve been safe here and no one has ever made you feel otherwise. If your sister is in potential danger then let us help you,” Kenneth said to her. Caroline didn’t miss the hint of command in his tone. She knew he was a lawyer so maybe that had something to do with it, but there was something there.
Shelby took Caroline’s hand. “He won’t find you here and they’ll make sure of it just as I promised I would keep you safe.”
“But, Shelby, he knows people, too.”
“Not like these men do. I’m right here with you, and obviously, Hunter is, too.” As she said that, the door opened again and there stood York and C.J.
“What’s going on? Is Caroline okay?” C.J. asked as they walked all the way in and went to her.
“Are you all right?” York placed his hand against her cheek and bent a little lower to look at her as he ran his hands along her arms.
Shelby looked at Caroline and held her gaze.
“Maybe I was wrong about them and their intentions. It’s obvious they care and they all know you’re in danger so maybe they can help.”
Caroline felt her eyes fill up.
“Are you sure, Shelby?”
“If I’m wrong, may God help the both of us.”
* * * *
Hunter, C.J., and York all remained by Caroline’s side while she explained what happened back in New York. Hunter was angry as he stared at her while she gave some details about her ex-boyfriend, but when she finally told them he was a retired soldier and a cop, Hunter thought C.J. and York were going to lose it. Hunter realized his size wasn’t the only thing that scared her. He was a soldier, too.
In fact, Max stated his anger and disgust about that information while ensuring she was safe and that they weren’t going to help her ex despite her fears that they would turn on her, too. It made him sick to think this ex had that power over her. Bender, Kenneth’s brother joined them in the room too. She didn’t give many details about the abuse but it was obvious she was scared of this guy. Hunter felt even more compelled to be here for her and when it was time to leave, he was insistent that she come along to spend some time with them.
“They’re your unofficial guardians. Anyone who is in any kind of trouble or who needs looking after gets someone. C.J. and York made it clear that they and Hunter will be watching over you,” Max told her.
She looked at Shelby. “It’s a safety measure. I’ll feel better knowing that they will protect you in case I’m not around,” Shelby said.
“You don’t get off so easy either, young lady,” Kenneth stated firmly. Hunter needed to hide his smirk. Kenneth and his brothers saw an opportunity here to keep their woman safe and nearby even if she wasn’t ready to accept them.
“We’ve got Shelby covered, too, and if for some reason the Mantel men can’t watch over Caroline then we will, too.”
“That goes for us as well,” C.J. added and all the men nodded toward one another.
Max took Caroline’s hand. “You did the right thing. Telling us about this guy and running from him, before things got worse. We’ll do our best to protect you, so don’t you worry. You call me or stop by if you ever need anything.”
“Okay. Thank you, Sheriff.”
“Max,” he said firmly.
“Max.” Hunter took her hand. “Come on, we have some things to talk about and schedules to plan.”