Guarding Hope

The guys said their goodbyes while Gage stuffed a flash drive into his computer, copying and downloading the section around the incident. Once it was done, he tipped Hope’s chin, turning her head to look at him.

“Baby, you said you wanted to get out. How about a trip to town?”

“Yay!” She bounced in his lap, turning his anger around and into something much more fun.

With a growl, he whispered, “But first, I want to show you what sitting on my lap does to me.”

It took them another half hour to leave the house, but from the smiles on their faces, they didn’t care.

The drive into town unnerved Hope. She’d spent weeks thinking about getting out in the world, and now that she’d gotten the opportunity, she shook with fear.

“What’s wrong?” Gage pulled over to the side of the road outside of town.

“It’s nothing. You didn’t need to pull over. I’m just a little bit anxious. What if someone’s out there looking for me?” After confessing her fears, she felt a tinge of foolishness about it.

He leaned over and brushed a stray hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. His eyes softened as he stared into her eyes, running his hand along her jaw. “They’d have to go through me first.”

She cupped his hand with both of hers, holding it tightly. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I can’t lose you.”

He pressed his forehead to hers for just a moment before pulling back. “You won’t. Trust me. Your father doesn’t have the pull. I’m going to have some words with Navarro tomorrow if that makes you feel better.”

“Um, no!” She clung to Gage with her heart racing and tears falling down her face. She didn’t know where all that came from, but she didn’t try to stop it. Her heart experienced genuine fear.

Gage kissed her hard, leaving her breathless. “Understand this. I’m not going alone, there’s no way in hell I’d let him think he owns you, and I’m sure the fuck not letting him get near you.”

She wiped away the last tear, straightened herself up, and steeled her emotions. “What…never mind. Just don’t get your ass hurt.”

“I won’t. He has too much on the line to get into shit for it. Mistresses are a dime a dozen. I’m astonished he planned to pay your father that much.”

“Thanks for the praise.” She rolled her eyes and huffed, staring out of the window at the open fields next to the road.

“That’s not what I mean. A lot of women would have sold him their virginity for half that.”

“I know. That’s what worries me. What if he’s one of those crazies who still wants me out of anger?”

Hope’s fear was legitimate, but Gage didn’t need her worked up, especially if he’d counted correctly. She’d been with him for a total of five weeks, and he’d made love to her every single night after that first week. Not once did she have her period. Getting Navarro out of the way became all the more imperative. “Just let me handle it. He knows you’re with me now, so I’m going to let him know what it is.”

“Okay.”

He whipped his head toward her, his face twisting with suspicion. “Okay? You’re not going to get on me again?” He expected her to rake him across the coals before finally throwing in the towel.

“Nope. What for? It’s a moot point, isn’t it?”

“It is. This is for the best.” He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it then intertwining their fingers together and resting them on the center console.

He shifted the gear back into drive and continued on to town. The rest of their ride remained silent until they pulled up to the sheriff’s office. “Wait, and I’ll help you out.”

Hope rolled her eyes, but she kept her butt planted in the seat until Gage came around and opened the door. “Thank you, baby.”

He leaned in and stole a kiss, robbing Hope of her ire. It didn’t take much to make her melt for him. The way he called her baby and touched her sent her over the edge.

“Let’s go in,” Gage said, pulling her gently to his side and locking the truck with a click of his fob. He held the door open for her, admiring her ass in the sundress she’d slipped on.

“Hey, Gage. There you are.” The officer raised a brow when he took in the way Gage had his arm around Hope’s waist. “Ah, and you must be Hope.”

“Yes, hello.” She reached out to shake his hand, but their hands barely touched before Gage grunted and pulled her hand back.

“Ho, ho, so that’s how it is. Let’s get this over, then.” He led them to the back of the station and into his office. “Please take a seat.”

“Thanks, Sheriff McCain.” Hope stepped around the chairs and took a seat to the right, leaving the left for Gage.