Protector Cowboy (Whiskey Valley Bryant Brothers)

“Ryan,” King says gruffly.

But it doesn’t faze Ryan. “I swear they shouldn’t have named him King. It’s given him a complex.” He looks at his brother and rolls his eyes.

I reach over and put my hand on King’s thigh. I don’t think anyone can see it, but I know he feels it by the way his muscles bunch under my palm. “He’s definitely as charming as a King.”

I no sooner get the words out than all the brothers start to laugh. Everyone but King. He’s looking at me strangely and blurts out, “I want you and Eli to move in here.”

My mouth falls open as everyone at the table gets quiet. Eli’s even staring at me in confusion. I can just imagine what he’s thinking of his mother right now. “King... I don’t think...” I start.

He interrupts me. “I want to keep you and Eli safe. You can stay here until I take care of things, and then you can go back to town.”

I look at him in bewilderment. He really should have talked to me first before dropping this bombshell.

Chapter 16

King

As soon as the words are out, I know I’m right. I won’t rest with her and Eli in town, knowing what I know now. Her face is scarlet, and I know I overstepped, but I can’t risk her safety.

“King, thank you, but I can’t. We’re fine in town.”

He turns in his chair. “I’m going to handle this, and when I do, chances are he will know where you’re at.” I say it as cryptically as I can, not knowing what Eli knows.

She looks at Eli, and so do I. It’s obvious he knows by the way his face pales. “My father is coming?”

I’ve never seen fear like this on a child’s face, and it makes me want to punch something—or better yet, someone. I hit my fist on the table. “He may come, but you won’t have to see him. Not if you don’t want to.”

Before I finish, he’s shaking his head. “Not after what he did to Mom and me. I don’t care if I ever see him again. Should we leave, Mom?”

I shake my head. “You’re not leaving Whiskey Valley. I understand why you had to run, but the running stops now. I’m taking care of it.”

Natalie throws her napkin on the table in front of her. “I don’t need another controlling man...”

I cover her hand with my own. “There’s a difference between controlling and protective, honey. I’m protective. Just let me solve this, and then you will make all the decisions. You’ll never have to run again.”

She wants to. I can see how badly she wants the freedom.

I look around the table, and my brothers are stunned, but with a jut of my chin, they all start to chime in.

“There’s plenty of room here,” Ryan says.

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but if King says he’ll take care of it, he will,” Griffin says.

“Plus, you’ll have us. No one is getting to you or Eli,” Chance chimes in.

Automatically, my brothers have my back. We may fight and bicker sometimes, but they always come through. “Please stay.”

She wants to give in, but she starts shaking her head. “I still have to work.”

I shrug. “Come to work here. Paulina was saying the other day she needed help around here. She would love it.”

She rolls her eyes. “I can’t quit my job, King. I need something when I move back into town.”

“I’ll talk to Levi. When I explain, he’ll understand, and he’ll hold your job for you. I just need two weeks. Two weeks and you’ll be free, Nat.”

She looks at Eli, and he’s nodding his head. He has one of my brothers on each side of him, and I’d say he probably feels invincible right now. Which is good because they wouldn’t let anything happen to him. He needs this to happen, probably more than Nat does.

“We’ll go home and talk about it tonight. I’ll talk to Levi in the morning and see what he says. I can’t do it unless I know I’ll have a job when all is said and done.”

I know better than to argue. “Okay. Sounds good.”

Ryan passes out the cookies Paulina made, and we all eat them. My brothers are still making Eli laugh, and Nat is now lost in thought. I know I’ll have to explain everything to my brothers later, but I have no doubt they’ll understand. I won’t let anything happen to Nat and Eli.

When it’s time for them to go, I follow behind them in my truck. We pull into the parking lot, and I follow behind them as Nat unlocks the door. I do a quick sweep of the apartment and then walk back to the front door.

“I’m going to shower, Mom. Bye, King,” Eli calls.

“See you in the morning!” I call to him.