Page 84 of Her Protector Daddies

“Jay?” Bailey prompted softly, but Jay was silent.

“You’re telling me,” Aubrey said tightly, “that this gun — it’s the missing piece of evidence in the death of a cop?”

“Not just any cop,” Tyler said.

“It’ll tie Andrés to the murder of Jay’s partner,” my father said. “Ain’t no other reason for it to be here. Test it. Scan it, whatever the fuck. But that was my ticket to freedom.”

All eyes were on Jay and his hands flexed into fists while his eyes locked onto the weapon.

“I get to tell him,” Jay said hoarsely. “I get to tell Andrés that he’s going to die in jail!”

32

SELENA

“How much longer do we have to be here?” I paced back and forth in the doorway, dragging my fingers across the doorframe as Tyler grunted softly between each sit-up on the floor.

“Here in this room or here in this house?” he asked, slightly breathless.

“This house. It’s been what, almost two weeks already? How long does a court need to decide Guilty.”

Ever since Andrés’ court case started, I had been squirreled away in a new safe house and kept under lock and key so that none of Andrés’ goons could make an attempt on my life. I would’ve been happy to stay at Jay’s house when the trial started but as soon as Andrés learned that my father had handed himself in, the bounty on my head and his had tripled. People we didn’t even know were trying to get in on the action.

The past two weeks had been a whirlwind and while I understood the need for me to take these safety precautions, I was nearly climbing the walls with boredom. It was a stroke of luck that Tyler was here with me.

“For as long as it takes to put Andrés behind bars.” Tyler puffed out his cheeks slightly, continuing his sit ups even with his eyes locked on me. “I know it’s frustrating but witness statements start today. I think Jay is up later this afternoon.”

“It’s beyond frustrating. I thought the court case would be the end of things, not more of the same.” Leaning against the doorframe, my fingers dropped to toy with the lock. “I miss everyone. I want to be in our apartment choosing the final finishes for our new place and picking out names for Little Egg.” One hand dropped to affectionately stroke my growing belly.

“I know. This is the hardest part, I know. The waiting.” Tyler straightened up and balanced his elbows on his knees, panting. “But keeping you separate from everything, from your father and Jay, is because you’re all witnesses and Andrés will stop at nothing to get rid of you. And I know I don’t want to see that happen, not to you or Jay.”

“I know. It’s just…” Warmth stung behind my eyes, and I pouted softly.

“Hormones?” Tyler offered.

“Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.”

“That’s okay. With Andrés’ fingerprints being found on the gun that killed Jay’s partner and on a whole host of jewelry from those brutal home invasions, there’s enough evidence that Andrés will be going away for a long time. We just need to make sure the evidence isn’t called into question and that no witness ends up dead.”

He talked sense. I knew that but it didn’t ease the frustration in my chest. It must have been clear on my face because Tyler’s face softened somewhat, and he motioned me over.

With heavy steps, I obliged and lowered down into his lap, then placed both hands on his bare chest.

“You’re all sweaty,” I complained softly.

“You usually like that,” he replied, sliding his hands soothingly up and down my thighs. “Is there anything I can do to help distract you?”

“Mmm I don’t know.” I walked my fingertips up to his damp shoulder. “What did you have in mind?”

“I can be an excellent distraction.” His voice dropped a few octaves, and then he leaned in to kiss me. For a few long seconds, it was bliss. His lips were soft, his touch warm and grounding, and a trickle of desire seeped down into my core.

But it wasn’t enough.

As much as I wanted it to be, my focus was too much elsewhere and Tyler’s allure wasn’t enough to distract me. The kiss broke and he lightly pecked my nose.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered into the space between us.

“Don’t be,” he assured me quietly.

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