Page 17 of The Recluse & the Fugitive

Clint raised his eyebrows. “Call Quaid,” he advised her, then placed the phone in her palm, turned, and walked out the front door.

The phone felt smooth and not dangerous. She wanted to call her brother.

Easton bequeathed her with puppy dog eyes, but mercifully followed his brother. She dreaded rejecting him.

Jacey glanced at the phone in her grasp and raised her eyes to Cade.

“Do you want some privacy?” he asked.

“Not from you. Please. Stay by my side.” Admitting she was in need grated at her, but she needed him, just as she’d told him. She wasn’t prideful enough to hide it.

His eyes got serious and turned almost a forest green. “I’ll stay as long as you need me.” He said the words like a vow.

“Thank you,” was all she could manage. She tapped on the phone. The screen lit up, and she pushed the phone button and the recent number of Quaid Raven. Such a cool name. Would her brother be tough like his new name, or the hurting little boy she kept feeling she had to protect?

“Jace,” a masculine voice answered immediately. “Are you okay?”

“I am. Thank you. Quaid?”

“Ah, Jace,” he groaned. “It kills me that you don’t know who I am. Are you scared? Do you want me to come?”

Jacey felt ecstatically happy at that moment. She did have family. A brother. And he was willing to come and defend her. She glanced up at Cade. His green eyes were warm and full of concern, and she knew he would shelter her.

“Thank you, Quaid, for caring so deeply, but I am safe and comfortable here. Cade has sworn to care for me.”

Cade’s eyes grew warmer still. The way she’d phrased it was beyond simple protection.

“Jacey. You have no idea how deeply I care for you,” her brother said into the phone. Her brother. He didn’t sound weak or afraid. Strong and brave and loyal defined his voice. She loved him.

“Regretfully, I do not,” she tried to tease. “No memory.”

Quaid laughed at that, and Cade grinned at her too.

“Sorry, sis,” Quaid said, his laughter settling. “But you have to believe me when I say—you and Anna are my top priorities. You say the word and I’ll drop the search for Catherine and come for you, watch over you, keep you safe, and help you get your memory back.”

“Thank you.” If only she remembered him. What a committed and loyal brother. “Who are Anna and Catherine?” Anna invoked light, while Catherine brought darkness.

“Catherine is our mother,” Quaid said, his voice stiff.

“You’re hunting the witch?” Horror filled her. She wanted to cling to Cade and beg him to go protect her brother, and somehow stay with her too. What a conundrum.

“Yes, and I don’t want you to worry.” Quaid sounded confident and like he could battle the devil and come out the victor. “Anna is my wife,” he added, his voice warm and proud. “She is the most incredible, fun, and beautiful lady on the planet. The love of my life.”

“Oh, Quaid.” Her voice filled with emotion. Her brother was happy, in love, and nothing like the scared boy she’d worried about since opening her eyes to Cade’s gaze this morning. “I can’t express what it means to learn you are happy and in love.”

“I know. Jace. You’re an angel—a spicy angel, but an angel. You’ve always put my happiness first.”

That was intriguing. A spicy angel. Unselfish for her brother. She appreciated those words and prayed they were accurate.

The front door pushed open and Clint backed in, his arms and hands full of a suitcase, grocery sacks, and a large platter. Easton followed with loads of grocery sacks up his arms and in his hands. What was happening? She didn’t want the men staying with them.

She wasn’t unselfish in her thoughts. She yearned to be alone with Cade, safe and comfortable and thrilled with a look or touch. Romance felt unfamiliar to her, forbidden, and absolutely exhilarating with this kind, large, and enticing cowboy.

“Sis … are you there?” Quaid asked.

“Yes. Sorry. Clint and Easton carried in half of a supermarket and a suitcase.” She raised an eyebrow in question.

Quaid laughed again. “Sounds about right. I’ll hang up so you can speak to them. But Jace … you are choosing to stay with Cade Miller, and you feel safe there?”

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