Page 14 of Security Breach

After she fell silent, Elliot dragged a hand down his face. “We need to tell Levi and Owen.”

“I’ll fill them in later.” David glanced at Caleb. “I want six ranch hands on perimeter watch around the house. The five of us will split bodyguard watch inside. At no time is Emma to be alone.”

“How long do we have?” Elliot said.

“No more than 48 hours, probably less.”

“Why does the killer want you, Emma?” Caleb asked.

She stared. “You know why.”

“Do I? Are you sure being a witness is the only reason?”

“What other reason could there be?”

“What’s your point?” David glared at his brother.

Caleb held up a hand. “Hear me out before you tear off my head. Even though she’s the only witness, he must realize something is wrong because his picture hasn’t hit the media. So, what’s driving him to come after her?”

David shifted his gaze to Emma for a moment before he refocused on his brothers. “Special Agent Jordan said Emma was the Butcher’s only victim to survive and he’ll keep coming after her until he corrects his mistake.”

Caleb and Elliot grimaced. “You’re talking about Craig Jordan?” Elliot asked.

“Unfortunately.”

Caleb groaned. “This will be a disaster of the highest order. Every op he touches gets screwed up.”

“That’s why I’m counting on you.”

A slow nod from each of his brothers. “We won’t let you down,” Elliot said. His gaze shifted to Emma. “Either of you.”

CHAPTER SIX

Emma stood in the center of the room Mrs. Grady had prepared for her. The room was beautiful, perfect in fact, yet she dreaded staying here. In a large, well-fortified house with armed guards close at hand, she should feel safe and protected. She didn’t. She felt more vulnerable than ever. Unless David had changed rooms after his father died and he’d mustered out of the Navy, his bedroom was in another wing of the house. Too far away for her peace of mind. She only felt safe with David near at hand.

She frowned. Having survived interminable months without a big, bad Navy SEAL to protect her from a deranged serial killer tracking her around the country, she should be used to protecting herself by now. When had she become a coward?

Her skin prickled with awareness. Although she didn’t hear anything, Emma sensed that David had entered the room. She waited for him to speak.

“Emma?” He came to her, concern in his gaze. “Is something wrong with the room?”

She hesitated, then shook her head.

His lips twitched. “You’ll have to try harder to convince me. What’s going on?”

“Are you still sleeping in the same room?”

Understanding dawned in his eyes. David intertwined their fingers. “This is a suite. At night, I’ll sleep in the sitting area on the couch when I’m not on watch. If I’m working, one of my brothers will be close. You will always be protected.”

Relief overwhelmed her at his words. “I should tell you to go on to your own room so you’ll be comfortable while you sleep.” She needed him. In more ways than just as a bodyguard. Man, she had it bad for this handsome SEAL. Lawman, she silently corrected herself.

“I’d sleep on the floor without a second thought to ensure your safety.” He squeezed her hand. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I wasn’t letting you out of my sight. I spent too many gut-wrenching months mourning your loss. I won’t leave you alone and vulnerable.”

Emma’s vision blurred. “Thank you.”

“Hey, no tears. You know I can’t handle them.”

She smiled. “You never could. For a battle-hardened Navy SEAL, you have a serious chink in your armor.”

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