Page 90 of When He Protects

“Thanks, man.”

“Sure you should be moving?” Clay seemed uncertain. “I can take care of Esme for you. Maybe you need to stay here longer.”

“I’m done. We’re leaving.” He held tightly to Esme’s hand.

“You’re the boss.” Low, from Clay. He and Kane jumped in the front of the Jeep. Esme and Tyler slid into the back.

“The local fire investigator is trying to nose around the house,” Clay explained as they took off. “I’m stalling as best I can. The way that place ignited and the blast trajectory…” A long whistle. “I’d say we’ve got a professional in town.”

“You would know,” Tyler said flatly.

She cast him a frown.

The Jeep accelerated.

“Clay is a demolition expert.” Tyler’s gaze was on the back of Clay’s head. “Trained by Uncle Sam to get the job done.”

He was awhat?Talk about information she would have enjoyed knowing much, much sooner.

“I don’t do that anymore.” A quick retort from Clay. “You know I can’t…fuck.” He jerked the wheel to the right. The Jeep flew off the road and came to a jarring stop.

The seatbelt pulled hard against Esme. “Hey!” Esme snapped. “There is a man with a concussion back here! Watch that crap!”

“I like her,” Kane said to no one and everyone. “I really do. I didn’t, not at first. But she’s grown on me.”

Clay whipped around and his narrow-eyed stare went straight to Tyler. “You think it was me? Is that the BS you’re saying to me right now? When I amhelpingyou?”

Esme did not speak. Tyler wasn’t saying that, was he? No way did he suspect his friend.

Except, Tyler wasn’t making a denial.

Clay gaped at him. “You really think I’d blow up my own damn house? With you in it?”

Tyler gazed steadily at him. “Questions have to be asked.”

“Fuck.Fuck.” Clay slammed a hand into the steering wheel. “You don’t trust me. After everything we’ve been through together? I’m the one you doubt? And not the criminal right next to you?”

“No need for name calling,” Esme said primly.

“The house was wired to explode.” No emotion filled Tyler’s voice.

A shiver slid over Esme. There was a lethal air about him. One moment, he’d seemed normal, almost at ease. Then as soon as they’d gotten away from the eyes at the hospital and into the Jeep—everything changed in a blink.

He was waiting for this moment.

Kane was also now staring at Clay. And his profile appeared cold. Savage.

They both suspect Clay?Why hadn’t they told her about their suspicions?

“The house is in a million pieces.” Tyler never took his focus off Clay. “And it just so happens there is an expert on explosives right here.”

That was when she realized…

Kane had a gun in his hand. He’d pulled it out and aimed it at the sheriff.

“What is happening?” Esme demanded in a voice that squeaked. When had they planned this? While she’d slept in the uncomfortable chair?

“I came to that same conclusion myself,” Kane announced. “Figured we’d have a very serious chat as soon as we were all alone.”

---