Page 22 of Protected Hearts

When he left Shiloh standing in the bathroom looking lost and alone, he couldn’t imagine her dealing with terrorists or the Russian mafia. A ball of ice formed in his chest.

“We need to take them down,” he gritted out.

Carson narrowed his eyes at Oaks. “That’s the SEAL talking. Black Heart Security doesn’t take down terrorist groups or thebratva.”

He tapped a finger on his knee. “True, but we protect women who know things about that stuff.”

“You’ve got it. So what’s next?”

“I get her to talk.”

“Be her friend?”

“Be her bodyguard,” Oaks qualified. He shifted to stand. “I know my role.”

“Do you?” Carson leaned back in his chair.

He looked at him. “To be clear: I married her to keep her from being transported to Russia, never to be seen again.”

“Of course.”

“And it’s in name only. Not even that—I didn’t use my own name.”

But did it matter what name was signed on that document? Whether or not the link was real, he wasn’t going to cast her off so easily. He’d taken on the duty of protecting Shiloh. He’d see it through.

Carson cocked a brow. “You’re awful defensive, bro.”

“Just keeping it real,bro. I’m going to check on her. Let me know if you find out anything more.” Before his brother could respond, Oaks strode out of the office.

If he knew anything about women, he hadn’t given Shiloh nearly enough time to soak in the bath. He knew she wasfinished eating though. He could sneak into the room, grab the tray and leave.

When he passed his sister’s bedroom door, he threw out his hearing, an old habit he picked up back in Willow’s teen years. When he caught her with a boy in her room, he’d ripped it off the hinges to get inside, only to find them listening to music and doing homework.

He didn’t apologize then and he wouldn’t now if he found out some guy was mistreating Willow, even if she was of age now.

He reached the guest room and cracked open the door. He peeked inside and then walked in.

A feminine gasp ripped through the room, and he swung at the sound.

“What are youdoing?” Shiloh wrapped her arms around herself.

He gave her a once-over, taking in the fluffy white guest robe bundled around her body and her hair damp and brushed smooth on her shoulders.

“Sorry, I thought you’d still be in the bath. I figured you could use a long, relaxing soak.”

“I do. I did. I mean…” she sputtered, “I soaked long enough.”

“I came to get your tray.” He eyed her cheeks, pink from the bath or maybe him walking in on her. Just because she was shrewd didn’t mean she wasn’t a modest woman, and he’d just violated her privacy.

Her eyes were heavy-lidded with exhaustion. He guessed her adrenaline had finally faded and now she was left swaying on her feet.

He gripped the tray and walked it to the door, leaving it just outside to take care of later. Right now, he had a ward to takecare of. He was trained to stay with her, make sure she was calm enough to sleep while assuring her that he would keep her safe.

He drifted to the bedside table and switched on a lamp. It cast a rosy glow over the bed. Typically, his inner caretaker only came out for his kid sister, but it kicked in now.

He grasped the comforter and drew it down to expose crisp white sheets. “Get in.”

She swallowed, her throat working. “Is that an order?”

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