Page 71 of Line of Resistance

It was amazing how big of a difference one word made. It took the burden he tried to place only on his shoulders and set it between them.

Wewill find him and keep him safe.

He’d been alone for so long. Standing by himself while the men who used to be part of his team built teams of their own. And he didn’t begrudge them. He wanted them to be happy. They deserved it.

But fucking hell. So did he.

Nate nodded, reaching out to curve a hand around the back of her neck so he could pull her close. He rested his lips against her forehead, breathing deep as the tension that started building in his body the second they walked into Bryson’s empty house eased just a little. “You’re right. We will find him.”

Eloise relaxed into him. “Can you promise me something?”

“Anything.” He would give her anything. Do anything for her. Whatever she wanted. He would move heaven and hell to make it happen.

Eloise tipped her head back, meeting his eyes. “When we find them, I get the first swing at his dad.”

Nate laughed. “Deal.”

Reed climbed into the front seat, shaking his head to indicate he hadn’t found anything of note as the rest of the team loaded up.

“It’s okay.” Eloise let out a slow breath, pursing her lips as she exhaled. “We will figure it out.”

He was so damn proud of how strong she was being. How levelheaded and calm. It made him even more glad she’d be at his side indefinitely.

“Just so you know, we’ll be figuring it out from headquarters.” Nate tipped his head at Rico, letting him know they were ready to go. “We’re going to stop at your apartment to collect your stuff and then you’ll be staying with me while we figure all this out.”

If Eloise was bothered by the development, she didn’t show it. “What about Reggie? Where will she stay?”

“They’re already getting her suite set up.” Her concern for their new friend was unsurprising. “She’ll be a few doors down from us.”

“So, far enough away we don’t have to worry about her coming in to collect our clothes.” Eloise’s lips twitched, hinting at a smile before flattening back out. “At least I’ll know she’s safe.”

Nate pulled her closer, tucking her head into his shoulder and smoothing down her messy hair as they drove to her apartment. Rico parked in the spot closest to her stoop and Nate got out, intending to round the SUV to collect Eloise, but a familiar voice stopped him before he could even get his door closed.

“Eloise?” Matt stood on the other side of the SUV, a gift bag in his hand. He looked Eloise up and down. “Holy shit. You look like hell.”

“Well you look like a stalker, so I guess we’ve both got issues.” Eloise crossed her arms. “What are you doing here?”

Matt blinked, looking shocked over her sarcastic irritated tone. “I—” He stepped closer, testing the limits of Nate’s patience. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh really.” Eloise scowled. “Because it seemed like you just wanted to leave creepy shit on my doorstep.”

Matt’s head bobbed back and his mouth dropped open. “Creepy? It’s from The Winery. I’ve spent a fortune trying to tell you I’m sorry.”

“By buying meyourfavorite things fromyourfavorite store?” Eloise snorted out an unamused laugh. “You should probably work on making your apologies a little less self-centered.”

Matt’s expression flattened, eyes narrowing. “What’s wrong with you? What happened to the sweet woman I went out with?”

Eloise’s spine stiffened and Nate swiftly rounded the back end of the SUV, ready to put Matt back on his dumb ass. No one was going to make Eloise think she needed to be less to be liked. Needed to hide part of her to be accepted. Needed to be anything besides exactly who she was.

“She’s still there.” Eloise took a step toward Matt, her lips pulling into a smile. “She just decided she doesn’t fucking like you.”

* * *

“SO, AFTER SEEING this, I feel like I should explain that I was in the middle of cleaning out and organizing my closet when everything went to hell.” Eloise stood in the doorway of his suite at headquarters, pillow clutched tight to her chest as she looked around his home.

Nate carried her bags into the bedroom, trying to look unaffected by the moment. It shouldn’t be that big of a deal. It wasn’t like she was moving in with him and it wasn’t like they’d never slept in the same bed before.

But it was still a big deal. A huge fucking deal. Because there was a really good chance now that he had Eloise with him, he would do everything in his power to make sure she stayed there. After seeing her in his space for just a few seconds, it was impossible to imagine it without her. Impossible to consider the emptiness her absence would create within his life. He needed her happy smiles and her snarky retorts the same way he needed air.

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