Page 13 of The Wrangler

Behind him, the rest of Silver Spur Security poured in like the damn SEAL unit they had once been. Gavin Briggs—all business, sharp eyes, not missing a thing. Hawke Turner—big, lethal, and entirely too ready for a fight. Dawson Hart—calm, cool, but carrying the kind of energy that said he wouldn’t hesitate to rip a man apart.

The moment Reed’s gaze landed on Jesse, his expression shifted. Jesse was still standing in front of her. Still close. Still too damn protective.

Reed frowned. “What the hell happened?”

Jesse didn’t move. Didn’t flinch. His voice came out like steel. “Intruder. Came in through the patio. Gone before I could take him down.”

Reed’s expression darkened. “Keely?”

She lifted a hand, wiggling her fingers. “Still here, no bullet wounds, no stab wounds, so let’s call it a win.”

No one laughed.

Gavin’s gaze flicked between Jesse and Keely, his mind clearly working through the scene. “Who was it?”

Jesse’s jaw clenched. “Didn’t get an ID, but he was a pro. Not some random break-in. We assume he was here for the diamonds. He didn’t get them.”

“I put them in my safe,” added Keely.

Dawson scanned the wreckage, nodding slowly. “Diamonds?”

Jesse nodded. “I’ll have a full report by morning, but there was a mix up in suitcases. When Keely opened what she thought was her suitcase, she found them.”

Hawke crossed his arms. “We need to move the diamonds and Keely. Whoever that was, he’s coming back.”

Well, thank you for that, Captain Obvious.She knew that. Jesse knew that, and so did the rest of them.

Her brother’s attention snapped back to her. Reed took a step closer, his face a mix of frustration and something deeper. “You okay?”

Keely tipped her head, considering. “Yeah.”

“Yeah?” Reed repeated.

She nodded, her voice steady. “I screamed. Jesse took care of it. Now we’re here.”

Reed’s gaze flicked back to Jesse, something unreadable passing between them. Then, before Keely could prepare, Jesse spoke.

And everything changed. “She’s with me.”

The words hung in the air, sharp and unyielding. The room went dead silent. Keely stared at him, her chest tightening.

Her brother’s eyes darkened immediately. “Excuse me?”

Jesse didn’t hesitate. Didn’t back down. “She’s mine to protect.”

Keely’s stomach dipped. The words weren’t casual. They weren’t an offer. They were a claim. A public, unshakable, undeniable claim. And from the way every single man in the room reacted, they all understood exactly what it meant.

She thought she should say something. Stand up for her rights, but all she wanted at the moment was to feel safe. And safe meant being with Jesse.

Gavin muttered a curse. Dawson and Hawke exchanged glances.

Reed? Reed looked like he was going to commit murder.

“What the hell do you mean, ‘she’s yours’?” he demanded.

Jesse’s jaw ticked. “I mean, I’m handling this.”

Reed took a step forward, his entire body language shifting to something dangerous. “Keely is my sister, and...”

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