Page 11 of Ethan's Command

“Okay then. He quickly stepped into his boots and picked up his box. “If you’ll just open the garage, I’ll get the ladder and get started. Send Liam out when he’s ready.”

“I will,” Brooklyn confirmed and then opened the door for him.

Mojo followed Ethan back to the porch and waited while Ethan glanced around once more, mentally mapping out the best places to install the cameras in the front yard again. She’d want coverage of the front and back doors, but he’d add a couple more in blind spots she might not have thought about. He wasn’t taking any chances. This house might feel secure, but safety wasn’t a guarantee. Her smiling face floated up to the front of his brain.

And right now, keeping her safe was all he cared about.

CHAPTER 5

Brooklyn glancedout the window to the front yard for the umpteenth time. Liam was helping Ethan put up the cameras, and Mojo lay at Liam’s feet. It had to be the last one by the look of things. They’d already finished the back yard, and Liam was holding a flashlight, although Brooklyn was pretty sure it wasn’t necessary. She had plenty of lights on outside and Ethan could probably see well enough without Liam’s help.

Her heart swelled a bit at the sight. Ethan understood what she was trying to do for Liam without her having to say a word. He got it. Liam needed to feel safe again and he needed to feel in control. He’d fallen asleep with no problem last night, but a nightmare had woken him in the middle of the night. The hope was that helping Ethan put up the cameras would make him feel safer and in control.

Ethan said something and Liam laughed. If he hadn’t been such a dick to her since their one night together, she would be falling in love with this man. The way he treated Liam showed her once again why she’d been so attracted to him in the first place, and why she’d broken her own rule about one-night stands. It didn’t hurt that he was seriously sexy in his ass-hugging, faded jeans and black t-shirt. The sight of him madeher remember their night together and her lady parts began to tingle.

She quickly reminded herself what a jerk he’d been to her. It was hard. He had a warm smile and a great sense of humor. When she saw him with his friends and other women at Ohana’s, it hurt. Truth be told she was jealous. She knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of that smile and warmth, and she craved it again.

But keeping her distance was key to avoid getting hurt again, and she maintained a coldness when he was around to protect herself. It wasn’t like he had time for her anyway. That wasn’t strictly true. He had all the time in the world for her if she pretended they hadn’t slept together like he seemed to be doing. He treated her as if he hadn’t rocked her world. As if they hadn’t spent hours in bed. He treated her like a stranger that he was interested in, not a former lover. It was almost as if he had no memory of them being together. She half-heartedly wished she could forget.

She frowned. It didn’t matter how he treated her, though, because he was doing this for her and treating Liam as the kind and decent kid he was. She appreciated that more than she could say. She owed this man and as much as it pissed her off to admit it, she was grateful for his help. Glancing at the clock, she swore. It was Liam’s bedtime. She hated to break up his fun because he really did seem to be enjoying himself, but she also knew he was exhausted.

She slipped on her sneakers and went outside. “Hey guys, how’s it going?”

“We just finished.” Ethan climbed down the ladder and met her gaze with his deep green eyes. Her heart thumped. He ruffled Liam’s hair. “Liam is a great assistant.”

“Glad to hear it.” She smiled at her nephew as she tried to calm her racing heart. “It’s time for bed, hon. Go on in and get ready.” She braced herself for a fight, but he just nodded.

“Thanks for letting me help, Ethan. I learned a lot.” Liam offered his hand.

“Thanks for assisting me. You’re a quick study.” Ethan shook hands with the boy.

Liam ruffled Mojo’s fur. “It was good to meet you too, boy. I hope I get to see you again.” He stood and headed toward the door. “Ethan said I could come by the Brotherhood Protector ranch and see Mojo in action. Can we go?”

Brooklyn wanted to say no. That after this, she had no intension of being anywhere near Ethan again. But the look on Liam’s face was so hopeful. “Sure. We’ll drop by sometime.” Maybe if she was vague, Liam would forget. It was doubtful, but she could dream.

Liam waved at Ethan again. “Goodnight.” Then disappeared inside the house.

Ethan gathered up his tools and put them back in the box. “You know, I wouldn’t mind having Liam come over to the Brotherhood Protector base and check out the comms center. We could teach him a lot—he seems like an interesting kid.”

The last thing Brooklyn wanted was for Ethan to start teaching Liam anything. She couldn’t take being around this man more than absolutely necessary. He kept her too off balance and she liked that way too much for comfort. She forced a polite smile and said noncommittally, “Maybe.”

Ethan nodded, picked up the ladder, and walked back into the garage. When he returned a moment later, he paused, his expression shifting. He glanced left, then right, before walking back over to her.

“What is it?” Brooklyn asked, her stomach tightening at his sudden change in demeanor.

“There’s a van parked down the street,” Ethan said quietly. “It wasn’t there five minutes ago.”

Her pulse quickened. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to put all my stuff back in my truck.” Ethan’s tone was calm but firm. “Then I’ll see if I can find out who these people are.”

Brooklyn stared at him, her heart thudding. “Don’t look,” Ethan added.

Of course, that made her want to look even more. Against her better judgment, she stole a quick glance in the direction he’d indicated, trying to act nonchalant. Her stomach dropped—he was right. The white van was parked halfway down the block, its windows dark and uninviting. She forced herself to look away, continuing to talk to Ethan as if she hadn’t seen anything.

A moment later, her neighbors, the Forbes, turned into their driveway. Mrs. Forbes stepped out of the car and came over, her expression concerned. “Brooklyn, how are you, dear?”

“I’m fine, Mrs. Forbes,” Brooklyn replied, her voice steadier than she felt.

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