Page 51 of Rescued Hearts

He tightened his arms around her in that same protective embrace she felt when she threw herself into his arms. There was still danger out there. A threat looming. But here in this moment, she only knew one thing for certain.

Gray was far more than her safe place in the storm.

Chapter Twelve

The hum of activity inside—and outside—of Felicity’s house sounded like a giant hive of bees in overdrive. Everywhere Honor looked, men moved with serious expressions and a purpose as they set up security cameras, replaced locks and set up floodlights around the perimeter of the house.

She waited off to the side, watching helplessly. The flurry of activity and all the new additions made her stomach cramp, and fear took hold. These people were here because of her choices. It was one thing to worry about her own safety, but she loved her sister more than anything, and now she was compromised too.

None of this would be happening if she hadn’t come to stay with Felicity. If she had committed to the van life instead, it was unlikely her ex would ever locate her.

She almost wished that Felicity had been able to stick around for moral support, but Honor insisted that she go to work at the bookstore and she would handle things here.

She turned to Gray. He stood in the living room, watching his brother Oaks install a new lock on the door. His arms were folded across his broad chest, and his wide stance made her think about a general on a battlefield.

“This is…a lot. I appreciate every bit of it but…are you sure you’re not overreacting?” she asked him.

He jerked his head around to pierce her in his gaze. “No. I’m not losing anyone else on my watch.”

Her heart twisted painfully. There was no mistaking the weight of those words or what they meant. The ghosts thathaunted him weren’t in his past. They were right here, influencing his every move.

Oaks’s hand slowed on the screwdriver he held. Honor caught the side-eye he gave Gray. She couldn’t help but wonder if this brother—or any of them—knew the whole truth about what Gray had witnessed the day the aircraft carrier was sunk. After all, his sister believed he was locked in his room writing a novel.

She glanced at Oaks, aware of him watching her closely. He gave the screw one last twist and pushed to his feet. He was as tall and impressive as the rest of his brothers. He also bore a set of deep gray eyes a shade darker than Gray’s, but he sported a cowboy hat with the same rugged sexiness.

When she caught the glimmer of a wedding band circling his finger, it gave her pleasure in a way she couldn’t put to words. Maybe it was the fact that the man loved a woman enough to seal the deal in an old-fashioned way. Or maybe she was just being silly after the years she spent waiting for Sully to make a move.

Sully. Her stomach bottomed out.Hewas the reason for all of this activity in Felicity’s home. But the fact was, they didn’t reallyknowfor certain it was him at all. She and Felicity might have jumped to conclusions when they spotted that van that looked like his. They had no proof he was in Willowbrook, and definitely didn’t have evidence that he was the one who’d opened her window.

Who else would it be?

“Your family seems to know their stuff,” she commented, hoping to break through some of the brick wall of tension surrounding Gray.

Oaks tested the lock before giving them both a nod and walking out, leaving her alone with Gray.

He scrubbed a finger over his top lip. “I’m sorry if I seem a bit on edge.”

“So am I.”

As if her admission made him see her for the first time, his face softened. His eyes pooled with the same tenderness that she’d seen so many times since they met. He took a step closer and caught her hand in his.

She gave it to him happily and with a measure of relief. Somehow, when she was touching Gray, everything got better.

She had to broach the other topic nagging at her. “I appreciate all of this,” she repeated, “but it looks really expensive. I’m not sure I can afford all this.”

The intensity in his gaze sharpened. “It’s covered. Don’t worry about it.”

“Gray—”

“Honor, I know you’re independent. But I won’t listen to talk about repayment.”

Her brows drew together. “You were in the military. You weren’t exactly making bank.”

His lips twitched with what she was starting to recognize as amusement. “I know. But there’s family money. Let a little bit of it do some good.”

Before she could protest again, another Malone brother walked in with Felicity right behind. Honor let out a low cry and hurried over to her sister.

“What are you doing back here? Is everything okay in the bookshop?”

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