Page 41 of Her Remarkable Protector

“No,” I say, shaking my head harder than I mean to. “That’s not a plan, Honor. That’s running blind.”

“It’s my plan,” she snaps, her voice rising. “I’ve been keeping us alive so far, haven’t I?”

“And you shouldn’t have had to,” I reply, my voice softening but not losing its edge. “You’ve been running on empty, fighting on your own. Let me help. Let me protect you.”

Her lips press into a thin line, and for a moment, I think she’s going to argue again. But then her shoulders sag slightly, and she exhales a shaky breath. “Why do you care so much?”

“Because I do,” I say simply. “And I’m not letting you or Laramie out of my sight until I know you’re safe.”

The fight leaves her eyes, and she nods slowly. “Okay. I’ll come with you.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

I help her settle into the backseat and secure the carrier. Her gaze lingers on me as I close the door, enough to make me do a double take.

Why does she feel so familiar?

* * *

Steppinginto the house feels different this time. I’ve walked through this door many times, boots against the wide-plank hickory floors, thoughts too clouded to notice the glow of natural light bouncing off the stone accents. But now, with Honor and Laramie here, it feels… alive. Like the place finally has a purpose. And it’s not just a house anymore—it’s something closer to home.

As I set Honor’s bag down, I glance at her. She’s holding Laramie, her eyes darting around the room like she’s waiting for a catch. I don’t push her with words, just gesture for her to follow.

I guide her down the hall to the room I’ve set up for them. Pausing at the door, I push it open and step aside. “This is yours,” I say simply.

Honor steps inside and freezes. Her eyes widen as she takes in the room—the cot, the baby supplies stacked neatly on the dresser, the fluffy, pastel-colored blanket draped over the back of a rocking chair.

“This… this is for us?” she whispers.

Honestly, I’m just as floored as she is. Hux really went above and beyond, delivering more than I ever expected.

“Yeah,” I reply. “I can’t take credit for it, though. My partner from Helena did all this. I know nothing about babies or nurseries.”

“Your partner is in Helena?” she asks, a hint of surprise in her voice.

“My former partner,” I clarify quickly.

“Oh, I see. You’re lucky she’s on friendly terms with you,” she says, giving me a knowing smile.

It takes me a second to catch on, and when I do, I nearly choke on air. “Oh! No, no, not like that! I mean my Red Mark partner. The one who sent the baby carrier.”

“Oh, yourcolleague.”

Did I call Hux that? Sometimes I do when the moment calls for simplicity. I can’t remember, but I answer, “Yeah,” anyway.

Then I add, “And it’s not a she—it’s a guy. Huxley Cometti. A former SEAL. Burly dude, knows his way around a crib apparently.”

Honor’s cheeks flush a deep pink, and she immediately looks down, embarrassed. “Oh. Sorry. I presumed…”

“It’s okay,” I say, trying to hold back a grin. “Easy mistake. For the record, though, Ethan’s my official partner now. But at Red Mark, once you’re paired with someone, you’re partners for life. It’s like an unspoken rule.”

She nods slowly, still not meeting my eyes. Then, suddenly, a laugh bubbles out of her. “I mean, now that I’m picturing a big, burly guy setting up a nursery, I feel like I owe him an apology.”

I chuckle, finally relaxing a little. “I’m sure he’d appreciate it. He’s probably still wiping baby powder off his shirt.”

Honor smiles, looking back at the room, her gaze lingering on the cot. “This… it’s beautiful, Chase. Thank you. Really.”

I shrug, aiming for casual. “You won’t get this deal at a motel.”

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