Page 128 of Delicate Escape

But Trace did it for me. “Shep’s in love.”

Cope winced as he took the beer and raised it to me. “I’d be looking like that, too.”

I glared at him. “Don’t be an asshole.”

“That’s his natural state,” Trace muttered.

Cope flipped him off. “Tell me what’s really going on.”

So, I did. And by the time I finished, Cope was nearly as furious as I was. “How the hell do we nail this guy? Kye might still know some guys from?—”

“No.” Trace’s single word rang with finality. And I didn’t blame him. When Kye had gotten mixed up with underground fighting in his teens, it had almost cost him everything.

Trace sighed. “We play this smart, and we work together. We’ll make sure Thea stays safe.”

I wanted to believe my brother. And I knew he was right when it came to Thea’s physical safety. But I’d seen the devastation Brendan could inflict with a few simple keyboard strokes. How the hell did I protect Thea from that?

49

THEA

I watchedShep check the locks on every window in the living room as I fed the kittens their last meal before bed. They were officially up on the Wags & Whiskers website, ready for adoption. I had no doubt they’d be snatched up in a matter of days. They were too cute not to be.

That should’ve made me happy, but I couldn’t seem to let the emotion land. Not when worry and concern crowded it out.

Shep had been quiet all night. When he returned from Trace’s house, he’d barely shared about their conversation, only saying,“We’re working on it.”Since then, he’d been trapped in his thoughts, and it left me feeling strangely alone, even though Shep was physically present.

When the kittens were done with their meal, I lifted the bowls, taking them to the sink to wash. I could feel Shep continuing his movements through the house, checking every possible point of entry. But I knew that wasn’t how Brendan would lash out. When he did, it would be in a way no one could trace.

After washing my hands, I headed for the bathroom to get readyfor bed. Even after taking my time to do every single step of skincare, Shep still wasn’t done with his assessment of my home. So, I moved to my bedroom, changed into my nightie, and slid beneath the covers, grabbing my book from the nightstand.

I’d moved on to a new romance with a tortured hero who had a thing for control. I wouldn’t lie and say that I hadn’t wondered if Shep’s need for control could express itself in rough ropes or soft, silken cords. But tonight, I couldn’t focus. I read the same sentence over and over until Shep moved into the bedroom.

My gaze instantly went to him. He wore navy sweats that hung low on his hips, and a heather-gray tee worn in all the right places. “Everything good?”

He nodded. “You tired?”

I shook my head. “Not really.” The truth was, I wanted Shep. Wanted to feel the connection between us bloom brightly. Wanted to feelhim.

Shep pulled his T-shirt over his head, exposing all those planes of muscle. “Read as long as you want. The light won’t keep me up.”

He shucked his sweats and climbed into bed beside me. He leaned over to kiss my shoulder and then rolled away to find sleep.

I stared at his broad back. The view had my nose stinging as I felt the disconnect from him. I forced my gaze back to my book and breathed through the sensation. I knew that Shep had to feel powerless at the moment, something he absolutely hated. He didn’t need my disappointment. He needed my understanding.

Holding on to that, I disappeared into the pages of my book again, finding the escape I needed this time. I lost myself in the push and pull between the two characters as they struggled to give each other what they both needed.

As I reached a scene where the heroine gave in to the hero’s darker desires, I shifted beneath the sheets, restless. My breaths picked up speed as he bound her feet to the end of the bed, her hands above her.

When a hand slid across my belly, I jumped, gaze snapping to Shep.

He stared back at me, eyes hooded. “Good book?”

My lips parted, but I couldn’t get the words out. So, I nodded.

“I can tell.”

My brows pulled together. “How?”

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