Page 15 of Lone Star Country Protector
“I do,” he said a little too enthusiastically. If he wanted to convince her that he didn’t know Blakely intimately, he needed to calm down. “It’s my job to protect judges like your sister when there’s a threat present.”
Bethany covered a gasp with her hand. “My sister is in real danger, isn’t she?”
He gave her a second to let those words sink in because the question was rhetorical. Besides, there was an obvious threat to Blakely. Had she told her sister the perp was specifically after her? He didn’t think so because Blakely wouldn’t want to worry her sister more than she had to.
“She’s been through so much already,” Bethany said. “She’s a good person too. She doesn’t deserve any of what’s happened to her.”
“The horse-riding incident that left the scar?” he asked, knowing in his heart the explanation had been flimsy at best. He hadn’t asked follow-up questions or quizzed her. He’d been in the brain fog that always accompanied being lost in desire. Being with Blakely had felt a whole lot like what he imagined being in love would be like. Couldn’t say he would ever let himself go down that road with anyone. Not with his genetic disaster waiting to happen. For a time, he considered only dating single mothers because thepressure to have a kid wouldn’t be a constant undercurrent as he approached thirty. Biology took over with many of his dates, and he found himself being assessed as a potential life partner and father material over dinner when he’d barely eaten the first course.
Bethany stared at Dalton. “Is that where she told you the scar came from?”
“Yes,” he confirmed.
She clamped her mouth shut as she shook her head. “Then I sure don’t want to be the one to tell you any different.”
“She’s guarded with me,” he explained, hoping to gain a better understanding of the reason while he had her sister alone.
“Not just with you,” Bethany said without hesitation. “Although, to be honest, she’s more relaxed around you than anyone else I’ve seen.” Bethany’s face twisted. “In fact, I thought there might be more between the two of you than an assignment.”
“No,” he said quickly. Too quickly? It would be unprofessional as hell for him to be in a relationship with someone from work. The consequences of a fling with a judge ending badly were…
Already crossed that bridge, dude.Not on purpose. Looking back, the secrecy had been a mistake—a mistake he couldn’t bring himself to regret.
Bethany’s eyebrow shot up. “You sure about that? Cuz I could have sworn…” She swatted like there was a fly in front of her face. “Never mind. You don’t have to answer that. I’m sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong, and I’m probably off base anyway. Of course, my sister would be more relaxed with extra security in the house. Makes sense.” She heaved a sigh. “It’s just that…she deserves a break. Youknow? Not some random creep attacking her in her driveway.” She caught herself again. “This was random, right?”
“It’s too early to tell,” he said. “Blakely didn’t recognize her attacker, which rules out anyone close to her.”Unless…there were others involved.
“She sends people to prison in her job,” Bethany continued. “That has to count for something.”
“We’re looking into that angle,” he confirmed.
“I knew it,” Bethany said on another sharp sigh. “She has gone to great lengths to be ready for the next…” Bethany flashed eyes at him. “You know…to be ready.” She chose her words carefully, which meant there was a whole lot more to the story with Blakely’s forehead scar.
Dalton had a feeling he wasn’t going to like the reason any more than he liked the judge being attacked so close to her home. Given this was personal, someone had to have been monitoring her activities. Waiting for the right time to strike.
His ego wanted to blame the source of the scar for the way she’d treated him. An abusive relationship would make her far less trusting of the opposite sex.
Less trusting of him.
* * *
Blakely heard voicesin the kitchen as she got up for an early morning bathroom break. Considering her sister wasn’t in bed next to Blakely, she assumed the low hum was Bethany and Dalton. Should she be worried the two of them were talking?Yes.She should get downstairs before Bethany gave Dalton all the details of Blakely’s past.
Her sister wouldn’t. Would she?
The older twin by a few minutes, Blakely had always been told she was an old soul. She’d always looked out for hersister and thought of her as much younger despite Bethany getting married first and becoming a mother at a young age.
After finishing up in the restroom, Blakely turned toward the stairs and then headed down. She doubted she could go back to sleep now that her mind was spinning.
Downstairs, she joined Bethany and Dalton in the kitchen.
“Coffee?” Dalton asked, looking a little too good standing in her kitchen in jeans and a black long-sleeve T-shirt.
“Yes, please,” she said, joining her sister at the granite island.
“How did you sleep?” Bethany asked.
“I heard you snoring,” Blakely said with a smile.
