Chapter 24
Anger filled Kellan.
He wasn’t used to feeling such strong emotions but she seemed to drag them out of him.
Or what she had endured at the hands of others brought them out.
Before he could say anything, ask any more questions, there was a knock on the door.
He wanted to storm over to the door and blast whoever was on the other side for interrupting them.
Calm.
You cannot let your temper get the best of you.
He took a few calming breaths as Eli got up to open the door. Arabella slid to the side of the bed and Kellan blocked her way as she tried to get out.
“What do you think you are doing?” he demanded.
“I don’t really want to talk to Jake while lying in bed.”
Hmm. Actually, that was a good point. He didn’t want her talking to Jake while lying in bed, either.
Yes, Jake was happily married.
Yes, she was fully dressed.
He still didn’t like the idea of it. So he scooped her up and carried her to the sofa, sitting with her on his lap.
Eli turned to stare at them in surprise, but then he gave a nod of approval.
“Kellan, let me off your lap,” she said.
“Need to hold you,” he whispered. “Make sure you’re safe.”
He expected her to protest. It wasn’t normal to need to touch her this much.
But she’d nearly died. And her house had been broken into. Who knows what would have happened if she’d been there? They might have hurt her.
And now she’d just told a horrific story . . . and he had to hold her close. Especially since there was someone else here.
Didn’t matter that it was Jake.
Didn’t matter that he knew he was a good man.
Right now, the only man he could trust his girl with was Eli.
To his surprise, she looked up and then she leaned into him. “All right. If you need that.”
She was too sweet and kind for him. He’d just have to ensure he never took advantage of her kindness.
Not like other people had.
He made a mental note to look into those assholes that had hurt her. Abused her.
And maybe into her mother’s death.
The more he heard about former Governor Hank Bridges, the less he thought of the bastard.
And he hadn’t thought much of him in the first place.
“Hey, Arabella. How are you feeling?” Jake asked, sitting on the one armchair in the room. He turned it so he was facing them while Eli sat next to them on the sofa. It was a bit of a tight fit since they weren’t small men. But they made it work.
Eli drew Arabella’s feet up onto his lap and started to massage them. She let out a small moan that had Kellan growing hard.
Now is not the time.
Jake looked between them all curiously, but didn’t say anything.
“I’m all right,” she said.
“No, you’re not,” Eli said to her. “And it’s okay to not be all right. It’s also okay to say you’re not all right. You don’t have to pretend with us.”
She stiffened in Kellan’s arms.
Shit. What did he do to help her?
Rub her back.
He started rubbing her back soothingly. Strangely, it was getting easier to touch her. To want to touch her. To find ways to help her.
He’d never felt the urge to soothe someone before. But then he’d never met Arabella before, had he?
Never felt this deeply about someone.
Not that he didn’t love his brothers. Of course he did.
But he certainly wouldn’t attempt to soothe any of those assholes.
They could soothe themselves.
With her, though, he hated when she was scared or unsure or tired.
All he wanted was for her to be happy.
Was that what loving someone who wasn't family was like? You just wanted them to be happy? And you were willing to do whatever it took to ensure they were happy and healthy?
You’d kill for them.
Die for them.
Maybe it was.
Horse had moved off the bed and was sitting in front of Arabella, like he was guarding her.
“Tell us,” Kellan urged her. “Tell us everything.”
“What’s going on?” Jake asked.
“I have something to tell you about the break-in today. I have a feeling that I might know who did it.”