“I’m unarmed,cop,” he practically spat out.
“Copsounds far less insulting coming from your sister.” Beau forced him to sit on the couch, facing him.
“I knew you were trouble,” Esteban said. He looked at Sierra standing beside Beau. “And you. Screwing a police chief? What were you thinking?”
“Watch your mouth,” Beau growled. “Treat her with respect. Anything happening between her and me is our business, not yours.”
“My sister is definitely my business. Keep your hands off her or answer to me.”
“Shut up, Esteban,” Sierra told him.
She stepped closer to Beau’s side, surprising him with her show of support.
Her brother aimed a hurt look at her. “You have no idea what I’ve been through, what I’ve risked to come here. And you’re taking his side? Have you no loyalty anymore?”
She rolled her eyes. “Loyal to who? You’re dead. Right?”
“I know, I know. I put you through a lot by letting you think I’d drowned. But I had no choice. I was trying to protect you.”
She sighed and started toward him. Beau grabbed her hand and tugged her to the other couch that formed anLwith the first one.
“You can let go of her now,” Esteban bit out.
Beau let go, then settled his arm around her shoulders.
Esteban narrowed his eyes.
Beau smiled.
Sierra pushed Beau’s arm off her. “Enough. Stop it, you two. Esteban, you said you went through a lot to come here and what you did was to protect me. Explain. Tell us what the heck is going on and why in the world you let your family believe you were dead.”
A loud, rapid knock sounded on the door.
“Who the hell’s here now?” Beau stood, then hesitated. “Sierra—”
“I know. I know. Don’t trust my brother.” She pulled her pistol out of her ankle holster.
Beau blinked. “I thought I took that away after the safe house. How long have you had it? I didn’t see it last night when I took off your shoes.”
“I’ll kill you!” Esteban said.
“Shut up,” Sierra and Beau both told him.
He mumbled something under his breath.
“I took it when I got the handcuffs,” Sierra said. “I wanted to make sure I could protect you if my brother was a jerk.”
“Sierra!” Esteban complained. When they both turned toward him, he said, “I know, I know. Shut up.”
“Be careful,” Beau reminded Sierra. “Remember rule number two. Heck, rule number one as well, depending on who’s at the door. For that matter, number three. I told you to go to the bedroom, not open the door earlier.”
“You’re getting far too bossy.”
“What are all these rules?” her brother asked.
“Shut up,” they both said again.
“Stay here, Sierra,” Beau said. “I mean it.”
