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“Yes, let’s get them in the house. I don’t know what in the hell is going on, but I don’t like being out in the open like this,” Maverick said. His years in the military had him more on edge than any of the others.
The group slowly made their way to the front porch. It took Ace a few tries to make it up the stairs. Dakota didn’t miss how his brothers hovered around him in a half circle, trying not to be obvious about it but right there in case he did fall. Dakota’s respect for this family was growing by the second.
“How are you doing?” Chloe asked Dakota once they were safely inside and moving toward the dining room.
“I’m fine. A lot has happened tonight, but I’m fine,” Dakota said, her voice shaking the slightest bit.
“You are lying, but since it appears Ace needs the most critical attention, we’ll cater to him first. But then you have some explaining to do as well—such as why you’re standing here in nothing but a silk robe and jacket with cuts marring your normally perfect skin.”
Dakota felt heat infuse her cheeks as her best friend pointed out her attire. She’d completely forgotten she was barely wearing a stitch of clothing. In all the rush from the time those men had shown up at her door, she hadn’t had time to even begin to think about her appearance.
She had to be a mess, her hair in that just-had-sex disarray, and whatever makeup she’d started the day with had to be smeared and splashed across her face. Add to that the fact that her robe was hardly appropriate for a family gathering, and her jacket was too thin, and she was a sight. But none of them were paying attention to her—no one but her best friend. The rest of the group’s attention was fully on Ace.
She looked at him as he sat down in the chair, his face white, his hand trembling, his lips pressed tightly together. The full impact of the intruders, and her flight with Ace through the city and beyond, was beginning to settle in on her, but she pushed it away. There wasn’t time for her to fall apart—not yet. First, she had to make sure Ace was going to be okay. He had to be one of the strongest men she knew, and that was saying a lot, considering she had a heck of a lot of alpha-male brothers.
Lindsey and Chloe were examining Ace, and he smiled up at them before winking at his brothers, who grumbled.
“You two have done well in your choice of women,” Ace said as Lindsey leaned over him and Chloe touched his arm.
“Yeah, yeah,” Maverick grumbled. “Remember, you’re in pain, and think a little less about flirting with my wife or trying to look down her shirt.”
“I can’t help myself when I have beautiful women with their hands all over me,” Ace told his brother.
“You’re such an ass,” Nick said, but he was smiling.
“I can second that,” Dakota said as she leaned against the wall. She was afraid she was going to rush over and run her own hands over him. No one needed to see that, or realize the strong connection she felt for this man.
“You got shot twice, Ace,” Lindsey said with a frown. She then turned to her husband. “Get me some clean cloth and hot water. I’m going to grab my emergency kit from the car. He’s dang lucky I have a much better one than the average person.”
Everyone moved to get what was needed. Dakota pushed away from the wall and moved over to him. She leaned down, and Ace smiled at her. Damn, that look in his eyes took her to a place she had no business being.
“This is going to hurt. I think we should just go to the hospital,” she told him.
“I’ve been through worse,” Ace assured her.
“Not in front of me,” she said.
“Are you worried about me, Dakota?” he asked, seeming to like that idea.
“You were shot. I think I can worry a little,” she admitted.
“I like it,” he told her. The seriousness of his words made her nervous. This thing—whatever it was—between the two of them was moving entirely too fast. She didn’t trust or like it. But even knowing that, she couldn’t seem to stop it. Maybe she and Ace were tangled up in a boulder shooting down a steep hill at top speed.
“Are you ready for this, Ace?” Lindsey asked.
She and Chloe were back, and their gazes shifted from Ace to Dakota in a knowing way. Dakota was going to need to set her best friend straight before Chloe’s imagination ran away with her. Hell, Dakota didn’t even know what she was feeling, so it would be hard to set anyone straight.
“I was born ready,” Ace told her.
“The bullets are in farther than I’d like. I’m going to have to dig them out,” Lindsey told him. “Be prepared to pass out.”
“I’m tougher than your husband,” Ace said before smirking at Maverick.
“I’m going to let you get away with that considering the state you’re in,” Maverick replied.
Dakota took a moment to look at Ace’s three brothers. They might be cracking jokes and making comments to one another, but she could see the concern in their eyes, knew that they loved their brother, and didn’t at all like the situation he was in. It made her feel a little homesick for her own family. They were just as protective of her, which at times was beyond frustrating and at other times made her feel loved and safe.
“Time to let me go,” Ace said, and Dakota realized she was still clutching his hand.
