Page 72 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

“It could take several days for them to show up,” Cal said. “We don’t know who the puppet master controlling these people is, but I’m certain whoever he is, he has eyes on the police department and the sheriff’s office. I’m starting to think he has someone on the inside because these people seem to know what we’re doing before we do. Wyatt and I can’t disappear like that, not if we’re being watched. But one of us and our team will be watching the house at all times.”

“I’ll be here when I can,” Wyatt said. “Cal’s right that it feels like we’re being watched, so I’m going to try to come in sight unseen. If it’s not me here, it will only be someone I trust.”

“What I don’t understand is why they’re still after him.” She glanced around at her brothers. “Even if they think he can identify them, he would have already given their description to the police. So, why bother going after him?”

“Because he’s a witness to the kidnapping of his parents,” Dylan said. “He can testify to that happening if they end up being put on trial.”

“Oh. Didn’t think about that. Well, if this is the only way to catch them, then let’s do this.”

“If Matti’s staying here, I am, too,” Ryan said. “That’s all I have to say about this.”

He was a doctor, not trained for anything like this. If he returned to his life, no one would think the less of him. Yet, he was stepping up, willing to put himself in danger to protect her. My hero, she thought.

“I need to go,” Dylan said. “Be alert. Stay safe.”

Wyatt closed his laptop lid. “They’ll hit at night when they think you’re asleep. My gut says tomorrow night, but you’ll have someone in the house with you today as soon as the sun starts to go down. It will be either me or one of my men. Even though I’m sure they won’t try anything until sometime after midnight, a patrol car’s parked in your driveway and will stay until backup comes tonight.”

“Keep your doors locked and the alarm on,” Cal said. “Time to go, Pilot.” Pilot jumped up from where he was napping and raced to the door.

“Are you sure we don’t have to worry until it gets dark?” she asked. She had a reason for her question, one she wasn’t going to share with her brother.

Wyatt nodded. “Positive. They’ll want you to be asleep when they come in.”

“I doubt we’ll be able to sleep. I just want this to be over.”

“We all do. If you don’t think you can sleep tonight, maybe take a nap.”

He winked, and heat burned her cheeks. Her too-perceptive brother knew exactly why she’d asked that question.

“Feel free to go now.”

“Going. Enjoy your nap.” He laughed as he headed out the door.

“What was that about?” Ryan asked as he locked the door, then set the alarm.

“Nothing.” She didn’t want to think about Sam’s mean men showing up. Today might be the last one she had with Ryan. As soon as this was over, he’d return to his life and she hers. She’d miss him, but that was the way it had to be, and she wanted these last few hours with him, wanted him to finish what he’d started this morning before Wyatt walked in.

“You were carrying me to bed when we were rudely interrupted.”

“Was I?” Ryan stepped close to her, his eyes finding hers. “Is that what you want, Matti? Me. You. In a bed?”

How did he do that, drop his voice to that gravelly sound that had her skin breaking out in goose bumps? “Yes,” she whispered.

“Is Wyatt right that we don’t have to worry about any surprise visits today?”

“He’s always right.” That was annoyingly true. “And we’re being guarded by one of his cops. We’re safe.”

“All right, then.”

Instead of scooping her up and carrying her in his arms the way he had earlier and she expected him to do again, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. “Hey! Your wrist. What are you doing?”

“Told you, wrist is fine. And I’m carrying you to bed. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

She laughed as she bounced against his back. “Well, yes, but…” She forgot what she was going to say when she realized she had a perfect view of his butt, and what a mighty fine view it was.

“But?”

No, butt. She giggled. And that right there was proof that she wasn’t herself when she was around him. She never giggled.