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“I didn’t think Judd listened to anyone,” she said once it was just the two of them.
“He’s stubborn, that one. But he has no right to bully you.” The doctor frowned. “Do you want him taken off your security? I can get someone else to watch you.”
“What? Why?”
“He’s not an easy man at the best of times. But you shouldn’t have to put up with his grumpy behavior.”
Grumpzilla.
This was her chance to push them all away. She knew all she’d have to do was say something to this doctor or to Caleb.
But the words wouldn’t come.
She shook her head. “I just need a bit of space for a while. I’m fine.”
“You tell me if that changes. Now, what hurts?”
Judd wasn’t happy.
Nope. He was fuming. He started pacing outside her door. How dare that old doctor kick him out? What if she needed him?
Why would she need you? You’ve been nothing but a prick to her.
Well, if not him, one of his brothers.
They should be the only ones taking care of her.
“Is she okay?” Hux asked. He didn’t look at Judd. His gaze was on the door that stood between them and Chloe.
This was ridiculous.
The last woman he’d been obsessed with had betrayed them. Chloe didn’t want a relationship with the four of them. She didn’t live here.
So why was he letting himself get all wound up about her?
Why had he teased her earlier with Hux?
Why had he gone tearing out of that building, terrified for her safety?
And why did being separated from her feel like a blow to the gut?
He simply grunted. He had no idea how she was, because Obian had made him leave.
He should have refused. Since when did he let other people tell him what to do? Turning, he reached for the door handle.
“No. Don’t even think about it.” Caleb reached him, grabbing his wrist.
Judd stepped back, glaring at the other man. No one touched him but his brothers.
No one.
Well, he wouldn’t be opposed to her touch. Running her hands over his body.
“We’re her security,” Judd spat.
“That doesn’t give you the right to invade her privacy.”
“Caleb is right,” Hux said.
Judd gave him a look of betrayal. But as his gaze hit Hux, he realized there was something off about his brother, so he bit his tongue. A glance at Owen showed that he was ignoring them all, his gaze on the door with a level of fixation that Judd hadn’t seen in a long time. If they didn’t distract Caleb, he was going to see how strangely Owen was behaving.
Although, much as he was loathe to admit it, Caleb was actually a smart guy. He probably had some inkling of what Owen was really like.
“We have to give her some privacy,” Hux said.
“I don’t know what is going on with you guys and that girl. But you need to take a step back and let her breathe. Hux and Judd, you need to interview with the police after they’re done with Lord Fothersam. Beck’s with him now.”
Wait. Fuck. He hadn’t even noticed that Beck and His Lordship had left.
“All of you are off duty for the next six hours,” Caleb said.
Like hell they were.
“Who is going to watch her?” Hux asked.
Caleb studied them all. “I will. Go home. Calm down. And really have a think about what you want.” He moved closer. “Because if you want that girl this isn’t the way to go about things. You’re going to scare her away. Chill out a bit and think about her.”
That hit Judd deep.
Want her? Yeah, he was starting to see that he did. He wanted her.
But was Caleb right? Would they frighten her?
“We’re going,” Hux said. He still looked strangely lost.
“She better be safe with you,” Owen told Caleb. “Not even a scratch.”
Fuck. Yep, Owen was close to losing it.
“I’m going to ignore the way you just spoke to me,” Caleb warned. “But that’s the only pass you get.”
Shit. Normally it was Judd pushing Caleb’s buttons, not Owen. Both he and Hux hustled Owen out.
“We shouldn’t be leaving her,” Owen said as they reached their house. He paced back and forth, giving the appearance of a caged animal.
Hux sat, staring into the distance.
“We needed some space from her,” Judd said.
“What? Why?” Owen snapped. “So you can try to convince us that we don’t really want her? That it’s something we’ll get over? I know you weren’t happy this morning after our talk.”
“No, not that. I’ve . . . I’ve changed my mind. We need time to figure out how to win her over.”
Both of them stared at him.
“What?” Hux asked.
“I’m in. What I’m saying is that I’m in. That girl is meant to be ours. And now we need to figure out how to win her over.”
“Fuck yes, she is.” Owen slapped his hand against Judd’s back. Then he headed to the door. “I’ll be back soon.”
