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“Then there’s my wife, Ivy,” said Kaden. “She’s pretty opinionated and can be rather intense when she wants something. Really, Ivy is generous and giving and a loyal friend. She has a martial arts studio and a graphic arts business that she sometimes uses to help the office.”
Monroe spoke next. “Then there’s Jessie. She’s married to Mark, and they are finishing their first trimester of pregnancy. She’s beginning to sport a belly. You haven’t met Mark yet, but don’t let his manner worry you. He is as solid as they come. Jessie is the accountant for the business. She’s sweet and always wants to help, too much sometimes, but we all watch out for each other. And Mark is extra vigilant because of the baby.”
Garrett said, “Guess we’re down to Sharlee.” The men made little noises. “Sharlee is our main IT wizard and the ultimate brown noser. She married the boss, Jac. They have a cute toddler named Storm. Sharlee is a force to be reckoned with and more capable than most people. She’s a full member of our team. The other women are support personnel. Jac likes his family close.”
“You are all related?”
“No,” said Monroe, “but all the teams, of which we are one of three, are tight like we were with our teams in the military. We know each other well, life and work like we are in a family business, and the way Jac runs things, we truly are family. There is the security of always having a backup if we need it, personally and professionally. We know how the other members of the team think and will most likely react. It allows us to work seamlessly together and stay safe.”
Mallory nodded. “I can see how that would be a good idea.”
Monroe added. “And there is Levi on our team. I think he is getting sweet on Storm’s nanny, Finley, a prior Marine and one kick-ass Storm watcher. Oh, and Ryker, who handles the attorney kind of stuff in the background.”
Mallory laughed. “Sounds like the right nanny for this group.”
Monroe nodded. “She is. Now lean back. It will be another half hour before we get to Jac’s place.”
***
Mallory leaned back against Monroe. And it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to trust him, which was not in her usual wheelhouse. Trust was not something she did effortlessly. And Monroe, while gentle, was definitely bossy. She was shaken, and the thought of not finding her normal again scared her. To be honest, everything scared her. Certainly, this team of bigger-than-life men gave her pause, and absolutely the property they had just turned into sent a shiver down her back. This was like a mafia boss place. Be
There was only a glow behind the forest of trees that showed something was back there. An enormous, ornate, wrought-iron gate interrupted the long driveway. Fencing, complete with a guardhouse manned with men and guns no doubt fully loaded, surrounded the property. Garrett pressed the com button and spoke to the gatekeeper, then waited for the gate to swing open. There was another set of similar gatekeepers about a hundred yards down, but the man simply nodded as he opened the barrier.
“Do I have to stay here?” whispered Mallory in Monroe’s ear.
“We will both stay. It won’t just be you here. Don’t worry. Once you get inside, it won’t feel as intimidating.”
“Wanna bet?”
Monroe dropped a light kiss on her forehead, and while she liked it, Mallory wished it was on her lips that were trembling once again. Intimidating did not even cover her thoughts on this sprawling monstrosity of a house. Actually, mansion would be the right word. Monroe seemed so down to earth it seemed impossible that he could be comfortable in this environment. Mallory had come from an upper-middle-class home, and it was unnerving for her.
She sighed warily, and Monroe leaned down once again to speak low. “Practice your submission and trust, sweetheart. I won’t demand much of you except obedience and honesty, and that comes with trust. Mallory, I would die trying to keep you safe, and so would every team member on this property, inside and outside those gates. I hope you believe that soon.”
“I’m trying. It’s just recent events that have violated my trust meter. It will take a while to come back online.”
Monroe nodded, but the thunder that settled on his face told Mallory that she might not be the only one who had lost some faith in humanity. Mallory nodded without thought and hoped she could feel more in control soon because the floating out to sea look was not a good one for her.
She had always been confident in her abilities, but not in men. Monroe was the only man she had genuine confidence in. She believed in his ability to be what she needed. If she could only extend that feeling to other important areas of her life again, she’d be one content woman.
As they park in the circular drive-in front of Jac’s house, Mallory could see they are not the only ones here, not by a long shot. What she wanted to do was run, hide, pretend she was the ostrich that hid its head, but that wasn’t who she really was. No, she’d make sure the cars outside belonged to team members before going inside to get the first introductions over. Anyone else was a no-go. She was not an oddity to be put on display.
“Um, this is just your team? Not a lot of other people, right?”
Monroe looked around. “Yep, just us. The women must have driven here themselves because there are a few more vehicles than usual. But I can identify every one of them. You good?”
“I think so.”
The overcast skies seemed appropriate for her first day of real freedom since Friday. The sun would come out soon, but it wasn’t there yet. The men moved, and while the vehicle was large, Carter had to maneuver his frame out of the door, and the others unfolded and ducked their heads before getting out. Their size confounded her.
And the tremors started again. It’s time to rock-and-roll, Mal, she told herself. These people only want to help you. They’re Monroe’s friends, and Monroe had made it more than clear that she was his. Carter had said it as well. As when leaving the hospital, Garrett, on her left, placed his hand lightly on her arm while Monroe was on the right side with his hand on the small of her back.
One man was guiding and could quickly bring her to the ground to protect her if needed. Monroe was possessive, and his stance allowed him to fall on top of her to shield her. It seemed the others deferred to him when it came to her, which suited Mallory just fine. She knew the male code mandated you never poached your brother’s girl. For the first time in her life, that was comforting.
As the car doors shut, she remembered her bag. “Oh, I need to grab—”
“Kaden has it,” said Carter brusquely. “And I have your paperwork and the things from the hospital that weren’t confiscated by the men in blue or the alphabet agents.”
“Thanks. Carter, why is the FBI involved, anyway? Were we taken across state lines?”
