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27
Ian
Ian stared at the pie in front of him. He couldn’t bring himself to eat even one bite of it. It smelled just like the pie he loved at Sal’s, which only made this whole situation worse. Jessica was perfect for him. She was beautiful, caring, hardworking… she could even cook. But for some reason, she didn’t want him as much as he wanted her.
He looked up at the ceiling. She hadn’t come down for anything to eat yet. He didn’t know how long he’d be able to handle her avoiding him. Well, if he told his brothers about the flash drive, then she’d have no choice. She’d have to give it to him.
Pushing the plate away from him, his gaze shifted to his mother, who was busy putting the food away. No one had eaten dinner, from what he could tell. Brock had gone off somewhere to brood. And everyone else was gone. The house was quieter than it had been during the last week. It didn’t feel right.
“How long do you think she needs?”
His mother glanced over her shoulder. “It doesn’t matter, Ian. She gets as much time as she wants.”
“But what if her safety is at stake?”
She turned around, giving him a look only a mother could give. Folding her arms across her chest, she shook her head. “Do you really think you can’t give her a day to let things settle? This is a lot. Between the incident at the diner and the fact they came looking for her here of all places, you need to let her get her head on straight.”
He opened his mouth to argue just as his four brothers wandered in, looking haggard. Soot coated their hands and smudges were on their faces. Sean headed over to the sink while the others settled at the table.
Their mother’s eyes scanned each of them as if looking for any injuries. “Is anyone hurt?”
The four of them glanced at each other, shaking their heads. “We’re good.” Cal scrubbed a hand down his face. “The firefighters finally showed. The fire is out now.”
She frowned. “How is it?”
Sean sighed as he grabbed a glass and filled it with water. “It’s rubble. There’s no fixing it up now. We’ll just have to clean it up and rebuild if you still want a barn out that way.”
Their mother pressed her lips together. “As long as you’re all safe.”
Sean turned around, leaning his hip against the counter. “Where’s Brock? We need a family meeting.”
As if saying his name was all it took to summon him, Brock appeared in the doorway. He rested his shoulder against the wall that separated the kitchen from the rest of the house. Folding his arms, his gaze flicked to each person in the room. “I’m here.”
Sean took a long swig of his water and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He dove right into business. “This latest attack was brazen even for the kind of men we knew we were dealing with. I think it was a warning. If we don’t give Jessica up, they’re going to do more.”
Ian glanced at his mother. He couldn’t read the look on her stony face. Each of his brothers shifted in their seats, all except Brock who stood like a gargoyle guarding the kitchen.
“What’s your plan, Sean?” Cal leaned back in his seat, crossing his booted ankles in front of him. “We don’t have the manpower to keep the whole ranch secure. No one was hurt this time, but who’s to say they won’t target the animals next? Or the house?”
“Are you suggesting we ask Jessica to leave?” Tate’s gaze shifted to Ian uncomfortably.
Ian shot to his feet. “Absolutely not!”
Sean sighed. “Ian—”
“I don’t care what it takes. I’m not letting her out of my sight.”
Brock snorted behind him.
Ian’s angry gaze cut to him for just a moment before he turned to face everyone. “She doesn’t have anyone—just us. What if it was Mom and she was staying with some strangers out at their property?”
Brock frowned. “That’s different.”
“No, it isn’t,” Ian snapped.
“Yes, it is.” He pushed off from the wall and moved closer. “Becausewe’reher family, and we’d keep her safe.”
Ian puffed up his chest. “Well, Jessica ismyfamily. I’m going to ask her to marry me. You might as well consider her like you would your sister. Because that’s what she’s going to be.”
