Her Protector: A Braxton Brothers Romance

by Meyer, Anne-Marie

  Juan: Sorry I didn’t respond. I spoke to James though. Things aren’t good. Stay with James. He’ll protect you.

  Layla sighed. She was a fool to think that Juan would actually be up-front with her. Everything was always cloaked in lies. Her gaze shifted to the last part of the text, and she read it over again. Stay with James.

  She didn’t understand James or this strange desire he had to protect her. She was a stranger to him. For all he knew, she could be a terrible person. And, even though Juan had lied to him, he was still loyal to him, helping her out when he didn’t have to.

  Most men in her life had just found ways to use her, not help. Juan was a perfect example. There was only one reason these men would think she’d hidden the drugs for Juan. He’d told them.

  But James was different. And she wanted to know what his angle was. Was it money? Redemption?

  She shook her head as she turned off her phone and slipped it into her purse. The last thing she needed to focus on was James. He clearly didn’t want to share his past or dig into hers. And she was fine with that.

  The less she knew about him, the better.

  Besides, she wasn’t really interested in getting close with her ex-fiancé’s friends. Especially ones that Juan had decided to never tell her about.

  And she had this unborn baby to look out for. She wasn’t sure how James would react to learning that he was protecting two. And she wasn’t sure how much he’d tell Juan. This was a secret she wanted to keep for as long as possible.

  James held the door open as she made her way outside. She walked past him, and her arm brushed against his chest, sending shivers across her skin. She crossed her arms, letting her fingers linger on the part of her arm that had reacted to his touch.

  That was not what she was expecting, and she didn’t have the energy to address it at the moment.

  As she approached the car, James appeared beside her and pulled open the door. Startled, she glanced over at him. He was studying the ground as his hand lingered on the door.

  “Thanks,” she said softly as she slipped onto the seat.

  James shut the door, jogged over to the driver’s side, and got in. He turned on the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

  A few minutes later, they were back on the freeway. Heading toward…Honey Grove? Is that what he’d said?

  Feeling as if she needed to say something, Layla decided to talk. “Where are we headed, again?”

  James glanced over at her for a moment and then back to the road. “Honey Grove, SC.”

  She nodded. So she’d remembered right. “What kind of town is Honey Grove?”

  James seemed to relax as he sunk back into his seat. His wrist was draped over the steering wheel while his other arm was resting against the center console. “It’s a small town about thirty minutes from the ocean.” He sighed. “It’s got charm though. Lots of people come and never leave.”

  She turned to study him. “You left.”

  He nodded but kept his gaze on the road. “Yeah. I had to get out of there.” He pinched his lips together as if he were making sure that was all he was going to share.

  She studied him. What did that mean? “So, you joined the military?” For some reason, he intrigued her. She knew it would be best to keep their secrets to themselves, but she wanted to know more about him. He had this sexy, mysterious vibe going on, and it intrigued her.

  He nodded. “Yep.”

  She waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. She glanced out her window and contemplated if she should continue speaking. Before she could talk herself out of it, she took a deep breath and spoke. “I grew up in a small town in Colorado.” She chuckled as she thought of Pine Crossing. “Small is actually a poor description. Teeny-tiny is more like it.” She glanced over at him. “There were about a thousand people. The cows outnumbered us.”

  She saw the sides of James’s lips tip up into a smile.

  “Wow. And you moved to New York after that? It must have been shocking.”

  Layla fiddled with her hands clasped in her lap. “It was. Until I met Juan…” Her voice trailed off as her heart squeezed. Even though things in their relationship had caused them to pull apart, she still had good memories with him. He’d meant a lot to her…until he’d started lying. And, if she were honest, he’d always mean something to her. But now, the hurt outweighed the good.

  “Sounds like Juan rescued us both,” James said, drawing her attention over to him.

  It was strange, having something this intimate in common with a stranger. The fact that they shared ties to a man who’d broken her heart and had her running across the country, felt oddly comforting. If anyone else knew what it was like to be screwed over by Juan, it was James.

  “Yeah. If only that had been everything,” she said as she sighed. She hated being a downer about all of this, but it was hard to be happy. Leaving Juan had been the toughest thing she’d ever done. And now, carrying his child without him knowing felt as if it were breaking her apart.

  This was not the life she’d imagined when she agreed to marry him, back when things were simple.

  Her stomach twisted at the thought of all the lies. All the deceit. The change in Juan. Walking in on him with a gun to someone’s head. Her life had changed. She felt like a part of her was missing. A part that she’d never get back.

  Acid rose up in her stomach. She swallowed, hoping to push it down. Whether it was the baby or the painful memories, she realized there was no way she could stop the vomit. “Pull over,” she gasped as she pressed her hand over her lips.

  James turned, his eyes wide. He seemed to know what was going on without her saying anything more. Seconds later, he slowed the car and threw it into park.

  Layla didn’t wait, she pushed the door open and staggered over to the grass. She hunched over as all of her lunch spilled out onto the ground in front of her. She closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. Partially from the force with which she threw up. Partially from the pain still clinging to her heart.

  She would never be able to run away from Juan and the damage he’d done. He’d hurt her too much. Even though he wasn’t around anymore, he was still affecting her, and it hurt.

  By the time her stomach settled, Layla felt like an idiot. She wiped at her eyes and lips. Her mouth felt disgusting as she swallowed down her spit. This was not how she wanted this trip to go. Losing her crap and her lunch didn’t speak to a woman in control of her life.

  When she turned, she found James outside of the car, leaning against the hood. He had his phone out and was studying the screen. After adjusting her hair and shirt, she made her way over to him.

  “We can go now,” she said as she passed by him.

  He glanced up, and a flash of worry zipped through his gaze. “Everything okay?”

  Mustering her strength, Layla nodded. “Just car sickness,” she said, flashing him a smile.

  He studied her for a moment and then nodded. “Okay. Anything I can do to help?”

  She closed her lips, the acid taste of vomit still coating her mouth. “Got any gum?”

  James’s lips tipped up into a smile. “Of course. I picked some up when I stopped for gas. Fortuitous, I guess.”

  Layla walked over to the passenger door and pulled it open. She climbed in as James started the car. After fiddling around in the glove compartment, he pulled out a package of gum and handed it to her.

  She grabbed a piece and returned the pack to the glove box. After unwrapping the gum, she stuffed it into her mouth. James was focused on driving the car fast enough down the shoulder so that he could merge with traffic.

  It didn’t take long before he relaxed as he cruised down the road. Not wanting to upset her stomach again, Layla leaned her head back and sighed.

  Even though she knew very little about him, she felt safe with him.

  Glancing over, she studied his profile. He was a good-looking guy. His jaw was chiseled, and he had a five o’clock shadow. He’d found a pai
r of sunglasses that were now perched on his nose. But, from where she was sitting, she could still see his long eyelashes.

  So annoying when men had long eyelashes.

  “Do I have something on my face?” he asked. His eyes never left the road.

  Heat rushed across her skin as she dropped her gaze. “Sorry.”

  He turned to look at her, an amused smile on his lips. “Anything you want to share with me?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  He raised his eyebrows.

  Annoyed that he looked so relaxed, she shrugged. “Just thinking about how it’s annoying when men have longer eyelashes than women.”

  He glanced back over at her. “I have long eyelashes?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. It’s ridiculous. Like twice as long as mine.”

  He blinked a few times then shrugged. “I never noticed.”

  “No one’s ever told you that before?”

  He shook his head.

  “Not even a girlfriend?”

  The air in the car grew tense as the words left her lips. Then, feeling like an idiot, she shook her head. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to…” Didn’t mean to, what? Make assumptions? There was no way a guy like James had never dated. But from his stiff shoulders and shifting on his chair, she’d struck a nerve.

  “I’m sorry. That’s…that’s none of my business,” she said quickly.

  James let out his breath as he shook his head. “No, it’s okay. It’s just not something that I like to talk about.” He shot her a weak smile. “I hope that’s okay.”

  Layla nodded. “Of course. We’re just together until Juan calls. No need to feel like we have to bond or something.”

  James flicked his gaze over at her. “Right.”

  She leaned back in her seat and folded her arms. “Right.”

  A few hours later, James glanced over at Layla. She’d lost herself in her thoughts as he drove down the freeway. Realizing that he kept flicking his gaze over to her, she turned to study him.

  “Yes?” she asked.

  He gave her a small smile. “I was thinking it might be time to call it a night. I’m beat. We can finish the last leg of the trip tomorrow. What do you say we get a hotel?”

  Layla glanced out at the setting sun. Honestly, that sounded amazing. “Sure. I could use a shower.”

  James nodded, and three minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of a local motel. The car engine idled as she watched him walk up to the lobby doors and pull them open. It was nice, sitting in the car, watching James as he spoke to the attendant behind the counter.

  It gave her a chance to study him without fear of him noticing.

  He was a handsome guy. Tall and muscular. He pushed his hands through his dark hair as a smile spread over his lips. It was strange, the fact that they had been connected through the same person yet never knew about each other.

  She shouldn’t be surprised that Juan kept his friendship with James a secret. He kept a lot of secrets from her. That had been her life. She’d never felt more alone than when she was with Juan.

  And yet, here she was again, in the dark. Did James really not know what was going on? What if he did? What if he was working with Juan?

  Layla know Juan would never hurt her—or at least she hoped he wouldn’t. But that didn’t mean the men he worked with were as honest. They abused men and, probably, a lot more. To them, she was just a bug on the windshield.

  Had she made a terrible mistake by getting in the car with James? Worry settled in her gut as she wrapped her arms around her chest and took in a deep breath. It wasn’t like she had any other options. Besides, judging by the state of her apartment, staying in New York hadn’t been a good idea.

  But that didn’t mean she had to stay with James. When the time was right, she could leave. If he stepped out of line, Layla would run. But right now, she needed to trust him no matter how uneasy she felt.

  James got back to the car and held up a room key as he settled into his seat. He gave her a small smile. It looked genuine, which helped ease her nerves. She thanked him and took the key, slipping it into her purse.

  James drove down the lot. After he parked the car, Layla got out and waited for him.

  “Room 2B,” he said, nodding toward the railing on the upper floor.

  Layla smiled and made her way toward the stairs as James opened the trunk and pulled out his suitcase.

  Of course, he’d packed. She had nothing.

  When they got to the room, James opened the door, revealing a small room with one large bed. A shower sat in the far corner with glass walls surrounding it.

  Her gaze automatically made its way over to James. She noted the pink hue of his cheeks and the fact that his jaw was so tight that she could see his muscles flexing.

  “Sorry. They only had the honeymoon available. Apparently there are plumbing issues in the other half of the motel.” He shot her an uneasy smile. “I hope that’s okay.”

  Layla cleared her throat and nodded. “I guess so.”

  James held his hand out as he motioned into the room. “I can stay on the floor if you’d like.”

  Layla walked into the room and set her purse down on the table. “Okay.”

  James shut the door and flipped the lock.

  Layla stood in the middle of the room, glancing around. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say or do. James walked over to the bed and set his suitcase on it. After unzipping it, he pulled out some clothes.

  “You can wear these until we can get you your own.”

  Nodding, she walked up to him and reached out to take them. Her fingers brushed his and warmth rushed up her arms. Startled, she glanced up at him to see him studying her. He held onto the clothes for a moment as he met her gaze.

  “I just want you to know that I won’t let anything happen to you. I made a promise to Juan, and I don’t break my promises.” His voice had dropped so low that it sent shivers up her back.

  She parted her lips but couldn’t find the strength to talk. Instead she held his gaze for a moment before she nodded.

  That seemed to appease James. He released the clothes and shoved his hands into his front pockets.

  “I’d like to take a shower,” she said. Her voice was barely a whisper. She wasn’t sure if it was from the electricity she’d felt when they touched or the fact that her life was changing faster than she could handle. But escaping to the shower seemed like a really good idea.

  She needed to wash away the stress of the day. The stress of what her future would be when the baby was here.

  James stepped to the side and nodded. “Of course.” He glanced over to the shower and then back to her. “I’m going to go grab some food. Give you some privacy.”

  Layla nodded as she watched him cross the room and rest his hand on the handle.

  He glanced back at her with a worried look in his eyes. “Please don’t open the door until I get back.”

  “Okay.”

  He studied her for a moment longer and then pulled open the door and disappeared outside. The sound of the latch engaging filled the air.

  Layla was alone.

  She turned on the shower and undressed as she waited for the water to warm. It was strange, taking a shower in the middle of the bedroom. But for a newly married couple, she could see the draw. But she wasn’t married to James, and she needed to hurry if she was going to finish before he got back.

  After she was clean, she dried off and dressed in James’s basketball shorts and T-shirt. As she slipped the soft cotton over her head, she couldn’t help but inhale. Whatever he used as laundry detergent smelled like pine mixed with cinnamon. In a weird way, it helped relax her.

  She pulled her hair up into a towel and then tied it at the top of her head. She’d been right, taking a shower did make her feel better. Sure, she was still confused, but she was clean. She always thought better when she felt clean.

  She stood in the middle of the room, glancing around. Not sure what she should do, she wan
dered around and then found herself staring out the window. The world outside was dark. A few streetlights lit up the street below, but they only emitted a small glow.

  She sighed as she turned back to the room and glanced around. James’s suitcase lay open on the bed. Curiosity won out and she wandered over to peek inside.

  After all, he was supposed to be protecting her, she should find out a little about him.

  There were clothes packed inside. Nothing that screamed he was a terrorist sent to kill her. She didn’t want to snoop too much, so didn’t dig deep.

  Growing worried that James would return and find her going through his things, she stepped back, only to catch sight of what looked like the corner of a picture buried underneath a pair of jeans.

  She studied it, trying to figure out what it could be. Despite her better judgement, she pulled it out and held it up to the light.

  It was a picture of James dressed in a military uniform. His arm was around a woman dressed in the same clothes. Her hand was resting on his chest, and she was laughing. James’s smile was wide and took up most of his face.

  They looked happy.

  She swallowed as a lump formed in her throat. She wanted to know who this woman was. Was this the girl that he hadn’t wanted to talk about in the car? Were they still together?

  Did James want to keep her a secret because he felt sorry for Layla? For some reason, it hurt that the man she was forced to spend time with had someone when she had no one.

  Blinking tears from her eyes, she tucked the photo back under the jeans just as a key sounded in the lock. She sprang away from the suitcase as the door opened. James stood there with a brown paper bag in his arms.

  He smiled as he entered, and relief flooded her body. He hadn’t seen her snooping through his things.

  “Hungry?” he asked.

  Layla nodded. “Starved.”

  Chapter Five

  James sat on the bed with a paper plate in front of him. Layla was on the other side, dishing up some fried rice. She’d been quiet since he got back. Almost like she was hiding something from him. Which was a stupid thing to think. Of course she was hiding things from him. He barely knew her.