by Leah Brooke
She hated being predictable.
Chuckling, Hoyt patted her back. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I knew you wouldn’t swoon in my arms. You’re very loyal to Jake, and I understand why you have to make him your top priority.” Turning her in his arms, despite her struggle, he ran a thumb over her cheek. “I have only myself to blame, but I hope one day to earn that kind of loyalty from you.”
Mesmerized by the love and sadness in his eyes, Nat grimaced, her anger dissipating. “Damn it, you always knew how to get around me. Look, Hoyt—”
Touching a finger to her lips, he shook his head. “It’s not important. We’ll work it out.” Lifting his head, he nodded at the others. “We’ll be back soon.”
As soon as they entered the back room, Hoyt frowned, searching her features. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” After letting him help her into her coat, she went to the corner cabinet. Yanking open the drawer that held the deposit, she stared down into it. “I want this to work more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life, but I feel like I’m not giving my all to either you or Jake, and it makes me feel guilty as hell. I feel guilty for putting Jake in this position. I’m pissed at both of you for putting me in this position. I’m mad at myself for loving you so much that I can’t resist having this time with you. I feel selfish. I hate feeling this way.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her back against him. “You’ve never been selfish. You’ve always sacrificed your own happiness to do what was best for everyone around you. Face it. If Jake hadn’t insisted on this, telling you that he needed it, you would never have even considered it. You have nothing to feel guilty about. I love you, Natalie. You love me. Everything will work out. You’re trying to be superwoman and take on the world. Just relax and let Jake and I take care of you.”
Nuzzling the sensitive spot behind her ear, he patted her ass. “Now, stop worrying. I’ll tell you what. I’ll follow you to the bank so you can keep wiggling your sweet ass at me.”
A burst of laughter escaped before she could prevent it, and she found herself blinking back tears as he hugged her. Grateful that he’d known what she needed, and had lightened the mood, Nat looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. “I don’t shake my ass at you.”
Laughing softly, Hoyt turned her, pressing a hand to the small of her back as he guided her to the door. Reaching around her to open it, he winked at her. “Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part.”
Nat actually giggled, something she hadn’t done in a long time. “Idiot.”
Once they made their way through the alley and back to the front sidewalk, Nat glanced at him. “Cheryl was the one shaking her ass at you. She also batted her lashes and gave you several come-hither looks.”
Hoyt tightened his hold, pulling her closer to allow the group of people approaching to pass them. “What the hell is a come-hither look, and who the hell is Cheryl?” The amusement in his voice, and his playful mood, so rare and so precious, meant even more to her because she knew he did it to tease her out of her mood.
Biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing, Nat tried to step away once the others had passed, but Hoyt tightened his hold on her waist, keeping her close against his side.
Smiling, Nat cuddled closer. “Cheryl was the customer in Jesse’s shop that was practically drooling over you, and I’m sure you’ve been on the receiving end of come-hither looks often enough to know what the hell they are.”
Hoyt leaned back to look down at her, a brow going up. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
Lifting her chin, Nat stared straight ahead, inwardly groaning when she saw Dillon Tanner and Ryder Hayes approaching from the other direction.
Their new wife, Alison, walked between them, laughing up at something Ryder said.
Cursing herself for wishing she could avoid another round of interrogation, she lifted her chin and kept walking. “Should I be jealous?”
Hoyt laughed at that. “Do you think I’d risk losing you for a lay with someone else?” His brow went up again. “On the other hand, if you ever looked at another man, I’d beat your ass.”
Watching the others approach, she glanced at Hoyt. “You always were possessive. How do you expect to handle sharing me with Jake if you—” Frowning when he tensed, his eyes narrowed in warning, Nat nudged him with an elbow. “Stop glaring at Dillon.”
“No.” His eyes glittered. “And I have no problem sharing you with Jake, but I sure as hell won’t put up with anyone trying to move in on you, which is why I understand him so well.”
Dillon and Ryder paused in front of them, Alison looking up at them in confusion when they deliberately blocked the sidewalk. Looking pointedly at the hand Hoyt kept at Nat’s waist, Dillon frowned. “Hi, Nat. Where’s Jake?”
When Hoyt tensed and started to pull her back, Nat patted his arm. “Down, boy. Hi, Dillon. Jake’s at work. This is Hoyt Campbell. He’s an old friend of mine and Jake’s. He just retired from the SEALs and lives with us now.”
Ryder and Dillon shared a look before both of them turned back to her. Dillon scowled, eyeing her and glancing at Hoyt. “Oh?”
Amused that she’d managed to surprise them and take the wind out of their sails, Nat smirked. “We’re together now.” Meeting his dumbstruck look, she shook her head, knowing that the best defense was the perfect offense. “I can’t believe you would think I would cheat on Jake.”
Ryder’s brows went up, and he turned to Hoyt, eyeing him with renewed interest. His slow smile made him look even more devilishly handsome as he held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Ryder.” His smile softened, the love in his eyes unmistakable as he wrapped an arm around Alison. “This is our wife, Alison. Don’t mind my brother. Dillon’s a bit of a hard-ass. So, you retired from the SEALs?”
Hoyt smiled, the tension easing from his big body as he greeted a beaming Alison.
Dillon stepped closer, his hands on his hips. “Damn it, Nat. How was I supposed to know?”
Nat narrowed her eyes at him. She hadn’t been married for over twenty years and raised a son without learning a few things about how to make a man feel guilty. “You actually thought I would cheat on Jake. Shame on you.”
To her delight, Dillon blushed. “Hell, Nat. I’m sorry. What was I supposed to think?”
Nat raised a brow, enjoying herself immensely. “Not that I’m some kind of whore.”
Dillon’s eyes went wide, and his glances at Hoyt changed from hostile to wary. “I would never think that! Oh, hell.” Dillon scrubbed a hand over his face and offered a hand to Hoyt. “Get her to forgive me, for God’s sake. Please. I’ll be in your debt forever.”
With a laugh, Hoyt shook his hand and grinned down at her. “I’ll do my best, but she’s a stubborn woman.”
Running a hand over Alison’s hair, Dillon sighed. “Aren’t they all? Sometimes, it’s hard to convince these women that this town works because the women are firmly under the men’s protection.” He glanced at Nat. “Under the protection of all the men who live here.”
Alison sighed, her gaze going to Nat’s. “They’re driving me crazy, Nat. I’m just trying to help out in the shop, but they’re afraid that everything I touch is going to hurt me. They get nervous when I’m out of their sight. It’s really starting to piss me off. Are they all so arrogant?”
“Yeah, they are.” Nat glanced at Hoyt. “They certainly are. I’ve come to realize that I could never respect a weak man, but this is what you get with the strong ones. I’ve learned how to get my way. Keeping them in line is a constant battle, but we women have to do what we have to do. Call me sometime, and I’ll give you a few pointers.” Glaring at Dillon, she raised a brow. “Unless you have a problem with me talking to your wife.”
Hoyt cleared his throat, unsuccessfully disguising his chuckle. “On that, gentlemen, I think we’d better close the subject. We have to get to the bank. It was nice meeting you.”
Eyeing Nat, Dillon opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something
, but at a sharp look from Ryder, who shook his head imperceptibly, snapped it shut again. “Yeah. You, too. If you’re staying, I’m sure we’ll see you around.”
Hoyt gathered Nat against his side again. “I’m staying.”
Once they parted, Nat turned to Hoyt. “I expected you to say something about what I said back there. No comment?”
Hoyt smiled. “I know you think the men here can be too arrogant, but with all the crap that’s going on in the world, I can’t see it being a bad thing. Since the beginning of time, it’s been a man’s job—his duty, his responsibility, his right—to protect the women in his life. That’s the way it’s always been. Yes, I understand all about women’s rights, and I agree with them, but most women just aren’t as physically strong as most men. Sure, you have to buck against your restraints from time to time, but you know that nothing you can say or do will change anything about the way Jake and I protect you. With the other men in town watching over you, I always knew you were safe here. I already told you how much that meant to me.”
Hugging her close, he kissed her hair. “You’ve been bucking Jake’s authority for years, and it hasn’t gotten you anywhere. I’m kind of looking forward to you trying that with me.”
“What makes you think it hasn’t gotten me anywhere?” Nat couldn’t help but notice the way Hoyt constantly scanned his surroundings. “What the hell are you looking for? You act like you think someone’s going to jump out at you any minute.”
Glancing at her, he smiled, his gaze constantly moving. “Habit. Besides, it doesn’t hurt to be aware of your surroundings. Surprise attacks are much more effective.” As they moved aside for another couple to pass them, Hoyt frowned. “I don’t remember it being this busy before. For a small town, there sure is a lot of foot traffic.”
Looking around, Nat smiled. “Yes. The weekends are getting busier and busier around here. I know Ace’ll be relieved when the new deputies get here. He, Linc, and Rafe are run ragged. The bank gets busy, too. Everyone tries to get there on Saturday before they close and make their deposits. Almost everything around here is closed on Sundays. Everyone gets change and makes deposits to get ready for the next week.”
Hoyt paused, glancing at the bank bag she held. “Do you often carry large amounts of money around?”
Shaking her head, Nat frowned up at him. “No. Jesse usually makes the deposits, and either Clay or Rio go with her. We’re not stupid, Hoyt.”
As he wrapped an arm around her and started across the street to the bank on the corner, Hoyt sighed. “And everyone goes on the same day, and everyone knows that everyone goes on the same day.”
An uneasy feeling tightened her stomach. “Relax, Hoyt. This is Desire. You’re going to have to learn to relax.” She went through the door Hoyt opened for her, stepping into the bank.
The uneasy feeling turned to mind-numbing fear, her brain unable to assimilate the scene in front of her.
“On the floor!”
Lifting her gaze to the masked man who’d shouted at her, she pressed a hand to her stomach, frozen in terror.
She couldn’t see anything—couldn’t comprehend anything—except three masked men, and the guns in their hands.
Fear clogged her throat, making it nearly impossible to breathe.
Hoyt’s grip on her arm tightened. He pushed past her, shoving her behind him, putting his body solidly between hers and the three masked men.
“No!” Gripping his jacket, she tried to pull him back, but she couldn’t move him at all. “Please, Hoyt. Be careful. Do what they say.”
He turned his head slightly, his voice barely a whisper, but so icy cold that she almost didn’t recognize it.
“Get down. Now.”
Chapter Nine
As he stepped into the bank, Hoyt’s senses went on full alert. He took in the scene at a glance, and shoved Natalie behind him, his heart pounding furiously with fear for her.
Years of training allowed him to do what he had to do, using the rush of adrenaline to sharpen his focus as he mentally weighed his options—and plan of attack.
Breathing a sigh of relief when she obeyed him and dropped to the floor, he concentrated on the scene unfolding in front of him.
Three men. One teller. Mentally filing away a description of each—eye color, height, weight, hair color, build—and identifying the guns the men held, Hoyt pushed aside the fear of what a bullet could do to Natalie.
The customers and all but one teller had been forced to lie facedown on the floor.
Hoyt saw the flash of alarm in the teller’s eyes, and her quick glance at the masked man standing on the counter before lowering her head to fill the bags again.
Seven people on the floor, all men, including the guard, who lay unconscious about five feet to his right, and bleeding from what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the chest. The bank manager, whom Hoyt had met in the past stood pale and shaking across the small lobby, a gun pointed at his head.
“You, too! Get on the floor!” The man standing on the counter, the obvious leader, waved his gun wildly—an amateur, the tremor in his voice and his wild gestures giving him away, as well as the fact that the idiot hadn’t even locked the front door.
He was scared, which made him unpredictable and dangerous. Taking another bag from the teller and tossing it with another the teller had obviously just filled, he pointed to the masked man standing closest to him. “What the fuck are you waiting for? Get over there and get him on the floor.”
Amateurs.
Training and years of experience enabled Hoyt to calculate options and scenarios as he watched the man closest to him approach, keeping the one standing over the bank guard in his peripheral vision.
Aware of the fear emanating from Natalie, he altered his stance slightly, redistributing his weight as the man waved his gun and rushed toward him.
Using the adrenaline pulsing through his veins to his advantage, Hoyt waited until the man came within striking distance.
Lifting his arm higher, the masked man waved the gun in Hoyt’s face, his eyes wild with fear. “Get down on the floor. Now!” His voice shook. He took one step closer—and Hoyt made his move.
* * * *
Nat bit her lip to hold back a whimper as one of the masked men approached Hoyt, the wildness in his eyes the most terrifying thing she’d ever seen.
Please, Hoyt. Get down.
Nat watched in horror, her heart in her throat as the man yelled at Hoyt and started to lift the gun toward him.
Hoyt moved, and everything became a blur.
She jolted when shots rang out—one shot and then two at once.
Or was it more?
Everything seemed to happen at once, chaos erupting all around her—a chaos that only Hoyt seemed to control.
Scrambling to her knees, she called out his name in a raw, strangled cry, the roaring in her ears drowning out the sounds of her own desperate cries.
Before she could get to her feet, Hoyt gripped her by the arms and yanked her high against him, his arms closing around her in a fierce hug that made it hard for her to breathe. “Hoyt! Oh, God.”
Throwing her arms around her neck, she tried to pull him down, but he held firm.
“It’s okay, honey. They’re all down. You’re safe.” Turning with her in his arms, he lowered her to her feet, keeping her face pressed against his chest. “Oh, Christ. You okay, baby?”
Fisting her hands in his jacket, Nat took a shuddering breath and turned her head to press her cheek against his chest. “Hoyt. Oh, God.” She had to raise her voice to be heard over the noise and confusion as everyone raced around and shouted at once. “Are you hurt?” Lifting her head, she leaned back to look up at him, her stomach knotting when she caught a glimpse of the three masked men all lying on the floor.
Linc raced through the door, his gun drawn, his eyes hard as he flew past them. Ace came in right behind him, his features as hard and cold as if they’d been carved from granite.
Nat pushed again
st Hoyt. “Let me see you.”
Tightening his hold, he pulled her back against his chest, his expression grim and colder than she’d ever seen it. “I’m fine. Stay put.”
Nat turned her head, noticing for the first time that Hoyt held a gun. Blinking, she looked up at him again, following his gaze to the bank teller who remained behind the counter, a stunned look on her face.
Royce appeared at her side, visibly shaken. “You okay, Nat?”
Running hands that shook over Hoyt’s chest and still looking for injuries, she nodded, looking him over for any sign of injury. “Yeah. You?”
“I’m fine.” His gaze lifted to Hoyt’s. “Christ, Hoyt. If I hadn’t seen that with my own eyes, I never would have believed it.”
Hoyt yanked Nat closer when she tried to turn again. “Be still. Hey, Ace. This gun belongs to this asshole right behind you. Royce kicked away the other two. One’s in the corner over there, and the other’s in front of the counter.
Ace nodded, taking the gun from Hoyt’s hand. “I’ve got some questions for you.”
Hoyt nodded once. “I figured you might.”
Nat swallowed heavily, watching Royce and Ace move several feet away and begin speaking in low tones. Locking her shaking knees, she pressed her face against Hoyt’s chest. “Are you really okay?” The enormity of what had just happened hit her hard, making it difficult to catch her breath. She started shaking everywhere, her throat clogged with tears. “Oh, God.”
She gripped Hoyt’s jacket as her knees gave out completely, but Hoyt caught her to him and held her upright and close.
Lifting her chin, he glanced down at her. “You’re okay, baby. It’s over. I’ve got you. Christ, I was scared to death that you were hurt.”
Royce returned just as the sound of sirens split the air. “I heard you were back in town. Hell of a way to welcome you back.”
Hoyt ran a hand down Nat’s back, keeping her close. “I have all the welcome I need.”
* * * *
Jake looked up from the jewelry case as King Taylor came rushing into the jewelry store.