“She’s having a fucking tough day. Back off.” Eric didn’t even glance his way. His focus stayed on Piper. “There isn’t anything you can do here now. The arson investigator has to check the entire scene. All of the hot spots inside have been put out. The fire won’t start again. But you’re not going to be heading in there anytime soon.”

Her home. She’d bought it herself. Been so excited when she’d signed the mortgage papers. “Ben helped me paint the kitchen.” They’d laughed and ordered pizza. “And we knocked down the wall between the den and the dining room because I wanted an, um, open concept.” Just like she’d seen on TV.

“Nearly killed ourselves doing it,” Ben added dryly.

“It was my home.” The fear was there, but anger was growing inside of her. “He torched my home.” A stranger that she didn’t know. Some kind of menace in the dark.

“The uniform who saw the fire didn’t get a look at the arsonist.” Eric’s face was tense. “The cops are going to canvass the neighborhood, but I’ll have my team talk to folks, too. I also want to pull footage from the local traffic cams. The fire was set close to midnight, and there shouldn’t have been many people out then. If we can find the guy on the footage, if we can get a tag number or a vehicle, we’ll take him down.”

She frowned at him. “You can get access to traffic cams?”

Ben sidled closer. “Legally, no, he can’t.” His voice was low. “But you know my big bro and his tech.” A rough laugh. “Besides, Eric has always thought most rules don’t apply to him.”

Eric didn’t look at his brother. He did give Piper a slow smile. “I’d break all of the rules if it meant keeping you safe.”

That was…not nice or sweet. It probably should have been alarming. And maybe he was bullshitting, but he looked so sincere. And the way he was staring at her—

She had a flash of their kiss. Of the way she’d lost control and just wanted him.

“Why are you staring at her that way?” Ben’s voice turned suspicious. “I mean, you’re always intense, but you seem a little…extra today, bro.”

Eric finally glanced at his brother. “Someone is after Piper. Hell, yes, I’m extra.”

Sheepishly, Ben nodded. “Right.” His fingers slid down Piper’s arm, and he gave her a squeeze. “You’re family. No one messes with our family.”

But… “I’m not.” She bit her lower lip. “That’s what Eric reminded me last night. I’m not family.”