Caelyn choked on a laugh, and I felt the color rise to my cheeks. Ford pulled out a chair next to me, handing me a bottle of water. “Enough with the circus act, you two. Crosby and Hunter are here because I called them.”

Hunt pulled out a chair on my other side, giving my shoulder a squeeze as he sat. “You hanging in there, Bells?”

I nodded. I hated the worry that creased Hunter’s brow, and the dark circles under his eyes. “I’m fine, Hunt. Promise.” He didn’t look like he believed me.

“I need your help.” Ford slipped a hand around the base of my neck, massaging the muscles that might as well have been made of stone. “This asshole isn’t slowing down, and I’m worried he might hurt Bell.”

My stomach twisted as flickers of anger and worry began to build. “He hurt you, too. And you’re the one he actually tried to kill.” My heart began to pick up its pace. If Ford was too focused on my safety, he was going to neglect his own.

He gave my neck another squeeze and pressed his lips to the side of my face. “Yes, he tried, and he failed. He’ll think twice about coming at me again.”

“Or he’ll come at you with a gun or a knife or some other weapon.”

“That’s why I’m getting a concealed carry permit. I’m going to be safe. I promise.”

Hot, angry tears began building at the backs of my eyes. “You don’t know that. You can’t promise.”

“Bell.” In one fluid movement, Ford pulled me from my chair and into his lap, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m going to be fine. I’ll be careful. But it really is you I’m worried about.”

I buried my face in his neck, not even caring what the others thought. I needed Ford’s scent, his feel. I wanted to be surrounded by him and never come up for air.

“We need to watch out for both of you. But my brother’s right, Bell. We need extra eyes on you. You’re not exactly evenly matched when it comes to a fight.”

Ford nodded. “That’s exactly why you’re here. You’re the only people I trust other than my parents. I want you to keep a lookout. And I also wanted to ask if you’d noticed anyone acting suspicious.”

Kenna grumbled something about Crosby not being trustworthy. Ford must’ve silenced her with one of his looks because she quieted right down.

“I can ask my crew to keep a lookout, too,” Hunter offered. “We’re on projects on Anchor for the next few weeks at least, and we’re grabbing lunch and dinner at the bar almost every day.”

“No.” I straightened at Ford’s words.

Hunter bristled. “You don’t trust my crew?”