Where was Tom and why hadn’t he reached out?

What did the men who’d attacked me this morning want with me?

Was I intended to be a hostage or a message?

A muffled thud made me flinch, and my pulse soared before I realized it was Ronan next door. He must have been awake, too. Either that or he was a restless sleeper. I ached to comfort him. My heart hurt from what he’d told me earlier, and I hated that Tom and I had brought this trouble to him.

I slipped out of bed and tentatively headed to the hall, where I knocked softly on his bedroom door. He murmured in response, and I edged the door open and padded inside.

“Ronan?”

A shadowy figure sat up. “Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing like that.” I bit my lip, wondering if it had been a mistake to leave my bed. But no, I needed company, and so did he. “I’ve been lying awake, staring at the ceiling. I can’t shut my brain off. I know this is presumptuous, but can I join you?” It was just as well he couldn’t see my flaming cheeks in the dark. “I feel safer when you’re near.” Realizing he might mistake my meaning, I hurried to add, “This isn’t me making a move on you.”

“Too bad.” The soft words curled in the space between us like smoke. They tempted me. Made me wonder if he felt the same intense level of attraction between us that I did.

He shuffled over and drew the covers back. “Come here.”

I climbed in beside him.

He immediately pulled my body against the curve of his and rested his arm over my waist. “Is this okay?”

I went limp with relief. It felt good to have him close. “Yes. Thank you.”

His breath tickled my ear. “I’m glad you came. I like having you here.” He kissed the back of my neck. A zing of pleasure raced through me. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

That was the last thing I heard before I fell asleep.

Ronan

I woke with my arms full of woman and wished the moment could last forever. Unfortunately, I hadn’t woken by coincidence.

Someone was in the house.

I edged from the bed, yanked a T-shirt over my head to accompany my boxers, and crept out of the room. I tiptoed down the hall, but once I reached the kitchen, I rolled my eyes and stepped out of hiding.

“How’d you get in?”

Zeke looked up from the stove, where he was scrambling eggs. “Good morning to you too.”

“I never gave you a key.”

I trusted Zeke on a professional front, but when it came to personal matters, the guy was a shameless snoop.

He winked, and a dimple popped up in his cheek. “I have my ways. Just so you know, the guards have changed shift.”

“Good.” I hoped Sean was getting a decent sleep after standing watch all night.