The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [73]
And then he heard Gabe shout, and Honey was racing across the yard, distracting Sawyer for just a moment. The man swung, but she got in the way, and his fist clipped her, knocking her to the ground.
Sawyer erupted with blind fury. He stood there heaving just long enough to insure Gabe had Honey in hand and that she was all right. He was barely aware of Morgan pounding a man into the dirt, or of Jordan standing silently in the shadows, the gun drawn. He didn’t notice that his son had turned on the floodlights or that the man, knowing he was outnumbered, stood frozen before him, waiting. He’d been dealing with a clamoring swell of emotions all day, pushing him slowly over the edge. And now, seeing Honey hurt, he went into a tailspin. Sawyer felt himself exploding, and with a look of shock, the man raised his fists.
The bastard was large, but not large enough. He was strong, but not strong enough. And he fought dirty, but Sawyer had the advantage of icy rage, and after a few short minutes, Morgan wrapped his arms around Sawyer from behind and pulled him away. “Enough, Sawyer,” he hissed into his ear. “The state guys are here and we don’t need to put on a show.”
He was still shaking with rage, his knuckles bloody, his heart pounding. Slowly, Honey approached him, and Morgan, using caution, released him.
She had a swelling bruise beneath her left eye, but it was the uncertainty in her gaze that nearly felled him. Sawyer opened his arms, and with a small sound she threw herself against him.
He hadn’t wanted responsibility for another wife, but ironically, the more Honey insisted on taking care of herself, the more she agreed with his edicts, the more he wanted her. The fact she didn’t need him, that she was strong and capable and proud, only made her more appealing and made him more determined to coddle her.
Noise surrounded them, questions, chatter. Sawyer heard Morgan giving directions for Alden to be picked up, but none of it mattered to him. He squeezed her tighter and tried not to make a fool of himself by being overly emotional. She’d been hurt so much already. He tipped her back and kissed the bruise on her cheek. “Are you okay?”
Her long hair fell forward to hide her face. “Yes. I’m sorry I got in your way. Gabe told me you’d be likely to skin me for it, after he finished fussing over me.”
“What were you doing out here, sweetheart? I told you to stay safe in the basement.”
“I snuck out when Gabe wasn’t looking.” She peered up at him, her expression earnest. “I couldn’t stay down there, hiding, while you put yourself in danger for me. I couldn’t.” Her uncertainty melted away, replaced by a pugnacious frown. “And you shouldn’t have asked me to!”
Sawyer fought a smile. “I’m sorry.”
She pulled away and paced. The small cat darted out of the bushes to follow her, keeping up with Honey’s agitated stride. It was only then Sawyer realized she was wearing Jordan’s shirt. Her housecoat, or what he could see of it beneath the shirt, looked nearly transparent under the bright floodlights. He glanced at Jordan, who lounged against the barn wall, his arms crossed over his bare chest. Casey stood beside him, looking agog at the men being handcuffed by a bevy of uniformed officers. Morgan was in the hub of it all, a tall figure of authority.
Gabe reentered the yard with an ice pack and came directly to Honey. “Here, sweetie, put this on your cheek.”
Honey ignored him, still pacing, her bare feet now wet and her movements agitated. Sawyer took the pack from Gabe and corralled Honey and started the parade back into the house. They’d all be answering questions soon enough, but for right now, Morgan could handle things.
HOURS LATER, Honey once again found herself seated in the kitchen, the center of attention in the middle of the night. All the men were fussing around her, fretful over a silly bruise that she felt stupid for having. If she hadn’t panicked, if