The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [74]
She sighed. The men each jumped to her aid, taking that small sound as one of pain.
“Will you all stop hovering?” she groused. “You’re making me nervous.”
Gabe grinned, finally seeing the hilarity in the situation. “I kinda like doting on you, sweetie. You may as well get used to it.”
Honey didn’t dare look at Sawyer. She tried for a sunny smile that made her face feel ready to crack. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary. Thanks to you macho guys, my worries are over. There’s no reason for me to keep imposing, or to hang around and get used to your domineering personalities. The police told me I could leave, that when they need me, I’ll hear from them. And my sister was so anxious when I called her, I think I should be getting home.”
It was as if they’d all turned to statues. Honey managed to eke out one more smile, though it cost her. “Since I don’t have much to pack, I can be out of here in the morning. But in case I don’t catch any of you before you leave for work, I wanted you to know…” Her throat seemed to close up, and she struggled to hold back her tears. Casey stared at her, his jaw ticking, and she wanted to grab him up and claim him as her own. She swallowed and tried again. But this time her voice was so soft, it could barely be heard. “I wanted you all to know how special you are, and how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
Jordan and Morgan glared at Sawyer. Gabe got up to pace. Casey, still unflinching, said, “Don’t go.”
Honey stared down at her folded hands. “I have to, Case. It’s safe now, and my family needs me.”
Morgan made a rude sound. “Your sister, maybe. But your father? I can’t believe you’re so quick to forgive him.”
“I haven’t. But he is my father, and I almost lost him by marrying the wrong man. He was as shocked by it all as I was. He said his lawyers will take care of everything, but we still have a lot to talk about.”
“You could stay just a little longer,” Jordan suggested, and he, too, looked angry.
“I can’t keep hiding here, Jordan. It isn’t right.”
Morgan walked past Sawyer and deliberately shouldered him, nearly knocking him over. Sawyer cursed and turned to face his brother, but Gabe laughed, diffusing the moment. “Down, Sawyer. The fight is over.”
Sawyer stared at him, red-eyed and mean.
Honey didn’t quite know what to think of him. He’d fought so…effectively. Yet the brothers claimed he was a pacifist. After the way he’d enjoyed punching that man, Honey had her doubts.
Gabe was still chuckling. “You know, Sawyer, it isn’t Morgan’s ass you’re wanting to kick, but your own.”
Sawyer glared a moment more, then pulled out a chair and dropped into it. The brothers seemed to find his behavior hilarious, but Honey couldn’t share in their humor. She hurt from the inside out, and trying to keep that pain hidden was wearing on her.
Morgan crossed his arms over his chest. “What if she’s pregnant?”
Sawyer’s narrowed gaze shot to Honey. She sputtered in surprise. “I’m not pregnant!”
“How do you know?”
“Dammit, Morgan, don’t you think a woman knows these things?”
“Sure, after a while, but not this early on.”
There was no way she would explain with four pairs of masculine eyes watching her, just how careful Sawyer had been. Through her teeth, she growled, “Take my word on it.”
Sawyer stood suddenly, nearly upsetting his chair, and he leaned toward Honey, his battered hands spread flat on the tabletop. He looked furious and anxious and determined. “Would you be opposed to getting pregnant?”
Her mouth opened twice before any words would come out. “Now?”
He made an impatient sound. “Eventually.”
Not at all sure what Sawyer was getting at, her answer was tentative, but also honest. “No, I wouldn’t mind. I want to have children.” She stared at him hard. “But only if a man loves me. And only if it’s forever.”
Sawyer straightened, still keeping his gaze glued to hers. “Would you be opposed to sons, because