Page 33 of Idaho

"Background checks? Why do you need those?"

"I don't know this guy from shit. For all I know, he set this whole thing up to get some extra cash."

I gasped in outrage while Thomas froze in place, then slowly turned to meet Idaho's angry gaze. "Eva is like family to me," he rumbled. "I'd give my life to protect her."

That might have been the first moment that Idaho acknowledged Thomas, showed him real respect. Thomas looked like he was ready to take on the whole club at the accusation. Idaho gave a slight tilt of his head and said, "Then you understand why I want the background check." Thomas's eyes didn't exactly soften, more like the two men reached a respect for their mistrust in each other. Men were so confusing.

That was the part of all of this that I hated. I didn't want anyone to put themselves in harm's way for me. Thomas had a six-month old baby at home, and a three-year old. They needed their dad to be there for them. The guilt was overwhelming. "I can't do this," I told them, changing my mind.

Three pairs of eyes landed on me, before Jenny spoke up. Her gentle voice made me feel even worse. "Do what, Sweetie?"

"If there really is someone out there targeting me, I... I should just go home. I don't want anyone giving their lives for me. You have children living here," I told Idaho when he opened his mouth to speak. "I can't put them in danger. He has a wife and kids at home, waiting for him." I motioned at Thomas. "You... I'm sure you have people who need you just as much." My eyes met Idaho's. "I can't be selfish and disrupt everyone's lives."

"Eva," Thomas said with a heavy sigh. "You can't go home."

Startled, I looked over at him. "What? Why not?"

"You're fading away," he said with a shrug. "Every year you remain there a little more of you disappears. You needed to come here. It's why I agreed to come along. It's why your mother threatened to do something drastic if your father didn't allow it." My eyes widened and he grinned. "I hear more than you know."

"But-"

"No, Duchess," Idaho interrupted me. "You can't go home."

"Why not?"

He stepped forward and took my hand in his. His thumb rubbed over the back of my knuckles and I felt the touch all the way down to my toes. "The men are more than capable enough to protect the women and children. We're going to find out who did this and put a stop to it."

He ignored my question and just went straight into how to fix the situation. He was so much like my father in that regard all I could do was shake my head.

"We are?" Thomas asked, brows raised.

Idaho nodded, then looked at me again. "We are."

CHAPTER 13

Idaho

Iwaited, leaning against the counter with my arms folded over my chest as I watched Jenny show Eva around the apartment. Thomas trailed after them as though there could be a threat behind every door. His dedication actually impressed me. It meant that when I let him follow her around during the day, I could trust that he would watch out for her. That would free me up for my duties here and to my company, and leave me the rest of the time to protect her.

And get to know her.

Sighing, I tried to shove that thought out of my mind. My interest in her had hit so fast and hard, I wasn't sure what to do with it. At first, the plan was to fuck her as often and as hard as I could, once I made my way into her bed, but the knowledge of who she was derailed that. She was innocent. I didn't need her confirmation to know it. The way she acted around me told me as clearly as she could. There was no way I could use her for our mutual pleasure and leave her behind--or have her leave me as the case may be. She wasn't the kind of woman who would go for that type of arrangement, and I didn't have room in my life for an old lady.

"The towels and sheets are in here," Jenny told Eva, opening one of the closets. "Everything is clean and ready for use."

"Thank you very much."

My lips quirked up at her sweet tone. I knew, deep down, that this was the real Eva. Kind and caring. She'd been forced to grow up too fast because of who her father was. It made me wonder if she had any friends outside of her siblings. Anyone she could be herself around. She'd already shown me a new side that seemed to surprise even her, but I enjoyed seeing her riled up. It made me want to push her further just to see the snap of anger in her gaze. To see what I could push her to do. I had a feeling my little duchess wouldn't hesitate to hit me if I shoved hard enough. The idea made me grin. I wanted to get her out of her comfort zone. Make her lose that professional smile. To muss her up a bit.

That thought made a mental image of her with that freshly fucked look, hair a mess, eyes glazed with passion. "Shit," I muttered and shifted to ease the sudden ache in my dick. I wasn't sure how I was going to rein myself in around her, but I had to. It wouldn't be fair to her for anything to happen between us.

"Well, I'll be downstairs if you need anything," Jenny was telling Eva as they walked back toward the front door. "If you want... We're having sort of a girl's night downstairs later. Around seven. You could come and meet everyone? Jo and Brittney will be there, too."

"I'd love to."

The sparkle in Eva's eyes made my gut wrench. She was trying to hide how eager she was to meet some friends, but I could read her easily enough. She was thrilled. This was going to be good for her. She'd make some friends, get her degree, and hopefully get out of this experience whatever it was she needed before she had to go back home. Remembering Thomas's words from earlier made my mouth thin out into a grim line. He'd said she was losing herself. I wasn't sure what her home life was like, but I didn't fucking like hearing that.

Jenny reached forward and pulled Eva into a hug. "Welcome to the family," she chirped.