To Love and Protect Read online

  “That’s not why I said it,” he defended.

  She gave him a smile as she leaned in for a kiss. “I know.”

  Shelby peeked at them from under her lashes before returning her attention back to Ava’s delicate little lashes fanned against her cheeks. That hint of envy tugged at her heart again. Someday she’d hold her own baby Diamond—or whatever her last name became.

  That made her think of Dev again. There was a time she’d dreamed of becoming a Torrez. Until he broke her heart and walked away. He’d made sure to stay away, too. From her, anyway. She knew he’d kept in touch with her brothers over the years.

  “Am I the last one to make it here?” she asked as Honor scooted down in the bed to lay her head on Asher’s shoulder.

  “Except for Grayson,” he confirmed. “And while I don’t expect we’ll see him here at the hospital, what took you so long?”

  “Some of us do work—and not for ourselves.”

  “On a Saturday?”

  “It was the monthly feline spay and neuter day at the animal hospital to help keep the feral cat population in check. All hands on deck. ”

  “Ah. Got it. All the grandparents made it last night. Loyal and Roxanna, and Celia and Robert came this morning, and Merit and Mae left just before you got here.”

  “I ran into them downstairs.”

  “Don’t forget Devante,” Honor said with a yawn.

  “Yeah, even Dev beat you to it, slacker.”

  Heat flared at the mere mention of his name, and she turned her face down to the baby. “I saw him on my way in, too. Kinda surprised, I might add.” Kinda—hah!

  “I ran into him downstairs on his way out of physical therapy and invited him up,” her brother explained.

  That made a lot more sense than him coming to the hospital just to see the baby. From what she’d heard, he’d been a bit of a recluse since coming home.

  Since his medical discharge from the Army.

  Not that she’d kept her ears peeled or anything when she’d heard her mother and his talking in the kitchen after Christmas.

  Now, after seeing him, and seeing the after effects of what he’d gone through, she wondered if she should’ve gone to see him.

  One split-second flash of his cold, angry eyes made her shiver as if a winter wind had snaked down her spine. No. He wouldn’t have welcomed her visit.

  A soft snore drew her gaze from the baby’s face. While it was her brother who’d made the sound, another yawn from Honor told her it was time to let them have some peace and quiet. Ava had fallen asleep in her arms, and remained sleeping when she laid her in the bassinet. Shelby gently rolled it next to the bed, silently waved goodbye to her sister-in-law’s whispered, “Thank you,” and left.

  She’d send Asher a text later and plan a longer visit when they were home and settled in.

  Her pulse kicked up a notch as she made her way back to her vehicle in the parking garage. At first, it was because she couldn’t help recalling the encounter with Dev. Once she exited the stairwell, anxiety returned with each hurried step across the cold concrete structure. Her hand shook as she got in the car, slammed the door, and clicked the locks.

  She backed out and started for the exit when she noticed a piece of paper fluttering under her windshield wiper. Her stomach lurched as she braked and reached for the door handle, only to freeze. Stopping here and getting out would only make her vulnerable.

  Shelby stepped on the gas again, darting her gaze all around while leaving the parking garage. Her mind churned as she eyed the paper in between checking the rearview mirror to make sure no one followed her home.

  Who had put it there? Why? What was on it?

  The edge flapped back and forth, taunting her the entire drive until she passed through the security gates of her apartment complex. She parked in her garage bay, grabbed her things, and stepped out of the car. Her hand shook as she snatched the paper from under the wiper, but she didn’t read it until she was in the safety of her home, with the doors deadbolted and all the lights on.

  Opening up the sheet, she read the words as terror twisted her stomach into a knot.

  One choice made the opposite way can be the difference between life and death.

  Chapter 3

  Devante glanced at the flash of his cell phone screen while filling his travel mug. As he put the pot back on the burner and switched off the machine, he clicked on the text from his brother. Probably just letting him know he would be there to pick him up for their winter camping trip in a few minutes.

  Reyes: Hey, can you pick me up instead? My Jeep doesn’t sound right.

  “Fuck,” he muttered.

  Reyes lived in the apartment above the stables at the Diamond estate. And today was Sunday, which meant most, if not all, of the Diamonds would be gathering at the main house for their weekly family brunch. Knowing the senator and Janine were home because of Asher and Honor having their second grandchild, it was pretty much guaranteed to be all.

  He typed out a quick reply to his brother: Maybe we should just skip it.

  After a long minute, Reyes replied: Why can’t you pick me up?

  Because he was a fucking wuss. Because since running into Shelby at the hospital last night, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his fucking mind. Only it wasn’t the bundled-up image of her from the stairwell that kept him awake half the night. Nope. It was the vision of Shelby at sixteen that had haunted his dreams off and on for the past nine years.

  Beautiful. Innocent. Kneeling on her pink princess bed in a nude satin slip with black lace on the neck and hem. With her sleek, dark hair falling down her back, there had been nothing to hide the way her full breasts stretched the material over dark, pebbled nipples. The shadowy triangle at the juncture of her pale thighs had also been visible through the thin material.

  His hungry gaze had eaten up the sexy sight while his twenty-one year old self summoned every fucking ounce of discipline he’d acquired in basic training, advanced individual training, and the Special Forces Qualification Course he’d recently completed.

  S.E.R.E tactics were especially helpful. Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape.

  She’d offered herself to him with those sensual brown eyes of hers swimming in hope and nervousness. And he’d been a complete bastard by yelling at her before storming out of the Diamond mansion. He’d done it for her own good—and his—and hadn’t returned since.

  But he’d sure as hell looked back.

  Almost every damn day.

  Sometimes twice.

  He had worried he’d run into her when Asher insisted he go up to the fifth floor to see the baby and meet his wife. Once he’d crossed the skywalk and started up the parking garage stairs, he’d figured he was in the clear and put her out of his mind. Not so hard when he’d been in pain because two flights of stairs after physical therapy had been a stupid macho mistake.

  Seeing Shelby in the stairwell had been a shock, and not only because she’d nearly castrated him with her knee. And damn it, she was still beautiful enough to take his breath away. He couldn’t help thinking, at twenty-five, she was now a woman. Of legal age and consent.

  Except, he still couldn’t act on the desire that had flared to life the instant he saw her again. For one, his parents still worked for her parents. Second, she wasn’t the type he could mess around with and then move on. Shelby deserved better, and his career didn’t allow for more than fun and done.

  What career? The army doesn’t want you anymore, remember?

  He frowned at the brutal reminder.

  Guess that opened up his relationship possibilities—except for the fact he had nothing to offer her.

  Anyone. I’ve got nothing to offer anyone.

  His fingers curled into a fist. Because when he didn’t dream about Shelby, what kept him awake at night was a whole hell of a lot of shit he wouldn’t dump on anyone other than his therapist. And only him because he got paid to listen.

  At sixteen, Shelby had looked at
him with a heat in her golden-brown eyes that belied her innocence. Two nights ago, she’d raised that beautiful gaze from his damaged leg to reveal nothing but pity. That look rubbed him raw like wet sand stuck in his boxer briefs with ten miles to go to the rendezvous point after a mission.

  The ring of his cell phone jerked him back to the present. Seeing his brother’s name, he winced as he answered the call. “Yeah.”

  “What’s up?” Reyes demanded. “You coming or not?”

  His tone had an edge of desperation Dev recognized. He’d gone through some shit on deployment a few years ago and was still figuring things out. Great. How the fuck was he supposed to say no when he knew his baby brother needed this trip as much as he probably did?

  “Yeah,” he agreed with a soft sigh. “I’ll be over shortly.”

  “Good.” Reyes’ usual smile returned to his voice. “Mom baked chocolate chunk cookies this morning. She said we should stop up at the main house to grab some on our way out.”

  “Forget the cookies,” Dev stated even as his mouth watered at the thought. No way was he going near the main house today. “We don’t need ‘em.”

  “Speak for yourself.”

  He clenched his jaw. “Fine. Then go get them before I get there.”

  “Whoa. Okay. What’s the big deal?”

  He drew in a breath to rein in his frustration. “Nothing. Just be ready to go when I get there.” Without waiting for a reply, he hung up and grabbed his stuff by the door to load into his truck.

  On the drive over, the roads were slick from a couple inches of snow the night before, though the mid-morning sun had started the melting process in areas not shaded by trees.

  Dev made the turn that would take him to the Diamond estate, his pulse picking up a bit as he got closer. All he had to do was drive to the stables to get Rey and drive back out again. If he did see Shelby, at most it would be a glimpse from a distance. No big deal. They were probably eating brunch already anyway.

  He blew out a breath and eased his grip on the wheel as he headed around the final turn before their driveway. As soon as he rounded the curve, the sight of a small, white SUV sticking up at an angle from the low ditch on the opposite side of the road made him brake. Flipping on his hazards, he checked to make sure the road was clear before pulling over by the vehicle.

  There were no footprints outside the SUV, and the driver was still inside and appeared to be moving around, so he guessed the accident had just happened. Noting the steep angle of the ditch, he grabbed his cane while opening the door so he could go check if everyone was okay.

  He was almost to the vehicle when the sight of familiar long, dark, Diamond hair made his pulse skip. He cursed under his breath as Shelby turned her head and her frightened gaze met his through the window.

  Relief flashed across her features, then her expression shuttered as she ducked her head while opening the door.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m fine.” Frustration rang in her voice. “I was just about to call up to the house.”

  When she got out of the SUV, Dev raked his gaze down the length of her body. He noted a pair of boots that were definitely not made for winter, then skimmed back up again to complete his swift assessment that was second nature after twelve years in the military, nine in the Special Forces.

  No visible sign of blood or other injuries. She appeared rattled, but also fully alert.

  He leaned a little closer to get a better look at her eyes, but she pulled back.

  “Did you hit your head or anything?”

  “No. Just kinda slid down in here.”

  He recalled the flash of fear when he’d first shown up. Had he misread that, or was she afraid of him?

  That possibility brought a frown as he glanced back at the road. It deepened when he saw the whole section of road was bathed in sunlight, and the plowed asphalt was completely clear of any snow. “What happened?”

  “I don’t really know. The steering wheel suddenly locked up on me, and I couldn’t make the curve.”

  Dev turned back at the mixture of anxiety and confusion in her voice. “What do you mean it locked up?”

  She gestured sharply toward the SUV like he’d asked a dumb question. “It locked up. I couldn’t turn the wheel and didn’t hit the brakes soon enough and ended up here. I know it’s stupid, but—”

  Her defensive tone of voice triggered his. “I didn’t say it was stupid.”

  “It’s what you were thinking.”

  His fingers tightened on the handle of his cane as she glared at him. “You have no idea what I was thinking.”

  “Fine.” She twisted away. “It’s what I was thinking. I’ve driven enough on bad roads to know not to panic.”

  “You said it was the steering,” he reminded.

  “It was. That’s why it freaked me out and threw me off.”

  “Literally,” he muttered under his breath.

  “I’m not a bad driver,” she insisted.

  “I didn’t say that either. Stop putting words in my mouth.” Dev stepped back to bend and look under the vehicle, then checked out the back to see a hitch on the bumper. “I have a chain in the back of my truck if you want me to pull you out.”

  She’d moved up beside him, but as she shifted her weight, her fancy boot slid on the incline of the ditch. He quickly reached out to steady her. Their gazes collided for a breath-stealing moment before she dipped her chin and pulled free.

  “I can call the guys up at the house.”

  Much as he wished he could leave it to her dad and brothers, his conscience wouldn’t let him drive away even with them only two minutes away.

  Then he realized she was staring at his cane, and fury ignited that she thought he wasn’t capable. “I can pull your fucking car out of the ditch, Shelby.”

  Her head jerked up, gaze narrowed. “You don’t have to swear at me, Dev.”

  “Then quit looking at me like I’m crippled.”

  Her eyes went wide. “I’m not.”

  He leaned on his cane while raising his eyebrows. Her jaw flexed as she kept her gaze locked with his. But he could tell she wanted to look down again.

  “Fine.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the back of her vehicle. “Have at it.”

  After texting his brother he’d be few minutes late, he went to pull the thick chain from the back of his truck. With Shelby watching, he was hyper-conscious of every glitch in his step, especially since he had to set his cane aside to attach the chain to the hitch on his truck.

  Metallic clinks brought him around to see she’d stepped forward to grab the other end to drag to her vehicle. When he realized he’d paused to check out the fit of her jeans as she bent over by the hitch, he shook his head before joining her to make sure the chain was secure.

  “Go ahead and get in your vehicle,” he instructed once he was sure it would hold. “Just put it in neutral and keep the wheels straight. I should be able to pull you right out.”

  A few minutes later, he had her vehicle back on the road, and got out of his truck to disconnect the chain once more. Shelby unhooked it from her hitch and met him halfway to hand it over. Being a member of a close-knit team for nine years where everyone pulled their weight had him grudgingly impressed with her willingness to help and not simply leave it to him. He’d seen the way she grew up—the Diamond kids hadn’t been spoiled brats, but they certainly hadn’t wanted for anything, either.

  “Maybe you could drive my car?” she suggested. “It seems to be running okay, but the steering is still nearly impossible.”

  “You’re good to drive my truck?”

  “Yep.”

  “All right. I’ll meet you there. I was on my way to pick up Reyes, anyway.”

  “Thank you.”

  He gave a curt nod, and they switched vehicles. At the last minute, curiosity had Dev popping her hood. He checked a few things before slamming the hood once more. Shelby was getting out of his truck again, and he motioned h
er back inside.

  “I’ll meet you there,” he repeated sharply.

  She frowned, but got back in and followed him the rest of the way to her parents’ house. The steering took considerable effort even from him, and he could see where if she wasn’t expecting it, she wouldn’t have been able to make that turn. He called Reyes to meet him at the garage of the main house and see if there was an empty stall.

  All the family cars were parked in the huge horseshoe drive in front of the main entrance, but Dev drove around to the back. His brother waited outside one of the open garage doors, and he pulled Shelby’s SUV into the empty space.

  Reyes met him at the driver’s side when he got out, and he asked him to confirm what he thought he’d seen under the hood. A moment later, his brother’s solemn gaze rose to his, and he nodded as Shelby joined them.

  “I appreciate the help, Dev, but you guys don’t have to bother with my car. I’ll call our mechanic to come deal with it.”

  Dev pushed up from the engine and faced her. “Who has access to your vehicle?”

  Her brow dipped down as her gaze shifted to the engine, Reyes, and then back to him. “What? Why?”

  “Your power steering fluid line looks like it’s been tampered with.”

  Her eyes widened, and her face paled. “Tampered with?”

  “Cut.”

  “Seriously?”

  Reyes nodded when she glanced at him, and then she frowned at the engine again. “I, um…I have an indoor garage bay at my apartment, and the building is gated with good security. My dad made sure of that.”

  “You live alone?” Dev asked. “No roommate?”

  She shook her head as she crossed her arms over her stomach. The way she hunched her shoulders it appeared she was trying to hide and his gut tightened. He’d bet money she was lying about something.

  Chapter 4

  Shelby swallowed hard as nausea welled up inside. She’d hoped the little incidences she’d been dealing with over the past few months were nothing, or not connected, and it would all just go away. Instead, the situation was only getting worse.