“Please come inside and I’ll explain in a little more detail about what I’m looking for when it comes to the security needs.” The men stayed a while longer as they discussed Gage’s request and they easily took the offer for rotating shifts when Gage wasn’t always available. Also to go along to doctor’s appointments in a second vehicle for added security.
After the men left, Gage asked Hope, “What do you think?”
“They’re alright. I’m sure they’ll do their jobs just fine, but I’m not sure we’ll get along.”
“They’re not there to be your friends, Hope. In fact, I’d prefer if they didn’t fucking talk to you,” Gage grumbled.
“Why? Are you afraid they’d hit on me or something?” she said dismissively with a wave of her hand.
“Yes.”
“You’re out of your mind. I’m a mom and I’m pregnant with another baby. I’m getting all chunky again.” She grabbed her thighs and Gage groaned.
“Babe, what you call chunky is what men would call earmuffs because those legs wrapped around my head and I’m not hearing a damn thing. Honestly, I trust you. It’s men that I don’t trust around a gorgeous woman who drives men wild by just existing.”
Gage didn’t notice any weight gain other than a few pounds when they first met and then of course around her belly when she was heavily pregnant with Ethan. Then again, he had expected her to gain weight after a lifetime with a man who neglected her. It was a wonder she wasn’t completely malnourished, but he supposed that she couldn’t be sold if she looked unhealthy.
He didn’t care how much she weighed as long as she loved him because he was the luckiest man on the world to have her. Now, all he had to do was protect her from the evil bastard and secure their future.
Chapter Four
“What the fuck is his problem?” Gage roared, slamming his fist down on Alex’s desk. He’d come to discuss what they could do to put Cummings back in his cell so that he could get some peace of mind, but as soon as he walked into Alex’s office, all he could think of was killing Cummings.
“What do you mean?” Alex asked, unfazed by Gage’s emotional overreaction. He’d met many angry victims that were pissed at the system for moving slowly or just flat out failing them.
He shook his head and fell back onto the chair behind him. “He hasn’t tried anything. He lives in a hovel in Austin, scraping by with little to no outside contacts for the past two weeks.” He thrusted his hands into his hair, tugging at it violently.
“I’d quit doing that or you’ll go bald. As for Cummings, I can’t tell you why, but let it be our saving grace. Do you really want him to come after Hope again?”
Gage nearly hopped out of his chair. Instead, he leaned forward and snarled, “Of fucking course not. You know damn well he’s not done with Hope. He’s going to want revenge on all of us. I can’t let him get to my family. The thought of him hurting her drives me nuts.”
Alex could see that without a doubt. Long gone was the cool, calm, collected friend he knew, and in his place was a man on the edge. Love had a way of doing that to a man, especially when danger lurked on every corner. “I don’t think he’s done with Hope, but you’re just letting him mindfuck you.”
“I can’t be caught sleeping.” Gage ran his fingers through his hair again, adding to his look of a mad man.
For weeks, Cummings hadn’t even hinted at any reprisal. Having been a lawyer, he’d seen witnesses disappear, especially whenmurder onewas on the menu. Cummings wasn’t fit for life in prison and would do anything to stay out of it. The thought of him coming after Hope or Ethan kept Gage from sleeping more than a few hours a night.
Gage couldn’t wait until winter came so that he could take time off with his family. There would still be lots of work to do on the ranch, but it wasn’t as busy when the cattle had more time to roam.
“It doesn’t look like you’ve slept at all since he’s been out on bail.” The long wait for the trial would test Gage’s strength, but he refused to take it easy when it came to his family. He waited a lifetime to find someone who made life worth living, and he’d do anything to keep her.
“I haven’t gotten much sleep, but you forget I’m a new dad,” Gage added.
Alex scoffed and shook his head. “Bullshit. This is all about Cummings. If I didn’t think you needed to know that he was out on bail, I would have kept it from you in the first place. I love my wife too, so I understand what you’re going through, but you’ll be useless to them if you don’t get some rest.”
Gage nodded, knowing that it was easier said than done. “I’ve got to get back home.” He stood and extended his hand out to Alex. They shook, but Alex wasn’t anxious for his friend to leave just yet.
“She’s safe, but I understand why you have to hurry. Are you going to come to the poker game tomorrow night?” From the look in Gage’s eyes, Alex knew he’d be short one guy.
“I’m not sure.” Since Gage had returned to ranching, hang outs with his law enforcement buddies had been few and far between.
“I can send an extra guard to sleep on the front porch,” Alex teased. He lifted up his coffee mug and then took a drink.
“No, I don’t want any strangers on my land or near my wife,” Gage growled out like the possessive animal that he’d been when he met Hope.
Setting his mug back down, Alex let out a loud, barking laugh, exposing the lines around his eyes. “Ah, there’s the jealous husband I thought disappeared.”
“I’m not jealous. I’m possessive. She’s mine, and there isn’t a soul I’d let come between us. I already have two that lurk on and off when I need them to and that’s already rare. Have they spotted Cummings doing anything shady?”