“You’re too tired to start that tonight, chief,” Cash murmured, taking my hands as he looked up at me, worry clear in his gaze.
“I’m not tired.” Gunner grunted. “Set me up.”
Cash shot him a look of gratitude as Emmie set my tea in front of me. “I’ll make you some coffee,” she told Gunner.
He looked over at her, something flashing in his gaze before he nodded once in thanks.
Someday I was determined to get to the bottom of what was going on with those two.
But not tonight.
Tonight I was going to get Gunner squared away in my office. I was going to look in on my girl just to watch her breathe. And I was going to collapse into bed, safe in my man’s arms.
Chapter 15
CASH
“Mama?” Riley’s quiet call had me rousing from a fitful sleep. Layla had crashed right after I put her to bed, but I’d stayed awake a long time just watching her sleep, my gaze locked on the bruises around her neck. I lay awake imagining all the ways I’d end the man who’d dared put his hands on her. She’d been restless all night, and I ached to ease her. Every sigh she’d made in her sleep, every twitch had me waking to make sure she was okay.
It killed me that I’d let her talk me out of having a man on her. I should have gone with my instincts, which had screamed something was all wrong about the break-in. I hadn’t wanted to push too hard, knowing she was already dealing with so much change. I wouldn’t be making the same mistake again.
“Come here, Ri,” I murmured, wincing at how hoarse my voice sounded. I didn’t want to scare her. She’d never found me in bed with her mama.
I was surprised at how dutifully she moved to my side of the bed, as though it was perfectly natural.
“You okay?” I whispered, not wanting to wake Layla.
“I can’t sleep.” Her attempt at a whisper was so loud I had to bite back a smile. She was so earnest, her luminous blue eyes staring at me intently.
“You want to crawl in?” I offered, wondering if she’d go for it. I was in seriously uncharted waters.
She surprised me by nodding readily, as though she’d been waiting for the invitation, reaching for my hand and pulling herself up.
She snuggled in between us, stealing most of my pillow. “Will you stay all night this time?” she whispered hopefully.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You usually go down to the couch,” she stated, as though it was obvious.
Well, shit. Clearly nothing got past this kid.
“You want me to stay?” I verified.
“Yeah.” She yawned, already drifting back into sleep.
Trust was hard won with the West women, and I knew I wasn’t all the way there yet. But with Layla’s earlier confession and Riley’s quiet request, I felt as though I was close to working my way into their hearts the same way they’d settled into mine.
With that hope, I was able to drift into a fitful sleep.
“You want pancakes?” I asked Riley far too early the next morning. I’d slept like shit with her wrapped around me like a tiny octopus. Even so, it was the best night’s sleep I’d ever had.
“Yeah,” she chirped happily as she sat at the bar, swinging her legs back and forth.
I put the coffee on, glad Layla was still sleeping but knowing she’d need it when she woke up.
When Gunner stumbled out of Layla’s office, I held up a mug for him. I wasn’t surprised he’d stayed. Once Gunner had a problem to solve, he was like a dog with a bone. He was also a damn good friend.
“Uncle Gunny, did you stay here?” Riley exclaimed. I wondered when the hell he’d becomeuncle.