Page 40 of Cowboy Elite 2: Mike

His arms tightened. He hated the tension in her body, knew why it was there, knew she was just waiting for the other shoe to drop and there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it.

What he’d just seen on Joe’s computer filled him with dread and made him want to shield her from the whole world. Emotions he wasn’t sure what to do with welled up in him. He turned her around and took her mouth in a kiss that poured every ounce of emotion he was feeling. It was a kiss that seemed to surprise her, yet she settled in, pressing against him, making him ache for something neither of them could have right now.

But with just a mere softening of her lips, her soft moan, she gentled him. Soothed him when he was to one who’d intended to do the soothing.

When he pulled back, she was smiling.

"What?" he asked.

"You taste like sweet coffee and terrible decisions."

He grinned. "My specialty."

She laughed, and the sound filled the kitchen like light.

Then his expression shifted. Went serious. "We need to talk," he said quietly.

Her smile faded. "That's never good."

"Joe found something. About the people looking for you."

Her hands, resting against his chest, slid away. She drew in a breath as though arming herself for battle. "Tell me."

So he did.

And when he was done, Liv stood there, hands clasped, fear nearly making her sick.

“You sure you want to sign on for this?” she asked.

“One hundred percent.”

“Be sure, Mike. Because it’s not just you. I can go?—”

“No,” he interrupted, his voice nearly a shout. Then he softened. “Just no.”

She nodded and took a deep breath. “I’m tired of being afraid.” Her voice was steady and certain. “That’s not to say that I’m not. I’m human. But if they’re coming, then let them come. This jumping at every shadow is starting to piss me off.”

Mike pulled her in and held her tight. “Now you’re talking.”

She rolled her eyes. “You almost sound excited.”

“Not excited. Realistic.”

She nodded. “Your brothers clearly know the whole story already, but I think I ought to tell them myself. Can you arrange a get-together?”

“On it.” He pulled out his phone and sent a text. “I told everyone to meet us in the great room in fifteen.”

“Okay. Let’s do this.” Liv prayed they were all strong enough to survive what was coming.

Because trouble wasn't knocking anymore.

It was already at the gate.

8

The great room felt like a courtroom. Joe had his laptop closed, phone face down on the side table like evidence. Lyle stood near the window with his arms around Heather, steady and calm in that veterinarian way that made you think of large animals and careful hands. Kenny leaned against the far wall, all coiled stillness, watching her the way he probably watched the horizon during his years in Special Forces.

Waiting.