After the Storm (KGI #8)(42)

Eve looked poleaxed, but Donovan didn’t give her time to ponder the fact that he had presumed that she would be staying here. If he gave her any time at all, she’d probably bolt like a scared rabbit. And that was not happening. So while it might make him a flaming ass**le, he was going to barge forward and keep her off balance.

Acting as though she’d already agreed with his plan, he scooped Cammie up and then extended his free hand down to help Eve to her feet. He watched her closely for signs of pain, frowning when she winced as she struggled up from the couch. He put a hand to her back, steadying her and hovering close as he guided them toward one of the guest rooms.

“The house has five bedrooms,” he explained as they en-tered the room next to his. “But I’ve only gotten beds in three of them so far. You and Cammie can share this one and Travis can have the one down the hall. Cammie would probably feel better with you anyway.”

As he watched Eve take in the bedroom—and the bed—he didn’t miss the longing look she cast toward the queen-size bed. What surprised him more was the swift urge that overtook him. The thought that what he really wanted was her in his bed. His bedroom. His space. Her in his arms.

He shook his head in consternation. Where the hell had that come from? She was a mission. Like so many others. Never before had he had such a strong emotional reaction. Yes, his emotions were always involved but not on such a personal level. Maybe he was losing his mind.

But the thought remained. The fantasy of having Eve in his bed, him wrapped solidly around her, a barrier to the outside world and to anything that sought to harm her.

How easy it was to slip into the fantasy that this was his family. That they belonged to him. That Eve belonged to him. His woman.

Whoa. He needed to snap out of it quick and get control over his wayward thoughts. The very last thing Eve needed was to be blindsided by his desire. She was fragile and to her breaking point. Hell, maybe she was already there. She’d been poised to run. From him. And that ate at him. That she didn’t trust him. He couldn’t take it personally. She didn’t trust anyone. And he couldn’t fault her for that. She had a brother and sister to protect, and in her shoes, he wouldn’t be lining up to trust anyone either.

What made her different from any other woman in need? It was a question he couldn’t immediately answer. He knew his emotions always got involved, that he never remained a passive observer in any situation where a woman or child was in danger. But never to this extent. He never had crazy thoughts, like wanting her to move into his house. To become . . . his.

He’d never wanted to put his personal stamp of possession on another woman. And with Eve? And it wasn’t just Eve. He already looked at her siblings as . . . his. Just as he already viewed Eve as his.

And God help the man who tried to take them away from Donovan.

None of the retribution they’d taken in the past would even come close to the havoc Donovan would wreak if someone came after what he considered his.

“If you’ll wait here, I’ll get you and Cammie some clothes. There’s a large soaking tub in the bathroom as well as a shower. I thought you and Cammie could get cleaned up and into dry clothes while you wait for Maren to arrive.”

“Thank you,” Eve said in a soft voice.

Her eyes were still clouded with worry, but she didn’t look as panicked as she had earlier. Donovan took that as a positive sign and a step in the right direction at least.

Donovan stroked Eve’s cheek, unable to keep himself from touching her.

“It’s going to be all right, Eve. You’ll see. Now you and Cammie get changed and into more comfortable clothes. When you get out, Joe and Swanny will have lunch ready. We can eat in the living room. I’m going to go check on Travis and make sure he has what he needs. If you need help, call me, okay? Don’t try to do too much yourself.”

She flushed but nodded. Then to Donovan’s surprise, Cammie launched herself into his arms from where she was kneeling up on the bed. He gathered her in his arms and hugged her back, his heart softening as he held the tiny little girl against his chest.

Finally tearing himself away, he left the bedroom, pulling the door shut behind him. Travis was still in the living room when Donovan reentered and he was pushing himself up from the chair, his face a wreath of pain.

“Whoa there, son,” Donovan said as he hurried over. “Don’t try to do too much on your own. You likely have some busted ribs. One wrong move and you could puncture a lung.”

Travis paled at Donovan’s words and sagged against Donovan.

“I can’t afford to be hurt, sir. My sisters depend on me.”

Donovan tightened his hold around the boy’s shoulders. “Listen to me, Travis. You’re a kid. And I don’t say that to take away from anything you’ve been doing for your sisters. I admire your guts and determination. But everyone needs help sometime in their life. You can’t keep up the pace you’re keeping. And I’m going to make sure that ends here. Now I want you to go into the bedroom I’m putting you in. Take a shower, but be careful. I’ll lay out clothes on the bed and when you’re done, come into the living room so you can eat. The doctor will take a look at you and then we’ll go from there. But the thing you need to know is that I’m here now, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your sisters. Understand?”

Travis relaxed, fatigue evident in his drawn features. Then he simply nodded and Donovan helped him into the other bedroom, pointing out the bathroom, the towels and where he’d lay out the clothes for Travis to change into.