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“You sound like this is temporary. You planning on moving back to New York?” Gunner asked, and she almost said maybe in an attempt to slow things down between them, but she didn’t. She shook her head and lowered her eyes to her clasped hands.

“I’m never going back there. Houston is my home now, with Teddy, Deanna, Julia, and Dale. I’ve made some new friends and everyone is very hospitable and nice.”

“That’s good to know. Then we can work on scheduling some dates,” Gunner stated.

“Dates?” she asked, not getting it. Garrett moved his hand off her knee and took her hand. He brought it up to his lips as he stared down at her.

“Dates, baby, so we can get to know each other. We’re fixin’ to make you our woman.” She gasped as he kissed her fingers and held her gaze.

She had to take a few unsteady breaths. These men were so mature and experienced. She wasn’t.

“I told you, I’m not ready for—”

He placed his fingers over her lips gently. “We’ll take it real slow, darling. My brothers and I can handle slow and easy,” he said and she couldn’t help but think his comment was laced with sexual innuendo. She took a deep breath then turned to look out the window. How the hell am I going to handle this?

Chapter 6

Teddy pulled up to the fundraising event outside of the gym and dojo. The parking lot was taped off and huge tents were set up providing food, drinks, and blow-up slides and jumping castles for the kids. He had worked an all-nighter and only had about thirty minutes to spare. The case he was working on was just about over.

As he met up with Deanna, Dale, Julia, and Jim, he kissed them hello and asked how it was going.

“You have to go check out Gia. She’s helping to run some workout sessions and teaching martial arts moves with some of the kids. It’s so cool,” Dale said as he walked into the dojo.

“That cool, huh?”

Deanna moved closer to Teddy. “Your cousin has gained the interest of many single men around here. They’re vying for her attention.” Teddy narrowed his eyes and was immediately concerned. Gia didn’t like that. She would totally freak out.

“Shit, did you do anything to help her, Jim?”

Jim smiled.

“I didn’t have to. Wes is in there with Gunny. They seem to be spreading the word that she belongs to the McCallisters.” Jim laughed, but Teddy was still concerned.

“Shit. I should have known something was up when she didn’t answer my call last night about the ride home from the game.”

“She rode in the truck with them alone?” Deanna asked and Teddy nodded.

“All three McCallisters?” Jim asked, now concerned, too.

“No, just Gunny and Garrett. They were getting along really well at the game. I’d better go check on her.”

Just as he was about to enter, the crowd of parents and kids was exiting the dojo.

He waited and then made his way inside. He immediately caught sight of Garrett and Gunny, who were standing by the wall with their arms crossed and mean expressions on their faces. He heard Gia laughing along with a few guys who had their backs toward them. He recognized the one really big guy as Duke. He missed him playing with the kids. That would have been funny. Duke was nearly seven feet tall and a total crazy SWAT guy.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Teddy asked Garrett and Gunny as he shook their hands.

“Just watching the show. Your cousin is pretty good at teaching karate. How long has she been doing it?” Gunny asked.

“About five months or so.”

They seemed surprised.

“She took to it quickly,” Teddy added, knowing that she had needed to. Her fears that Antonio would find her remained in the back of her head. His gut clenched. He would do what was necessary to protect her.

She turned and yelled his name. “Teddy! I didn’t think that you would make it.”

He excused himself and headed over there toward her. She hugged him hello and then looked up at Duke, who said hello then shook his hand. The man was beyond extra-large. He was monster sized.