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“We know the value of time, Merrick. If you believe there’s a threat hanging over Tamsyn’s head, we need to find it. Wewillfind it,” he said earnestly. “Trust me to handle it from here?”

It was all he could do. “Yeah. Thanks, Grit.”

“Get some rest, Merrick.”

He grunted and hit the end call button with his thumb. At least he’d managed to light a fire under Grit’s ass to get things moving; it might only be thirteen hours or so since Tamsyn crawled into Merrick’s life, but right now, it felt as though she’d been here for months.

Truth be known, he hoped hewasbeing paranoid about her past, about what brought her here. The idea of her being homeless, wandering around in the forest for god knew how long, wasn’t appealing, but it was a damn sight better than what his imagination kept conjuring.

Cocking his head, he listened for any sound of distress from the bedroom, relaxing when there was only silence. Maybe he should do as Grit suggested and catch up on sleep while Tamsyn didn’t need him.

He vaguely recalled something his mom said to his sister during her first pregnancy—“Sleep when the baby sleeps, Marissa. Whether it’s twenty minutes or two hours, take time for yourself.”

Wasn’t that the same principal here? He wasn’t a parent, not by a long shot, but by his own choices, he was now a carer. Temporarily, sure, yet the emphasis was oncare.In order to care for Tamsyn during her recovery, he needed to make sure he took care of himself in equal measure.

Setting aside his empty glass, he stroked his thumb over the now dark screen of his phone. The next call was important enough to delay getting his head down, although he might not have a head at all by the time Violet finished ripping it off his neck.

A couple of taps and the line started ringing again. Almost half a dozen chimes passed before she answered in that smooth Louisiana accent. “Master Merrick.”

“Vi. I trust you got some rest today?”

“More than you, so the rumors say. How’s the Jane Doe?”

“Not quite a Jane anymore. We have a first name: Tamsyn.” Fuck, he loved how it slid off his tongue. The more he said it, the more appealing it became.Little owlwould forever be his favorite, however. “She’s why I’m calling actually.”

“Oh? Need me to come over to the clinic and babysit?”

Hell, she obviously wasn’t up to speed with current events, he thought with a grimace. Rumors were one thing. “Who have you spoken to today?”

“I’ve been asleep most of the day. I saw Jonah briefly when I stopped in for some food about half an hour ago. Why do you ask?”

That explained a lot. Jonah was standing in for Liam as bartender until Liam, Mack, and Sierra returned from their Christmas vacation in Arizona. He would have been getting ready to open the bar when the manhunt was on for Tamsyn, but likely wouldn’t know anything other than she’d been found.

Merrick preferred it that way.

The less people who knew where she was, the happier he’d be. At least until a threat was verified or dismissed. He didn’t mind key people having her location; Violet was key.

“She isn’t at the clinic, Vi. She’s with me.”

“I see.” Violet drew those two words out for an age. “And where, pray tell, are you?”

“My cabin.”

He heard her sharp intake of breath and held the phone away from his ear before she erupted with a blistering lecture.

“What the hell are you thinking, Merrick? If that’s not the stupidest, most foolhardy thing you’ve ever done… she’s a stranger. You have no idea of her history, her mental wellbeing. Not to mention the ramifications of—”

“She’s scared, Vi.”

“I know, and you’re the fluffy white goodness in the center of a twinkie when it comes to scared, defenseless women. That doesn’t negate the fact having her in your home opens you to accusations of impropriety. Face it, Merrick, you’re a big, strong force of nature. Dominant, alpha male and she’s a terrified, injured woman.” Her voice softened. “We all know you wouldn’t do anything out of line. That’s not in question. It would just be safer for both you and her if she spent her recovery time in the clinic.”

Lip curling in a silent snarl, he kept his tone level. “Appreciate the advice, Vi. No.”

“It’s good advice.”

“And yet the answer is still no. I’m a big boy; let me worry about ramifications.”

Violet muttered something under her breath, then let loose with a gusty sigh. “Fine. If you don’t need me for my wisdom, what can I help you with tonight?”