Page 5 of Furious Protector (Ruthless Guardians #4)
Beckett
T he little chatterbox is out cold before we even reach her street. “How many drinks did she have?” I ask, looking into the rearview to make sure we’re not being followed by anyone before we pull up to her house, because I plan to set a trap for them, not the other way around.
Patti glances up and her eyes meet mine in the rearview. “Just her normal two. She forgot to eat today, so that probably didn’t help. Krissy’s usually designated driver. Thanks for driving us.”
“Yep, I figured as much. She’s sound asleep.”
“Ever since she heard that the Eldridges hired people to go harassing the townsfolk, she hasn’t been able to sleep very well. You know what happened last year, right?”
The sideview and periphery look clear as I near her address. “I’ve gotten most of the story. She was taken by a guy from Eagle’s Swallow, a bar on the outside of town the night of Lacy’s bachelorette party and drugged?”
“Yeah, she said nothing too much happened, but they drugged her drink, and kidnapped her. PJ and Mason found her tied up.”
My jaw tightens just thinking about it. “That’s a far cry from nothing. I’m sure hearing about the intimidation going on in town and knowing what’s happened and then those assholes showing up didn’t help. Memories like that don’t just go away.”
“No, that feeling of being completely incapacitated has to stay with you. Don’t you think?” Patti asks me.
“It doesn’t go away quickly, at least that’s what I’ve heard.” I know for damn sure it’s going to take more time than Jules probably thinks it should.
I pull into the driveway that Patti points to from the back.
“Don’t tell Jules I told you her story. She likes to keep it under her hat, says she’s over it and that it’s not going to get the best of her, but sometimes you just need to talk things out a little.
Me and the girls are trying to get her to loosen up and let it out.
Or go talk to someone. Instead, she just runs for hours and hours, punishing the pavement like it’s to blame. ”
“Jules is a runner?”
Patti laughs. “You wouldn’t think so with her height. Most of the fast runners have long legs but she’s out there six days a week putting us all to shame. That’s why she looks so damn good in those jeans.”
That does explain just how good of shape she’s in, and why when she walks, the lean muscles of her thighs can be seen rippling through her jeans.
But I don’t say that. It would imply that I’ve been looking pretty damn closely at the lovely little blonde who’s now curled up onto the window of my ride.
I inch the truck up close to the door of the double car garage and put it in park.
“Garret, Lacy, Mason, and PJ aren’t too far behind.
We heard something that makes us think the men who came into Wild Deuces are going to be coming here.
You can bow out if you want, but the guys and I believe you are all safer if you stay here together. ”
“No way I’m leaving Jules. I’m in.”
“I’m going to help you both inside before they arrive. I’m sure she’d rather not have everyone see her like this. I was just hoping to explain things to her before we got here.”
Patti reaches over the front of the seat and places a comforting hand on Jules’ shoulders.
“The main thing is she’ll be safe. I’m sure she’ll appreciate you taking her in before everyone arrives.
The rest of our friends would understand, but still, thank you.
She’s never done this before. I mean, she’s seriously out cold. ”
The neighborhood is quiet as I get out of the truck and walk around to the passenger door. Jules’ purse is tossed on the floor, and I hand it to Patti who’s already hopped out. “You want to find her key and open the door so I can carry her in?”
She gives me a smile. “You gonna tuck her in? At least let me get a picture of you carrying her in? Something to hold over her head?”
I shake my head. “No, go unlock the door.”
Patti laughs. “Fine, Mr. Killjoy.”
She rummages through Jules’ purse and holds up a set of keys.
She strides out in front of me so she can unlock the door as I lift Jules into my arms. Her eyes don’t even flutter, but she tilts her head, leans into my chest, and tightens her hold on my arm as the silkiness of her long blonde hair caresses my arms.
Patti holds the door open so I can walk in before closing it behind us and taking the lead. She quickly guides me to a back bedroom so I can lay Jules gently on her bed.
I cover Jules with the decorative blanket on the end of the bed, staring down at the blonde beauty before the sound of another vehicle pulling into the drive causes me to hurry back to the living room to make sure those bastards haven’t followed us.
The curtains hang long and dark over the windows. I pull one back a little to take a look outside. Mason and PJ jump out of their truck and walk up the sidewalk just as Garrett and Lacy pull up behind them and quickly catch up with the others.
They give a quick knock on the door. As soon as they enter, the guys and I exchange a glance. We don’t like having the women part of this, and there’s no way any of us are leaving Jules on her own after what we heard. At least this way, letting them come to the house, we have the advantage.
Garrett clears his throat. “We brought the girls up to speed on the way over. They know we may have visitors and that we’ll take care of them.”
“Good.” I glance around and not one of them seems nervous.
These women are ready for whatever may come their way.
Tired of the crap this crew has been giving them in their town.
“Keep everything normal. Like you were continuing the party from the bar at home. Garrett, Mason, and I are going to leave. We’ll be around though.
We just want them to think we dropped you ladies off.
Keep the lights on, laugh, and maybe turn some music on.
You ladies have Garrett and Mason’s numbers.
” I write down my cell for Patti. “Keep this for yourself and Jules. Just in case you need to get ahold of me.”
Patti nods. She looks a little more nervous than the other two. “It’ll be fine. Check on Jules for me, please? And see if you can get her to drink a little water, eat some food, and take an ibuprofen. She’ll thank us in the morning after two rounds of tequilla on an empty stomach.”
Lacy and PJ try to hide the smiles on their faces. I set the record straight as Garrett and Mason head out the door. “I’m just being nice, ladies. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we have work to do. Try not to have too much fun.”
The ladies are giggling as the door clicks behind me, and I double check that it locked securely before making my way to the truck.
A quick, nonchalant glance around as I settle into the seat and pull out of the driveway tells me that so far, we’re alone.
But, if what the assholes back at the bar said is true, it won’t be long before they arrive and all hell breaks loose.
Even mentioning coming to Jules’ house has put the bastards on my kick their ass list. If they do anything more than show up, they’re going to learn a thing or two about the skills that were taught to me courtesy of the good old U. S. of A.
The guys are up a short distance and I catch up to them quickly, following them as they make their way toward the highway.
They know this area far better than me and when they must think we’re far enough out, they slow, pulling off the road to park under some heavy branches that with a little finessing will provide the coverage we need to keep them hidden.
Garrett and Mason jump into the back seat of my truck, and give me directions around the roadways, navigating until we’ve parked ourselves around the block.
Garrett points. “Right there, pull in. The Jones’ are out of town.
Pull in backward and back right up to the garage.
No one will ever be the wiser. We can walk right through their back yard and come out at Jules’ place. ”
It takes very few minutes to make our way across the well-manicured lawn and get into position. And we’re just in time, as the fuckers from town roll down the street in a black, souped-up SUV and pull into Jules’ driveway as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
We wait, but my jaw is tight as we crouch in the brush, knowing we have to stay put until they actually engage that door, break a fucking law that will hold up in court. These guys are on a mission too. And it sure as hell doesn’t take the fuckers long to smash the glass of the front door.
Or for us to spring into action…