Page 22 of Hunted Hearts (Black Heart Security #6)

Juliette reached for Willow’s free hand, squeezing gently. “He’s not alone,” she said softly. “He has all of us.”

Her words, so genuine, touched Theo like a stroke to the heart. This amazing woman was so giving of her time, so caring. Her heart was always in the right place; it was a damn shame that the charity wasn’t worthy of her.

Oaks strode by, trailing Decker. The party around them buzzed with chatter and laughter, but here, at the edge, it felt quieter—heavier.

He tightened his grip on Willow’s shoulder, meeting her damp, worried gaze. “We’ve brought harder cases than Decker back. He’s not beyond reach. We’ll keep him close.”

Willow nodded, a shaky exhale escaping her. “Okay.”

“Come on,” he said in a brighter voice. “Gabe’s still got a few hours left of this party, and I don’t think the chef’s letting any of us leave until we’ve eaten the food in there.”

Juliette’s fingers lingered on his arm as they eased through the crowd. Theo felt the subtle weight in her movements, the way her body leaned just a little closer, like she needed the tether.

Around them, laughter and chatter rose—vets slapping Gabe on the back, Navy giggling as Colt balanced her on his forearm, music playing softly under it all. On the surface, it was a night of celebration, of goodbyes wrapped in warmth.

But Theo couldn’t shake the knot low in his chest.

He watched Juliette take in the room, her smile softening as she glanced toward the cake that had been decorated with an icing garage in honor of Gabe’s future.

For a heartbeat, she almost looked at ease.

Almost.

Theo’s jaw tightened. Somewhere beyond these walls, someone still wanted her gone, and if they ever got close enough to make that happen…

He drew in a slow breath, steadying the storm building in his chest. Losing her wasn’t something he’d survive.

Tonight was for Gabe. Tomorrow, he’d figure out how to make sure Juliette was still standing when this was all over.

Even if it meant drawing blood—his or anyone else’s—he would make sure no one touched her ever again.

* * * * *

The party was in full swing. Juliette had been to a lot of celebrations—balls, dinners, awards ceremonies. But she’d never been to a party like this before.

Everywhere she looked, the people were enjoying themselves in a way that made them feel like a big family.

The shuffle of boots and the hum of voices filled the space, sometimes growing louder and drowning out the country tunes playing from speakers.

The only time silence fell was when Gabe gave a small and emotional speech about good friends and new horizons.

Her own throat had clogged with emotion, and Theo had taken one look at her face and dragged her away to grab a drink. When he placed a paper cup of steaming hot cocoa in her hands, she couldn’t have been more surprised that the drink would be served at a party like this.

At first, she had tucked herself along the edge of the gathering, not knowing quite where she fit in. These people weren’t the polished, practiced crowds she’d grown up around in Vienna, Paris or New York, where every word and smile could be a blade.

These people…were something else entirely.

Warmth radiated from every corner the lodge, in the laughter of the vets and the Malone family as they passed the baby around.

And Theo…he wasn’t anything like Juliette first thought he was. He wasn’t a muscled shadow barking orders at her.

Theo stood with the others, his powerful frame at ease for once, the rigid edge he always carried stripped away.

When he came to escort her to the party, and she saw him round the corner in that cowboy hat, she didn’t think the heat swirling through her veins would settle anytime in the next decade.

She eyed him now, how he wore the hat low on his head like his brother Denver. It sported a black feather and shadowed his sharp features even more and made it impossible for her to tear her gaze from him.

Aspen and Honor came over to talk to Juliette, and she reluctantly pulled her attention away from her handsome bodyguard to join in the conversation. Soon, she was laughing with the rest of them. When Rhae approached with Navy in her arms, the child tipped toward Juliette, arms out.

She darted a look at Rhae, unsure what to do.

Rhae issued a quiet chuckle. “Feel free to hold her if you like. She clearly wants to make sure she doesn’t miss a single person in the room.”

Juliette had little experience with children of this age, but how hard could it be? The child must be sturdy enough if all these rough men could handle her without breaking her.

She reached for the girl and tucked her close to her body. She smelled sweetly of baby shampoo, and her chubby little body fit perfectly against her.

All at once, she wondered if she and Theo had a child, if she’d look like Navy.

Her eyes misted over as she stared down at the little girl.

“Juliette, are you all right?” Concern pinched Rhae’s brows. “If you’re not comfortable—”

“No, no. It’s not that.” She shook her head. It was just…

It hit her. The ladies were staring at her, and she felt the need to explain…to share.

“It’s just that this place, and all of you…you’re so warm and welcoming. You’ve all adopted me so easily despite the fact that I don’t belong here.”

Aspen placed a hand on her arm. “Of course you belong here.”

She went on. “I’m an only child, raised in a world where love came in carefully scheduled visits and affection was expressed with lavish gifts, not time or touch.

My parents believed they were giving me a perfect childhood, and it was wonderful.

I had the best schools, every opportunity and endless lessons to polish my musical talents.

But none of it filled the empty spaces inside me…

the places where time and presence should’ve been. ”

The women fell silent, listening raptly to her. Even the baby’s stare was fixed on her face like she could soak in every word in ways adults couldn’t.

“Then I come here, and this…” She swept a look around. “Your casual, chaotic family unit, with the baby and jokes and all the food is so far from what I know. And yet so perfect. ”

Honestly, it wasn’t anything like she’d ever envisioned as her heart’s desire. But now, with Navy snuggled against her and the women smiling at her like she’d been part of this circle for years, she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more .

Helping the orphanage had been about giving those kids what she thought they needed most—opportunities, instruments, scholarships. She hadn’t realized until now that what they needed, what she had needed all along, was this. A family. A home.

Her throat tightened, but before she could spiral into noisy tears, a shadow fell over her.

Theo.

She eyed him, her heart surging at how he looked in his dark jeans and button-down shirt, sleeves rolled to his forearms. The lines of his face softened when his gaze found hers. He didn’t say anything, just extended his hand.

“Dance with me,” he murmured.

Juliette glanced down at Navy, who had started to drift off, her little fist tucked under her chin. Rhae gently took the baby back, whispering, “Go on. You don’t want to miss dancing with Theo ‘Moves’ Malone.”

Flashing a grin, Juliette placed her hand in Theo’s. The roughness of his palm grounded her as he led her toward the cleared space in the center of the room. The music shifted to another slow track, and Theo turned to face her, his hand settling lightly at her waist.

She expected him to move with a certain stiffness—he was a SEAL, after all—but instead, he guided her with surprising ease, his steps confident and smooth. The warmth of his body seeped into her, the faint scent of smoke from the fire and soap wrapped around her like a tether.

As they moved in surprising little twirls around the floor, her mind wandered to everything that had happened—the chaos, the danger, the fear that still hovered like a shadow beyond these walls. But here, in Theo’s arms, it ceased to frighten her.

Her gaze lifted to his, and for a long moment, the sounds of the party dimmed. He wasn’t anything like the man she thought he was when they first met. He wasn’t just a bodyguard, or a brooding SEAL or the stubborn force keeping her alive.

He was everything .

Somewhere between the soft notes of the music and the feel of Theo’s hand at her back, she knew she was sinking deep into the chaos of the family she’d never known she needed.

There was no denying it anymore—Theo Malone was claiming more than just her trust.

Carson appeared behind Theo and tapped him on the shoulder. “I need you in the office. Something happened.” He flicked his stare to Juliette.

And her stomach bottomed out.