Page 117 of Stripping Bare

“I know we can’t talk you out of meeting him, so Micki and I will be in charge of rounding up Maggie and herteam.”

Jonah’s brain was on overload, working all the angles of how he might take down Benery. The guy wanted to play? Then Jonah would go old-school. “Tell Maggie to have Reid and Britt set up the old tiger trap behind the house. They’ll know what I mean. They have to use caution. He has twohostages.”

“Your cousin knows her business and so do your brothers,” his dad said. “And you need to have some faith in your friend and your mom. Women are a lot stronger than we give them credit for most of thetime.”

“That doesn’t mean I plan to let them fend forthemselves.”

His dad’s grip tightened, and his eyes hardened. “Sometimes that’s the best way to keep them safe. Hiding the truth hurts the ones you love most. It always comes back to bite you on theass.”

“Thanks.” For what, he wasn’t a hundred percent sure, but his dad was making an effort. But Jonah didn’t have time for family therapy hour right now. He snatched up the gauntlet controllers and fumbled to securethem.

“Let me do it.” Micki latched the plastic sleeves and held on when he would’ve pulled away. “Dad’sright.”

Micki, too? Didn’t they realize he had to go?Now.

He had to save his mom and Tessa. He had to get her out of thisbefore…

His mind squeezed to the point of physical pain as it all gelled. Tessa’s attack had been defining his relationship with her because he didn’t trust the world not to hurt her, and he didn’t trust her to rescue herself when she was in trouble. He’d taken it upon himself to right the wrongs done to her. Without herpermission.

The only person he’d been protecting washimself.

Tessa was smart. Strong.Resilient.

She needed a partner, not some kind of avenging guardianangel.

“What you’re saying is that if I want both Tessa and Mom to come out of this thing okay, I have to stop thinking of Tessa as a helpless girl. I have to stop thinking that I let her down and start believing she has as much control as any of usdo.”

Micki’s smile was tight and sad, but it was a smile. “Remember that. She’s notanyone’svictim.”