“How the hell did he know already?”
“Hell if I know, but that’s Mac for you.” Myles brushed a palm over his head. Frustration filled him. He was used to running into the danger with guns blazing. It was a part of who he was. But now that he had someone who meant so much to him, fear crept up in the background. What if he couldn’t keep her safe? “But I do know one thing. This ends today.”
Earl nodded. “A lesson I took away from the Army was always trust your gut. If yours is saying those men are coming, then let’s ready the welcome wagon.”
Myles walked through the door and paused. Earl shut it behind them before joining him. The room appeared like any other shed. Gardening tools hung on the walls, but Earl revealed a hidden door. Myles walked through it and was instantly impressed by the Sutton family.
Behind the makeshift storage area was a secured room with enough weapons and ammunition to outfit a small militia.
“Like what you see?” Roxxy grinned and spun around slowly with her hands up in the air.
Myles was unable to speak. He turned, taking in the shelves on the walls showcasing semiautomatic weapons, from rifles to handguns. There were even knives of all shapes and sizes on display. The respect he had for the Suttons skyrocketed.
“Beautiful,” Myles murmured, his gaze landing on Roxxy.
“My dad and I have been collectors for years.” Roxxy chuckled.
Myles stood by her, unable to decide where he wanted to start. Earl and Shelby moved around grabbing items. Myles felt like a kid in the candy store with limited funds.
“Some collection,” he muttered. This was more than a regular family collection of weapons. His suspicions lay with Roxxy’s father. There was more to Mr. Sutton than he let on.
“Let’s just say, I’ve taken a few odd jobs here and there after I left the Army and the police force. Did some work for Department of Homeland Security and a few other branches that was off the books,” Earl winked at Myles. “Had to pay the bills somehow until my company took off the ground.”
Myles turned his attention to Roxxy in disbelief. “You, too?”
“Hell, no. I just love shooting things.” She snickered, placing a Glock in a hip holster. She opened a set of double glass doors and pulled out a Kevlar vest. She slid it over her head, securing the straps at her waist. “And I’m damn good at it.”
“Don’t be shy now,” Shelby said. She pointed to the wall in front of him. “Help yourself. Ammunition is located in the drawers below.”
The room fell silent as they all prepared themselves. Myles glanced at Roxxy and felt the need to share his feelings with her, but now wasn’t the best time with her parents standing around and her father having access to a countless amount of guns.
He’d wait until it was just the two of them.
He checked the small revolver and placed it in his empty holster on his ankle. He’d outfitted his body with a few weapons and was satisfied with what he’d chosen. His borrowed vest was comforting to him. It was a blatant reminder that this was not work. Someone was coming for him.
He was ready.
“What’s the plan?” Roxxy asked. She leaned back against the table near her.
“Shelby is one hell of a long-range shooter,” Earl volunteered.
“I’ll post up in the barn,” Shelby said. “It will give me a clear shot of the driveway.”
“Earl and I will draw them away from the main area. Roxxy can stay back—”
“Like hell I will.” Roxxy cut Myles off. She moved to stand before him. “Where you go, I go.”
“Roxxy—”
“I got your six, Burton,” Roxxy stared up at him with her wide eyes. She took his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.
Those five words deflated any argument he would have been able to come up with.
“Fine,” Myles murmured. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. He was used to his men covering him. Be it his squad when he was in the Army or his SWAT teammates, but never the woman he loved. Hearing that she was willing to back him up almost brought him to his knees. Most men wanted a woman to cook and clean for them, but not Myles. He’d put his life on the line for others for his entire adult life, and to hear this little wisp of a woman had his back, meant everything.
“I’ll draw them away from the house.” Earl broke through Myles’s thoughts. He turned to Shelby. “Make sure to cover me, Momma.”
“I always do, honey.”
Chapter 21
The dark sky was cloudless with ample amount of stars lining the magnificent canvas. Roxxy glanced up and gazed at the moon. It was a beautiful sight to behold. She wished she could be lying down on a blanket with Myles without a care in the world.
Tonight would not be that night.
She made a promise to herself she’d get that perfect night with Myles.
Nature was a beauty, and she always wanted to make sure she took time to appreciate it.
The sounds of squeaky brakes filled the air off in the distance.
Roxxy tensed. She glanced at Myles who was staring off in that direction.
How the hell did he know someone would come?
It was late at night, and no one would be visiting at this time without calling ahead.
She and Myles were posted at the edge of the woods near the driveway. They were able to see the house and the entire area around the front of it.
