Need You Now (Love in Unknown) - By Taylor M. Lunsford Page 0,28

call it, but it’s better to take too many precautions than for you to get hurt.”

Mel glowered at all of them. He’d never tell her this, but she was kind of cute when she got this mad. “Fine. I will take precautions. But do not think for one second that I will let any of you start controlling what I do. You couldn’t do it when I was ten and it sure as hell won’t work now.”

Caine wanted to argue with her. To tell her she just needed to go from work to home. But he knew better. Sharing a look with his brother and Micah, he accepted defeat as gracefully as he could. For now.

Chapter 6

“Melody Elaine Carr.”

Mel cringed, freezing over the tomato she was chopping in the tiny kitchen of her apartment. Her mother glowered at her over the bar. Mel had heard that tone more than a time or two in her life, but she could practically see the smoke coming out of Emma’s ears.

“Hi, Mama. How are you this evening?”

“How am I?” Emma crossed her arms and cocked one khaki-clad hip to the side. "Melody, I swear, I used to think that brother of yours was going to be the death of me, but I'm beginning to think it'll be you."

Mel returned to her chopping. "I guess you heard about my car. Micah tell you?”

“No, and he's already got an earful for it." Emma pulled out one of the barstools, collapsing into it. Mel winced seeing how worn her mother looked. "Why on earth would you not tell me? Two whole days, Melody. I heard about the clinic, but everyone thought it was just random. Someone destroying your car like that is personal."

Mel scooped up the small pile of juicy tomato and sprinkled it onto the bowl of salad. "Oh, Mama. I'm fine. The car will be fine with a few new windows and a new paint job. There's really nothing to worry about. I really don't want to talk about it anymore. Caine and Gage already made me go over it a half dozen times when it happened."

“Fine? Yes, sweetheart, I’m sure you think you’re fine. You always do.” The older woman shook her head. Mel knew her mother wouldn’t back down easily. The stubbornness didn’t all come from her father’s side of the family. No one could beat her mother for bullheadedness when it came to her children’s welfare. "But I'm not fine. I'm worried about you. Those boys may be convinced that you'll be all right here on your own, but I think you need to come stay at home for a while."

“You know full well I can't do that. You've got enough on your plate taking care of Jax and the house. With the hours I keep, all I'd do is disturb everyone. Besides, I like being alone. I like my space." Mel hated holding back from her mother, but ten years on her own made it difficult to open up. Part of her hoped it was just a side-effect of medical school, the need to remain clinical. But the blame probably lay at the feet of her ex-boyfriend, the asshole.

“Your space." Emma glared at her daughter. "Even if having your space means that I'm worried sick about you? That you could end up hurt?"

Mel braced her hands on the counter. "I won't get hurt. As I told those Neanderthals you consider sons, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

Emma leaned forward, refusing to back down. “You are allowed to feel, you know. To admit that you're scared. Even when you were little, you refused to back down from anything or accept help."

“Mama, I'm not scared. I've lived on my own for eleven years now." Mel grabbed two plates from the cabinet and held one out. Truth be told, she doubted that whoever was behind this would actually be brave enough to hurt her. They were more concerned with scare tactics that harm.

“You can let other people support you, sweetheart. Me, your brother. Even Gage or Caine. It doesn't make you less of a person if you lean on someone else every now and then. I relied on your father for over thirty years. Does that me any less strong?"

The tension in Mel’s shoulder released a little. She’d always admired the partnership her parents shared. They each found their own strengths and they recognized how they worked together. "Of course it doesn't. And when I find the one person