Hunter’s gut tightened. She was a stubborn thing. Strong. That would only make her surrender all the sweeter. But for now, he needed to talk her off the ledge.
He gentled his voice. “I’m proud that you fought him off all on your own. I feel better knowing that you can. But I’m here to take care of you. I’ve defended people for Uncle Sam for the past decade. This prick won’t even get in the same zip code until I catch him. I’ll keep you safe; I promise.” He held out his hand.
Kata backed away. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m a grown woman. I’ve lived alone and paid my own way for the last seven years. I make my own decisions. Don’t pull this high-handed heman crap on me.” She raked fingers through her long hair, looking exhausted. “I’ve seen enough of it to last me a lifetime.”
Damn, the stepfather again, he’d guess. Frustration pressed in on Hunter. Gritting his teeth, he pushed it down. Kata wasn’t thinking with the right fear, hadn’t realized that he wasn’t the enemy. But he’d make sure she got some rest—and some peace. Then she’d realize he was right.
He snagged her hand, bracketed his thumb and forefinger around her new wedding band, wiggling it just enough to remind her that he’d put it there. “I spoke vows to love, honor, and cherish you. That includes protecting you.” He leaned closer, spoke softly in her ear. “So if I have to tie you to my goddamn bed and keep you naked and busy until we catch this guy, don’t think that will bother me one bit.”
Chapter Seven
“HUNTER, what the hell is going on?” a familiar feminine voice called from behind him.
Stifling a scowl, he turned to find Deke standing in the doorway with his arm curled around his wife, Kimber. Hunter’s gaze swept over his sister. She looked happy, healthy—and very pregnant. He hadn’t been Stateside in months. Seeing his baby sister preparing to have a baby of her own was a shock.
Wondering how much Kimber had heard of the speech he’d just given Kata made him wince.
“Hi, little sister. You look great! When did you say your due date is?”
“Hello to you. Next week. Don’t change the subject.” She glowered, pulling away from Deke to approach him—and cutting a sidelong glance at Kata. “Tell me what’s up, or I’ll beat it out of you. Pregnancy hormones can make a woman vicious.”
“Shit’s really going to hit the fan now,” Tyler predicted with a laugh in his voice.
“Her temper is short these days,” Deke confirmed.
“Can it, both of you,” she tossed over her shoulder at the men.
“See?” Deke shot Hunter a look that warned him to cooperate.
If the situation had been less serious, he might have laughed. Instead, he glared at Deke. “Why is she here? No pregnant woman, especially my sister, should be anywhere near the scene of an attempted murder.”
“As if either of you could stop me from coming.” Kimber snorted. “Now, cut the macho crap, and start explaining why I’m hearing about your marriage from Deke, and not you.” She stopped before Kata and held out a hand. “Hi, I’m Kimber Trenton, by the way. Can I get you something?”
Kata, looking both weary and rattled, shook her head and extended a shaky hand. “Kata Muñoz.”
“Edgington,” Hunter reminded, teeth gritted.
Kata looked away, and fresh dread sliced through his gut.
“So it is true that you got married? When?” Kimber demanded.
This wasn’t the right time, but nothing was going to stop Kimber from digging for information except the truth. “Last night.”
“God, you have steel balls. You got married without first telling your family? Did it ever occur to you that maybe we’d want to be there? In fact, not only was your family not invited, we’ve never heard the merest mention of Kata. How long have you two been dating?”
“We haven’t dated at all,” Kata piped up. “The marriage was a stupid impulse. A drunken mistake in Vegas. I’m sorry if I’ve caused your family any trouble.”
Those words cut like a knife. Marrying Kata was dead-on right. Even seeing her now, shaken and skittish, he knew that. Since she still wore her wedding ring, he’d hoped that, somewhere deep down, she sensed that they belonged together, too. She just hadn’t—or couldn’t—admit it. Yet.
“It’s not a mistake,” he bit out, facing her with challenge in his eyes.
The women ignored him.
“Kata, I’m not yelling at you,” Kimber assured, then she turned to Hunter. “But you . . . I don’t even know where to start.”
The wedding hadn’t exactly been planned, damn it, and he wouldn’t let Kimber rake him over the coals for not telling her in advance. But God knows, she’d try.
“Remember when you criticized me for my . . . unconventional relationship with Deke before my marriage? I could say, ‘Pot, meet Kettle,’ since you barely know Kata—pretty name, by the way. But I realize it’s your life.”