him that he must have failed and fallen asleep. They also told him that the warmth and pressure against him was Levi. The man had fallen asleep in the nest of Jacob’s arms shortly after they’d cleaned themselves up. It seemed that at some point, Jacob had curled around him after having fallen asleep.
Jacob opened his eyes, aware of the sound of birds and a faint breeze outside. Levi lay against him, his face buried in Jacob’s chest. One arm was thrown around his waist with a look of utter peace on his features. Jacob bent down, laying a gentle kiss upon his forehead.
The warmth was shattered when a familiar female voice echoed from the front of the store. “I don’t know why you boys keep pesterin’ me. I’ve got the same answer as I did yesterday.”
Covering Levi’s mouth gently, Jacob shook him awake just as a male voice answered, though too quiet for Jacob to understand. Levi jerked awake, though thankfully, remained quiet. His eyes widened as he peered up at Jacob, going rigid when he heard the male voice.
“Well, that’s nice and all, but I don’t know nothin’. Sounds like you guys know as much as I do. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a store to open up.”
Levi cringed. “Laura.”
“Girl certainly has a pair of lungs,” Jacob noted softly, they could hear her from the other side of the building.
Levi’s head jerked up. “Shit, she’s coming back here.”
Sure enough, the male voice was closer, and this time understandable. “Ma’am, we understand that this is a trying time for the people of Gilcreek, and we also understand that you think this man is your friend. But keeping his whereabouts from the federal government is not a good idea.”
“Well, it’s a good thing,” Laura said, almost to the door. “That I don’t know a damn thing, otherwise I might be doin’ something illegal, huh? Um, just what do you think you’re doing?”
Jacob frowned as they backed into the storeroom. She wasn’t talking to them and had stopped just outside the door leading to the back hallway.
“Ma’am,” another voice answered. “We’re trying to get you to understand the gravity of the situation.”
“Well, that’s all well and good, you boys bring all the gravity you want. But this is my store, and you don’t have a warrant. So you can hang out in the front of the store while I grab some stock from the back, you hear me?”
Jacob had to give her credit where credit was due. Laura had come off as bright, friendly, and maybe a little airheaded, but the woman sure as hell had a solid steel rod for a spine.
“Fuck,” Levi muttered as the door opened.
There was really nothing either of them could do as she marched through the door. They kept to the back room, but that only saved them from being spotted by the men in the main part of the store. Laura’s stormy features appeared before she came to a sudden stop. Her annoyance frozen on her face, melting into complete surprise as she caught sight of both he and Levi standing in the stockroom.
“Holy…” she began, glancing toward the door.
“Laura, no,” Levi hissed, shaking his head.
She rolled her eyes, walking forward, so she too was in the room. Brow furrowing, she turned her intense gaze on Levi.
“What, like I’m stupid enough to go calling those idiots for help?” She muttered.
Levi straightened. “What?”
“You tell me true, Levi, did you do the things they said you did?” Laura demanded.
Levi frowned. “I...don’t know what they’re trying to say I did, but no, to all of it.”
“Said you’ve been wanted for terrorism or something, and you killed some of them when they tried to arrest you,” Laura continued.
Levi paled. “Not the terrorism.”
It was Laura’s turn to pale. “You killed people?”
“Not...exactly,” Levi said, looking down at his feet.
Jacob sucked in a breath, stepping forward. “Laura, look. Those men are not federal agents. They’re...well, they’re part of a group of people who want to kill Levi.”
Her wide eyes turned to him. “Artist my ass, who are you?”
“The actual federal agent. A surprise for me too,” Levi muttered.
Jacob shot him a dirty look. “Yes. I was brought here to keep an eye on Levi, and to keep him safe. Safe from the very same people who are pretending to be law enforcement.”
“What the hell? Why would you need to watch Levi?” Laura asked.
“Because he’s...special,” Jacob told her. “Not bad, and he hasn’t done anything wrong, especially anything...well, he didn’t