her. Gibbs and Barnes weren’t unaffected. Barnes shifted uneasily before dropping his gaze.
“I have another shoot,” Eden said quietly. “Day after tomorrow. I have to leave tomorrow. It’s important. The biggest of my career.”
Her father and brothers exchanged uneasy glances but kept silent.
“Leave me your contact numbers in case we have further questions,” Gibbs said. “We’ll notify you if we make an arrest, of course.”
Eden supplied her cell number, as did Micah and David. Then the detectives took their leave with a promise to keep them updated on the progress.
When the door closed behind them, Eden sagged onto the couch and closed her eyes. Raid and her father immediately sat on either side of her, and her father pulled her into his arms again. He trembled against her and she realized just how terrified he’d been. That made two of them.
It hadn’t really sunk in just how close she’d come to death until afterward, when the detectives arrived close on the heels of Micah’s call to them. She’d shaken for the entire first hour of questioning.
“I’m so glad you came,” Eden said. “I was so scared, but you’re here now and I’m all right.”
Her father pulled away and framed her shoulders in his big hands. “I have some people coming, baby.”
Her brow furrowed. “What people and why?”
“They’re the best, or so Ryker informs me. I’m bringing them in to see to your protection for this next shoot.”
Her mouth dropped open. “But what about David and Micah? That’s what they’re here for. And they did. They got me out and to safety. Why do we need more?”
Her father’s features were implacable. “You almost died today, Eden. There will be no arguments. I want them around you at all times. David and Micah can take a well-earned break.”
“But, Daddy . . .”
“He’s right, Eden,” Raid chimed in.
Eden glanced up at Ryker, her eyes pleading, but he looked as resolved as Raid and her father.
“They’re the best at what they do,” Ryker said, his jaw tight. “There’s no way in hell you’re going to that shoot without them. I know it’s important to you, otherwise we’d have you home and under constant guard and fuck your career.”
Heat washed over her face and anger surged. They were ganging up on her. Making decisions for her. She was a grown woman and she certainly had a right to make her own choices.
“They’re right, Eden,” Micah said.
She groaned. “God, not you too.”
“You almost died today,” David said. “If these people your father is bringing in are the best, then that’s what you need. No one wants you dead.”
“You’re all making a pretty huge leap here,” she pointed out. “From all appearances this is some random shooting and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Any one of those pedestrians could have been killed. Not just me.”
She saw a flicker in her father’s eye but it was gone just as quickly, resolve tightening his features.
“I’m not willing to take chances with your safety,” he said. “Placate me, Eden. Because I’m about this close to hauling you home and telling your agent to call off the whole damn thing.”
In the end it wasn’t the threats that swayed her. When she looked at her father and brothers she saw stark fear in their eyes. And worry. She knew they wouldn’t be swayed and if she refused the additional security, she had no doubt her father would make good on his threat to take her home and keep her under lock and key for as long as it took.
She sighed, massaging her forehead with her fingers, fatigue settling into her bones.
“You’re tired, baby,” Raid said. “Will you try to lie down and get some rest until the Kellys show up? They’re on their way now and we need to make plans since you’re leaving tomorrow evening for Paris.”
David held out the prescription bottle the hotel physician had prescribed when he’d come by to examine Eden hours earlier. “Take it. You need the rest,” he said bluntly.
The room was swimming in testosterone already. She shuddered to think how bad it would be when whoever her father had hired showed up.
Micah shoved a water bottle into her hand and then Raid propelled her to her feet and toward the bedroom area of the suite.
“I hate it when the men in my life handle me,” she grumbled once Raid shut the door behind them.
Raid pulled her into his arms and hugged her fiercely. “We’re scared, baby. Humor