Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

his face, traced a path down his chest as if feeling the trail of blood. “Did you think I wanted that for you? I was protecting you.â€
    â€œI don’t want your protection any more than you want mine. I need to be your partner, Jackson. I need to be able to see inside you the way you see me.â€
    â€œI can’t be anything but what I am, El e. If you want a man who is going to treat you like a broken dol , you sure as hel came to the wrong place.
    And if you expect me to step aside and let you make decisions that are ultimately going to harm you, then, baby, you definitely have the wrong man because I protect my woman. Right or wrong, political y correct or not, I stand in front of her when there’s need. You got that?â€
    El e studied the lines in his face, the dark shadows moving in his eyes. A frisson of excitement went down her spine, and in the pit of her stomach, birds took flight. He might be a throwback to the old cave days, but he was a man who would stand strong when there was trouble—any kind of trouble.
    Whether it was fighting an enemy or parenting teenagers or trying to provide a living for a large family. Why had she seen his strength as a weakness?
    She had to be equal y as strong, standing with him, up to him, carving out a place by his side, not leading the way.
    â€œEl e? Fucking answer me.â€
    â€œI got it. And watch your language, Jackson. You can clean it up if we’re going to be having seven daughters. Can you imagine me having to explain to the school why they al talk that way?â€
    He shrugged. “Some of us weren’t raised so gen teel y.â€
    â€œWel some of us can just learn and grow along the way. That’s an excuse.†There was a bite in her voice, but in her mind, a faint hint of laughter.
    He opened his mouth and then closed it again with a smal sigh. Retrieving the blanket, he sent the dog forward with a smal hand gesture.
    â€œYou’re always going to have the last word, aren’t you?â€
    She waited for him, moving beneath his shoulder, matching her shorter strides to his longer ones until he laughed and slowed down for her. “Yes, because you have a foul mouth and you’re always going to leave yourself wide open when we argue.â€
    â€œYou could try not arguing with me, El e.â€
    She shot him a look from under long lashes. “Yeah. That’s going to happen. Just like you learning to clean up your language.â€
    â€œIt’s just a fucking word, El e. What the hel difference does it make?â€
    â€œSee? You can’t help yourself,†she said smugly. “I’m always going to win.â€

    He sighed heavily. “I’l learn. Especial y after our daughters are born.â€
    â€œYou’l learn before.â€
    A seagul screamed overhead just as Bomber stepped across and in front of El e. Uttering a sharp, short bark, head pointed toward the front of the house, ears up as he alerted Jackson to an intruder.
    Jackson’s gun slid smoothly into his hand and he pushed El e behind him.
    â€œI want a gun,†she hissed.
    â€œYou might shoot me if I say ‘fuck,’ and I’m bound to slip up. You’ve got a nasty little temper there, baby,†he pointed out as he signaled her to slip into the shadows.
    Feeling a little defenseless without a weapon and with her body in such a fragile condition, El e went without protesting, although she took a firmer grip on him with her mind. She watched the dog as it bared its teeth and went into attack mode at Jackson’s softly spoken command. Jackson gripped the col ar and held him, but Bomber looked terrifying, al teeth and intent, barking, snarling, lunging at the end of his col ar in a charge.

    8
    I N EZ Nelson rounded the corner and came to an abrupt halt, holding a box of groceries in her arms. She went pale and stayed stil , waiting for Jackson to give the release command. When Bomber settled she took a deep breath, only then seeing the gun Jackson returned to his shoulder holster.
    Inez owned the local—and only—grocery store in Sea Haven. She’d been a part of the Drake sisters’ lives as long as El e could remember.
    She looked fragile with her graying hair and slender body, but she was already smiling at the dog.
    â€œGood job, Bomber. You protect our girl. I brought some things I thought you two might need,†she said in greeting,