Free Colters' Woman by Maya Banks Page A

top drawer.”
    He walked out, leaving her alone to dress.
    She rummaged through the drawer and pulled out a shirt and a pair of jeans. To her surprise, she found a package of white cotton underwear and two bras in her size. Ryan must have picked them up at the western store when he was choosing her boots.
    She hurriedly dressed and headed for the living room. She paused at the doorway enjoying the sight of the three men. Ryan was sprawled on the couch, beer in hand. Ethan sat at the computer, aimlessly clicking the mouse. Adam stood by the fire, his stance one of impatience.
    Adam looked up and saw her, his eyes smoldering much like the flames in the hearth.
    Her confidence deserted her. She had the insane urge to turn tail and run back into the bedroom where it was safe. She took one step back, crossing her arms protectively over her chest.
    Adam frowned but didn’t move. Ryan looked up from the couch and waggled one finger at her from around his beer bottle.
    Ethan rose and crossed the room, holding out his hand to her.
    “Come on over. We’ve got a lot to discuss,” he said as he pulled her further into the living room.
    She eased down onto the couch, inches from Ryan’s outstretched feet. She sensed this was the point of no return. They wanted her to stay, and she would have to decide whether to listen to her heart or do everything in her power to keep them from harm.
    The weight of the decision pressed down on her like a sandbag.
    Adam shoved his hands into his pockets and propped the heel of one boot on the hearth behind him. “It’s time to talk.”
    She glanced at Ethan and Ryan, gauging their reaction. Ethan looked attentive. Ryan’s eyes were guarded. No emotion shone on his face.
    “We’ve talked to Cal Davis, a lawyer friend of ours in Denver. He can file the necessary papers for your divorce,” Adam said.
    Her heart sped up, thumping painfully in her chest. She opened her mouth to speak, but her tongue went dry.
    To her surprise, Ryan swung around, planting his feet on the floor. He reached over and tucked her hand in his.
    She glanced at him, trying to get a read on his thoughts. Did he still think she didn’t want to be free of her husband? After everything that had happened last night?
    He stared back at her, not budging in the least. He was stubborn. Well, so was she. She glared defiantly at him, daring him to voice his doubts.
    A reluctant smile tugged at his lips.
    “Well, Holly,” he said lazily. “What’s it going to be? Asshole husband or take a chance on three men who’ll do everything they can to take care of you?”
    “It’s not that simple,” she said angrily.
    Ryan tipped a finger under her chin and stared directly into her eyes. “Yes. It is.”
    She stood up, wrapping her arms around her waist. “I-I care a lot about you. All of you,” she said, sweeping an arm out to encompass all three men. “Don’t you see? I couldn’t bear it if something happened to any of you because of me.”
    “Baby, listen to me,” Adam said. “If you believe nothing else of us, believe this. We will not let that bastard get to you.”
    “It’s not me I’m worried about!”
    She wanted to scream in frustration. Why couldn’t they understand?
    “We told you we’d take care of you,” Ryan said calmly. “If something happened to us, we couldn’t take care of you. Therefore, by making you the promise that we’ll protect you, you can be damned sure no pencil-necked bastard is going to touch us.”
    “You do have a way with words,” Ethan said.
    The absolute conviction in Ryan’s voice made her pause.
    “The question is, do you have that kind of faith in us?” Ryan said.
    He’d turned it back on her. If she persisted with her protests, she would be demonstrating a lack of faith in them. Damn it. What was she supposed to do?
    Adam caught her waist and pulled her against his chest. “Answer one question. If there was no Mason. If you weren’t married. Would you stay?”
    She nodded