Free Lover's Return by Rebecca Airies Page B

difference. The door opened for them and she let Jericho guide her to the entrance.
    “No, stop right there.” Sorensen shouted the order and the weapon jerked with each word.
    Charleigh winced, tensing each time it moved. Her breath locked in her throat. They needed to get away from him, safely inside where he couldn’t shoot them. She gripped Jericho’s shirt. He was coming in with her whether he wanted or not. She wasn’t leaving him out here with that insane man.
    Peering around Jericho, she saw a flash of black behind Tobias Sorensen. At first she didn’t realize what that large figure was. Then she saw Nate’s face just before he slammed into Tobias Sorensen. Jericho pushed her into the house, almost completely blocking her from the sight outside the door, but she managed to get a view in spite of his large body.
    Nate and Sorensen sprawled on the ground. The weapon had come free. She spotted it among the grass and leaves almost half a body-length away from the two men. Sorensen came to a knee and lunged forward. Nate jumped on top of him again and forced him to the ground. Grabbing the man’s arm, he twisted it up behind him and then clapped on the first of the cuffs. In quick order, he had the other wrist secured. Nate stood, hauling Tobias Sorensen to his feet.
    “I see you’re still standing and apparently unhurt. I heard some of his raving. He didn’t do anything before I got here, did he? Rio will kill me if you were hurt and I didn’t ask.” Nate held Tobias as he grabbed the weapon from the ground.
    “We’re both good. He didn’t take a shot at all. Just waved and pointed it at us. He was gathering his nerve. It wouldn’t have been long, though, before he did shoot.” Jericho pulled her completely out from behind him and hugged her tight to his side.
    “I’ll take him in now and leave you two to your privacy. Just so you know, everyone is expecting an announcement when you get back.” Nate smiled and nodded.
    “Thanks, Nate, and yeah, I know. It’s not a problem.” Jericho’s arm tightened.
    “What announcement?” Charleigh frowned, a little confused. What could everyone be waiting to hear and about what?
    Nate chuckled. “This man won’t give you any more trouble, especially with the weapon. We haven’t found record of a permit to own, much less carry. She, on the other hand, seems to be set to give you a few more issues.”
    Jericho pulled her in front of him. “I see that. I’ll take care of it. We should be home in the next few days.”
    Charleigh felt as if she were missing out on a whole level of conversation. She had planned to be gone for a while to think about things. Everything had changed in such a short time, but she wasn’t thinking about leaving yet. While she might want to be with him, they had a few details to work through. She still didn’t know exactly what he felt for her.
    “If we don’t see or hear from you before then, we’ll get in touch. If you don’t answer, we’ll be coming up to check on you. Take good care of her. Charleigh, good to see you.” Nate nodded and urged Sorensen toward the path through the forest.
    “What’s the announcement, Jericho?” She tried to turn in his arms, but his right hand tightened and his left hooked under her knee. She gasped and clutched at his shoulders as he swept her high against his chest. Sometimes he took that dominating part of his personality a little too far.
    The no discussion about staying was a prime example. She understood the reasoning. Tobias Sorensen had been caught and the threat was gone. That didn’t mean she felt completely at ease here. After what happened, she knew it would take a little while before she relaxed again.
    “You don’t know?” He raised an eyebrow, but smiled in good humor.
    “I know we still have plenty to talk about concerning our relationship before we make any announcement.” She frowned at him to let him know she wasn’t allowing him to make all of the decisions