Free Targeted (Firebrand Book 1) by Sandra Robbins Page A

were being protected by his friends, but he had this strange feeling that he shouldn’t leave. Not yet.
    He looked up at Casey. She tilted her head to one side as if to ask what was wrong. He took a deep breath and shoved the keys back in his pocket. “I was going out to see Reese, but I think I’ll wait on that. Casey, can I ask a favor of you?”
    “Sure. What is it?”
    “Lainey is having a hard time with what’s going on, and I don’t know how to make it better for her. I think she needs a woman to talk to. Would you mind bringing your gear back here and staying for a few days? I really need you to help us tomorrow when Max has to perform in a school musical.”
    She smiled and nodded. “Of course. I’ll be glad to come back. And I’ll help any other way I can.”
    He reached up and squeezed her shoulder. “You’re a good friend. I knew I could count on you.”
    “Then let me get these guys settled, and I’ll head out to the new facility. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
    “Thanks, Casey.”
    “No problem.” She whistled, and her detail along with the four men there to relieve them converged at the spot where she and Ash stood. He listened as Casey briefed Phillip Tyler about their time at the DeHan estate and where her men had been stationed.
    Phillip nodded and then turned to the three men with him. “I’ll take Casey’s position. Hank, go to the back fence, and Mitch and Harvey, take the front.”
    Ash watched as the new patrol faded into the shadows and Casey’s team disappeared toward the back wall of the estate. After a few minutes, he turned and went back to the house. He dreaded telling Lainey about the two decisions he’d just made. For starters, Casey was going to stay at the house, but he felt sure she’d agree to that.
    He wasn’t so sure what she’d have to say about what else he’d decided. He intended to stay there, too.
     

Chapter 5
    Lainey couldn’t believe it when Ash walked back inside. “You haven’t had time to go out to the training center and get back. What happened?”
    He hung the car keys on the wall rack, sauntered over to the table, and dropped down in the chair. “I decided I could go later. We need to talk.”
    She started to protest that they had talked enough for one day, but his stony gaze told her he wasn’t taking no for an answer. She swallowed and sat down across from him. “What about?”
    “I thought I’d stay out at the training center while I’m here, but I’ve decided I don’t need to be that far away from you and Max. I don’t want to impose on you, Lainey, but I really think I need to stay here at the house.”
    Her heart lurched, and she sat up straight. Ash in the same house with her? She didn’t want that at all. “Ash, I don’t think. . .”
    He held up his hand to stop her. “I know what you’re going to say. You’re thinking about the way things were with us years ago, but that’s in the past. I don’t want to pick up where we left off any more than you do. I can sleep in my old room and be available in case your night time visitors return.”
    Lainey’s face grew warm, and she clasped her hands on the table in front of her. His words made sense. Perhaps it would be better for him to be close. “Thank you, Ash. I would feel safer if you were in the house.”
    He breathed what she perceived as a sigh of relief and nodded. “I know this is uncomfortable for you, but it will give me a chance to get to know Max better, too. I thought it might also make you feel better if we had a woman here as well. Casey Morgan, the only woman who’s ever passed the entrance into Firebrand, is going to stay here, too.”
    Lainey wrapped her fingers around her coffee cup and stared down into the dark contents. Her relief of a few minutes ago when he’d tried to reassure her he didn’t expect a replay of their former relationship evaporated as the cold truth hit her. He hadn’t been warning her to make her feel better. He had simply been