Free Bane by Brenda Jackson Page A

while she was spending that time thinking, he was spending his time feeling possessive, protective and proactive. If anyone thought they would grab her from him, then they didn’t know Bane Westmoreland.
    She looked back at him and because he had a feeling he knew what she was about to say, he cut her off before she could start. “I won’t leave you unprotected, so forget it.”
    When she just continued to look at him, he added, “I need you to trust my ability to keep us safe.”
    A ripple of awareness floated between them and he tried to ignore it. Knowing he had her trust was more important at the moment.
    “It’s going to be hard, Bane,” she said softly. “I’ve been on my own for a long time.”
    Five years
. And not for the first time he wondered if he’d done the right thing in staying away. She had been his wife, yet he’d left her believing that living apart was the best thing for both of them. That they’d both needed to grow up and mature. Especially him. And he had. But what if he hadn’t shown up today? What if she’d gotten kidnapped like those other two chemists? What if—
    “I will trust you in this, Bane.”
    Her words intruded into his thoughts. He nodded. He was more than ready to be the husband she deserved, but he had to show her that she could trust him. Not just to keep her safe, but to build a life with her.
    “So...” she said with a heavy sigh. “What now?”
    A smile touched his lips. “Now we show them that together we’re a force to reckon with.”
    * * *
    A force to reckon with
.
    Crystal couldn’t help but smile. That was how Sheriff Harper used to describe them. Nothing, not even the threat of jail time, could keep Bane from her or her from him. They’d been that fixated on each other.
    Bane’s cell phone signaled a text massage had come through and he grabbed the phone off the dashboard. Out the car window she saw they were parked in an unlit area. The only illumination was from the stars and moon overhead. Bane read the text with his full attention while her full attention was on him. She couldn’t help but admire the way his wide shoulders fit his leather jacket and the casual way he sat in his seat. He had pushed the seat back to accommodate his long legs. And speaking of those long legs...
    She loved how they looked bare, whenever he went swimming, and when they were covered in jeans, like they were now. Or when he rode his motorcycle or one of the horses from his family ranch. She’d known how to ride when she met him, but with his help, she had perfected the skill. He’d also taught her how to ride a motorcycle, shoot a gun and climb mountains. She had shared his love for the outdoors and they would spend time together outside whenever they could.
    She swept her gaze over him from head to toe, thinking he was definitely sheer male perfection, the epitome of every woman’s fantasy. It was only when he’d cleared his throat that she realized he had finished reading the text and had caught her ogling him.
    “Yes? Did you say something?”
    He chuckled. “No. Just wanted you to know that our ride will be here in a few minutes.”
    She lifted a brow. “Our ride?”
    “Yes. We’re changing vehicles. Chances are the people looking for you have already ID’d this one, so we need to swap it out.”
    “So who’s bringing us another vehicle?” she asked, glancing out the window. Other than a huge vacant building, the parking lot was empty.
    “Flip’s dad.”
    She frowned. “His dad?”
    “Yes. He’s an ex-SEAL.”
    Moments later Crystal heard the sound of another vehicle pull up and noted the driver had turned out the headlights. Bane looked over at her.
    “That’s our ride.”
     

Seven
    B ane gathered their belongings out of the SUV so they could place them in the trunk of the car Mr. Holloway had delivered.
    Flip favored his father. Same shade of blue eyes and blond hair, although the older man had streaks of gray. It was easy to tell the man had