Free The Yearning by Tina Donahue

Mike would be gone shortly. Disbelief that it would actually happen.
    “Promise me you won’t take the gun,” she said.
    He lowered his head.
    “I want your word!”
    “Okay, okay, you have it.”
    She hurried from his room and stopped in the hall, not certain what to do. If she took Mike’s gun from the bath and put it in her dresser, he might wake up and question why she suddenly wanted it in the same room. If she put it in her downstairs safe and he noticed it missing, what could she possibly say? Even if he believed her explanation, he might get pissed and leave.
    Her teeth worried her bottom lip. She had no choice except to trust Ben, a truly sweet guy who’d never lied to her. Surely, he wouldn’t do anything stupid now.
    A quick peek at Mike showed her he hadn’t budged. On the stairs, she noticed again what he’d pointed out. The paintings didn’t fit the spaces where her family’s pictures had been. She’d taken them down so the man she chose wouldn’t know too much about her, especially that she had sisters who might share the blame if things went badly tonight.
    They couldn’t. She wouldn’t allow it. Come daybreak, she’d insist on Mike leaving. An argument would drive him from here to safety. She’d make it so bad he’d want to stay away, leaving her to the next men and the next.
    Exhausted at the thought, she went into the downstairs hallway, her head turning to Mike’s clothes, his jeans pockets turned inside out. Unless Ben had gone through Mike’s things, it meant her sisters were home.

    She found them in the kitchen. Violet had her right hip to the sink and Mike’s wallet in her hands. She flipped through the clear plastic holders, pausing to read the contents in the available light. Lily sat at the table, her fingers flying over his cell phone’s keypad. Jasmine guessed she was searching the numbers he’d stored.
    “Stop that,” she said in a low voice to Lily, then turned to Violet. “Don’t go through his stuff.”
    The younger Dantes exchanged a look. As one, they went to Jasmine and put their arms around her, motherly and protective. Their devotion overwhelmed, bringing a quick sob to Jasmine’s throat.
    Immediately, Lily spoke in a hard tone. “What did he do to you? Where’s the fucker now?”
    “Asleep in my bed. And he didn’t do anything to me.” Her voice bounced. “He’s not the threat, I am.”
    “Is it getting worse?” Violet asked.
    “Of course it is,” Lily hissed, combative as always. “Where have you been? Just look at her.”
    “Guys, please, don’t argue.” Jasmine continued on a sigh. “Put his things back where you found them. Take the company card and get a hotel room for the night.”
    “No.” The answer came from both sisters. Lily continued, “What do you mean for the night? What about tomorrow, and the next day, and the next? We’re not leaving you alone with him for a minute, much less the time it takes us to find Desiree.”
    “I won’t be alone. Ben’s here.” Jasmine freed herself from their arms and went to the refrigerator, keeping her voice low. “And you won’t be gone longer than tonight. Tomorrow morning, I’m making certain he leaves.”
    “Why?” Violet asked, joining Jasmine at the fridge. “Are you afraid of him? Who is he, exactly? I found a concealed gun permit in his wallet.”
    “No shit?” Lily asked.
    Jasmine spoke to Violet. “His name’s Mike Stearn, as you probably already know from reading his driver’s license.” She turned to Lily. “He’s a former US Marshal.”
    The girl came to her. “I was worried he might be a biker or a former gangbanger, but he’s a freaking cop?”
    “Consultant,” Jasmine corrected. “Not that it matters. He’s leaving in the morning.”
    Violet spoke up. “But what happens then?”
    Jasmine handed her the platter of ham. “I don’t know. I’d rather not think about it.”
    “You have to.” Lily frowned at the Tupperware Jasmine gave her. “What’s