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How weird was that!
It was because of that I lifted my hand, pressed my palm to his cheek.
“Standdown, killer, it’s all good.”
“Neb—”
“It’s all good,” I repeated.
“Fuck,” Linc rumbled. “I’ll hit the ATM later.”
I didn’t know exactly what that meant, or how much money Lincoln now owed Cash, but I didn’t care.
As in I really didn’t care.
I didn’t care Easton’s team had made bets.
I didn’t care the first thing Zane had said was a wisecrack.
I didn’t care that I felt open and exposed in a room full of powerful men and equally formidable women.
If one of them made the wrong move, said the wrong thing, he’d have my back. These were his people. His family. But I knew with absolute certainty he would not allow them to harm me. Not like Charlie, not like Maddon. Easton’s brand of protection would be blanketed in truth and honesty.
“What’s happening?” I heard someone whisper, but since it was a soft murmur I couldn’t make out who asked. If I had to guess I’d say Cash, but maybe Smith.
“That’s what’s called acceptance,” Zane grumbled, not sounding happy. “This is progressing too quickly. I’m losing control of the situation.”
“Did you ever have control?” Layla remarked.
I didn’t take my eyes off Easton.
“Who’s accepting what?” Cash asked.
“This is what happens when a man and a woman—”
“Zane,” Easton grunted.
Yep. He’d let them tease but he wouldn’t let anyone take it too far.
I couldn’t stop my smile.
“Brother, I get why your head’s in the gutter after four days of bang-chitty-bang-bang but I was going to explain to our friend Cash here, this is what happens when a man hands his balls to a woman.”
Easton rolled his eyes.
I felt that tight ball in my stomach loosen.
It was crazy, insane even, it made no sense. I was standing in the room I was in, with the people I was with, in Easton’s arms, on full display for all of them to judge. Wide open. Fully exposed. No armor. No Dove.
And I’d never felt safer in all my life.
Was this what real trust felt like?
Was this what real protection was?
Before I could suss out if I was right, Easton proved my thoughts true.
“You’ve got thirty seconds left with this shit.”
