Page 32 of Protect and Serve

“I imagine having your stomach pumped would be memorable.”

She patted his hand. “Oh, I don’t remember any of that.” Thank God. “But I’ll never forget the tablecloth and the candle.”

“You are easy to impress, aren’t you?”

“It was thoughtful. That’s what counts.”

“I’m glad you liked it.” He kissed her forehead, but only because there were so many witnesses. And they were avid witnesses, watching every move, listening to every word. Their diligence would have annoyed him, but this was Claire. These people—and their devotion—came along with the package. “So, what’s this I hear about someone being in your room?”

He hated that she paled, that fear flickered in her eyes, but he had to ask. He had to investigate what had really happened. It was likely that she was still woozy from the drugs and the reaction to her ordeal, but he couldn’t make assumptions or poo-poo her suspicions. Not if he wanted her to feel safe. Claire wasn’t a woman who indulged in histrionics and she did not tolerate being patronized.

“When I came home, some things were out of place.” She waved to the dresser which, to his trained eye, looked as though it was covered with a jumble of items, from photos to perfume bottles.

“How can you tell?” He didn’t mean it as a joke, but both Cody and Cade laughed. Claire glowered at him and he winced. “I mean—”

“I know what you mean. But I’m telling you. I know someone moved some of my things.”

“Okay. Okay. And anything else?”

Her expression darkened and she whispered, “Someone went through my underwear drawer.”

He blinked. Visions of Claire’s underwear wafted through his mind. It took some effort to banish the distraction. “Um, you’re sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. I keep them color coordinated.” Oh, crap. The vision returned. “They’re all messed up. Go look.”

This, she said in a very commanding tone, so he felt obliged to go look. Crossing the room without letting her brothers see his erection was a challenge. He pulled out the top drawer and steeled himself for the task of perusing her underwear.

And hell. It was a torment. Lacy, silky, even the virginal cotton panties were jumbled there, curling around each other, clinging… But when he looked closer he noticed the pairs on the bottom were all neatly folded and stacked in rows of pink, blue and white. The black ones especially caught his attention. “You’re sure you didn’t leave it this way?”

She gave a snort of disgust. “Do you have any idea how much those cost?”

Porsche nodded. “A woman must respect her underwear.”

“Good gawd,” Cody wailed. “This is definitely TMI about my sister’s underwear.”

Charlie shot him a caustic look. “If you need to leave, don’t let me stop you.”

Cody frowned at him and crossed his arms, apparently his secret language for I ain’t goin’ nowhere, buster.

Whatever.

It wasn’t like it made any difference if Cody stayed. Because Cade and Porsche and Lisa were also here.

He turned back to Claire. “This is a public house. A B&B. Could a guest have wandered in?”

“I don’t see how, since we don’t have them during the week.” Her frown was dark. “Besides, I keep my door locked. Don’t you want to dust for fingerprints?”

He stared at her. His throat closed. “You want me to dust your panties for fingerprints?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I meant the dresser.”

Oh. Right. The dresser.

“I can have someone come in and do it, if it makes you feel better.”

“It would.” She frowned at her brothers. “If nothing else, it will prove to them I’m not crazy.”

“You’re not crazy, honey,” he said. They both ignored her brothers’ snorts.