Page 81 of Her Chosen Protector

“I fucking hate it. I don’t understand it. It makes me mad. I’m so goddamn mad at him!”

He clenched his fists.

Ash looked at his younger brother, whose pain killed him. Worried him.

“And this week?”

“I’m trying to cope. I figured some away-time, other than deep-sea fishing, might help.”

“Yep, that was a fucking bust, wasn’t it?” Asher laughed. He pushed at Law’s chair with his foot, and his brother sat back down.

Lawson rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know. This was all I had. I might be mad, but I miss him, too. I was planning on seeing you next. Been talking to Kane, knew you would be getting out of the hospital tomorrow. Figured I could bunk in your spare room and act as a nurse for a week.”

“Just how much leave do you have?”

“A fair amount.”

There was that twinkle. Ash was happy to see a Lawson smile. “At least I don’t get myself shot so I can get time off. That’s a bit extreme, Brother. Shit, you were in the hospital for almost a month.”

“Well, speaking of time off, I have a proposition for you. I want to crash a wedding. I would love to have a wingman.” Law gave him a double-take.

“Screw that, you just want more time trying to convince me to go to a shrink.”

“Like I said in the beginning, it was a twofer.”

“Are you planning to object?”

Asher picked up the dishes and put them in the sink. “Nah, I’m after one of the bridesmaids.”

“Okay, I’m in. Where is this wedding taking place?”

“Boise.”

“When?”

“In four days.”

C H A P T E R 1 7

It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

“What did you say?” Samantha asked her maid of honor. Eden had no idea how Sam was able to keep her voice calm.

“I love him, and he loves me. Don’t tell me you didn’t know something was wrong, he’s been going out of town every other week for the last six months. Didn’t you put it together?”

Eden had been listening to the maid of honor prattle on for over five minutes about the depth of her and the groom’s love for one another. She was close to throwing up, and she couldn’t stand Sam looking so shellshocked.

“Sheri, it’s time for you to leave,” Eden said to Sam’s cousin.

“No, not until Samantha says she won’t marry Kevin.”

Eden had had enough. Not hair-pulling enough, but enough. She grabbed Sheri’s arm and pulled.

“You’re outta here. Go get your man and leave.”

“But—” Sam started to say something. “No, you’re right, Eden.” She turned to the overbearing woman and tilted her head. “Sheri, tell Kevin to leave. Better yet, have him take his groomsmen and his friends and family while he’s at it.”

“Allow me to take out the trash, Sam.”