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“I don’t suppose I can convince you to remain in the car where it’s warm and dry while I go collect Lauren,” Max said.
Callie shook her head emphatically and Max chuckled.
“I didn’t think so. Well, come on then. Let’s hurry. I want you back home where I can take better care of you. ”
Max got out and helped Callie onto the sidewalk before tucking her firmly under his arm. They hurried toward the building, where Max scanned a security card to gain access.
As they headed toward the elevator, Max pulled out his cell phone, punched in a number, and then put the phone to his ear.
“This is Wilder. I’m coming up with my wife. ”
Max ushered her onto the elevator, suddenly all business. He was tense and his face was set in stone. Already he was preparing for battle. A battle he didn’t intend to lose. Callie put her hand on his arm and gently squeezed.
His expression softened and he pulled her closer to him. He brushed a kiss across the top of her head, then squeezed her back.
The elevator opened and they stepped into the hall. When they rounded the corner, they were met by two very broad-shouldered, intimidating men. Callie instinctively stepped closer to Max.
These weren’t the polished, suave, security detail–type men in suits she’d expected. They were rough around the edges. Looked mean as hell. Were as big as damn mountains. But the upside? Callie couldn’t imagine anyone in their right mind fucking with these two. That included Lauren’s loser of an ex-boyfriend.
“How is she?” Max asked in clipped tones.
One of the men scowled. “Hasn’t left her apartment since she arrived. ”
Max swore under his breath. “Has she been eating?”
The second man nodded. “We’ve made sure of it. She’s not too happy with us—or you—at the moment. ”
Max grimaced, then turned to Callie. “Callie, this is Liam Prescott and Noah Sullivan, the two men I hired to oversee Lauren’s safety. ” He glanced back at the two men. “This is my wife, Callie. ”
“Ma’am,” Liam said as he dipped his head respectfully.
Callie swallowed and continued to stare at the two boulders. Yes, boulders. It was the only word to describe them. They were hard as stone and had muscles in places Callie had never imagined muscles to be.
“She probably hasn’t left her apartment because she’s scared to death of them,” she whispered to Max.
Liam chuckled. “No ma’am, she’s not afraid of us. She’s pissed. There’s a difference. I’d rather have her pissed off than in danger though. ”
Noah shrugged like it didn’t matter to him one way or another.
Callie cleared her throat. “Well, um, we’ve come to take her home with us. I mean, not that you aren’t doing a good job—I’m sure you are—but she belongs with family. ”
A smile quirked the corner of Liam’s mouth. “We don’t bite, Mrs. Wilder. ”
Max silenced him with a glare.
“Let’s go, Max,” Callie said impatiently.
Max motioned her ahead and Callie gingerly walked by the two mountains and knocked lightly on Lauren’s door. A moment later it swung open, and Lauren was there with a disgruntled look on her face.
“I ate, okay?”
Then she stopped and her eyes went wide with surprise. “Callie! What are you … I thought it was them … Max?”
Callie pulled her petite sister-in-law into a hug and squeezed her fiercely. When she let her go, Max held out his arms and Lauren went into his embrace.
“Are you all right?” he asked her quietly.
She nodded as she pulled away. “Come in. Both of you. ”
The two mountains took their positions by the door and Lauren closed the door with a sharp bang.
“Pains in my ass,” Lauren muttered as she turned away. “Now, what are you two doing here? Not that I’m not thrilled to see you. ”
Callie studied her sister-in-law closely and didn’t like what she saw. Behind the façade of normalcy was an exhausted, shadowed woman with fear in her eyes. Callie’s heart ached for her.
There were deep smudges underneath Lauren’s eyes, and she looked much thinner than the last time Callie had seen her. Her arms and neck were covered by the long-sleeved shirt and scarf she wore, but Max had told Callie about the dark bruises that marred her skin.
“We came to take you home,” Callie said firmly.
Lauren’s lips twisted unhappily, but before she could launch a protest, Callie held up a hand to silence her.
“This is not up for discussion. Max and I both agree you need to be with family. My parents are dying to get their hands on you. My brothers will spoil you rotten. ”
Lauren shook her head but Callie wasn’t giving up.
“You need us, Lauren,” she said softly. “Everybody needs their family. Especially when something terrible happens. I should know. I shut mine out when I should have been wallowing in all their love and support. Come home with us. I’m not leaving without you. ”
Max spoke up for the first time. “She’s right, baby. ” His voice was tender and coaxing. “And you know how fierce Callie is when she’s set her mind to something. She’s sick with strep throat and a hundred-and-four fever but hell if she wasn’t getting on a plane to come bring you home. ”
Lauren smiled faintly. “My brother sounds afraid of you. ”
Callie grinned. “That’s because he’s a smart man. ”
Lauren’s expression grew more troubled. “I don’t know about this. ”
Callie took her hands and squeezed. “There’s nothing to know or think about. There’s nothing for you here. Come home with us and heal. There’s no better place to be than surrounded by the Colters. ”
Tears gathered in Lauren’s dark eyes and her lips trembled. Then finally she nodded. “Okay. I’ll come. ”
