“That was a great dinner, Laken,” Eli said sitting back in his chair, rubbing his stomach. “I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time.”
“It was very good,” Kellan added awkwardly. She’d noticed that Eli did most of the talking. Kellan didn’t miss much, though.
“Everything is set up for tomorrow night,” Eli said. “We’ll have some people inside the club keeping watch over Laken.”
Duncan nodded. “Good. I want them totally concentrating on Laken’s safety. Not that I intend to let her out of my sight.”
Eli stared at him solemnly. “Just be careful, Duncan. He may try to take you out in order to get to her.”
Laken took in a sharp breath, looking over at Duncan.
“I’ll be fine,” he told her. “Don’t even think about it. I am not letting you go in there by yourself. I can take care of myself, Laken. He won’t get to me.”
Laken didn’t like this at all. But she also knew she wasn’t brave enough to do this without him.
She turned to Kellan. “I don’t want Duncan hurt. You make sure whoever is watching me is looking out for him too.”
Kellan looked at Duncan, his eyebrow raised. Duncan’s lips twitched. Duncan ran his hand over her head.
“Would you all like some coffee?” he asked his brothers.
They nodded.
Laken stood as quickly as she could manage. “I’ll get it,” she offered. “Why don’t you all move into the living area and I’ll bring it in.”
“Pretty protective of you, isn’t she?” Eli said as the three of them sat in the living room.
Duncan felt a flush of pride. “She is. But she sometimes forgets how important she is. I want everyone watching over her tomorrow night, not me. I can look after myself.”
“Just as long as you’re aware you could be in danger as too,” Kellan said.
Duncan could only pray that this guy would come after him. In his mind, that would be the ideal situation. He stood as Laken came into the room, taking the tray from her hands and placing it on the coffee table. He made her coffee first and handed it over to her. Strong and sweet, the way she liked it.
“So, Laken, are you feeling ready for tomorrow night?” Eli asked.
She snorted. “As ready as I can be when I’m setting myself up as bait for some psycho murderer. How come I couldn’t attract a more normal stalker?”
“Normal?” Duncan queried.
“Yeah, one who goes after women in dark alleys or deserted parking lots. Instead I have to go around half naked and have someone tie me up and spank my ass to tempt this guy.”
“Not just someone. Me,” Duncan growled at her. He turned to his brothers. “Did you bring me what I asked for?”
Eli pulled a small velvet bag from his pocket. “Here it is.”
Duncan reached over and took hold of the bag. Opening it, he was aware of Laken’s curious gaze. He crooked his finger at her.
“Come here, sugar.”
She stood, blushing slightly as she gazed over at his brothers. Reaching over, he grabbed a small pillow off the sofa and placed it between his legs.
“Present yourself.”
She took a deep breath, her gaze nervous, but kneeled before him on the cushion, her thighs apart, her hands palm up.
Duncan pulled out the necklace from the bag. “Gaze on me,” he told her, watching as her eyes grew wide. The necklace was a rose gold locket with small diamonds embedded into a star pattern.
“This is my collar, sugar, do you accept it? Will you accept my protection, my guidance and my love?”