Nolan nodded. “I’d feel better about having them around until we figure this out.”
“Yeah, me, too.” He drank the rest of his scotch. “I’m guessing that you want to be near them. You can be in the other spare across the hall from them. The bed’s made.”
“Hell, I could sleep on a bed of nails right now. I’m so wiped.”
Jonah agreed. “I think we have a long day tomorrow, so I’m heading to bed.”
Nolan slammed back the rest of his drink and stood. “Yeah, me, too.”
They both checked on the girls again. Jonah saw how they were pressed together and smiled. Damn, they were so fucking sweet.
He rubbed his thumb over Holly’s forehead when it puckered. “Shhh, everything’s okay, baby. Just sleep,” he murmured.
Something in his chest tightened when she instantly relaxed, sighed, and snuggled into the mattress. Hell, he hoped she really did trust him, at least a little right then. It would make things so much easier in the morning. But he couldn’t expect it after just meeting her.
Jonah took a quick shower, pulled on some shorts, and crawled into bed. The whole day had been crazy, and he was bushed. He thought falling asleep might take a while, but his eyes instantly closed, and he was out.
Chapter Five
Holly rolled over in the morning and saw an empty space next to her. She instantly started to panic. She whipped the blanket aside and raced out of the bedroom. She looked both ways before heading toward the kitchen.
She bit back a scream when an arm caught her.
“Shhh, it’s just me.”
“Wait.” She struggled to get away from him.
“Easy, sweetheart. Caylee’s fine. Come on, and I’ll show you.”
Holly let Jonah lead her past the kitchen and into the living room.
“See, honey. Nolan’s got her. She’s fine.”
Holly relaxed back against Jonah when her legs about gave out in relief. When she finally calmed enough, she looked at Nolan and Caylee. Nolan had her lying next to him on the sofa with his arms and a blanket wrapped around her, and she had tucked her face against his neck.
Holly could tell they were both asleep, and it tugged on something in her chest. They looked so … right, together. Like they were meant to be. Tears filled her eyes.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Jonah pulled her into his arms and held her there.
She wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” he said.
“I don’t think it will ever be okay.”
He tipped her head up. “Trust us, baby. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
She sniffed and tried to hold back her tears. “You might not be able to help.”
“We’ve got more resources than most law enforcement agencies. We’ll get it all figured out. How about we make breakfast? I’m sure you two are hungry.”
Holly nodded. “Yeah, I can’t remember the last time we ate something.”
He led her into the kitchen, released her, and pulled out a pan. “That won’t happen again. I’ll make sure of that.”
She had no idea what to say, so she just nodded.
She watched him in his faded jeans and a black t-shirt that showed off how muscular he was and couldn’t remember seeing a more appealing man. Her palms itched to touch him, and her heartbeat rose whenever he got close. The tattoos she caught sight of looked interesting and made him more masculine in her eyes for some reason. The thought of staying with him was in her head, but there was so much to deal with she didn’t know if it was even possible.