After taking the saddle off his horse, Rufus, Shane let him loose in the small paddock near the barn, then strode toward the house. The only thing that could make doing the Monday paperwork bearable was seeing Paige. Three days since their shared movie night, and she still hadn’t given them an answer. Then again, it’d been busy around the ranch. A brush fire, probably from a carelessly tossed cigarette, had kicked up across the main road on Saturday and spread quickly. All available personnel from Triple-R and the surrounding farms and ranches had joined the volunteer fire department to put it out. If it hadn’t been for their quick response once someone had spotted the smoke and an evening rainstorm, it could have spread out of control. As it was, it’d taken a few hours to put it out.

Then, yesterday, Arianna hadn’t been feeling well. She’d picked up some sort of stomach bug and had spent the morning puking and then the rest of the day sleeping on the couch or watching the TV. They’d taken turns cuddling with her, which she’d loved. Shane had thought she’d need to stay home this morning, but she’d woken up looking and feeling fine and had wanted to go to school. With no fever and a healthy appetite at breakfast, she’d gotten dressed, and Paige had escorted her to the road for the bus.

Tuck was walking around again, albeit gingerly, and he’d headed out to work, using one of the ranch’s ATVs instead of his horse. After joining him for a bit, Shane had headed back in to do the dreaded paperwork. He stopped and collected the files that were waiting for him on Nicole’s desk and carried them into the house. Paige was busy dusting the living room, which they rarely used, and the vacuum was standing next to the couch. Once again, he noticed the small changes she’d made around the place. He thought it was nice how she’d managed to keep many of the details Sarah had lovingly put into decorating the house, yet give everything an updated look. He glanced around and felt a kick in his gut. There were photos of Sarah everywhere. What did Paige think of them hitting on her in a house so full of memories of a dead woman?

“Hey. You okay?”

Her question caught his attention. Damn, she was so pretty. They hadn’t planned on letting their feelings be known the other night, it’d just happened. Since Paige hadn’t taken off running, they figured they still had a chance with her. “Uh . . . yeah. Sorry. Just daydreaming.”

She smiled. “Happens to me all the time.”

With a wink, he said, “I’d love to know what . . . or who you’re daydreaming about.”

“I’m sure you would, but my lips are sealed.” Her eyes were dancing as she teased him right back. “Now, go do your paperwork. I’ve got cleaning to do. My bosses are slave drivers.”

A full belly laugh erupted from him. “Yes, ma’am. Wouldn’t want to get you in trouble with your bosses, now, would we?”

Shane was halfway through his paperwork when he heard the doorbell. He wondered who it was but didn’t get up. Paige would let him know if he was needed. He heard her footsteps in the hall and then the foyer. An alarmed cry and the door slamming had him jumping up and running out to her. With wide eyes, he took in the sight before him. Paige was paler than a ghost. She’d slid down the back of the door into a squat and her hands were trembling. He rushed toward her. “Baby, what’s wrong? Who is it? Tell me what’s wrong.”

Her eyes were huge, and tears rolled down her cheeks. “They—They found me. I’m so sorry, Shane. They’re outside.”

Whoever it was, he was going to kill them for terrifying her. “Who are they, Paige?”

“The press. There are reporters out there with cameras and . . . and . . .”

“Sh.” Taking hold of her shoulders, he helped her up. He ignored the doorbell as it rang a few times in succession, but the sound had Paige nearly jumping out of her skin. Stepping back, away from the door, he pulled her with him. “Sh. It’s going to be okay. Go into my office and call Tuck on the radio. Tell him to get back here as fast as he can. Where’s Seth?”

Her whole body was shaking. “He—He went into town—to the feed store. I’m sorry, Shane. I never meant—”

“Hush. Go in my office and call Tuck,” he repeated. “I’ll take care of these assholes.” He’d fucking rip them apart. “Go.” He gave her a gentle shove toward the hallway, and waited until she disappeared around the corner, before turning around and yanking open the door. Two men and one woman immediately shoved voice recorders and microphones at him. There were two cameramen standing behind them, filming the whole thing.

“Where’d Paige Winthrope go?”

“Is she working here? What does she do?”

“Did you know her husband swindled their friends out of millions?”

“Is she really your housekeeper?”

With rage on his face, Shane stood to his full height and stepped forward, forcing them to move back. He didn’t know what the hell was going on or how these people found out Paige was here, but he wasn’t letting them anywhere near her. “Get the fuck off my property! You’re trespassing, and, around here, we shoot trespassers.”

Apparently, the threat was one they’d heard before because they ignored it and continued with their rapid-fire questioning.

“Are you aware who you hired?”

“Where’s Paige? We want to ask her some questions.”

“You’re Shane Wilson, right? Are you and your husband in a relationship with Paige?”

Seth’s white truck pulled up, and he jumped out, taking in the chaotic scene with narrowed eyes. The female reporter gestured to him. “Is that your husband?”

Shane took another threatening step forward. “Get the hell off my property! Seth, call the fucking cops. Tell the chief he’s gonna have to arrest me for assault when he gets here. Make sure he confiscates the cameras and recorders as evidence.”

“Sure thing, boss,” his employee replied, taking his phone from the holster on his hip.

That threat and his tone of voice seemed to finally get through the predators’ heads. The two male reporters and the cameramen hurried down the steps, their devices still recording.

Tuck came flying around the side of the house on an ATV and slammed on the brakes, skidding to a halt. Apparently, he hadn’t been too far away when he’d gotten Paige’s SOS. “What the hell’s going on?”

“These assholes are trespassing.” He scowled at a microphone being held only inches from his chin. “And I’ve never hit a woman before, but if you don’t get the damn thing out of my face, there’s a first time for everything.”

The female reporter’s eyes rounded before she hastened to join the others, who were getting into their vehicles. She glared back at him before shutting the passenger door of a van, and said, “We’ll just get the story in town—people love to talk. Look for yourselves on KHBR-California’s website.”

“Bitch,” Shane muttered under his breath as Tuck approached and climbed the steps to the porch, still limping a little.

“What the fuck was that?”

He was still glaring at the retreating vehicles. “I don’t know, but we’ll find out. First, we have to take care of Paige. She freaked when she saw them.”

“Shit.”

“Seth, make sure they don’t come back. Let me know when the police get here.” Shane followed Tuck inside and closed the door behind them. “She’s in the office.”

When they walked into the room, Shane’s heart almost broke. Paige was sitting on the small loveseat with her arms wrapped around her midsection as she cried her eyes out. She jumped to her feet when she spotted them. “I—I’m so sorry—”

“Sh. It’s all right, sweetheart,” Tuck said as he pulled her into an embrace. Her arms automatically went around his waist as she buried her face into his chest, sobbing.

Shane shut the door, before stepping closely behind Paige, his chest to her back. He ran his hands up her arms, then moved her hair from her shoulder so he could whisper in her ear. “It’s okay, baby. They’re gone, and we’re not going to let them anywhere near you again.” She rubbed her forehead back and forth on Tuck’s chest, and Shane’s gaze met his husband’s. He tilted his head toward the small couch, silently communicating what he wanted Tuck to do.

When Shane moved back, Tuck bent his knees and swept Paige’s feet out from under her, lifting her into his arms and then taking a seat with her on his lap. The fact she didn’t protest, only crying harder, had them both worried. Shane held up a finger to Tuck, then opened the door and walked out of the room. He returned moments later with a lowball glass half-filled with whiskey and shut the door once again. Kneeling in front of Tuck, he held the glass up to Paige. “Here, sweetheart. Take a sip.”

She hiccupped, then reached for the glass with a trembling hand. Shane didn’t relinquish it but held it for her as she drank from it. “That’s it. Take some more.”

They watched as she downed the rest of the amber liquor. After swallowing, she murmured her thanks. Shane set the empty glass down on an end table, then took Paige’s hands in his. He brought them to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. Meanwhile, Tuck was rubbing her back with one hand and her shins with the other. They remained quiet, giving the whiskey a few moments to work and Paige a chance to collect herself.

Finally, she released a long, deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

Shane kissed her knuckles. “Nothing to be sorry about, baby. You didn’t do anything wrong. Do you have any idea how they knew where to find you?”

“No.” She sighed heavily again. “Quinn and my friend Marcella are the only two people who knew I was coming here. Marcella wouldn’t have told a soul; she’s just as protective as Quinn is.” That was saying a lot. Shane’s cousin would have laid down his life before putting a witness or former witness in jeopardy.

“You’ve called her, right?” Tuck asked. “Maybe someone tapped her phone.”

Paige shrugged. “Could be. I usually call her cell, but sometimes she calls me from her house phone.”

“Well, we’ll figure that out later. For now, we want to make sure you’re all right.”

Her gaze lifted to Tuck’s. “I’m fine, thanks to both of you.”

Shane watched as Tuck cupped her jaw. This time when he brought their mouths within inches, Paige closed the final distance. Tuck let her lead for a moment, merely taking his cues from her. She brushed her lips against his several times, then moaned. That was all the encouragement Tuck needed. He buried his hand into her thick hair and held her head where he wanted it. Shane’s cock hardened at the sight. Lifting her hands again, he took one of her fingers and sucked it into his mouth. She gasped, and Tuck used it to his advantage, plunging his tongue between her lips. He tasted and teased her for several minutes before releasing her. Staring down at her with eyelids at half mast, he held her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Let Shane kiss you, darlin’. He’s been waiting quite a while now and should be rewarded for his patience.”

When she faced Shane, Tuck shifted her on his lap until her back was against his chest. He put her legs on the outside of his own then spread them. Shane crawled between their knees, his gaze never leaving Paige’s, which was filled with the same lust that was in Tuck’s. Shane wanted to memorize everything about their first kiss, so he could recall it with ease years from now. Leaning forward, he caressed her lips with his own. The familiar taste of Tuck, combined with the smooth whiskey, was on her and it fueled his desire. When she opened for him, he didn’t hesitate, thrusting his tongue out to tangle with hers. The sexy, little noises she made spurred him on. His hands went past her hips and clutched Tuck’s. It’d been so long since they’d had a woman between them, but they still made sure they were attached to each other as well.

Shane’s eyes fluttered shut, and when Paige tilted her head to the side, he knew Tuck was nibbling on her neck as his hands came up to cup Paige’s breasts. She thrust her chest forward, crushing his hands between her and Shane, and hummed in delight.

A knock at the door had all three starting; they hadn’t heard anyone approach—no surprise there. Shane hadn’t been aware of anything in the last few moments other than Paige and Tuck.

“Shane? The chief’s here.”

Shit. Lousy fucking timing. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“’Kay.” Seth’s footsteps faded down the hall.

After giving Paige a final, brief kiss, Shane reluctantly got to his feet, then adjusted himself. He winked down at her blushing face. “I’m never going to hide what you do to me when we’re alone, sweetheart, so you better get used to it. Now, let Tuck take care of you while I talk to the chief.” He glanced at the clock that sat on one of the bookshelves. “I’ll get Ari off the bus; I don’t want you anywhere near the road where those bloodsuckers could ambush you.”

She nodded, seemingly still out of sorts, but his guess was it was now due more from the last few minutes than from the reporters showing up out of nowhere. “Okay. Thank you.”

“No, thanks necessary, sweetheart. Take care of her, Tuck. I’ll be back.”

Opening the door, he strode out and prayed the incident with the press had been a one-time-only thing, but he doubted it.