“Thanks.” Declan took the duffle bag from Marshal Williams and shut the door. He turned and leaned back against it, hearing the sink run in the en suite bathroom. He swiveled his gaze around the room and took in the queen-size bed, the simple decor of a nightstand and dresser. Thick drapes covered the windows, blocking out the world.

The sound of a click broke through the silence. Aspen appeared in the doorway. She froze and returned his stare. He took in the dark areas beneath her eyes. She looked drained. He was still in disbelief that she was a woman in hiding waiting to testify against one of the most dangerous men in history.

Ray Acosta’s rap sheet was longer than a city block. Pride filled his chest that she was going to face a man such as Acosta. It took balls to face someone like him in court.

“Hey,” she greeted him. She appeared unsure of herself, almost shy.

“Williams brought you a bag of clothes.” He stepped forward and made his way to her. He didn’t like the glint of uncertainty in her eyes. He stopped in front of her and held the bag out to her.

She gripped it and held it against her chest.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked.

Confusion lined her face, and Declan wasn’t even sure why he was.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and stared up at him. “Believe me, I appreciate you stepping up to try to help protect me, but I can’t help but wonder why? We’ve slept with each other a few times, and I will always cherish our time together. But soon I’ll—”

“Aspen, stop.” He closed the gap between them.

Panic filled her eyes, and it was escalating in her voice. He tipped her chin up so he could look down into her beautiful eyes.

How did he explain what he didn’t understand? “Let me help you, and then we’ll figure us out.”

“There’s an us?” Her voice ended on a squeak.

His lips tipped up in the corner. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on the top of her head. She leaned into him, the duffle bag crushed in between them. He loved the feel of her in his arms and knew he wouldn’t be letting her go.

That he knew for sure.

Now the air was cleared, he had a better understanding of why she’d seemed to be hiding something. He ran a hand along her back and knew he’d do anything for her. There was no question that he’d protect her.

Aspen Hale—Irwin—deserved to be able to live her life without having to be hidden or constantly have to look over her shoulder. No matter what happened between them, he would ensure she would survive, testify, and get some form of her life back.

“We’ll figure it out.” He eased back and laid a small kiss upon her lips. Glancing down at his watch, he saw it was getting close to midnight. “It’s getting late. Let’s go to bed.”

“You’re staying here?” she asked, moving to the bed. She sat the bag down and undid the zipper. Pulling it open, she took out some of the items.

“There’s no way I’m leaving, Aspen.” He moved to the bed and kicked off his shoes. He didn’t have any spare clothes with him, and he preferred sleeping naked, but since they were a guest in the home and had two federal agents located in the house, he thought it would be better for him to sleep in his boxer briefs. “That is, unless you don’t want me to.”

“I want you to stay with me. You make me feel safe,” she whispered, holding an oversized shirt.

Her eyes met his, and his stone heart that he had thought would never beat, pulsed.

“Come here.” He beckoned her with his finger.

She walked to him with her eyes wide. He had the sudden urge to take care of her. He helped her strip out of her clothes and put the t-shirt on the agent had packed for her.

There was an animalistic need inside his chest to care for her. Even the sight of the shirt on her body made him want to release a growl. It should be his shirt covering her, not some random man’s. In the back of his mind he was sure it was brand new, but he wanted his to cover her flesh.

He wanted his scent to slide along her body as it brushed against her.

He turned down the covers on the bed and helped her in. Pulling the covers up over her, he tucked her in.

“You aren’t getting in with me?” she whispered, rolling on her side. Her hand slid along the bed beside her. Her dark hair flowed over her brown shoulders, creating a dark cloud on the crisp white pillow.

He leaned over and placed a chaste kiss upon her lips. He lingered, loving the feel of her luscious lips.

“It wouldn’t be a good idea,” he said.

She pouted, and he almost gave in. If he slid beneath the covers and pressed his body against hers, there would be no sleeping.

Damn the feds in the house with them.

“Are you telling me you are afraid to sleep in the same bed as me?”

“I’m afraid there wouldn’t be any sleeping.” He chuckled then laid another peck on her lips and stood from the bed. He grabbed his cellphone from his jeans. “Get some sleep. We are going to have to get up early.”

He stepped into the bathroom and shut the door. Slid his finger against the screen of his phone. Finding the number he was looking for, he hit it and placed the phone to his ear.

“Yeah,” a familiar voice answered.

“I need a weapon,” Declan stated. No greeting was needed for this call. The gun Aspen had used on the thug had been confiscated for the investigation. If he was going to ensure she remained safe, he’d need a gun.

Aspen glanced down at herself and let loose a groan. The clothes the agent had given her made her look as if she’d enrolled into the Army. Her gray sweatpants had to be rolled up a few times to come above her ankles, and her white t-shirt had Army splashed crossed the chest.

She sighed, wishing for once she could dress as she used to. She would never call herself a snob, but gray sweats did not do her ass any justice. She quickly threw the tennis shoes on they had provided her and grabbed her bag. She stepped out of the bedroom in search of the agents and Declan.

She was grateful she had been able to sleep all night. Throughout the night she had sensed Declan in the bed with her, but she guessed he hadn’t slept a wink.

“Good morning,” she greeted them, finding the men standing around the dining room table.

Declan’s gaze dropped to her shirt, and a scowl crossed his face. “Where the hell did that shirt come from?”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Agent Williams asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Declan turned his gaze to the federal agent, and Aspen felt sorry for the agent. Declan’s sharp gaze didn’t falter.

“A woman such as Aspen deserves quality brands,” he announced. His eyes cut to her. “Navy’s the way to go.”

“Is that so? Army here.” Williams turned to face Declan with a smirk. “Navy, huh?”

“SEAL.” Declan didn’t bat an eyelash returning the stare.

Aspen glanced at Agent Ball, not believing that two men would be arguing over the quality of a t-shirt with the military branch across the front. He rolled his eyes and placed his hands on the table.

“Gentlemen, this is not the time to try to argue the better military branch,” Ball snapped, interrupting their stare-off.

Williams settled slightly as Declan walked away and came to her.

“You sleep well?” Declan asked, placing a kiss on her forehead. He glanced down again at her shirt, and the disdain was evident in the look.

She’d have to remember to grab a new shirt when she got the chance.

“What is going on? You guys appeared deep in thought when I came out here,” she noted.

“I’ve been granted special leave to stay with you,” Declan said. He reached up and brushed her hair from her face.

“But how?”

“I’ll be deputized and then I can be with you the entire time.”

“So what does that entail? You take a pledge or something?” she asked, unsure of what it meant. She was thrilled that he’d found a way to remain with her.

“Unfortunately, deputizing someone in the name of the US Marshalls has developed since the Wild West.” Ball chuckled. He folded the papers that were on the table before him and straightened to his full height. “We will need to take a trip to the mayor’s office to start the process of getting Sergeant Owen deputized. Once he does then he’ll be on your case and will assist with your protection detail.”

She nodded, already feeling safe.

A knock sounded at the door, and she jumped. Her gaze swept the room. Williams and Ball appeared just as shocked as she felt. They both pulled their weapons out and proceeded over to the door.

Declan pushed her behind him and waited as Ball and Williams ensured they were safe. She peeked from behind him, curious to know what was going on. Ball glanced out the peephole before his body posture relaxed and he lowered his gun. Williams stepped back, away from the door.

“Company of yours?” Ball asked, opening the door.

Declan’s friend, Mac, strode through the door with another man at his side. The second man had broad shoulders, a strong jawline, and wavy brown hair. Both Mac and the other cop were dressed in black fatigues. Aspen took in the weapons strapped to their thighs.

Were all the men on his SWAT team built the same?

“Mac.” Declan greeted his friend with a strong handshake and manly hug with a pat on the back. He turned to the other man and did the same. “Ashton.”

Jesus, what is in the water here in Columbia?

So far, their entire team was large, muscular men who deserved to be on one of those first responder calendars, shirtless.

“What is this, a policeman’s reunion?” Ball crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Declan’s and his friend’s eyes whipped to him, and he seemed to balk under their hard glares.

“Aspen, come here.” Declan motioned for her to go to his side. He sent another glare to Agent Ball before turning his attention to her. He rested his arm along her shoulders when she arrived at his side. She leaned into him automatically while he introduced his men. “You’ve already met Mac, and this here is Ashton Fraser. He’s our negotiator and wannabe comedian.”

Aspen chuckled watching Ashton dramatically roll his eyes.

“Whatever, man. Hello, Aspen. It’s so nice to meet you,” Ashton said with a wide grin.

She offered her hand, and he took it, turning it over and laying a small kiss to the back of it.

“Watch it, Ash,” Declan growled, squeezing her shoulder. “She’s mine.”