Brig had plenty of security to cover the property for the rest of the weekend, and Knox had been supportive of him taking time off and being with Claire. He had three days to get to know her and hope she’d fall for him like he had already done for her months ago. He worried that she’d either recover her memory and realize what had held her back from dating him before or she’d just leave. He was surprised she hadn’t left with Hazel. Normally, he didn’t lack confidence, but Claire was his dream woman. It was hard not to feel unworthy of her. Especially since she’d turned him down every time he’d asked her out.

He usually would’ve gone back down to his office to check the security cameras one more time out of sheer habit, but he went into his bedroom instead and started a round of fifty burpees to try to burn off some excess energy. Knox had a great gym in his home, and it was open to Brig anytime, but he didn’t want to be far from Claire. Yet he needed to move. Having the beautiful Claire in the bedroom next to him was invigorating, disturbing, tough—he didn’t know what word to pin on it. He wanted to rush in there and kiss her. Shaking his head, he finished the burpees and started into pushups.

“Brig!” Claire’s shriek raised the hair on the back of his neck. Jumping to his feet, he banged out of his door and flung hers open.

She sat in the middle of the bed with a card in her hand. Her eyes were wide and terrified.

“What?” He rushed to the side of the bed but stopped himself short from climbing up on the mattress and pulling her close.

“Hazel brought my mail, I have no clue who ... why …” She shook her head and swallowed as if trying to organize her thoughts. “Someone’s sent me four letters since yesterday.” Her mouth kind of flapped open, but then her jaw tightened. “Somebody is threatening me, and I have no clue who he is or what I could possibly have done to him.”

“Someone is threatening you?” That did it. Brig ignored any voices suggesting caution. He climbed onto the bed and pulled her into his arms. He would tear apart anyone who dared to threaten her.

Claire wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. Her small form fit so perfectly in his arms. She belonged here. He felt wetness on his shirt. He didn’t know if she was scared or just frustrated with her memory loss and whatever was going on with the letters.

“What’s in the letters?” he murmured against her hair.

“I must’ve ticked somebody off.” One of the notes was still clutched in her hand. She placed it carefully next to the others then lifted the first card. “I think this one is first.”

He didn’t want to release her, but he let go with one hand and took the card.

You don’t get to choose to quit on me. You’re mine. I’ll be coming for you, sweetheart.

You’re mine? Whoever this joker was, he’d better stand down quick. Brig set the card back on the comforter and picked up another opened card.

I gave you a chance for romance, sweetheart. Now it’s only going to be fun for me. Unless you’re into pain.

Brig’s stomach tightened. He was going to rip this guy apart. He forced himself to release the card and let it fall to the bed, picking up another one. Claire had already touched them so he wasn’t as worried about fingerprints as he probably should’ve been. He needed to know what was written on the cards.

Looks like somebody got what was coming to her. Wish I could’ve been there to see it. I’ll be waiting for you when you come home from the hospital, sweetheart.

Brig’s grip on Claire tightened. Who was threatening her and why? The person knew about the accident. None of the envelopes had postage on them, maybe the guy slipped them into her mail slot? Did the police know Claire was being threatened? How long had it been going on? If the police had wind of this, they would’ve said something when she was in the accident this morning. He reached for the last card, and Claire buried her head in his chest.

You think you can hide out with Knox? I’ll take down the Beast, and then I’ll do everything I’ve been fantasizing about doing to you. See you soon, sweetheart.

Anger rushed through him, making his stomach sour and his throat tight. Whoever this loser was he would never hurt Claire or Knox or anyone on this property.

“We need to call the police,” he said.

She nodded against his chest. “Okay.”

Brig carefully held her with one hand as he pulled out his phone with the other and found the contact info of a man he’d known in the Army who was now a detective with the Dallas P.D. His buddy John answered, and Brig quickly explained the situation. He asked him to have someone check into any threats against Claire in their files while John and his partner came to look at the notes and discuss security measures. John assured him they’d be there soon and hung up. Next, Brig called Beau who was at the front gate and briefed him quickly, asking him to call in six more of their security team, keep his eyes wide open for potential danger, and watch for the police. Then he called Knox, told him what was going on, and asked him to come over, assuring him that Beau would send Rudy and Ken to the main house to watch over his family and Tyrell would patrol the property in his Jeep.

Knox responded in typical Beast style. “Whoever this loser is, I’d love to take him on.”

Brig smiled. He should’ve known Knox wouldn’t be mad that someone was coming after them but look at it as a challenge. It would take a champion ultimate fighter to conquer Knox. “Thanks for being so great,” he said to his boss.

“Great? I’m ready to rip somebody’s head off, and I don’t even know who they are. Nobody messes with my family or my friends.” Knox hung up on him, but Brig knew they’d see him soon.

Brig pocketed his phone then plucked Claire off the mattress and stood.

“Whoa!” She wrapped her arms around his neck instinctively. Brig realized it was for stability, but he loved having her touch him.

“Let’s go downstairs until they come. You don’t need to sit here and look at those notes.”

“Thanks.”

As he carried her into the hallway and then down the stairs, she stared steadily at him. Brig reached the bottom of the stairs and finally looked down into her aqua eyes. “What? Do I have something on my nose?” He tried to joke. He wished he was funny like her and her sister. They could put on a comedy show.

She smiled. “No. I’m just so grateful I’m with you right now. What would I do if I opened those notes by myself?”

“Call the police.” He didn’t say it out loud, but the notes said the guy would’ve been waiting at her apartment. Thank heavens they’d brought her here. Yet now they might be putting Knox’s family in danger. Brig’s life revolved around keeping them all safe. His gut churned. He wanted to find this guy and pummel him, but he had to make sure everyone was safe first.

“Yeah, but I wouldn’t have my hunky personal bodyguard to hold me.”

Brig should’ve set her down somewhere. Instead he sank onto the couch with her in his arms. Claire kept her arms around his neck and leaned into him. He really liked that. “I want to always be here for you,” he said then wished he could bite his tongue. Too sappy. Too loser-ish.

Claire looked him over and murmured, “I must’ve been some kind of idiot before the amnesia to ever say no to you.”

Brig smiled. “No, you’ve always been magnificent, way out of my league.”

“I don’t believe that for a second,” Claire said, arching up closer to him.

Brig’s breath caught in his throat. He’d loved Claire from afar for so long, and now, she was here in his arms, inches away from his mouth. He bent down, tenderly touching his lips to hers. Claire responded exactly like he had hoped she would. She yanked him closer, extending the brief kiss. Fire raced through him.

The front door banged open. Brig pulled back a little bit, but Claire clung to his neck, keeping their faces close.

Knox stormed into the great room. He reared to a stop as he saw Claire on Brig’s lap. His eyebrows shot up. “I think your timing’s off, bro.”

Claire stuck out her tongue at him. “Leave us alone, Beast.”

Knox chuckled. “So at least this loser threatening you brought Claire back.”

Brig glanced sharply down at her. She shook her head. “No, I don’t remember everything, but Knox is an easy one to figure out.”

Knox roared with laughter. “Tell Ema that.”

Brig released his grip on Claire, but she didn’t move from his lap. It was like she was choosing him with their friend in the room. He wrapped his arms back around her waist and looked up at Knox. “I think I should get her out of here.”

Knox nodded. “Exactly. I’m flying Ema, Shelby, Nellie, and Aunt Genny to my sister’s house. You take Beau and Rudy with you. I’ll send Ken and Tyrell with my girls, and I’ll rotate through the rest of our men here in case the idiot is really brave enough to show up.” He got a wicked gleam in his eyes and cracked his knuckles. “Game on, baby.”

Claire’s eyes went wide, and she clung to Brig. “Where are you taking me?”

“To my cabin.” Brig felt strength rush through him. He had to protect Claire. Whoever was after her knew she was at Knox’s. They could disappear out a back gate in his Hummer. He’d keep her safe, and either the police would find the guy or the guy would be stupid enough to try to break into Knox’s fortress. He smiled, wishing he could be here for the battle if that happened. Knox was a trained fighter and a former captain in the army. Brig had been his major before they both retired and Brig went into private security and Knox inherited a fortune from his buddy and started playing in the NFL. The rest of the men Brig had recruited for his security team were no slouches either.

“That’s what I was thinking.” Knox nodded. “Ema and Shelby will go in the chopper to the airport. You can go out the back exit. We’ll take him on here.” He gave them a rare grin, looking like a little boy ready to pick a fight.