Shelby's Saviors [Slick Rock 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Free Page A

she did have was hers, and no one was going to damage it. Especially her books. She had two cardboard boxes filled to the brim with her precious reading material, and she grieved over the ones she had had to leave behind. She was glad she had taped the lids closed.
    When Brandt reached into the backseat and removed her quilt and pillow, she caught him looking at Cord. It seemed almost like the brothers could communicate without opening their mouths. Just a twitch of a brow and a responsive nod let her know her speculation was correct. God, she so missed the closeness of having a loving family. Tears filled her eyes, and she swallowed audibly around the lump in her throat. Quickly looking away from the two brothers, she reached into her car for her purse.
    “Are you okay, little one?” Cord’s voice and heated breath brushed against her ear as she straightened, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
    Oh God. Don’t touch me. Don’t be nice to me. If you do, I’m scared I’ll break.
    “Fine,” she replied coldly. “Back off.”
    Cord released her instantly, and the heat at her back was replaced by the cooling evening air. She turned around but didn’t look at Cord, and then she handed her car keys over to Quin.
    “Are you all right, sugar?” Quin asked.
    Shelby narrowed her eyes at him and saw his brothers were watching her just as intently. They looked concerned. “I’m fine.”
    “If you ever need anything, Shelby, all you have to do is call,” Grayson stated, taking her hand in his and giving her a reassuring squeeze.
    “Thanks,” she answered.
    “Shelby has us. She doesn’t need to call you,” Brandt snapped in a steely voice. He slipped an arm through hers, gently pulling her away from Grayson.
    Oh for goodness’ sake, are they going to have a pissing contest?
    Pulling away from Brandt, she glared at him. Didn’t the man realize his friend wasn’t coming on to her, he was just offering her a bit of human compassion?
    “Brandt, we need to get home so Shelby can get settled,” Cord said and took her hand, leading her to the truck.
    He opened the passenger door for her, and she eyed the big step and the seat. She would have had a bit of a struggle to get in, but she wasn’t given the chance to try. Large, warm hands gripped her waist and lifted her. She squeaked, but then she turned her head, her gaze connecting with Cord’s.
    “Don’t argue. I was just helping,” Cord said firmly and closed the back door.
    Shelby released an agitated breath. God, how am I going to survive living and working with these men? I’m already a bundle of nerves, and the more I’m with them the more I want them.
    Pulling on her seat belt, she stared out the window as the two Alcott brothers got into the truck. She shored up her defenses and vowed she would work long enough to pay for her car plus a little spending money and then she would leave without a backward glance. Her sanity and body wouldn’t endure much more.
     
    * * * *
     
    Brandt spent the drive home berating himself for his jealousy. He hadn’t known how possessive he felt toward Shelby until Grayson had offered to help her if she needed it. Shelby had been pissed at his reaction, and rightly so. So was Cord, but no more than Brandt was mad at himself.
    When he had seen the bullet hole in her rear window and pointed it out to Cord, he felt first anger and then fear that she had been in danger. He believed Shelby had lied to his brother when asked about the bullet hole, and he had wanted to haul her up into his arms to reassure her she was safe with them.
    She was such a sexy little thing, and even though she tried to hide it, her body language as well as her scent of aroused woman let him know she wasn’t immune to him or Cord. But until she was more comfortable, he wouldn’t push her. He didn’t want her leaving before they had a chance to get to know her, because he knew deep down in his heart and soul that he could very easily fall in love