Her Protector: A Braxton Brothers Romance Read online

Was it weird that he’d been more open and raw with her then her ex-fiancé, and that, secretly, she loved it?

  Yes. If she were honest with herself, it was strange. James was just a man who was protecting her until he got the call that everything was safe. She was just a job to him. He wasn’t her friend. He wasn’t anything. She had a tendency to romanticize things, and, in her current condition, that was the last thing she needed to do.

  So, she forced herself to push thoughts of James from her mind and smile. She needed to focus on something other than the stresses in her life. “Are we getting to Honey Grove today?”

  That seemed to snap James out of his thoughts. He glanced over at her with a relieved expression. “Yes. We should get there by tonight. I’m sure my mom with have a giant dinner ready for us.” His smile grew soft.

  “Really?”

  James nodded. “I come from a five-sibling household. If there’s anything my mom can do, it’s cook.” James wandered over to his suitcase and flipped it open. He hesitated for a moment before glancing behind him. “We can stop on our way down and get you some clothes.”

  Layla glanced down at James’s T-shirt and shorts and nodded. In the drama of the morning, she’d completely forgotten that she was still wearing them. A baggy T-shirt and shorts didn’t really scream fashion designer. “That would probably be a good idea.”

  He nodded as he grabbed a pair of jeans and shook them out. As he did, the photo that she’d found the night before fluttered to the ground. Her gaze landed on it, and when she looked up, it seemed as if James hadn’t noticed.

  Was it wrong for her to ask him about it? It felt natural to pick it up and show it to him. But before she could decide what to do, James turned with his clothes in his arms.

  “I’ll go change in there,” he said, nodding toward the toilet room.

  She parted her lips. She wanted to say something, but before she could, he disappeared. The clicking of the lock sounded into the room. She chewed her lip as her gaze kept falling on the picture on the floor.

  Why was she obsessing like this? It was just a simple question.

  James emerged in a T-shirt and jeans. He glanced over at her and made his way to his suitcase to put away the clothes he’d been wearing last night. As he stepped back, she saw him glance down at his feet. Down at the picture there.

  In one swift movement, he picked up the photo and slipped it into his bag. After he pulled the zipper shut, he glanced up at her.

  Layla hadn’t realized it, but she was still staring at him. As soon as his gaze met hers, her cheeks flooded with warmth. She softened her gaze, hoping he’d understand what she wasn’t sure how to say.

  James held her gaze for a moment before he sighed and sat down on the bed. “I’ve been having nightmares,” he said. His voice was so low that she had to step closer to make out the words.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  James’s shoulders slumped as he dipped his head down. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I’m not dealing with things like I should. I’m…broken.” His voice broke as he spoke the last word. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees with his hands pressed together.

  Pushing aside all feelings of fear, Layla walked over and sat next to him. She studied his profile, hoping she could find the right words to say.

  “My brother, Connor, he went over to Afghanistan. He was gone for only a month…” Her voice drifted off as the past hit her like a Mack truck. She closed her eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek. Why did it still hurt this bad after three years? Why couldn’t she be stronger?

  A warm hand engulfed hers, and when she opened her eyes, she saw that James had straightened and had turned to study her. He gave her a small smile. It gave her the strength to continue. For some reason, she wanted him to know about Connor.

  “While he was there, he was hit by an IED. It was bad. He survived, but he lost a leg and was forced to come home.” She reached over and covered his hand with her other one. Talking about this made her feel like she was drowning, but holding his hand made her feel safe.

  “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” James said, dipping down to meet her gaze.

  Layla shook her head. “I know, I just want you to know that you’re not alone.” She gave him a small smile, and his gaze flicked down to her lips and lingered there for a moment. A shiver rushed through her as she wondered what that meant.

  Then, feeling like an idiot, she shook her head and shifted to pull herself away from James. She folded her arms across her chest and nodded toward the door. “Maybe we should get going so we can get to Honey Grove by tonight.” She smiled up at him. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint your mom.”

  James studied her for a moment before he ran his hands through his hair and nodded. “Of course. Yeah…we should go.” He stood and glanced around before reaching down to grasp the handle of his suitcase.

  Layla could breathe better once they were out of the room and standing next to the car. Maybe it was the expansiveness of the world around them that made her feel free. They were no longer in danger of getting too close. Out here, they were protected.

  James finished putting his suitcase in the trunk, the whole car shifting when he slammed the trunk closed. She watched as he hesitated before making his way over to the passenger side and opening the door. She glanced up at him, wondering what he was thinking.

  “Thanks,” she said as she slipped onto her seat.

  James nodded and waited for her to situate herself before he shut the door and rounded the hood to climb into the driver’s side. He started he engine and then paused, his hands on the steering wheel. The muscles in his hands were strained as he stared out the windshield as if he were fighting with himself.

  She wanted to ask him what was wrong, if she’d done something wrong. But she didn’t. Instead she sat there studying him.

  He took a deep breath and turned to her. “Thanks,” he said.

  She furrowed her brow. “For what?”

  He peered over at her as if he wasn’t sure how to say what he wanted to. “For telling me about your brother. It couldn’t have been easy.”

  Layla nodded as she fiddled with her seatbelt. “You’re risking your life to protect me. I figured you deserved to know who I am.”

  He nodded and the put the car into reverse. “I had a pretty good idea who you were when I met you. I’m glad to see that my instincts were right.” He gave her a small smile before he turned his focus to the road.

  It didn’t take long before James had settled back in his seat with his arm propped up on the steering wheel. The soft music from the radio filled the air. Layla studied the world outside the car as James drove. Trees reached up toward the sky as the sun was shining down on them.

  It was peaceful, riding alongside James. Even though she didn’t know what to expect when she got to Honey Grove, she couldn’t help but feel relaxed. Like the stress of her life was gone. This was what a normal relationship was like. No secrets. No lies.

  Layla leaned back in her seat as she took in a deep breath. She brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them. There was a light pressure in her lower abdomen, bringing the thought of what was growing inside of her to the forefront of her mind.

  Her baby. Juan’s baby.

  Frustration and fear coursed through her as she lowered her feet back to the floor. What was she doing? This was not what she should be thinking about. He was not who she should be thinking about.

  Men just hurt her. She felt ridiculous for thinking that James could be her friend, much less something more. It didn’t matter if she felt safe with him. He couldn’t protect her.

  He had a life outside of this mess they were in. Once things were in the green, he would have every reason to walk away from her—to leave her and move on with his life.

  And where would she be?

  Alone and pregnant. She needed to build a wall up around her heart so high no one could get over it. She needed to protect the baby growin
g inside of her just as much as she needed to protect her heart.

  So when James leaned over and asked her if she wanted to listen to some different music, she agreed. Anything to stave off the silence.

  A soft ballad filled the air, helping to relax her nerves. She let out her breath in a slow, methodical way. It was helping until a shrill noise cut through her meditation. She glanced over to James.

  He had his phone out and was staring at the screen. When his gaze flicked over to her, she knew something was wrong.

  “Hey, man. Any news?” James asked as he brought the phone up to his ear.

  Juan. She should have known.

  James grew quiet as he listened to whatever Juan was saying.

  “Are you sure?”

  More silence.

  “All right. I will.” James swallowed so hard she saw his Adam’s apple bob up and down. “Juan? Stay safe.”

  A few more seconds ticked by before James hung up the phone and set it in the console between them. He took a deep breath and squeezed the steering wheel as his gaze focused on the road in front of them.

  Unable to bear the silence anymore, Layla stared at James. “Any news?”

  James glanced over at her. “No. Just to stay low and stay safe. Things are burning up for him.”

  Layla felt sick as she nodded and attempted to fight off the tears that were forming on her lids.

  Just before she allowed herself to slip into insanity from the uncertainty, she straightened her posture in her seat and swallowed. She couldn’t live her life wallowing in self-pity. Juan had already stolen so many years from her, he wasn’t going to do it again.

  This, right here, was her future. Finding out who she was without Juan was her future. She needed to let go of the past and focus on herself and the baby.

  He’d made his bed; it was time she made hers.

  She was tired of feeling weak and not in control of her life. If she was going to move on from Juan, she needed to do just that. Move on.

  Glancing over at James, she swallowed. His jaw was set as he stared straight ahead. She could tell he was frustrated with the situation they were in, and she didn’t blame him. Juan had hurt them both.

  “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, hoping that by saying the words, she just might believe the lie as well.

  James nodded. “Yeah. I hope so.”

  Layla folded her arms and settled back in her seat as she stared out the window. The uncertainty of her words settled around her, but she chose not to entertain them. If she was going to change her life, she needed to start right now.

  Juan wasn’t going to have a hold on her anymore.

  Chapter Seven

  James knew that Layla meant well when she said they were going to be okay. And he really wanted to believe it. But from the sound of Juan’s voice on the phone, things were a lot worse than Juan was letting on. Juan was in deep trouble, and that thought frustrated James. He should be there to help his friend. He owed Juan that much.

  James straightened in his seat. Even if he couldn’t help his friend deal with what he was facing, he could do what Juan had asked him to—keep Layla safe.

  “A mall,” Layla’s voice broke through his thoughts.

  “What?”

  Layla glanced over at him and then waved to the large sign on the side of the road. “A mall. Two exits from here.” She chewed her lip as she studied him. “Mind if we make a stop? Your clothes are nice and all, but I need something that doesn’t make me look like I’m wearing a potato sack.” She pulled at the loose fabric of his shirt and shorts.

  James nodded, turned on his blinker, and merged into the right lane. “Of course.” As much as he wanted to get to Honey Grove, he needed a break from the car. He needed to gather his thoughts, and getting some space from Layla would help.

  Fifteen minutes later, James pulled into a parking spot at the mall and killed the engine. He slipped the key from the ignition and pulled open his door. Layla did the same, and they met up as they started walking into the large brick building in front of them.

  When they got to the front doors, James held one open as Layla walked in. He was grateful that she looked as if she knew where she was going. He couldn’t remember the last time he went shopping. Most of his clothes were just T-shirts and shorts that he’d picked up here and there.

  As they walked farther into the mall, James noted how Layla’s shoulders visibly relaxed. It was like she was in her element. Which didn’t surprise him. As a fashion designer, clothes were her world. She probably felt safe here. That’s how he felt about guns. They were a physical representation for a spiritual need.

  “In here,” Layla sang out as she waved him into a brightly lit store.

  Mannequins lined the walls. They were adorned in bright skirts and tanks. James studied them, wondering who in their right mind would wear clothes like that—until Layla appeared with an armful.

  She smiled over at him as she passed by, collecting items as she went. Once her arms were full to bursting, James realized that he couldn’t just stand here and stare at her. He walked over and held out his hands.

  “Let me,” he said. He reached out to take the clothes, and, as he did, his fingers brushed her skin. Warmth crept up his arm from the contact.

  Layla’s eyes widened as she nodded. James pushed the thoughts that were building in his mind to a very far corner. He couldn’t read into anything. That wasn’t what he was here to do. This wasn’t some happy vacation. This was a job, and his job was to protect Layla.

  So he cleared his throat and nodded. “Any more?”

  Layla shook her head and they made their way to the dressing room, where James helped her hang the clothes on the hook inside.

  She shut the door, and James collapsed on one of the chairs just outside. A bored-looking guy sat next to him. James nodded in his direction then turned and pulled out his phone.

  From the pile of clothes Layla had collected, he was going to be there for a while.

  “James?” Layla’s soft voice drew his attention over to her dressing room. She had the door cracked open.

  James was on his feet and over to her at a speed he hadn’t intended. Perhaps it was the devastated look on her face that had him worried something had happened.

  “Yeah?” he asked, dipping down to meet her gaze.

  She blinked a few times and then glanced back up at him. “Do you mind getting me a few larger sizes?” She shuffled around in the dressing room and then emerged with a handful of clothes.

  “Me?” he asked, staring down at the items. He hadn’t really been paying attention to where she had picked up the clothes.

  Her expression faltered as she nodded. “Yes, please.”

  The desire to make her happy won out, so James took the hangers from her. “I can try.”

  “Thanks,” she said as she smiled weakly up at him. “Just one size up would be great.”

  James glanced down at the clothes and read the tags. Extra small. Before he could clarify that she wanted a small, Layla shut the door, leaving him standing there.

  Even though he felt completely out of his element, James turned and made his way back into the racks of clothing. He was determined to help her even though he had no idea what he was doing.

  “Do you need some help?” asked a woman with blonde hair so light it looked white. She emerged from behind one to the racks. She had a lanyard with the name Yasmine typed across it.

  Relief flooded through James as he nodded and shoved the clothes in her direction. “I need a size up for all of these.”

  Yasmine took the clothes and glanced down at them. “Your girlfriend okay?”

  Not sure how he felt about discussing Layla, James just shoved his hands into his front pockets and shrugged. “Yes, she’s fine.”

  Yasmine studied him, and he gave her a smile. He really didn’t want to continue this conversation. He was so used to staying away from people, that this was making him extremely uncomfortable.

&
nbsp; “We’re in the dressing rooms,” he said as he turned and made his way back to his chair and collapsed into it.

  Desperate to ward off any future conversations, James shifted until his elbows were resting on his knees and his head was dipped forward. He studied the ground as the feeling to run rushed over him.

  He needed to get his crap together if he was going to protect Layla.

  Five minutes later, the saleswoman returned and knocked on Layla’s dressing room door. James kept his gaze down as he listened to their conversation. It was simple, all about the clothes. The saleswoman left and the door clicking shut filled the silence.

  James closed his eyes, desperate to get out of the mall and back into his car. Why he’d thought he would enjoy coming in here was beyond him. He was craving the safety of his small apartment back home. A place where he couldn’t hurt people. A place where he couldn’t get hurt.

  “James?” Layla’s voice snapped him from his downward spiral.

  He glanced up to see her standing in the crack of the door with her arm wrapped around the front of her dress as she hugged it to her body.

  “Could you help me?” she asked. Her cheeks flushed as James studied her.

  “Sure,” he said, grateful for the distraction.

  She smiled as she stepped aside and then waved him into the dressing room. Realizing that she wanted him to go in there, he glanced behind him and then back at her expectant look.

  “I can come in there with you?”

  Layla studied him and then smiled. It was sweet and genuine. “Of course. I just need you to finish my zipper. It’s not like we’re going to do anything…” Her voice trailed off as she leaned in and gave him a flirty smile.

  James swallowed as his heart picked up speed. He knew she was flirting, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy it. But he knew he shouldn’t. That’s not what he was there for.

  “I knew that,” he said as he stood in the middle of the dressing room. His voice had come out deeper than he intended, and he worried she’d pick up on it.

  Layla locked the door and then turned. The look on her face told him she hadn’t picked up on anything. Instead, she was focused on pulling her long hair over one shoulder as she turned around.