In The Lawman's Protection. Janie Crouch

shoulder.

      Every time he’d stopped telling a story, tried to get the conversation turned back to her, she’d asked another question about his life. Some downright insightful.

      Had his father considered becoming a large-animal vet at one time? Yes, until he’d realized he wanted to own his animals and farm.

      Did his mother ever knit them anything from a particular sheep they’d loved? Yes. Ren still had a sweater she’d made him from a sheep he’d once carried home after it had broken its leg.

      Had he and his brother both reached a point where they’d felt trapped by the farm and wanted to get away?

      That one wasn’t as easy to answer. Yes, Ren had left just after high school, deciding he’d preferred the excitement of joining the army than staying there any longer. The army had fast realized his ability to pick up new skills quickly, as well as his natural strength and intelligence. They’d fast-tracked him into special forces.

      Ren had loved the army but had gotten out after six years when he was approached to start a special law enforcement task group that would be made up of the best agents and ex-soldiers the country had to offer. He’d birthed Omega Sector. And had been fighting bad guys ever since.

      Like the bad guy sitting across from him now, with alabaster skin, her blue eyes drooping. She would’ve fooled him, he had to admit. If he hadn’t already known what she was capable of, he wouldn’t have believed it.

      So yeah, he’d left the farm because it had made him feel trapped. Like nothing ever happened there. But he was beginning to realize how wrong that was. Maybe shootouts and arrests didn’t happen there, but life did.

      Light did.

      He’d been living in the darkness so long that light was starting to seem damn more appealing.

      “You going to go to sleep there, Peaches?”

      One eyebrow cocked. “Peaches?”

      He shrugged. “Your skin. Just looks smooth, like peaches and cream. My mom used to make it for us.” Damn it, the truth. Again.

      “Yeah, I’m a little tired. My name’s Natalie, by the way.”

      He smiled. “I’m Warren Thompson, but generally go by Ren. Get some rest. I’ll make sure no one attacks you with a sandwich. We’ve got a long way to go.”

      Plus, it would make it much easier for him to do what he was about to do if she was already out.

      Her nod was full of trust, and just for a second guilt ate at Ren. It didn’t get any better when she tucked herself into a tighter ball on her seat a few minutes later, one small hand curled under her chin.

      He forced the feelings away. He wasn’t dragging her into the darkness; she already lived there.

      He just hoped he’d be able to find his way back to the light when this was all over. After what he had to do. Because the light had never seemed so far away.