The Hero She Deserves (Unbroken Heroes #4)

No bracelet.

Feeling a little panicked, she searched the kitchen and living room.

“Dammit.” She’d be upset if she’d lost it.

She hadn’t worn it today. She distinctly remembered setting it on the dresser last night. She felt a tinge of unease, but shook it off. No one had broken in. Why would someone take a bracelet? There was more expensive jewelry on offer.

She glanced at her watch. Crap, she needed to go, or she’d be late. She’d look for the bracelet later, and hope she’d just dropped it somewhere in the house.

She slipped on some cute, strappy sandals and headed out.

The sunset was gorgeous. She hit the beach and turned right, but her gaze stayed on the way the golden light changed the colors of the water. The sound of voices ahead caught her ear.

She spotted the glimmer of a bonfire, and smiled. She was excited to see Sawyer.

She shouldn’t be. She wasn’t here to find a man. Brody, the last man she’d dated, had left her more than a little wary.

As she got closer to the cookout, she noted the big crowd. She tensed. This didn’t look small. There was a bonfire, and food roasting on it. And lots of people sitting on chairs and blankets.

Sawyer had said it was just his cousin and family, but this looked far bigger than that. She slowed her steps. What if people recognized her and caused a fuss?

Then she saw Sawyer’s large form emerge from the throng, walking toward her.

“Hi,” he said.

He was wearing khaki cargo shorts, and a black shirt that clung to his body. The band on the sleeves was tight on his biceps.

Hollis tipped her head back. “Hi.” Her gaze flicked to the crowd. “Um…I didn’t realize there would be so many people.”

He took her hand. “Benny’s wife has abigfamily. When they grill on the beach, everyone comes. Aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins.”

“Sawyer…”

“I promise no one will bother you.” He pulled her close. “I won’t let them.”

Her heart skipped a beat. When was the last time someone had shielded her, cared for her? Or at least someone who wasn’t on her payroll. “There’s always someone willing to sell a photo of me.”

“I already talked with everyone. That’s not going to happen.”

He seemed so sure, but she’d been burned too many times before. She walked with him, and he led her over to a blanket.

“Benny,” Sawyer said.

A man turned toward them. He had on a gray T-shirt that saidBorn to Windsurf, Forced to Work.

“This is Hollis,” Sawyer said.

Benny smiled. The man looked nothing like Sawyer. He was shorter, with a lean body, and beach-blond hair that brushed his shoulders. “Welcome, Hollis. Grab some food before it’s gone. This crowd is never shy, and they arealwayswilling to eat.”

“Thanks.”

“Sit,” Sawyer told her. “I’ll get you a plate of food.” He hesitated. “Ah, you don’t just eat salad, do you?”

She laughed. “No, I like meat, and I’m always willing to eat. It just means I work out more.”

He nodded.

She sat on the blanket and watched him move to the food table. She couldn’t take her eyes off that big, powerful body. People stopped to talk with him, and a few older women patted his beard-covered cheek. One even patted his ass.