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After the Storm Maya Banks 37650K 2023-08-31

Donovan thought for a moment and then shook his head "Not yet Until we at least knoe’re up against Nathan and Joe’s teas for now It’s perfect for the in your or Rio’s teams until I have to I’ll have to fill my brothers in and I don’t intend to tell the saet over before I say what’s on my mind"

Swanny and Joe took off to do their respective tasks, and Donovan excused hio tend to Eve When he entered the bedroom, Eve had already crawled under the covers with Cammie, as huddled into Eve’s body

It was such an endearing sight that for a moment all Donovan could do was stare At what could be his At what he already considered his He was struck by the rightness of it all But he also knew he couldn’t afford to get distracted by the fantasy So for an opportunity to strike At his fa

He uncapped the syringe Maren had prepared and then e, his thigh resting against Eve’s body

"I need to give this in your bottom," he explained "All you have to do is pull up your shirt and lower the band of your underwear You can remain covered the rest of the way It’ll just take a minute and then you’ll feel much better"

"Thank you," Eve said, barely above a whisper "I don’t think I’ve said it properly--or at all, for thatto so much trouble for people you don’t even know, but I can never hope to repay your kindness, Donovan What you’ve done for Cammie and Travis And me I don’t knohy--I can’t even comprehend it all--but I thank God that you’re here That we’re here"

He ser down the curve of her cheek, fiercely satisfied that she see his help "You’re oing anywhere and neither are you"

He carefully pushed up the oversized T-shirt to bare her slientle curve of her behind It was pure temptation to stroke the baby-soft skin, but he focused on sliding her panties down just enough to bare the injection site

"Just a stick," he warned, and then pushed the needle into her flesh

She tensed a rumbled "The medication hurt worse than the needle"

Donovan chuckled "That’s usually the way it goes But you’ll be feeling the effects any second noant you to relax and get some sleep I’ll wake you and Carilled cheese sandwiches and soup Swanny has volunteered his culinary expertise and I have to say, the man can cook"

She s with the effects of the ain I’ll never be able to repay your kindness"

He bent to kiss her forehead and she went utterly still beneath his lips "You will, Eve Trust me, you will Just not in a manner you’d likely expect"

With that cryptic state that Cammie had already drifted to sleep in Eve’s ar sure it was secure and that the fluid was flowing correctly

"Sleep well, Eve And know you’re safe," hethe door behind him

CHAPTER 17

AN hour later, Donovan stood in the living rooathered along with the rest of Nathan and Joe’s teae Sean Cameron was present as well Donovan had wanted him pulled in so he could discreetly run a check on Eve and uncover any potential issues with the law Steele and Maren had reh Maren had retreated to the kitchen to feed Olivia in private

He needed infore decisions, but he couldn’t wait until he got her to trust hiht when he and Eve were finally alone But for now, he needed everyone on point because so or someone was after Eve Her fear wasn’t faked The terror in her siblings’ eyes wasn’t an act

"So what are we dealing with here, Van?" Sa the heavy silence in the rooriet Eve to talk to h to her Getting her to agree to stay here was a huge step in the right direction"

He glanced over at Sean, who leaned against the wall, hands shoved into his uniform pockets He’d just come off duty and hadn’t been home yet Donovan kneas likely tired, but Sean hadn’t hesitated to come when Donovan had asked him to

"Sean, I need you to do so on Eve, and Ca their real na up on anyonetheir descriptions, but I do not need anyone to know about it Anything you find, you coardless of what it is you discover"

Sean’s gaze narrowed "What exactly are you expecting to find?"

"I don’t know," Donovan said honestly "What I know is that they’re running and running hard and scared from someone Cammie’s terrified of men She mentioned that her ‘daddy’ had hurt Eve Not Eve’s father, but Ca if s and they share a mother, or perhaps Eve is an aunt or concerned relative I just need whatever you can dig up without leaving any traces that you were looking"

Sean nodded "I’ll do what I can"

Donovan expanded his gaze to include the others "I need you all on this I want to tighten security around the coular watches I also want to keep an eye out in town for anyone out of place So like they’re looking for Eve or Cammie and Travis"