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The fact that she could protect herself didn’t matter, not to his emotions, not to his instincts He was a man and, cop or no, she was still a woman In the most basic way known to nature, he wanted to protect her

The easiest way to help her figure out the balance of life and as to show her that he considered her work as important as she did, and intihtened every sensation,than a randoument was a reversal for Dash Other than sexual relief, he hadn’t wanted anything fro ti They thought of it as a show of affection and caring, a prelude to love

Not Margo

Nope, she just used it as a carnal tension reliever from a very emotionally stressful job

As Dash parked out front of the station, he saw Margo, Logan and Reese speaking together Margo spotted hi Why weren’t they in the building?

Leaving his purchases behind on the seat, he exited the truck Even froer on Margo’s face She stood there without her coat--not that she’d need it with the sun shining down and the te strides Dash reached theive Reese an order

"Get hold of the rest of your guys I want them watched at the hospital, at home and at the shop"

"Already took care of it"

She paced, rubbing her injured arh Dash doubted she realized it "I need this kept quiet We’re not taking any chances"

"My guys can be trusted" Reese took a few steps away, still on the cell

"Reese has guys?" Dash asked

She looked up at him in a distracted way "Men he trusts Officers who have proven themselves loyal to him, and therefore loyal to the letter of the law"

With a shrug, Logan said, "The creas necessary before Margo took over"

She did so "They still come in handy when I want to make sure details are kept as private as possible"

"And you have soave hi chances" All business, she added, "And speaking of chances, you need to park your truck soent, he agreed without question "All right"

"Ithat he hadn’t questioned her "Do you have good security?"

"On my house? My brother is a cop, so yeah, the place is kept secure" He looked at Logan, hoping for a feers

As if to work off anger, his brother flexed his shoulders "We checked out the pawnshop The owner and his granddaughter were there when they shot the video"

Oh, shit "What do you o rub her shoulder, then her wrist, above and below the splint "I thought Cannon stopped in and they--"

"Three ed woman in tow broke in and used the place To control the owner they doused hiuy threatened thehter the whole time they were there"

Reese disconnected his call and rejoined the the the the rape"

"Damn," Dash whispered And these were the sao? He wanted to haul her close and somehow insulate her from it all--but her job kept her at the forefront

"A couple of Reese’s guys are with Mr Sweeny at the hospital I’an stepped closer to Dash "Cannon knows the granddaughter so he stayed with her at the hospital She’s pretty shook up"

"Margo?" Because he needed to touch her, Dash put a hand on the back of her neck "What now?"

"They threatened that girl, told her they would use her next in a video if she talked to the police"

Dash searched her faceand saw iron resolve "That’s not going to happen"

"No, it’s not We won’t let it" Wearily, Margo leaned into his side

Dash put his aran stared

Reese raised his eyebrows

Dash was about to call theo beat him to it

"Put your eyeballs back in your heads, boys I know it strains your boundaries of belief, but I enjoy a little human contact every now and then, saan transferred his beo on the shoulder, just like she was one of the guys "Glad for you"

She staggered into Dash, but laughed "It doesn’t require applause, detective, so stow it"

To Reese and Logan, Dash said, "You’re both idiots"

Still leaning on hiot serious again "We can pick up the rental on our way ho at that disclosure