Sean stops and places his hands on Eryn's shoulders, gently turning her around so he could look into her eyes. Smiling, he says, "Let's get something straight: You didn't do anything, Eryn. Those guys were just assholes who needed to be shown a thing or two, which you did an exceptional job of doing. Second, I don't mind getting mixed up in anything. I protect my friends, no matter what, and that goes for you, too." Deep inside, he knows that his desire to protect the timid woman in front of him ran deeper than the fledgling friendship they had begun. The fierceness behind said desire told him that there was more going on in his heart than even he wasn't aware of.