Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Agreed,” Chance says. His whole body is wired, ready to fight, ready to kill if needed. “We need to act fast. Decisively.”
I look toward the stairs, where Roxie is resting in her bedroom. Our girl. Our babies. My throat tightens.
“We need to tell her, but we also need to keep her calm,” I say. “Carrying multiples is already no joke, and it’s only the first trimester. Too much stress is downright dangerous right now.”
Chance nods. “I’ll bring her up.”
She must hear us, because a moment later she appears in the doorway, her hand on the frame, her eyes wide and questioning. “Bring me up for what?”
I stand and go to her, taking her hand. “Come, sit.”
She takes one look at our faces and goes pale, but she doesn’t cry or panic. She just sits down between Dillon and me. Chance moves in behind her, his hands on her shoulders like he’s guarding her with his whole damn body.
I keep my voice as steady as I can while I explain. “There’s a man in town, and he’s taking pictures of Tessa. Dillon ran the plate, and it’s someone connected to Caruso.”
She sucks in a sharp breath but keeps herself together otherwise. “They found me.”
“They found her,” Dillon corrects gently. “We don’t know if they know about you yet.”
“But we’re assuming the worst,” Chance adds. “We’re going to protect you, Rox. You and the babies. No matter what.”
“We’re prepared,” I say, squeezing her hand. “We planned for this. You’re safe.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I know. We’ve done everything we can.” She swallows hard. “Just promise me you won’t take risks. Not for me.”
All three of us speak at once.
“Too late.”
“Not happening.”
“Never going to promise that.”
She lets out a husky laugh, and I lean over, taking her cheek in my palm. Fierce love rises in my chest like a damn tidal wave as my eyes lock on hers. “We’re going to get through this, Rox. All of us together. As a family.”
“Okay,” she whispers.
She leans in and presses a kiss to my lips that I desperately want to deepen, then stands. “I just need a minute, but I’ll be in my room if there’s anything else, okay?”
“Okay.” Chance drops a kiss on her forehead when she stops in front of him. “We’re just going to go over the boring stuff now anyway. Logistics and whatnot. Stay away from the windows, all right?”
“Trust me, I will.” She smiles up at him and leaves.
Dillon keeps watching me with that quiet, steady stare he’s perfected over the years. I feel it more than see it. Finally, I sigh and turn toward him. “All right. Just say it. You’ve been staring holes into me long enough. What did I do to get your panties in a twist?”
He doesn’t deny it. “Are you sure you’re not letting old patterns blind you here?”
I scrub a hand down my face. “I know what you’re thinking. I do. I messed up with Tessa. I put you through hell with that marriage, but it’s a lifetime ago. My eyes are wide open now.”
Chance opens his mouth, but I’m not done.
“I don’t even know why I married her. Well, actually, I do. I was lonely, horny, stupid, trying so damn hard to be normal that I tried to make a family out of someone who never wanted one.” My throat tightens. “I want what we have now. I’ve always wanted it. Both of you know that.”
Dillon’s stare eases. Chance tilts his head. “We hear you. It’s just that if Tessa gets mixed up with Caruso, it might come down to a choice. If push comes to shove, who do you protect?”
“What the fuck kind of question is that?” I snap. “You. Roxie. Obviously.”
Dillon lifts his hands. “We’re not questioning you. We just need to be sure she’s not in your head again.”
“Roxie is everything I never thought I’d have,” I say. “And those babies are a miracle. I’m not choosing Tessa. Ever.”
Chance claps my shoulder as Dillon nods and turns back to his computer.
We work late into the night, setting up shifts, watching the monitors.
By three a.m., the snow quiets and the house sleeps. I’m still awake when my mattress dips and I open my eyes to find Roxie watching me.
“Boone?” she whispers.
“Yeah, sweetheart?” I pull her close without thinking.
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
“I wasn’t sleeping.”
She hesitates. “Do you really want this?”
I tip her chin up. “More than anything. You’re my family. Don’t let her poison win.”
She burrows into my chest, and I hold her until her breathing evens out.
We fall asleep tangled together, but the feeling in my gut doesn’t fade.
Danger isn’t just a possibility.
It’s already here.
28
CHANCE
Mornings on the mountain are usually quiet and predictable, but not this one. I lace up my boots before the sun has even thought about rising, grab my gloves, and step outside into the sharp bite of cold air.