Malone's Fate (Haven, Texas Book 14)

Chapter 40

“Ireally don’t need a nap.”

Tanner just gave her a firm look. “Yeah, baby. You do. You’re only just out of the hospital and you’ve already had an eventful day.”

“You wouldn’t even let me do anything. I was only allowed to sit and supervise.” She hadn’t even been allowed to pack her own underwear, for goodness’ sake.

And now they were at Tanner’s family Ranch. Apparently, Tanner usually lived in the bunkhouse on his own. All the rest of the brothers had their own places. West and Flick had built a house on the property. Butch and Lara had moved into a house they’d had transported onto the Ranch. Jaret, Beau, and Maddox lived on other properties close by, while Raid lived in Haven.

But Alec wanted them all in the main house. Ryleigh and Kye were in a room across the hall while Opal was next to them.

Linc was in the bunkhouse. Alec wasn’t letting him stay in the house. In fact, he’d even told him that he wasn’t allowed upstairs.

Lilac was beginning to agree with Opal. Alec was over-the-top protective.

A different breed of brother than she was used to.

Crap. How was she going to convince Tanner to let her deal with Stefan? It would be so much easier for everyone. Right now, Alec was calling all of his brothers in to explain the situation.

And to tell them about Ryleigh.

She wondered how the heck that would go.

“Shouldn’t you be downstairs with your brothers?” she asked.

“Why?” he asked as he tucked the blankets around her. “I see their ugly faces all the time.”

“But . . . don’t you want to talk about everything. About Ryleigh?”

“What is there to talk about? She’s our sister and we’re gonna take care of her. She’ll move in here and she’s never allowed to date until she’s fifty. Done.”

She rolled her eyes at him. Only . . . he looked kind of serious.

“You do remember that she has a son, right?”

“Immaculate conception.”

“Tanner!”

“I won’t believe anything else.”

“Oh my God. You’re utterly insane. What about Linc? He seems interested in her.”

Tanner placed his hand over her mouth. “No. Nope. Not happening. No sister of mine will be involved with a cop.”

“The two of you were friends.”

“More like acquaintances.” He sat on the bed, facing her. Reaching out, he cupped her chin with his hand. “You’re so beautiful.”

Blushing, she lowered her gaze from his. “I’m not.”

“You are. You’re beautiful and precious and mine. I hold on to the things that are mine, pretty girl. I lost you once. I won’t risk losing you again. I can’t.”

She sniffled, her eyes rising to his. “And I don’t want anything to happen to you. It’s the most selfish thing I’ve ever done in my life, falling in love with you.”

Tanner’s face softened as he leaned in to kiss her. This kiss was gentle, soft. Then, it deepened into something more. Something more hotter. Harder. Arousing

A whimper escaped her. She wanted to be closer to him. To have him wrapped around her.

But he drew back, brushing her hair away from her face.

“Tanner,” she whispered. “Come to bed with me.”

A groan escaped him. “God, baby. I want that more than anything. But you’re just out of the hospital.”

“I feel fine.”

He shot her a look.

She bit her lip, looking away. “I don’t like being weak.”

“Look at me.” He waited until she turned back. “Your body might feel weak right now, but there is nothing weak about you. You’re the strongest person I know. However, even strong people know that they need to lean on others now and then. Just let me take care of you. Please.”

There was such longing on his face. Such need in his eyes.

But could she do it?

This was scary. Stefan was terrifying. And she was the one who understood him the best.

“How about this? Let me look after you until you’re feeling stronger physically. Then I’ll let you help us take him down. I’m not stupid, I know we’ll need you.”

“But?” she asked, sensing one.

“But you need to know you’ll never be allowed to put yourself in danger. You’re not going near him. You can help. Give us advice, intel, but that’s it. No leaving the Ranch without me. No trying to go to him.”

It wouldn’t work. She knew it wouldn’t. But what could she say?

“I promise that I won’t do anything rash.”

Tanner sighed, looking a bit sad. Shit. She hated that she’d done that. But she couldn’t promise anything more.

“Lie down, I’m going to get you a bottle of water and a snack.” He stood and she reached out to grab his hand.

“It’s not . . . it’s not that I don’t trust you. That I want to go near him. I don’t. I just think I’m the best option to take him down.”

“Even if that means that you never come back to me? How is the two of us never being happy the best option?” Turning, he walked away.

Fuck. Ouch.

She lay back, closing her eyes.

Sacrificing herself hadn’t seemed that hard before. When she had nothing to lose.

Now, that she had the promise of everything could she do it?