Forty-Five
Montana
Linc’s voice carried through the wall, and my stomach knotted. My eyes flew over to Jayda, who was twirling a strand of her hair nervously. That didn’t make me feel better. She lived with Linc. If she was nervous about this, then Than could be in trouble.
“He wouldn’t—I mean, they don’t…kill other members of the, um, group, do they?” I asked hesitantly.
Jayda shook her head, then paused. “Well, it has happened, but not Than. He’s just fighting whatever Linc is telling him, and he isn’t supposed to talk back to Linc.”
I started to chew on my thumbnail, not caring if I ruined it. What was this about? Linc had called and told Than to come to the house at seven this evening. He hadn’t seemed concerned at the cabin, but then we’d had sex against the wall before his call and sat on the sofa and watched a movie while he pulled me over to curl up against him. His fingers had played with my hair the entire time, and I’d almost fallen asleep when he told me it was time to come here.
I wanted to go back to the sofa. Whatever was happening wasn’t good.
The door swung open, and Than came stalking out. His eyes sought me out immediately, and he walked over to me, slipping his arm around my shoulders. “Come with me outside. I need to talk to you about something.”
The heaviness in his voice sent off warning bells. But I went, my fear growing rapidly with each step.
“He was shouting,” I whispered.
Than nodded. “Yeah.”
“Are you okay?” I asked, looking up at him as he walked me through the house.
His lips quirked. “Yeah, I’m fine. He was just pissed.”
No kidding. “Why?” I asked.
He nodded his head toward the tall glass doors that led onto a patio. “I’m gonna explain, but let’s go out here.”
I didn’t like that this had to do with me, and the need to take me outside to tell me was a bad sign. He opened the door, then dropped his arm from my shoulders to let me walk out first.
“Let’s sit over there on the sofa,” he said, pointing to the little living room setup that even had a flat screen under the covering of the patio.
I sat, trying not to fidget.
When he took a seat, it was close to me, and that helped ease me some. But not enough. He was upset. I could see it in his eyes. Whatever this was, he didn’t like it.
“Blaise spoke with Thaddeus Davidson—Wayon’s father—and when asked about the letters and the whiskey bottle and breaking into my goddamn truck, he got Wayon on the call with them. Wayon didn’t even try and deny it. He admitted to everything. He said…” Than paused, and I could see his teeth grind as he cracked his neck to the side. “He said that after he saw you the first time, he kept coming back to Monroe just to watch you. He learned your schedule. Left groceries and other things at your front door when you hadn’t left the house due to your mom.”
My eyes widened. “What?” I whispered. “I thought the girls at the club had been dropping those things off for us. I was just so tired and emotionally worn out that I never asked. I didn’t think to.”
“It was Wayon.” He said his name like a curse. “He wants to talk to you. Alone. Here. Apologize for scaring you.”
I stiffened. “Here? At Linc’s house?”
I was still processing that a guy I’d met once stalked me and bought us groceries. He’d been engaged.
“Yes,” Than said tightly. “Seems he was already in town.” His eyes flashed angrily. “Imagine that.”
I blew out a breath. “When is he coming here?”
“Now,” he said through clenched teeth.
There were many things I should be concerned with right now, but the one thing I wanted to know was, “Is this why Linc was yelling at you?”
He nodded, cutting his eyes at me. “Yes.”
“Because you don’t want me to talk to Wayon?”
“I don’t want him near you.” Than scowled.
There was that hope again. Stirring in my chest. Wanting to take flight and soar. For him to talk back to Linc, wouldn’t that mean he felt something for me? Something more than a friendship? Afraid of him bursting my bubble yet wanting to have confirmation that he cared, I fought the desire to ask him why he didn’t want Wayon near me.
“He won’t hurt me, will he?” I asked.
Than shook his head as he glared out over the backyard. “No. I’ll be right outside the door. You call my name, and I’ll kill the bastard. I don’t give a fuck who he is.”
Now, that I did not want to happen. For starters, he didn’t need to kill Wayon over this. Second, I was almost positive that boss guy would be angry. And I didn’t want Than to be punished, nor did I want to think about what that punishment might be.
“It should be fine. He can explain or apologize or whatever, and then he will leave. It will be over.”
Realization slowly dawned on me. I’d not have a reason to be here. I could go back to Monroe. My chest tightened. I didn’t want to leave Than yet. I was supposed to have three months.
How ironic that, almost three weeks ago, I thought I’d be suffering through the time with him. Now, the idea of leaving him made me feel ill.
“That’s a good thing, Six. You don’t have to be scared of the fucker anymore,” he said, reaching over to cover my hands, which I had clasped together, with one of his.
It didn’t even register with him. My leaving wasn’t something he dreaded.
“I know,” I replied.
His brows drew together as he studied me when the patio door opened. I tore my eyes off Than to see who it was. Anything to keep my heart from breaking more.
Ransom and Bane stepped outside.
“Motherfucker,” Than muttered, standing up and walking over toward them.
I stayed where I was, thankful I had a moment to pull myself together. This was always the plan—to leave. It was just sooner than I’d anticipated. Why had I told Linc that I’d come here because of the letters? That I’d been scared of them and that was my reason for blackmailing Jericho?
I sighed. I’d been planning on leaving then. That was before Than became something more. Things had changed so quickly.
“No!” Than shouted, and my head snapped around to look at him.
Bane looked annoyed, and Ransom was scowling as he spoke to him. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about.
“Why? That’s not fucking necessary,” Than said loudly and stepped back from both of them.
“For Christ’s sake, would you get a grip? It’s not like you’re being sent across the country. Jesus, stop with the dramatics,” Bane drawled.
Ransom grabbed Than’s arm, and he tried to jerk away.
“What the fuck? What are you planning to do? Drag me out?” Than demanded.
“If I have to, you stupid fucker. I’m trying to save your ass. You’ve been instructed to leave the premises. Just while Wayon is here. When he leaves, you can come right back and get her,” Ransom said angrily.
“This is bullshit!” Than turned to look back at me. His gaze was tortured.
The knot in my chest grew until there wasn’t any room left.
“It’s okay,” I lied. I hated that they were forcing him to leave when he wanted to stay so badly. “I’ll be fine.”
He started toward me, and both Bane’s and Ransom’s arms shot out to stop him. Rage lit his face as his blue eyes blazed. I had to make this okay for him. He was worried about me. He might not love me, but he cared. I could hold on to that.
“You have less than five minutes before he arrives. We have to get you out of here,” Ransom told him.
“I am fine,” I said, wanting to go to him, but afraid of the other two.
“She’s fine. But you won’t be if you don’t fucking move,” Bane said.
“Go!” I urged. “Please.”
He didn’t say anything, but jerked his arm free of his brother’s grasp and shrugged off Bane’s grip on his shoulder before stalking into the house without another word.
“Linc said for you to go to his office,” Bane told me as Ransom followed his brother.
I nodded, but I didn’t think I could speak just yet.
Once he left, I made my way slowly toward the door. I wasn’t scared of facing Wayon. I wanted to know why he’d done it. His actions had caused me to turn to a man I hated for help, but they’d also led me to Than.
I couldn’t hate Wayon for that reason alone. If he’d never left those letters, then I’d never have met Than. He would never be a regret. He’d be my favorite memory.