Page 86 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bride

Now she knows—and it isn’t safe for her here or anywhere anymore.

I’ll release her from the contract tomorrow. Tell her I’ll give her anything she wants. Ten million dollars if that’s what it takes for her to leave and go somewhere safe where he can’t find her, where he can’t threaten her, where he can nevertouchher again, and then, I’ll deal with the board the best I can without her.

Even without complying with the trust, they still have the power to electanyoneas CEO. It doesn’t solve the issue of Uncle Marty actually owning Bolton Steel outright, but it would keep a Bolton in control through a sale. I could, at the very least, ensure the employees are taken care of and that our legacy isn’t tainted by what Father and Marty allowed to take place.

Lyla cries out and jerks upright in the bed, panting heavily. Her eyes frantically dart around the cabin until they find me, and I make my way back and climb up beside her.

“It’s all right. It was just a dream.” A tear streams down her face as I tug her against me and press a kiss to the top of her head. “I got you.”

At least for now.

For a little while, I can try to protect her.

“Try” being the operative word.

She buries her face against my chest and clings to me like I’m the only thing in the world keeping her grounded when really, that’s what she’s somehow done for me since she arrived.

All I want to do is take away her pain and fear. Lift it onto my shoulders because I’m the one who should carry it.

“You can’t let him win.” Her words are soft but determined. She looks up at me with her tear-soaked eyes. “We arenotgoing to let him win.”

Even after what he did to her, she still wants to fight.

“I told you it isn’t safe for us to try to go through with the original plan now.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t care. We’re going.”

Her resolve makes me appreciate who she is even more. This isn’t her fight, isn’t her battle, but she’s willing to step in and stand at my side, despite the potential consequences.

I lower myself onto my elbow and stretch out beside her, brushing her hair off her temple. “You don’t have to do that, Lyla. You’re better off going somewhere safe where he can’t find you until all of this is cleared up, until he’s not a threat anymore.”

She reaches up and palms the side of my face. “I’m not leaving you to fight that man on your own, Silas. You didn’t give up on me when I was lost in the woods, and I’m not going to give up on you. He may think he’s ready for us, but he has no idea who you are now.”

“I think I gave him a pretty good idea when I pointed that gun at him.”

Her lips twitch. “Maybe. But you’re strong enough to go in and do what you need to do. So am I.”

Was it really only yesterday she was threatening to leave?

Now, she’s not going to allow me send her away, even if it is what’s best for her.

“Christ, Lyla. I don’t deserve you. Not even close.”

A tear trickles across her temple, and I drop my head and kiss it away. The salty taste against my lips brings horrific memories with it of all the tears I shed that never stopped that madman from doing whatever he wanted.

She leans into me, wrapping her arm around the back of my neck and dragging my mouth to hers. The kiss is slow and sweet, unhurried and needy.

It stirs my body to life again when, only moments ago, all I could feel was panic.

My cock presses against her thigh, and she rolls closer to me, crushing her chest to mine.

I try to pull away and stop this before it goes too far, but she clutches me even tighter.

After what she just went through, the last thing I should do is touch her like this, but her hands go to the waistband of my sweatpants, and she shoves at them.

“Lyla…”

Her eyes flutter open and meet mine. “Don’t say no because you think you’re protecting me, Silas. I need you. I need this.”

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