Page 40 of Mountain Hero

I don’t say all that to Knox, of course. Instead, I smile back at him and say, “I’m good with coffee. But I can make something for breakfast if you don’t mind waiting a few minutes.”

He brightens. Violet’s theory proves right again. “That would be great, Winter. If you’re sure you don’t mind.”

Once I assure him I don’t, I get back to my response to Violet.

Sorry again. Knox was just checking on me. But… I feel okay when I’m talking to you. Or when I’m with Enzo. But when I’m alone… it’s hard to get rid of the sticky thoughts. Like I should have figured things out sooner. That I’m causing all this trouble and I don’t deserve the help I’m getting.

A few seconds go by before Violet’s message appears.

Winter! You didn’t do anything wrong. Not even a little. You aren’t causing trouble. Jerkface Thomas is. And people are helping you because they want to. Because they care about you. From what you’ve told me about Enzo, he definitely wants to.

A pause, and then.

It sounds like he’d do just about anything for you.

My heart does that fluttering thing again.

Would he?

Do I want him to?

Yes, my heart whispers.

That irritating, logical voice asks, Is it too soon?

Do I care? Does it matter when everything with Enzo feels so right?

I’m debating what to tell Violet when a call comes in.

I don’t recognize the number or area code, so I almost decline it. But then it hits me—it could be Aunt Linette, calling from the ranch. She forgets to charge her phone sometimes, so she could be calling from someone else’s number or possibly a landline there.

So I tap the call to answer.

At first, there’s nothing but silence. Then a click.

My stomach squinches into a tiny knot. Even as I repeat a shaky, “Hello?” something inside me knows this isn’t right.

“You fucking bitch!”

The voice is rough. Jagged. Filled with rage.

Thomas.

Oh, God.

“You’re going to regret what you did.” A rough chuckle sends icy tendrils down my spine. “You can’t hide forever. Neither can your aunt.”

A whimper starts in my chest and works its way up my throat.

My lungs seize.

But he can’t get to me. Can’t get to Aunt Linette. Enzo promised.

Thomas’s voice dips dangerously. “Come back to me. Now. Or you’ll regret it.”

As soon as Enzo gets home, he makes a beeline toward me.

His features are stony, all hard lines and angles. His anger is a palpable thing.

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