Page 47 of Mountain Hero

We both go quiet, but it’s not an uncomfortable silence. My mind is full of thoughts about Winter.

How brave she is.

How strong.

This undeniable connection I have with her.

How, before I met her, I never could have imagined feeling this way.

I know it hasn’t been long. And the circumstances aren’t normal.

But somehow I just know.

Damn Finn. He was right.

After a minute or an hour, Winter breaks the silence. “Enzo.”

“Yes?”

“I’m really glad I’m here with you. I just… I’m not saying I’m happy about what happened. With… you know. But being here with you? Like this?” She glances around the patio at all the new furniture and decorations I set up in the middle of the night to surprise her. “I feel really lucky.”

Oh.

“Ah, hun.” My heart swells. I frame her face and press a kiss to her lips. “I feel really lucky, too.”

CHAPTER 13

WINTER

This was my idea.

If I back out now, I’ll be so disappointed in myself. And honestly, more than a little embarrassed.

After days of trying to convince Enzo and his friends to give my plan a try, how humiliating would it be to tell them I changed my mind? To admit that I’m actually terrified of leaving Enzo’s house, which has come to feel like a little sanctuary.

If I chicken out, would that be like saying I don’t trust them to keep me safe? That I don’t trust Enzo, who’s gone way above and beyond to protect me?

It’s not that I think anyone would give me a hard time about it. And while Enzo wouldn’t come out and say it, he’d probably be thrilled if I call this whole thing off. I can stay at his cozy farmhouse that’s feeling more like home every day, working remotely and spending time with Enzo, safely tucked away from any possible danger.

From that perspective, staying put and waiting for Enzo’s friends or the police to find Thomas seems like a solid plan.

Except. How long will this go on for? In the beginning, I thought Thomas would be caught right away. I never imagined him being smart enough to evade capture for weeks.

Then again, he figured out a way to keep me locked away in his house for almost a month, so maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised.

If it only affected me, it would be one thing. But it doesn’t. Aunt Linette’s life is on hold. Enzo is making all these adjustments to his life for me. His friends are rearranging their schedules to provide backup protection. And I don’t even want to think about how much money Enzo spent on all the security upgrades to his house and property.

But when I mentioned all those things in my argument for why we should try this bait idea, Enzo was quick to dismiss them. “Your aunt wants you safe. And she’s having a great time at the ranch. You know she is. My friends like you and they want to help.”

After a moment, he added, “And I’ll be honest; I think it’s helped them, being involved. Especially Gage and Ronan.”

“But your life. The store. The money?—”

Enzo silenced me with a kiss. After we kissed long enough for my thoughts to scatter, he gazed at me intently, his eyes turning a dark, stormy blue. “Winter. Understand this. Everything I am doing is because I want to. I care about you. A lot. And I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

I almost caved right then. Looking at his strong features softened with affection, the emotion in his gaze, realizing the absolute truth of what he was saying… I almost agreed to forget the whole thing.

But then I remembered the other reason. The one that springs from my heart and not my head. “I want us to have a regular relationship, Enzo. Dates. Trips. Meeting friends and family.”

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