Page 33 of Fierce Protector

At Colton’s questioning look, he shook his head.

“We’re still working things out. Look, keep this under wraps. We’re not ready to discuss the matter.”

“Sure thing.”

The fist clenched at his side was a dead giveaway that Colton had other things on his mind.

“What else happened while I was gone?”

“Two things. We decided it’s not safe for the guys to sleep in tents anymore. They’re staying in the big house in the guest rooms.”

Ledger nodded. “The other thing?”

“We cleared out the stall to see what the guy who attacked Demi was looking for.”

He held his breath, chest suddenly constricted.

Colton held his stare as if waiting to see what Ledger might do. Like he was a bomb ticking down the seconds before an explosion.

“We never pull punches with each other, Nox. Just say it.”

“Turns out he dropped the knife that he used to cut the horse. It’s with the police for fingerprinting.”

* * * * *

Demi couldn’t recall the last time she got to just lie in bed. If she wasn’t up before dawn getting ready to go to a house call, she was coming home after being awake all night on one. Even on weekends, she was on the go. Animals didn’t only get sick or injured during business hours. Plus, she had to cram her personal life in, doing laundry, paying the bills and shopping for food.

So waking up to the warm golden glow of the sun on her face and the twitter of birds was a shock.

She bolted upright. “Oh no!” She scrambled for her phone.

A footstep fell next to the futon she was sleeping on. She looked up—right at an expanse of bare chest.

Tanned. Muscled. With a spattering of hair across the pecs that tapered down to a love trail leading into jeans that hung low on a pair of equally muscled hips.

Ledger.

He dropped to the futon with her, crowding her on the narrow mattress. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”

“No. Where’s my phone? I never called my receptionist to tell her that I’m out of commission this week. My office will be filled with—”

He closed his fingers around her upper arms, cutting off her rant. His touch took out a few brain cells too. Suddenly, she couldn’t remember her name. And those piano lessons of her youth were a distant memory.

“Calm down, honey. I already called her.”

“You—”

He nodded.

Her mouth dried out. He was capable. On top of things.

And muscular.

So hot.

“Well, why didn’t you tell me that?”

“Because you passed out as soon as your head hit the pillow. You’ve been dead to the world for twelve hours, Demi.”

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