Page 37 of Fierce Protector

“Yeah. Only Colton knows. I’d appreciate it if you keep it quiet.”

“Don’t have any friends to tell.”

Damn, Ledger felt that statement to the marrow of his bones. After his buddy died, he’d felt more alone than he ever had in his entire life. His mind knew that he had friends here on the Gracey Ranch waiting for him to join them. But the more stubborn part of his psyche told him that he’d lost his one and only true friend—the one who understood him more than the rest.

They weren’t just brothers-in-arms. They were brothers in spirit.

“I know the guys suspect you’re behind the ranch equipment going missing and then turning up at auction.”

Webb stilled. The tendon in the crease of his jaw fluttered as he clenched his teeth. “People believe what they want about me. I don’t give a damn. I’m not here to make them happy. I’m here to do my job.”

“I respect that.”

“Ever since the attacks started, things are fucked up around here. Mr. Gracey used to keep a tight rein on the operations. Then he lost Forest and things went downhill.”

Ledger understood that. His own world had spiraled after his best friend died that day.

“Things have been real quiet around here this week.” The spell of peace and absence of attacks gave Ledger a false taste of what domestic life would be like. Living with Demi—only he’d be damned if she wasn’t in his bed, naked, at all times—might be similar to that peace.

Webb hooked his thumb in his front pocket. “I heard that some wolves were spotted yesterday.”

“The wolves are a problem, but I’m still more concerned with the man who attacked her in the barn.”

Webb nodded.

“Hunter spotted some wolves at the tree line close to dark. He took a shot with the tranquilizer gun Demi gave us to use, but he couldn’t get a clear shot. They ran off.”

Webb nodded. “Heard as much. You weren’t with him?”

“No. I was doing a sweep of the perimeter before I retired for the night.”

He nodded in a way that told Ledger he was distracted and not totally present. “I’d better get to work. The cows don’t wait.”

“No. They don’t.” Ledger had intended to dig into some hard work too, but now he had a burning urge to check on Demi.

With a raised hand, Ledger took his leave of Webb. The short walk to the she-shed had his guts gripping, and not with need—with an all-too-familiar sixth sense.

He quickened his pace. As soon as he reached for the door handle, he already knew the door was unlocked.

Open.

And he knew she wouldn’t be there.

He barged in, heedless of how hard the door smacked the inner wall. He didn’t give a damn if the teacup collection hit the floor and smashed.

“Demi!”

A quick glance at the futon revealed that she had made the bed with the pillows she hoarded all night lined up along the back. Her bag was gone.

She was gone.

“Fuck!” He whipped around and ran for his truck.

Damn her for leaving. She didn’t even have the decency to tell him before deciding that her bedrest was officially over.

The door hinges of the old truck screeched in protest as if it didn’t agree with the level of anger he opened it with. He jumped behind the wheel and took off for Eden. His fingers locked on the wheel until his joints ached from the tight grip.

Even if Demi’s week of bedrest was up, and the pregnancy was no longer in danger, the threat against her wasn’t gone. Someone had attacked her. She’d seen the man, even if he was masked.

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