Page 145 of Heart of Frost and Scars

“You need to stay in the main house.” Leo bites out the words as if they pain him. “Don’t stay in the guest house by yourself.”

“There are guards.”

“Don’t risk it, woman.” Kody flexes his jaw. “If Monty’s not the stalker, he’s the only one who will protect you as fiercely as we do.”

“Okay.” I shiver, goosebumps erupting across my skin. “I’ll stay in the main house.”

“Not saying we trust him.” Leo scowls at the man in question.

“We trust he won’t hurt you,” Kody says quietly.

“We just don’t trust his dick.” Leo makes a menacing sound.

“Do you trust me?” I curl my hands around the bars.

They both nod and wrap their fingers around mine, dwarfing my hands.

“Time’s up.” The officer signals from the doorway.

Monty ends his call and strides back to us, giving Leo and Kody a stern glare. “Behave.”

“We’re not children,” Leo grumbles.

At twenty-five and thirty, Kody and Leo are definitely not boys. They’re more manly than most men. They’ve lived harder lives. Their bodies endured the harshest conditions. Because of that, they’re stronger, braver, more chiseled, more aggressive, and more ruthless than anyone I’ve ever met.

Except maybe Monty.

The three Strakh men together? They’re masculinity on steroids.

“Let’s go.” Monty takes my hand, his grip firm.

It doesn’t feel right to leave without kissing them.

It doesn’t feel right to leave them here at all.

A riptide of anxiety crashes through me, quickening my pulse as Monty guides me away.

At the door, I glance over my shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I promise.”

Leo’s hand tightens around the bars. Then he lets go and turns away.

“Be safe.” Kody’s gaze remains steady.

Monty gently tugs on my hand, pulling me around the corner, taking me from them.

The separation feels like a physical wound, each step away a sharp blow to my chest. My breaths come faster, louder as the panic rises, the fear of leaving them clawing at my composure.

“Hey.” Monty pauses, scanning my face. He peers so closely that his breath fans my lips, coaxing me to look at him. “They’re okay. They’re safe. Do you need to sit?”

I shake my head and resume walking.

“Let me carry you.” He grips my elbow.

“My legs work just fine.”

With a sigh, he hooks his fingers around mine and leads me back to the dock with the guards on our trail.

Sitka’s harbor stretches before us, the streets empty, devoid of the usual bustle. No footsteps, no voices, just the distant sound of waves bouncing against the dock.

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