Page 44 of Guarded Hearts

He set the letter back on the desk. Pacing across the room, he stopped in front of a painting in a heavy, ornate frame and folded his arms.

“What do you think of the painting?”

He didn’t turn to look at Layne. “I’m not a fan.”

The watery chuckle she gave made him swing toward her. Fingers itching to grab her and take her far away from here. Hide her.

And keep her in his bed twenty-four hours a day until she was carrying his child.

Fuck. Where the hell did that come from? It went way beyond protectiveness and barreled into insanity.

She didn’t belong to him.

But she could. Those tears she shed over their past were proof that he could still make her feel something for him.

And the passionate cries she made in his bed were an even bigger indicator.

He sucked in a sharp breath. They studied each other for several heartbeats.

“Layne, that delivery…”

“Yes?” She knotted her fingers.

Setting his hand over her twined ones, he met her stare. “It was flowers. Only it wasn’t flowers—just stems. And a threatening note.”

She gasped. Her face drained of color. “What kind of note?”

“Not a good note. He said if he can’t have you, no one can.”

Unable to keep his hands off her, he pulled her into his arms. She rested her cheek against his chest, over his heart, and listened to what he had to tell her.

“It’s so weird not to feel safe here. This ranch holds so many happy memories.”

“I want to move you.”

“When?”

“Tonight. When it’s dark. I’ll have my brothers escort us.”

“Where would we go? Your ranch?”

“It’s too close. What about Lake Como?”

She pushed away from him, head tilted back to search his face. “Lake Como! What would ever make you think of that?”

“Remember we always said we’d go there?”

She sputtered. “But won’t it be dangerous? Airports are high visibility.”

“I have a private jet.”

Her expression blanked.“What?”

“You’ll be safe with me, Layne. Nobody will know where you’ve gone, and my brothers can handle things here.”

“You have ajet?”

He waited for her to catch up. When she shook herself and focused on him again, he pulled her against his chest.

---