Page 52 of Guarded Hearts

When he only stared down at her, she screamed in frustration. “Don’t you dare give me that blank expression. Thatmask!You can’t hide your feelings from me if you want to make this work, Carson Malone! Now tell me…what did you do…with my letters!”

His chest burned.

She balled her fist and thumped him on the chest. “Tell me! I deserve to know!”

He bowed his head. “Fuck. You’re right.”

“Where are they? Tell me you didn’t destroy them.” Her harsh whisper broke him open. There was no stopping the emotions from flooding in.

He shook his head. “They’re in the guest room closet.”

She shot him a glare tinted with worry. “Why would you do it?”

“Because I don’t want you to hate me. Again.” He spread his hands.

“Oh, Carson.” She faltered.

Unable to stop himself, to shield her from the feelings that she deserved to feel the same as he did way back then…he took her in his arms.

After several silent moments, she looked up at him. “I want those letters back.”

He nodded. “You’ll get them. I promise. But right now, we have a jet waiting for us. Leave them for now. Okay?” He stroked his finger down her delicate cheek.

Oh no. She tipped her chin in that defiant little way that told him he was in for an argument.

She opened her mouth, and he pressed a finger over her lips.

“I’ll tell you what’s in the rest of the letters.”

Her eyes narrowed. Twisting her lips away from his finger, she challenged him like he knew she would.

“You’re telling me you remember every word? Because I want to read every word.”

“And you will. But we need to go. Now.”

She firmed her lips.

“Please, Layne.”

She heaved a sigh and then gave him a nod.

“Come on.” He took her by the arm and led her out the door.

Using his body as a shield, he made certain she walked only a step behind him all the way to the vehicle. He was sure no threat was around, but he wasn’t taking any chances with her safety.

At his truck, he ushered her into the front seat and tossed their bags in the back. Colt was already off with Faye, rushing down the driveway. Probably eager to get back to those chores he’d been yanked away from. After the big call he was on got resolved far more quickly than any of them ever thought it would, Colt would be restless.

Carson gave Oaks a nod as he slipped behind the wheel. When he put the vehicle in gear, Layne twisted her head for one last look at the house.

“We’ll be back, doll. I promise.”

He heard her gulp back tears. He hoped to hell it wasn’t from what he’d done with the letters.

She sniffed. “I know it isn’t final. It’s just…I always feel so sad when I leave this place. I love it so much.”

“Ever thought about living here permanently?”

She threw him a strange look, one he couldn’t interpret. Maybe if he knew this older, wiser version of Layne better, he’d know what was on her mind. But that wasn’t the case unless she was willing to share it with him.

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