Page 119 of The Rogue

When we’re out in the hall, I throw myself around him. He’s quick to catch me, but it’s cold and distant. His arms loosen all too quickly and I’m back on the ground as he leads me toward the exit.

I brace my feet on the hard tile floor. “Levi, stop.”

He spins back to me. His hands rake into my hair as he pulls himself close. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” I breathe. “But—”

“Whiskey, don’t make me throw you over my shoulder.”

There’s an idea.

I shake my head. “No. You’re not listening to me. It’s too risky—”

Noah sweeps past us. “All set. Let’s move.”

We’re in Noah’s SUV before I can process what’s happening. Levi gently settles me in the back seat and sits beside me. His arm around my shoulders. At this point, I’m not sure if it’s a romantic gesture or if he thinks I’m a flight risk.

I’ve been so worked up for days, I can’t even tell. My nights are either restless or sleepless. I’m tired, emotional, and on the verge of tears. “My things—” I murmur as my eyelids fall heavy. “Willy.”

“I’ll get you another one,” Levi murmurs.

The humming of the car evens out as we roll onto the highway. I let myself curl into his warmth. He reaches over and pulls the afghan from the back, draping it over me as he lays my head onto his lap.

I’m somewhat conscious before falling asleep. This cryptic exchange between the brothers is the last thing I hear.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me just yet,” Noah answers.

28

The sun sets andthe streetlamps on the road start to look familiar. Each one casts shadows across my face as Noah rolls through yet another town just above the speed limit.

Tessa’s still asleep but restless on my lap. Jerking and whimpering. There’s no doubt she felt the storm brewing inside of me back at the courthouse. And if I don’t pull it together, I’m going to scare her again.

My hand trembles as I run my fingers through her hair. I’m so damn in love with this woman, I can hardly breathe.

I try to focus on the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest. But it’s no use.

The worry for her safety has me twisted into something sharp and cold. She fucking threw herself around me and I just stood there.

Blamingmyself for all kinds of shit.Angryat her for trying to protect me when it should be the other way around.

“You alright back there?”

“Yeah.”

“We got there in time, bro. You saved the day.”

“Yousaved the day.”

I’ve been too busy making my own assumptions about this woman. Mentally scarred by my ex to see her clearly. Calling her every name in the book. Trying to run her out of town. When all she wanted was a home, some peace…a safe place to hide.

I run a hand down my face. “She’s been suffering silently all this time.”

“Don’t go down that hole, Levi. You know she’ll pick up on it.” He turns the corner onto the ranch. “Then she’ll think you’re mad at her. And you don’t want that. Women get all kinds of crazy when they think you’re mad at them.”

I scoff, remembering Tessa’s reaction in the stables when I accused her of trying to take Willow from us.

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