Page 31 of Midnight Rebel

She hesitates for a moment before speaking. “Colt, about the investigation?—”

I cut her off with a tender kiss. “Not now,” I murmur against her lips. “Right now, it’s just us. The rest of the world can wait.”

Autumn nods, relaxing into me once more. But I still sense her unease. I know we can’t ignore reality forever, but for now, I want to savor this moment.

“Hey,” I say softly, tilting her chin up so she’s looking at me. “Whatever it is, whatever you find out, we’ll deal with it. Okay?”

Her eyes search mine, and I see the conflict there. But then she smiles, a small, genuine smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “Okay,” she whispers.

I pull her closer, inhaling the scent of her hair. We lie there for a while longer, our breathing syncing, our heartbeats falling into rhythm with each other.

It’s peaceful, perfect—and I know it can’t last.

“We should probably get back,” I say reluctantly, not making any move to get up. “Before someone comes looking for us.”

Autumn sighs, nuzzling into my chest. “Do we have to?”

I laugh, the sound rumbling through my chest. “Unfortunately, yes. But don’t worry—we’ll pick this up again later.”

She looks up at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Is that a promise?”

“Absolutely,” I growl, claiming her lips in a kiss that leaves us both breathless.

Eventually, we separate, the reality of our surroundings seeping back in. I retrieve a tissue from my pocket, gently cleaning her with a tenderness that surprises even me.

As she fixes her tousled hair, I help smooth down her skirt, my hands lingering longer than necessary. She returns the favor, straightening my clothes with nimble fingers, her touch sending small shivers through me even now.

We move in a silent, intimate dance, putting ourselves back together piece by piece.

“There,” I say, brushing a soft kiss against her temple. “Good as new.”

She giggles, the sound light and carefree. “Thank you,” she murmurs, her eyes shining with gratitude.

As we step out of the room, the hallway is quiet, the threat of being caught dissipated. But the memory of our encounter lingers, a secret that bonds us even closer.

Hand in hand, we make our way back to the study, our steps echoing in the silence. The house feels different now, as if our passion has somehow changed the air we breathe.

As we settle back into work—Autumn at the desk, me poring over some blueprints of The Manor—I can’t help but steal glances at her.

She’s focused, her brow furrowed in concentration as she types away on her laptop. Even now, after everything we’ve shared, she’s still a mystery to me in many ways.

But I’m determined to unravel that mystery, to know every part of her. And I’m equally determined to protect her from whatever dangers might be lurking in the shadows of Midnight Falls.

Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: Autumn is mine now, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

To keep her by my side.

Forever.

Chapter 10

Colt

“…andthat’s why we can’t let this slide.” Hawk’s fist comes down on the worn wooden table, punctuating his point and making the empty beer bottles rattle.

The tension in the clubhouse is thick enough to cut with a knife. I feel it pressing down on my shoulders as I lean forward, hands braced on the worn wooden table.

The faces of my brothers are grim, their usual easy camaraderie replaced by furrowed brows and clenched jaws.

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