Page 74 of Love Me Dangerous

Zach sends me a thoughtful glance. “What did you come here to tell me?”

I thought I felt eyes on me when I stood in the driveway. Knowing he was watching gives me a secret thrill. “Gabe’s front left headlight isn’t busted. No scratched paint, either.”

Zach releases a soft sigh. “Do I want to know how you learned this?”

His tone has an edge to it.

“I saw him at Autumn Fest. So I grabbed Ava and we snuck to the parking area to look for his truck.”

Zach doesn’t reply, and our footfalls and Galaxy’s hooves on the hard ground fill the silence.

“I can see how Gabe would want to stop you fromtelling anyone about those salt licks, but I don’t think he was the one who came after you that night.”

The trees thin and we come to the edge of the river canyon, which slopes down a few hundred feet of sandy dirt and jumbled rock to the wide, shallow river. Beyond, the Bitterroots rise into the late afternoon haze, their peaks white with snow. The trail splits, but Zach pauses.

“Any chance he’s the one poaching?” he asks.

I think about Gabe’s most recent warning. Why did I sleep with him on New Year’s Eve? Why did I let my guard down at the concert? “He can be reckless, but I don’t think he’d risk his job like that. Sage Creek is a reputable outfitter, established. When ranch guests want to hunt, they always hire their guides.”

He must see the distaste in my expression because his voice softens. “Was he reckless with you?”

“It didn’t start out like that.” I shrug like I can make the heavy emotions rising through me slough off my shoulders. If only.

Zach reaches for my hand. His touch is so gentle, reassuring.

“I broke up with him for good on New Year’s.”

Zach pulls me close and kisses my forehead.

With a sigh, I wrap my free hand around his waist and lean into him, the steady tap of his heart against his ribcage reassuring, solid.

“Did something happen that night?” He strokes my hair and down my lower back. It’s reassuring and sweet, but scary because of what I want it to mean.

“He knew I’d be a mess. I always am that night. I should have told him off.” I cringe against Zach’s chest. “It’s textbook escapism, right down to feeling worse when it was over.”

Zach pulls me tighter. “He’s the one to blame here.”

I close my eyes and try to drink in this simple kindness, but it’s fleeting.

“What about that night do you need to escape?”

Galaxy sniffles the ground and nibbles a patch of dandelions.

“It’s the night Mom left us. She went to a party and never came back.”

“Shit. I’m sorry.” He releases a full sigh. “Maybe celebrate New Year’s with someone who actually cares about you.”

“You got ideas?” It comes off snarky, and I know why—it’s my defenses rising up to protect me. Because I’m longing for something I can’t even put words to, something I’m terrified to ask for because of how much it’ll hurt to be refused.

You’re stronger than anyone I know, Fie.

Zach brushes the side of my face with the back of his fingers, sending a tremor down my spine. He kisses me softly.

“Yeah, I do,” he whispers in my ear.

Chapter Eighteen

SOFIE

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