Page 18 of Mountain Protector

“There was a quite a bit of blood,” Sage told us solemnly. “So we’re thinking that’s why the intruder didn’t give chase into the woods. He probably realized he needed to attend to his own wound, rather than trying to find Miss Weber in the dark.”

And poor Lark, she actually feels badly about shooting him, even though she was defending herself in a life-or-death situation. Before the ambulance arrived, she tearfully admitted, “I’ve never hurt anyone, Knox. I never dreamed… Shooting that man. And hearing him in pain… I know I had to. But I still feel horrible about it.”

I don’t. I wish she’d killed him. Or better yet, I wish I’d found the asshole and killed him myself.

“Knox?”

Glancing away from the road for a second, I shift my gaze to Lark. “What, sweetheart?”

Shit. Should I be calling her sweetheart? It just sort of slipped out in the woods, and now I can’t seem to stop.

But she doesn’t react, instead asking quietly, “Are you really sure it’s okay that I’m coming to stay here?”

“I’m really sure. While you were spending some time with your dad, I talked to the team. They all agreed. GMG is the safest place for you to be.”

“GMG?” Before I can explain, she lets out a tiny snort. “Right. Of course. I suppose Green Mountain Guardians is a bit of a mouthful.”

I sneak another look at Lark, and this time my heart lifts to see a tiny smile curving her lips.

“A bit, yeah.” As we come to a stop sign, I turn and grin at her. “I like the name Enzo picked, but it’s a lot to say. So we’ve shortened it when we’re not talking to clients.”

A tiny line forms between her brows. “But aren’t I a client?”

Accelerating through the intersection, I take a moment to consider my response. Technically, Lark’s a client, since Enzo and the rest of the guys agreed to take on her case. But given that I know her, am friends with her… it doesn’t feel right to call her that.

“You’re more than a client,” I finally say. “We’re friends. I would protect you even if I wasn’t part of GMG.”

There’s a delay before she responds, long enough for me to worry I said something wrong. But then Lark touches my knee and gives me a soft smile. “I like that. More than a client.” After a beat, she adds, “I still feel bad about bringing my trouble to you?—”

“Lark.” My voice is gently stern. “I told you before. I was looking for you. So I was going to be a part of this, regardless.”

The driveway for the GMG property comes up on the right, and I slow to make the turn into it. “Pleasedon’t feel bad, okay? And friends help each other out, right?”

Not that I’d ever do anything that could put Lark in danger, but that’s not the point.

“True.” As I sneak another glance at her, Lark turns to meet my gaze. “If you ever need anything, I’m here for you. Maybe not protector-bodyguard stuff, but I can do other things.”

“I know.” Pausing at the gate, I wait for the retinal scan and then punch in a complicated code to open it. Once we pull through and the gate closes behind us, I stop the car so I can give Lark my full attention.

“You have much more to offer than me,” I tell her honestly. “You’re incredibly smart. The things you’ve told me about investing and finances?—”

She makes a dismissive sound. “That’s not exactly thrilling, Knox.”

“I think it is. And you’re funny and resourceful and kind-hearted?—”

“Just because I didn’t want to put mouse traps out in the basement?”

“Yes, but also you spent all that time researching natural deterrents, and they worked. Most people wouldn’t bother. But you did. You saw a problem and found a gentler solution. I actually recommend the recipe you made to all my clients now.”

Lark stares at me for a second. Then she smiles, her face lighting up with it. The shadows in her eyes disappear and the lines of strain etched across her face smooth out. A flush of pink colors her cheeks. “Oh. You do?” Her smile stretches even bigger. “That’s awesome.”

And there it is.

The other reason I can’t stop looking at her.

Despite her obvious stress and exhaustion, Lark is without a doubt the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

She’s paler than usual, her freckles standing out in sharp contrast, but that doesn’t detract from the delicate line of her features and the rosy bow of her lips. As the sun streams through the car window, it catches glints of gold and emerald in her hazel eyes and reflects off the streaks of honey and cherry in her long, red hair. And her smile…

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