Page 54 of Guarded from Danger

Could we out here? Would anyone see?

They could. Any one of Xavier’s teammates could decide to walk the trails. Niall and Erik are away on a job, but Dante and Sarah could come out here. Dante built this deck for Sarah, after all, so it wouldn’t be surprising…

Unless Xavier called to ask them to stay away. To give us some private time.

Would that be crazy? Making love out on the dock in broad daylight?

Or would it be an incredible memory?

Breaking the kiss, I suck in several greedy breaths before I start, “What do you think about?—”

A shrill noise interrupts me. Loud. Insistent.

My heart stutters. Skips a beat. Then rockets to double speed.

Xavier bites out a low curse as he reaches into his pocket. All at once, he’s on guard, his gaze alert and all his muscles tense.

In a tiny voice, I ask, “Xavier? What’s that?”

But I think I know what it is. I just don’t want to believe it.

He whips out his phone and stares at the screen. His jaw goes rigid. “Shit.”

“Xavier?”

My lungs seize.

Xavier stands, pulling me up with him. One arm wraps around me, holding me close to his chest. “It’s okay,” he says, but from the undercurrent of strain in his voice, it doesn’t sound like things are remotely okay.

Don’t panic.

Just because that sounds an awful lot like a security alarm doesn’t mean it actually is.

Right. And if I believe that…

“Where are you?” he barks into the phone. “I’m at the pond with Lucy. Can you intercept—” A beat, and then, “Got it. I’m heading back now.” There’s another pause as he listens. “No. I didn’t bring it with me. But I have my Ka-Bar.”

Terror is making me lightheaded. Gray spots dance at the edges of my vision.

“Just intercept them,” Xavier replies briskly. “I need to get Lucy back now.”

Oh, God.

It’s my worst fear.

They came for me.

“Lucy, breathe.” Xavier gives me a gentle shake. “Breathe. It’s okay.”

His voice is calm, but there’s a dangerous intensity in his eyes.

Dimly, I realize I’m holding my breath. After I suck in a shuddering breath, I whisper, “They came for me. Didn’t they?”

“Maybe.” He grasps my hand tightly. “Someone breached the exterior fence. We need to get back to the ranch. Now.”

I give him a jerky nod. “Okay.”

Setting off at a brisk jog, we head back down the path that winds its way back to the ranch. My pulse is thundering in my ears, so loudly I’m afraid the intruders could be right next to us and I wouldn’t hear it.

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