Page 48 of His Reluctant Savior

“Yeah.”

“Once we’re on the road again, call him on one of the burners. But first, I need to go back to the farmhouse and grab some things that we didn’t get a chance to grab as we ran out of there.”

My eyes grew wide. I swear this man was going to be the death of me if I wasn’t killed first. “No!”

Sid grabbed my shoulders and eased me back before rubbing them. “I won’t be gone long. There’s some gear we could use, and I need my laptop.”

“Then, I’m coming with you.”

“Nope. You stay here. I won’t be gone longer than a few hours. Then, I’ll go hunt for another car. Ugh, I’m going to miss my babyBronco.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Sid raised a brow. “Stop apologizing. I made a choice and I’m sticking with it. But maybe just let me complain a little.” He winked before walking away and headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up.

Dalton’s face was filled with worry, and his dark brown eyes grew wide, pleading for me to stay. Admittedly, I kind of liked someone worried about me. But it wouldn’t keep me here. I needed to go. I tried to ease his stress, but we both knew that heading back to my house was a risk. Regardless, I needed some things if we were going to be running for a while.

Before I left, I texted the caretakers of my property and told them to sell the cows, letting them know they wouldn’t be able to work for me, at least for a while. I told them tokeep the cow money, and I’d send them a hefty payment for their services. If I ever returned, I’d hire them again. I just didn’t want to put them at risk. I loved that they didn’t ask questions.

As I drove the Bronco back to Middletown, I received a text from Dalton reminding me to be careful. I smiled as I drove up the long driveway. Everything appeared to be in order so far. The house and property looked like nothing bad had happened yesterday morning. After Veil hired professionals, it seemed nothing was amiss. Even the two windows that had been shot out were replaced.

Regardless, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to come back here. My safe house was compromised. No one knew I owned it since I’d been so careful that not even Layla would find the connection. Still, it would be hard to let go of.

I got out of my Bronco, pulled out my gun, and scanned the area to make sure no one was watching. They could have easily been hidden in the surrounding woods, so I needed to get in and get out.

Just before I unlocked the front door on the keypad, an arm wrapped around my chest and a sharp blade pressed to my throat. My honed instincts kicked in, ready to throw them off before they spoke.

“You realize I can kill you before you react,” he said. I closed my eyes to the familiar voice.

“Easton… but you haven’t yet when you could have,” I said, buying time.

“You gave me purpose and affection when I had none. I need to know why you left me behind.”

“Did Malik give the kill order, after all? I thought I had more time.” I thought I knew him, that he’d want to hear what I had to say for myself before he made any decisions.

“Malik told us to find you, but not to engage.”

“Yet, you’re engaging. Are you disobeying orders?”

Easton pressed the knife to my throat hard enough to draw blood, but not to kill. “You know damn well I’m only there because of you. I belong toyou. Not to Malik.”

It may have sounded sexual if anyone had overheard us, but I was a mentor and father figure to Easton. Nothing more, and only because he allowed it. Besides, he was still a damn child, not eighteen until close to Christmas.

“Malik gives orders, but I look to you for approval of them,” he finished.

I could take this opportunity to reach out to the family, but Dalton was very much against it. And if I came clean to Easton, there was no guarantee he’d let me live, but I still had a good chance at living since I wasn’t currently bleeding on the ground.

While I trained him for almost three years, Easton was a natural at knives and the bow. He’d already been trained in archery, coming from a wealthy family, but he’d branched out and excelled. And he was quieter than a mouse from Khai’s handiwork and training, who specialized in stealth.

“You’re distracted,” he said. “You let yourself get caught by me.”

He wasn’t wrong. Dalton was a huge distraction despite my telling him otherwise. Not only because of the sex, but because I chose this path for personal reasons. I had a vested interest in keeping Dalton alive.

“You’re right. I’m distracted.”

I needed to find a way to survive Easton. I couldn’t help Dalton if he fucking killed me, but I’d been careless twice now.

“Is Dalton Reed worth your family and life?”

---