Page 70 of Shielded Hearts

Both of his brothers remained silent, waiting to hear what he had to say.

“That bastard is still on the loose, and most likely in the area. We need to fortify the ranch, make damn sure the guy can’t slip past us and get to her.”

“You really think he’s going to come onto the ranch to get at Aspen?” Carson settled back in his big desk chair while Gray and Colt took over the leather sofa.

Gray cradled his mug. “I think the man is unhinged, but he’s never going to attack the ranch.”

“Maybe you’re both right, but the best action is preemptive. We need to be on guard.”

Carson nodded. “I’ll add more patrols around the property.”

“I can set up some more cameras,” Gray added.

Colt ducked his head in a nod. “Good. That’s one order of business on my list. I have something else to discuss with you.”

He had his brothers’ attention and went on.

“The way to Gideon is through Aspen. We need a trap. We need to make him think she’s been left alone. When he comes after her, we take him down.”

A feminine voice filled the beat of silence that followed his statement. “Solid plan, Colt. Only problem is that Gideon isn’t going to let down his guard here in Wyoming.”

All three of them whipped toward the open doorway. Aspen stood there, dressed in loose pants and top and wrapped in a thick sweater, the dark chocolate color of her hair. As she swept into the room, Colt gained his feet, reaching out a hand to guide her to the sofa next to him.

She shook her head and stood in the middle of the small office, looking at each one of them in turn. “We have to go to California. That’s where Gideon is going to feel in control. Then I can lure him in.”

Shecould lure him in?

“No fucking way.”

She tilted her head in challenge. “It’s the only way this is going to happen fast. Otherwise, it could drag on for years.Gideon can go into hiding and I’m sure he knows all the good places to evade capture.”

“We’renotputting a target on your back, Aspen.” His tone was gruff with barely controlled frustration.

When she turned her head and pierced Carson in her stare, Colt knew she and his brother were going to gang up on him. He’d been the little brother his whole life.

“She’s got a valid point, Colt.”

He cut a hand through the air. “No way. No goddamn way am I letting the woman I—” He stopped and met her gaze before declaring, “I’m not letting you put yourself in danger, Aspen.”

She folded her arms. “And you have a better plan? One that’s going to end this fast so we can move on with our lives?”

Her words seemed to throb with a hidden meaning.

Their gazes locked. In that moment, Colt knew exactly what she was telling him. And it made her being the one needed to trap Gideon so much worse.

She wanted that future. With him.

* * * * *

Aspen could see how upset Colt was getting by the tension in the crease of his jaw and the way he fisted a hand at his side. She had to admit that deep down, his reactions over keeping her safe left her feeling washed away by a sea of love and passion.

On the other hand, he was going to be stubborn as hell.

Too bad she was more stubborn.

To take the irritation in the room down a notch, she sat on the sofa and patted the cushion beside her.

Colt dropped to it with such force that she bounced on the seat. She swore she caught a chuckle coming from Gray’s end of the sofa, but she didn’t give him her attention.

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