Page 72 of Shielded Hearts

As the guys started volleying ideas back and forth concerning the plan, Willow entered the room, bringing with her the scent of clean, crisp air. Even in worn jeans, boots and a coat that looked like it belonged to one of her bigger male relations, she looked amazing.

“I can hear you guys all the way in my room on the other side of the house. The sun’s barely up. What’s so important, and why didn’t you think to include me?”

“We’re forming a plan to catch the man who’s after me.” Aspen’s statement brought Willow around to stare at her.

She gave a small shake of her head. “You’re so brave.”

Aspen blinked. She’d heard those words before. When people learned she had cancer, they all muttered similar things. But coming from this strong, amazing woman, Aspen actually believed it.

Her spine straightened, bringing her to her full height. “Thanks, Willow.”

They shared a small smile that had all the feels of a new bond—a sisterhood. Aspen’s chest bloomed warm with affection for Colt’s sister, and for the rest of the Malones.

The talk resumed, and Willow took a seat, legs crossed, to go through her phone. “Oh!”’

Her brothers stopped talking to look at her.

“The photographer emailed with Oaks’s wedding photos.” She skimmed through them with a fingertip on the screen. “Wow. These are amazing.”

Oh, great.

Aspen was in all those photos. At the time, it was the last thing she wanted. Now, she wasn’t so sure about where she stood within the Malone family, only that she hoped that the small sprout of emotions between her and Colt would continue to grow into something beautiful.

When she slanted a look his direction, she found him staring at her. A crinkle formed between his brows. Was it there because he didn’t know how to respond to there being photographic evidence of her in their family? Or something more?

At the time, he couldn’t wait to get rid of her.

His deep gray eyes softened, and the crease between his brows smoothed out.

She didn’t remember taking a step toward him until suddenly his big hand engulfed hers in a warm clasp.

He drew her a step closer. When he lowered his lips to her ear, a shiver ran through her. “I’ll give my life to keep you safe, princess.”

She rested a hand on his sculpted chest, right over his heart. Under her fingers, she felt the softthump-thumpof its beat. “I trust you, Colt. I know I’m in good hands with you.”

Chapter Sixteen

Colt fucking hated this plan. He’d spent two days punching holes in it, only to see how strong it was.

Dammit, what he and his brothers had put together was going to work.

He wished to hell there was any other way to lure that bastard out of his hiding place, but Aspen was right. If they wanted to catch him now, and end this ASAP so they could move on with their lives, he had to put her at risk.

The California sun streamed through the big windows on the front of the restaurant. Around them, the buzz of indie music and the conversations of the hipsters who visited this local spot distracted the hell out of Colt.

He sank into his brooding thoughts of how to place safeguards around Aspen so nobody could touch her. Gideon was too smart and capable, and that made him an even bigger threat. He’d already proved once that he’d stop at nothing to get her.

Colt wished to hell he could make himself the target. But Gideon knew what he and Gray looked like. Neither of them could be the bait.

They sat around the table with plates of sandwiches in front of them.

Aspen had only picked at her sandwich, and Colt gave up trying to eat at all. He had no appetite when everything hung in the balance.

It was high time that he was honest with himself. During their initial planning back in Carson’s office, he’d almost slippedand blurted out that he wouldn’t let the woman he loved put a target on her back. Why had he stopped himself?

He knew what he wanted. She was sitting right beside him, close enough to reach out and touch.

Under the table, he settled a hand on her thigh. The warm, firm muscle twitched beneath his fingers. Then her silky fingers tangled with his. Their gazes connected for a moment, and in her eyes, he read what must be in his own.

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