Page 57 of Live for Me

I nodded. Jake Murphy was Red Snake’s tech genius. “Good.”

Ash’s jaw worked. “However, don’t be surprised if we don’t find much on the outside video feed. This fucker has been stalking her for months, and if he is as obsessed as I think he is, he would’ve noticed even the smallest of changes.”

“You put cameras on the inside?” Denver asked, leaning against the porch railing.

Ash nodded, his lips twitching with satisfaction. “Now those, he would never be able to find.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement through the living room window. I turned my head to find Dave and Harris guiding Abbie to the couch. Harris sat beside her as Dave disappeared. Mason, Den, and Ash continued talking in low voices as I watched Dave come back a minute later with a bottle of water and a small plate of food.

Fuck, but she was loved here, wasn’t she?

Chapter Fourteen

Abbie

The sight gutted me.

I was back at Hallow Ranch.

Only this time, it wasn’t against my will.

Three hours ago, as Dave and Harris tried to console me on the couch, Denver Langston came to talk to me. I didn’t know what shocked me more: the fact that he actually seemed to give a damn about me, or that he told me to come back. I had no choice in the matter, really.

When Denver Langston tells you to do something, you do it.

“You’ll stay at Hallow Ranch until this is taken care of,” Denver said firmly standing on the other side of my coffee table, his eyes fierce. Beau was with Mason out on the front porch, talking to the man I’d called and rambled to a few nights ago. When I said nothing, Denver looked to the men sitting on either side of me. “Gentlemen, would you give me a minute alone with Abbie?”

Dave and Harris were staring up at him in part awe and caution.

“I think it would be best if we stayed here,” Harris said, clearly not trusting the cowboy.

Denver looked out the window, a deep sigh leaving him. A second later, his deep voice filled the room once more. “Yougot five seconds to leave the room, gentlemen. I’m not asking anymore.”

Chills scattered across my skin, knowing that tone.

Dave shifted beside me, and I looked over just in time to see him getting ready to give the Hallow Ranch owner a piece of his mind. My hand shot out, landing on his knee. “It’s okay,” I said, my voice shaking with emotion. “You and Harris can leave.”

Dave looked back up to Denver, who was glaring at him. “Five,” the cowboy counted. “Four.”

Harris sighed. “Come on, darling.” He stepped around me and held his hand out for Dave to take. Once they were both on their feet, Harris looked at Denver. “Cowboys are so bossy.”

“You have no idea,” Dave muttered as they walked away.

I looked back to Denver, his gaze already on me. “Threatening me is fine,” I began. “I can take your scorn as well as your brother’s. I can take your threats, but don’t you ever threaten my friends again.” My voice was colder now, harder, as I glared up at the man.

His eyes flashed with something I couldn’t read. It was gone just as quick as it came.

Then, he was moving around the coffee table. I kept my spine straight and chin high as he took a seat on my table, the wood groaning underneath his weight. He leaned in, the tightness of his jaw evident even underneath his beard. His hat cast a shadow on one side of his face, making him look more menacing than usual. I stopped breathing, a trick I learned as a child when my mother or one of her boyfriends tried to hurt or scare me. I convinced myself if I didn’t breathe, they wouldn’t be able to see how scared I actually was. As I grew older, I realized this tactic worked in other aspects of my life.

If I didn’t breathe, I didn’t have to show my feelings.

My body wouldn’t have the time to think about that, only the air it desperately required.

Denver’s gray eyes scanned my face for a few moments before he murmured, “You still love him.”

No amount of practice or preparation could’ve prepared me for that.

All the air escaped me as my eyes widened. I flinched. Damn it all to hell, I flinched.

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