Page 39 of Things Left Unsaid

“Everyone in Pigeon Creek will know that I’m a ‘close friend’ when it’s common knowledge that our families hate one another.

“The problem is, of course, peopleknowwe’re not friends. They haven’t seen me around, and if I don’t visit the town, only the ranch, they know when I’m here. They make sure to lock away their lighters,” she reasons. Though, thathasto hurt. No matter her nonchalance. “They know I live in New York. They know you’re mega-rich and the family has properties everywhere so they’ll?—”

“—think you’re my girlfriend and that we’ve been dating long distance,” I agree.

She grits her teeth. “You bastard.”

“Why am I a bastard? Isn’t it better for them to think that than for it to be about business?”

“Like you care what people think of you!”

“I care what they think ofyou,” I grate out as we approach my truck.

“Bullshit. This morning, you didn’t give a damn?—”

“You’re going to be Mrs. Korhonen, Zee. I protect what’s mine.”

“I’m not yours.”

“Not yet. I’ll be yours too. Won’t that be fun?”

Amusement flickers over her expression. Hard and fast but it acts like a bucketful of water on the flames of her temper.

“You’re not what I expected, Colton,” she declares, eventually passing judgment as I open the door to the passenger seat. “And I didn’t expect much becauseGrand-mèredumped this on my lap a few hours ago. At least you haven’t turned into your father.”

Our gazes lock.

Hold.

“No. I’m not a monster, Zee.”

“Neither am I,” she whispers.

“I know.”

“You didn’t.”

“No,” I concede.

“You believed I was capable of something terrible.”

“I did.”

She clicks her fingers. “And it all changes like that?”

“You asked the right question.”

“I should have asked it ten years ago.”

“You should have. It probably would have made me see sense.” It’s not much, but… “I’ve always defended you. Today wasn’t the first time.”

“Whoopee,” she mocks.

“Don’t joke. I thought you’d killed Loki.Betsy.Our herd.I defended you to Cole who grieves her as much as I do Loki and told Callan you had nothing to do with it.”

“You should have had faith in me. Shouldn’t have just lied for my sake.” Her hands flare wide. “You should have believed me, goddammit.”

“I should have.”

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