Page 17 of Burned By My Mate

She goes still. “You think they’re targeting me?”

My bear growls.

She shouldn’t be scared. She shouldn’t have tolive in fear.

I exhale, forcing myself to keep my voice calm. “I don’t know yet. But I’m not taking any chances.”

She’s quiet for a long moment, her fingers twisting together. Then?—

“What aren’t you telling me?”

Shit. I should’ve known she’d pick up on it.

I look away, gripping the edge of the table.

“There are things about this town,” I say slowly, “that you don’t know yet.”

She narrows her eyes. “So, tell me.”

I clench my jaw. “I will. But you need to trust me first.”

Her lips part slightly,her breath catching. She stares at me like she’s seeing something she doesn’t understand. Somethingdangerous. Somethinginevitable.

I brace myself, waiting for her to push back, to argue, but then she just sighs, rubbing her temples.

“This town is insane.”

I huff a quiet laugh.

“Yeah. It is.”

The silence stretches between us. Then, quietly, she says, “Okay.”

I frown. “Okay?”

She exhales. “I don’t understand this. Any of it. But if you say, I need to stay here…” She meets my eyes. “I’ll stay.”

Somethingdeep inside mesettles. For the first time since this whole thing started, Ibreathe. She’shere, and she’smine.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

“I can’t stay cooped up here all day, though. I need supplies so that I can work.”

“What do you need?” I ask instantly.

“Paint, brushes, canvases, a new computer, some new clothes…” she rattles off, and I nod.

“Okay, let’s go to town now.”

She hops off her stool and my hand wraps around her waist, pulling her to my side as we head out the front door.

My bear and I are on high alert, scanning the area as I lead her over to my Jeep and open the passenger door for her.

I help her inside and then round the hood and climb behind the wheel.

“You’re a painter?” I ask as we make the drive to town.

“Yeah. I need to get some supplies so that I can work on my commissions,” she says and I nod.

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