Page 92 of Deacon

My stomach sinks that she thinks I’d ever be angry with her. I’m angry, but never at Freya, never at the woman I’m in love with. No, Aiden is the problem here. I crumple the paper and toss it in the trash.

My heart is pounding. My mouth is dry.

Did she run because of Bittern? Or because of our conversation last night?

Working quickly, I put on my clothes and head downstairs. Ginny is in the kitchen, and she sends me a concerned look, but I keep walking. Gravel crunches under my boots as I stride down the driveway and into the barn.

Goddamn.

She took my horse.

I’m impressed but also planning on spanking her ass the second I catch it. Bones’ stall is open, but his saddle is still on its bar. I run a hand over my face, unsure how to handle this. She’s in a sensitive situation. I can’t break into her house and demand to see her, can’t put a gun to Aiden’s head and order him to hand her over. The minute he realizes he can use her against me, he will.

And I can’t outright kill him, at least not without a plan so I don’t get caught.

But I can get her back.

I saddle up Silver Phantom and burst out of the barn into the mist still gathered on the hills of Ryder Ranch. I don’t urge her. She loves to run, and her long legs eat up the distance to the fence line.

My heart pounds with Silver Phantom’s hooves. I’m moving up the hill that leads to the spot where we met, coming at it from the south, when I stop short. The woods open to the clearing before the creek. Thick mist darkens the shadows of the Ponderosa pines in hazy trails.

Something moves in those shadows.

Silver Phantom throws her head, prancing. Then, a dark shape appears and my heart sinks.

It’s Bones.

He’s riderless, his bridle hanging on either side of his neck as he trots in the direction of the ranch house. I slide to my feet and whistle. He jerks his head and pivots, coming down the hill and halting beside me. Tied to his forelock is one of her green ribbons.

My throat is dry. She put it there so I would know she made it back safe.

Jaw set, I untie it, push it in my pocket, and sling the reins over his shoulder, taking Silver Phantom’s as well. Then, we start walking back. I don’t want to ride. I need time to think through everything before I have to pretend I’m fine.

Silently, I promise myself this is the last time she leaves.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

FREYA

I’m on my knees, a cardboard box at my side. Glass litters the floor in the kitchen. The blue willow plate Bittern said belonged to my mother, the only thing of value I’ve owned, is smashed. It wasn’t enough to drop it, so it had to be ground to nothing.

A tear hangs off my chin. I keep my head down, being mindful not to cut myself on the glass.

There’s a step in the hall. I look up to find Ryland leaning in the doorway.

“Are you making breakfast?” he asks.

He looks hungover. There’s a heavy darkness in his eyes, blue shadows beneath. He’s in a pair of beat up sweats, no shirt, and the bruises Deacon left on him are in full view. They make me wince.

“Yeah, in one second,” I say, forcing my voice into that low, sweet tone that keeps me safe.

He stares at me, only to snort and leave. The sound of his steps are quickly replaced by the shuffling walk I know to be Bittern. He appears around the corner. I get up quickly, edging closer so I can get a look at his face. It doesn’t look bad, and a faint black eye is all I see.

“You alright?” I ask.

He nods, his eyes unfocused. “Gonna have a smoke.”

I hear his voice catch, the guttural sound of his lungs dying echoing in my ears.

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