Page 88 of Mountain Mens' Curvy Obsession

“But you are in the greatest danger of all, Anya.”

“And if I stay, it’ll make everything worse,” I tell her. “I know where my grandmother’s safe house is. If I can get out of here, unseen, unheard, I can get to Missoula, hop on a plane and make my way over to her before Leo figures out I’m even gone.”

“Are you sure about this, Anya? You need to be smart.”

“Honestly, there’s no best way to do it,” I reply. “I’m just trying to pick the lane that keeps my baby and me safe, without getting the Hayes brothers killed. I care about them too much to let them risk their lives for me.”

“What will you do once you reach your grandmother’s?”

“Figure out a way to fight Leo. As long as I’m still alive, as long as my grandmother is still alive, we have a shot at bringing some of our soldiers back into the fold, just enough bodies to show the other families that the Asimovs aren’t dead yet,” I say. “It’ll buy us some time, and it’ll cripple Leo’s expansive powers. It’s either that or stay here and brace for a literal war. The Hayes brothers didn’t survive hell overseas just to die on this mountain, defending their home because Leo is desperate to get to me. I can’t do that to them.”

I love these men too much. So much, it hurts.

And while nothing hurts more than the thought of leaving them, I’m armed with enough information to understand that I need a different approach this time around.

Breonna isn’t entirely sold on my idea, though. “Please,” I reiterate, “you’re the only one I can trust to help me.”

“How can I help you?”

“I’ll need a ride to Missoula when the time is right, and some cash for the flight and stuff. I will wire it all back to you as soon as I find my grandmother.”

“Good grief.”

“Please!”

“It’s not about the money, Anya. I don’t want anything back. I just want you and the little one to be safe,” she says, reaching over the porch railing to give my hand a gentle squeeze. “I care about you both.”

I nod slowly. “This is the best way to help us.”

“Fine,” she says and exhales sharply, glancing over my shoulder. “I’ll keep my phone turned on. Tell me when you want to leave, and I’ll be ready, gas tank full, and whatever else you need.”

“I cannot thank you enough.”

“Oh, honey, I only wish I could do more,” she says, then looks at the kitchen windows again. “I think they’re coming. Go back inside. Text me, okay?”

“Okay.”

Breonna disappears between the trees as the back door opens, and Booker pokes his head out. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I turn around and give him a soft smile. “Just getting some fresh air.”

I absolutely hate lying to him and his brothers, but I’ve gone over my other options so many times, and nothing else makes sense. Nothing else feels right because of my love for them. Maybe when this all blows over, we’ll be together again.

Maybe they’ll find it in their hearts to forgive me once Leo is gone from this world.

“Come on, we’re about to get lunch ready,” Booker says, his eyes never leaving my face. “Mills is coming up from the station this afternoon to help us form a plan.”

“Okay.”

I give him a kiss for good measure, then follow him into the kitchen, making sure to lock the door behind me.

25

Anya

The only place where my cares disappear is in the bedroom.

When we’re together, wrapped in the quiet of night, the world vanishes. I lie naked on the bed, hot and breathing heavily, as I watch Booker, Chance, and Nico peel their clothes off.

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