Page 46 of Shadows of You

My head jerked up at Roan’s voice. It was hard and brooked no argument. “I don’t want to. But I don’t have a choice.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked. “Of course, you do.”

“They’re going to publish that podcast. And even if they don’t…if they found me, others can, too.” I shivered at the thought that someone already had. John. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell Roan about the letter, but I’d already shared too much.

“Leaving is the worst thing you could do.”

I jerked my hand from his. The loss of the contact burned, but I shoved that down. “It’s smart. It’s taking care of myself and Cady.”

“You’ll be out there alone. You have no idea how they tracked you. They could do it again. Here, you have backup. People who care.”

My throat constricted. The thought of leaving Wren, Maddie, and the whole Hartley clan had me struggling to breathe. For the first time since losing Autumn, I had people looking out for me. I’d be leaving that behind.

Roan pressed on. “If you leave, you won’t have anyone looking out for you. For Cady.”

That was the killing blow right there. When Autumn asked me to be Cady’s godmother, I’d sworn to protect her with everything I had.

“I don’t know how to keep us safe,” I admitted in a whisper.

“You let me help. Let Lawson help.”

Everything ached, the feeling of that bit of anonymity I had slipping away. “I don’t want anyone to know.”

My hand slipped under my shirt, finding the raised skin. People looked at you differently when they knew. They either pitied you or blamed you.

Roan’s jaw worked. “Just me and Law. I want him to give those assholes an official warning.”

It was better if Lawson knew. I understood that, but it still hurt. “Okay.”

Roan studied me for a moment. “You’ll stay?”

It might end up being a mistake, but I nodded. “I’ll stay.”

* * *

Maddie glancedover at me as we drove into town. “Are you okay? You seem jumpy.”

I winced. Apparently, I hadn’t been circumspect in my search for the silver van as we drove. I kept expecting the two podcasters to jump out and give me away at any moment.

“I think I had too much coffee today,” I lied.

She laughed. “A day off, and you still can’t stay away from the stuff.”

“I guess not.”

Maddie was quiet for a second, but a smile played on her lips. “Looks like you can’t stay away from Roan either.”

I stiffened. Roan had spent the day with me. He’d checked all my windows and doors to make sure the locks were adequate. Then he’d offered to help me muck out the barn. It wasn’t until just now that I realized he was probably supposed to work today.

“He was helping me with Dory,” I said quickly.

Maddie looked confused.

“The deer,” I explained.

“Oh.” She drummed her fingers on the wheel. “He’s not usually willing to be around people much. Don’t get me wrong, he’d do anything for his family, but that’s about it. I think that’s why he ended up at Fish and Wildlife. He does better with animals.”

“He’s good with people, too.”

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