Page 26 of Courage of the Mountain
Hayden’s words explode around the apartment, echoing off the walls and making Lily shiver against me. She tries jumping away, but I anchor her to my side with an arm around her waist. No way in hell I’m letting her go. I don’t want her to think I’m ashamed of us or our relationship. Never again.
“Hayden, this isn’t–” I start.
“Isn’t what it looks like? Seriously?” he snarls.
“I was going to say that this isn’t the fight we need to be having. Lily and I are together; that’s just how it is. What we should worry about is the fucker who broke in–”
“That’s just how it is?That’s just how it is?” Hayden’s blue eyes flash with a warning, but I’m ready to take him head on. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. I can’t believe…”
“Look, Hayden, I–”
“How long has this been going on? Did you move back to Hope Mountain to be with her? Why didn’t anyone say anything?”
I step forward, dropping my hand from where it was resting on Lily’s lower back. “I moved back to start the next chapter ofmy life after retirement. You know that,” I answer in what I hope is a calming voice. “I didn’t expect to meet Lily again, and to have such an instant connection. I didn’t even recognize her at first.”
“And that makes it okay? That’s asinine. You’re just taking advantage of her. She’s had a crush on you for years, you know. Did it make you feel powerful to use that against her?”
Fuck, his accusations pierce through me as if he stabbed me in the gut. “I honestly had no idea about the crush until she told me a few days ago. How would I have known? She was too young for me to pay attention to before you and I left for basic training.”
“And you don’t see how fucked up that is? She’s ten years younger than you.”
“Stop making me out to be a predator when I’m not,” I grit out. It’s pissing me the hell off that he can even think I’m capable of that. “You’ve known me my whole life. When have I ever mistreated a woman? Hell, when have I ever even been in a relationship with a woman?”
“Another red flag. Are you afraid of commitment or something? My sister isn’t someone you can throw away. She’s too special.”
“Have you considered that maybe I’ve never had a romantic relationship because I was waiting for someone as special and precious as Lily?”
Hayden blinks a few times, and I see just the smallest amount of anger drain from his eyes. “Well… why didn’t you say anything to me before now?”
“Considering how well you’re handling this conversation, I can’t imagine why I’d want to put it off,” I say, my words dripping with sarcasm. “Besides, it’s not my place to speak for Lily. We were going to tell you when she felt comfortable.”
I look over my shoulder, hoping to pull Lily into my arms so we can face Hayden together, but she’s not there.
“Shit,” Hayden says, noticing at the same time I do that his sister is missing.
My heart leaps into my throat as panic sets in. We still don’t know who broke in and busted the pipe downstairs. Maybe they’ve been waiting to get her alone to intimidate her more, or kidnap her, or worse. Jesus, the vice around my lungs makes it hard to breathe as all the worst-case scenarios play on repeat in my mind.
“Have to find her,” I choke out.
Hayden’s eyes meet mine, his brow furrowing as he observes my visceral reaction to Lily not being here. “Is she in danger? Why are you acting like this? I know you’re upset, but–”
“Didn’t you hear what I said when you first stormed in here?” I growl. “Someone broke in a few days ago. They sabotaged the store. That’s why it’s closed in the middle of the day. Did you even notice, or were you too busy feeling sorry for yourself?” My words are coated with venom, and while I might regret them later, it’s what finally snaps Hayden out of his rage.
“Someone broke in?” he rasps. “She didn’t say anything. I would have…”
“Come home?” I finish for him. “I don’t think she believes that, and can you blame her? You haven’t exactly been an active part of her life.”
Hayden opens and closes his mouth a few times, then hangs his head in defeat. “I fucked up,” he mutters. He digs the heel of his hand into his left eye, and I swear he’s trying to hide a tear. I know he’s raw and vulnerable and dealing with a twisted sense of guilt for things beyond his control, but he needs to set that aside and focus on Lily.
“We need to find her,” Hayden says after taking a moment to collect himself.
I follow him downstairs and into the main store. Hayden sets his sights on the front lobby while I search for Lily in the backoffice and hallway. When I push the back door open, I notice a discarded key lying on the ground, surrounded by what look like pieces of a broken taillight. The key is half hidden in the dirt, but when I pick it up, a chill runs down my spine. As soon as we find Lily, I’ll need to call the detective originally assigned to this case.
“Hayden,” I bark. “Get over here.”
He’s next to me in a matter of seconds. I can feel the anxiety and fear radiating off of him, and I’m sure he senses the same from me.
“What? What is it?”
