“Show yourself!”I yell into the night, my voice low and commanding, knowing it will carry through the stillness.
Hannah, wearing one of my T-shirts, steps onto the porch, her eyes wide with concern.
“Get back inside!”I bark, not wanting her to get caught in whatever this is.
“No,” she says, her voice firm despite the fear in her eyes.“I’m not letting you face this alone.”
My jaw tightens, and a growl rises from deep within my chest, a sound I can’t control.“I don’t want you getting hurt.”I take a step toward her, my tone hardening.“Get inside.Now,” I order, more sharply than I mean to as if she’s one of my men.
Hannah hesitates, her gaze flicking between the darkness and me, but after a moment’s pause, she steps backward, retreating into the safety of the cabin.
I scan the area as I walk around the perimeter, every instinct on high alert.There’s no sign of anyone, no movement, no whispers in the wind.Just silence.
I’m about to turn back when I step on something soft, like a small bean bag.
Crouching down, my hand reaches for it, as my fingers brush the object.I realize it’s a small pouch.It’s a bean bag round.
I glance around again, the quiet now unnerving.Turning toward the direction I think the bean bag came from, I see nothing, no movement, no sign that anyone is still nearby.Still, the feeling in my gut doesn’t lie.
Someone fucked up.
Someone just messed with the wrong man.
Moving back inside, I find Hannah clutching Grace to her chest, her body tense.Instinctively, I pull them both into my arms, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.Resting my chin gently on Hannah’s head, I breathe her in, trying to calm the storm inside me.
“How would you feel about being moved to the clubhouse?”I ask, my voice low, carrying the weight of everything I’m trying to protect.
Hannah pulls back slightly, looking up at me with concern in her eyes.“Where is it?”Her voice comes out fast, almost urgent.“How long would I have to stay there?”The words tumble out, one after another.“And can I bring Grace?”
Her questions hit me all at once, and I feel the pressure building, knowing she won’t like what I have to say, but I need her to understand.
I take a deep breath, my hands still on her, holding her steady.“The clubhouse is a little outside of town,” I say, my tone firm but gentle.“It’s safer there.As for how long, you’ll stay until we know it’s clear.Could be a few days, could be longer.And yes...”I add, brushing a strand of hair from her face, “...you can bring Grace.She’s part of the family now too.”
Hannah looks at me, her eyes searching mine, weighing the decision.At first, I think she might argue, but then she sighs, her shoulders slumping just slightly as the tension in her body eases.
“All right,” she says, her voice steady but with a touch of resignation.“If it’s safer there, then I’ll go.”She glances down at Grace, still tucked safely in her arms.“And I couldn’t leave her behind anyway.”
I nod, my chest tightening slightly as I pull her back into my arms.“Good.We’ll go together.”
I can feel her trust in me, even when she’s unsure, and it makes the weight of what’s happening bearable.I’ll keep her and the furball safe no matter what.
