“Hello, Koha’vek, Ava,” I said evenly. “I just stopped by to check on you two. I want to make sure you aren't coercing Ava to stay with you.”
Koha’vek’s silver eyes narrowed, but he didn’t reach for a weapon or say anything.
I crossed my arms, taking in the way Ava’s fingers clutched his arm.
Ava stepped forward. “He’s not. At first, he was afraid I would tell someone if I left. But as I got to know him, I realized I don’t want to leave.”
I met Koha’vek’s gaze. “If I thoughtotherwise, we wouldn’t be talking.”
“You’re not afraid of what people will say if they find out?”
She looked at Koha’vek beside her, his massive frame calm and still, his eyes low as he listened. I’m not going to be ashamed of loving the person who saved me.”
A tense silence stretched between us before I sighed. “I believe you. I had to be sure. I can see that Ava cares for you, and I don’t want to deprive her of your protection and companionship.”
Koha’vek studied me for a long moment, then gave a slow nod. “Then we have an understanding.”
I turned to leave but paused at the doorway. “Take care of each other.”
Then I was gone, fading into the darkening forest, leaving them to the life they had chosen—at least until I could process what to do about them.
Koha’vek
I stood there for a long time after Raven had disappeared into the night, his presence lingering like a ghost in the shadows. I had expected a fight, but instead, I had received something I never thought possible—acceptance.
Ava let out a slow breath, stepping closer. “That was… unexpected.”
I turned to her, taking in the way her green eyes searched mine, full of questions and uncertainty.
“He kept his word,” I murmured. “He didn’t come here to destroy what we have together.”
Her hand came up to rest against my chest, just over my heart. “Then we’re safe?”
I covered her hand with mine and nodded. “Yes.”
She exhaled in relief, and I couldn’t help but pull her into my arms. She didn’t resist—she never did. She fit against me as if she belonged there, and I lowered my head, breathing in the scent of her hair, the warmth of her presence.
“I love you,” I murmured against her temple, the words slipping free before I could stop them.
She pulled back slightly, searching my face. “Koha’vek…”
I cupped her cheek, my thumb tracing along her soft skin. “I tried to fight it, but I couldn’t. You are my heart, Ava.”
A small but radiant smiletugged at her lips. “And you are mine.”
I kissed her then, sealing our fate with something more potent than any promise of safety—love.
Hannah
Pain lanced through my wrists as the ropes cut into my skin, the rough fibers biting deep. My heart pounded as the wagon jolted over the uneven road, each bump rattling my body. One of Jenkins’s men sat across from me, his face twisted with self-satisfaction.
I swallowed hard, refusing to let him see my fear. It seemed clear that they had infiltrated the ranch and lay in wait until Raven’s team and the ranchers left.
I’d barely had time to take a breath after Zach’s return before they’d come for me. With my full attention on the horse, I never heard the man come up behind me and clamp his hand over my mouth.
Now, they were carting me off to Callum Jenkins. He was the one who frightened me because of the cruel things I had witnessed him doing to various townspeople who displeased him. I suspected that he planned to hurt me to punish Raven for interfering with his operations.
The bastard had been trying to break us even before the moment Raven set foot in Brislow. And now, he had me. From everything the ranchers told us, Callum Jenkins hated Raven most of all.
