With that, she swept out of the office, her heels clicking like gunshots as she strode off.
Decker’s attention snapped fully to Carson. The silence stretched taut between them before he finally spoke.
“I want on the team.”
Carson blinked, clearly not expecting that particular bomb to hit. “That’s…a big step, Decker.”
“Rhae’s going to release me from the program.” The words came out rougher than he intended. “She thinks I’m ready.”
“Are you?” Colt asked.
Decker’s jaw worked. The truth was, he felt more ready than he had in months. The fog that had clouded his thinking, the weight that had pressed down on his chest every morning…most of it had lifted. But not because of the therapy sessions or the art projects or the damn horses.
It was her. Willow had become his anchor without even knowing it.
“What is Willow not telling us?” Carson’s voice cut through his thoughts, direct and no-nonsense.
The dam broke.
Decker told them everything. About watching her at the Rusty Spur that night, about the drunk bastard who wouldn’t take no for an answer. About tossing the guy into the parking lot and how he whipped around and sliced him in the shoulder.
He described how Willow had brushed off the honey. He described her look of surprise when Felicity gave her the book on horses she never ordered.
And now the rose.
Each word rolled out rapid-fire, driven by an urgency he couldn’t contain.
“The guy from the bar. He was aggressive, but he was drunk. Sloppy. This feels different. More calculated.”
Carson leaned forward. “You think it’s the same person?”
“Maybe. But if it is, he’s escalating. And if it’s not…” Decker sliced a hand through his hair. “Then we’re looking at someone who’s been watching her long enough to know her routines…and her soft heart. Someone who knows exactly how to reach her without raising red flags.”
Denver’s expression had grown increasingly grim. “What aren’tyoutelling us?”
The question hung in the air, and Decker felt the weight of his own fears pressing against his chest. “I think whoever this is, they’re just getting started. The gifts—they’re testing boundaries. Seeing how much they can get away with before someone notices.”
“And?” Colt prompted.
“And Willow’s response is exactly what they’re counting on. She doesn’t want to worry anyone, doesn’t want to be the center of drama. She’ll keep making excuses, keep downplaying it, until…” He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to.
The silence that followed was heavy with understanding.
Carson’s fingers drummed against the desk. “You said you want on the team.”
“I do.”
“Why now?”
Decker met his gaze steadily. “Because I can’t protect her if I’m just another veteran in therapy. But if I’m on the team…” He let the implication hang.
“Your first assignment could be watching Willow,” Carson filled in the blank.
He looked her brother in the eye. “I’ve already been doing it.”
The admission settled over the room like the confession it was.
Carson folded his arms. “What do you mean?”
