“I’m sorry you lost her.”
“I was lucky I had her to raise me. Others aren’t so fortunate. Harper showed me that.”
“One person’s pain doesn’t diminish another’s.”
For a moment their gazes held, and damn if he didn’t want to lower his head and kiss the woman again. But before he could so much as lean forward, she looked away.
“We should get to work.”
She rose, grabbed his empty plate and her almost empty one, and took them to the sink.
Ten minutes later, and they were just stepping outside when a car pulled up in her driveway. His eyes narrowed, while Tilly gasped and stepped back…that’s when he realized who it was.
Martin Taylor parked in front of the house and stepped out of his car, a frown on his face when he glanced at Kayden. The man looked older, but he also looked exactly the same—like the fucking thief he was.
The guy stopped, seeming to reconsider whatever he was about to do.
“It’s gone, son. All of it. Martin took it, and he’s not coming back.”
The memory of his father’s words was like gas on the fire of his rage. Before he could stop himself, he was marching forward.
“Kayden!”
Tilly’s panicked voice sounded behind him, but no one could have stopped him. “You have some fucking nerve showing your face in this town again.”
He’d taken a few steps off the porch when Martin pulled a gun from a concealed holster.
Tilly gasped, crashing into Kayden’s back when he stopped, and he wrapped an arm behind him to keep her shielded.
“I don’t want to shoot anyone, son,” Martin said, voice steady. “I just want to talk to my daughter about this house and some money owed.”
“I don’t owe you anything, Dad.” Tilly’s voice was almost breathless with shock. “This ismyhouse. You need to leave.”
“I really need the money.” His gaze shifted to Kayden, eyes wide, almost wild. “Leave us, and I won’t hurt you.”
“The fuck I will,” Kayden growled. “I amnotleaving her with you. You’ll have to say what you need to say in front of me or shoot me.”
Tilly’s fingers tightened on Kayden’s arm, and she tried to shift in front of him, but he tugged her back, refusing to let her. “Kayden—”
“Stay behind me, Tilly.”
She made a sound of protest before speaking to her father. “Dad, you’re not a killer. Just go, before you do something you can’t take back.”
Taylor’s eyes shifted between them, frustration and…something else in his expression. Fear? Yeah, there was definitely a bit of fear there. He didn’t want to shoot anyone. Maybe he couldn’t even if he wanted—
Martin pulled the trigger, and Tilly screamed.
There was a puff of dirt from the ground in front of Kayden before Martin shouted, “Go!”
“No.” Kayden’s voice was low and dangerous.
Long seconds of silence passed before Martin finally growled, slipped back into his car, and left.
CHAPTER 24
Hours had passed since her father’s visit to her house, yet her hands still shook. Even after Eastern and his deputies had come and taken statements, assuring both her and Kayden that they’d scour the town to search for him.
No one had found him in five years, so she wasn’t exactly optimistic that they’d find him now, even if he was right here in Misty Peak. At least Kayden had thought to memorize the license plate. Tilly had been too busy losing her mind.
