Jesus. This was really bad.
Zane scrubbed a hand through his hair, like he was internally blaming himself. “There’s something you need to know.”
Bonnie’s stomach cramped.
“What?” Noah asked with a frown.
“Monty Cruz is one of the guys who escaped. I was the reason he was put away, and I’m pretty sure he’s the cause of all this.”
For a moment Noah was quiet, like he couldn’t quite wrap his head around what Zane had just said. “So this is about you? Some asshole wants revenge?”
“Yeah, I think so.” The muscles in Zane’s arms visibly flexed. “He has a shitload of money from his career in the UFC. He has the means to pull this off. And the motive.”
“We need to tell Jesse,” Noah said quickly.
Zane nodded. “I plan to do that.”
There was a pause before Noah shifted his gaze to her. “And you can’t stay with him.”
She straightened. “Iamstaying with him.”
“Bonnie, this asshole pulled off an entire damn prison escape to get to Zane. He’s dangerous, and Zane’s his target.”
Her stomach twisted. Because there was no way she was leaving Zane alone to deal with this. It wasn’t just about the physical danger. It was about the mental toll this was taking on him. He shouldn’t be alone. “No. We’re not separating.”
Noah cursed under his breath before looking at Zane.
Thenshelooked at Zane. At the frown on his face…the uncertainty…and it made new fear flutter in her belly.
Back me up, she whispered in her head.Tell my brother that we’re in this together.
But he didn’t. He just stood there, looking at her like he was actually considering it.
No.
She stood. “Zane. Tell him I’m not going anywhere.”
“Noah’s right. I’m a target for a dangerous man. You have a brother who can protect you just as well as I can. It would be safer for you to go with him.”
“I don’t care about me. I care aboutyou. You shouldn’t be alone.”
“I can protect myself.”
She shook her head. “No. I’m not talking about that. I want to be with you.” She pressed a palm to his chest.
“Bonnie—” Noah started.
“I need a few minutes with Zane,” she said, without looking at her brother.
For a second there was silence. Then Noah sighed. “I’ll wait in the hall.”
The second he stepped out, Bonnie inched closer to Zane. “Let me stay with you.”
“You’ll have Noah and your cousins to protect you. It’s the smart decision.”
“You shouldn’t be by yourself.”
“Bonnie—”
