“Buried.”
“Knox,” I groan, “Stop being so fucking short. What happened?”
“I left him right here,” He jerks his head to the saturated ground, “And I drove the herd through the fence.”
“You… trampled him to death?” My eyes widen at the information. I figured he’d shoot him, not premeditate his death like this.
“I wanted it to hurt,” He replies. “So I made it hurt.”
I cross my arms over my chest and lean on the fence, looking at the herd, who appear happy and grazing in their field, Ralph easy to find in the middle of them all.
Rio’s dead.
“Someone will be here today.” I can’t shake the rasp in my voice, the damage Rio did to my throat leaving me bruised.
“Who?” Knox shuts off the hose and finally gives me his full attention. It hits me in the chest when I catch the way he’s looking at me. It’s heated but soft too, the lines in his forehead smoothed out, and when he steps closer, the fence between us, he slides his hand around the nape of my neck, gently asking me to tilt my head back.
“A friend,” I answer him as he inspects the bruising collaring my throat.
I tilt my head back down, meeting his eyes. “Do you trust this friend?” He asks.
“I don’t know yet,” I answer honestly, “But it’s the only shot I have.”
He nods, contemplating my words before he leans and brushes his lips across mine. I can’t help but melt against him, somehow feeling safe, secure in his arms, despite the very real war at my back. I only have a matter of time before my uncle decidesto come looking for me himself, and I want to be ready this time.
But for a minute, I forget it all. I forget that only yesterday I almost died, and Knox lost a friend. That the same man I gave my body to for years is now dead, trampled to death and it was all organized by the same man sweeping his tongue between my lips, his hands gentle where they cup my face.
He breaks the kiss and sweeps my hair from my face. “I’ve got your back,” He promises.
I wrap my hands around his wrists and press up onto my toes to capture his mouth again. I hadn’t realized just how alone I felt until he said those four words.
“Elena,” He growls against my lips.
“Thank you,” I kiss him again.
He pulls back, his eyes bouncing between mine. “Whatever I have, it’s yours.”
My lips part on a shocked inhale, “Knox.”
He shakes his head and lets out a laugh. “I am so fucked.”
I lower my eyes, but his finger beneath my chin forces them right back up.
“Me. My ranch. My life. It’s yours.”
He takes hold of my hand and presses my palm to his chest, covering the steady and strong heartbeat beneath his shirt.
“You can have this too.” He rasps.
My heart thuds in my chest in response.
He kisses the corner of my mouth and then steps away, continuing his work while I stare at his back, his broad shoulders stretching his shirt. He doesn’t wait for a response from me; I’m not even sure he expects one.
But I see it.
The possibility of a future with him, here on this ranch. A city under my control, endless opportunities…
He begins to walk away, picking up his tools as he goes before he glances back, “Also, stay the fuck away from Ralph.”
