It feels like hell on me this morning.
"Where are they?"I growl.Last night, my pretty baby told me she loved me.This morning, I woke up to find her missing.When I get my hands on her, I'm spanking her ass.I don't know what possessed her to leave, but I intend to get to the bottom of it now.She's mine.She doesn't get to say she loves me and then walk out of my life.Whatever spooked her, we're settling it right now.The only place I want her running is into my arms.
"Second cabin on the left," Cam mutters."She's been crying."
That stops me dead in my tracks.Cassia doesn't cry.She gets sassy and mouthy and raises hell, but she doesn't cry, at least not that she'll ever admit.What the fuck happened?
"Thanks," I say to my brother, hurrying toward the cabin to find out what the fuck is going on and why she left in the middle of the night.I know damn well that's what she did because no one saw her leaving this morning.I want to spank her for that alone.Anything could have happened to her out there.If it had, I'd never get over it, never get over her.
That wild woman is my soul.Spending the day looking for Hamburger yesterday was long enough without her.I won't spend the rest of my life without her in my arms.I wouldn't survive it.If something happened to her…Christ, I can't eventhinkabout something happening to her.My heart twists in my chest, my guts filling with acid.
Why'd she run?The fact that she's been crying worries the hell out of me.Cassia's one of the strongest people I've ever met.Her mother put her through hell growing up, and she still came out one of the sweetest, most selfless people I know.She didn't let it harden her heart or turn her bitter.She didn't let it break her.
Instead, it forged her little spine from steel, turned her into a warrior for good.This world is a better place because people like Cassia exist in it.She throws her whole heart and soul into everything she does, holding nothing back.She loves with everything in her.That takes a kind of strength most people don't comprehend, let alone possess.
I stomp down the cobblestone path to the second cabin on the left and then up the steps.The low murmuring of multiple voices comes from inside, but I can't make out anything they're saying.I'm guessing her friends are in there with her, comforting her.I don't even know them, but I appreciate them for it.She deserves people in her life who love her the way she deserves.
I rap on the door.
Shuffling comes from inside and then the door flies open.
A curvy brunette blinks at me."Can I help you?"
"Cassia," I growl.
Before I can say anything else, an entire wall of women stands between me and my pretty baby like they intend to physically keep me out of the cabin.Not a single one of them stands taller than my chest yet they don't bat a lash as they stare me down.They're all as different as night and day, but down to the last one, they wear matching scowls.
I'm not even mad.How can I be when they're protecting their friend?The same curvy blonde I'd lay my life down for without hesitation?Given the choice between me and her, there is no choice.She's mine to protect, mine to love.She comes before me in all things, always.
"She doesn't want to see you right now," the brunette says.
I think about arguing but realize it won't get me anywhere.The five of them might not love Cassia the same way I do, but they love her, nonetheless.They'll nail boards over the fucking door and brandish lamps to keep me out of this cabin if they think it's what she wants.Isn't that what women do for one another?
They show up in those dark moments, and fight for their friends when their friends forget to fight for themselves.That's the beauty of female friendships.It doesn't matter how fucking long they go without seeing one another or talking.When one of them hurts, they all hurt.When one falls, they all show up.That's how it's always been with Cleary and her friends.Whenever Cleary is down, her tribe always shows up to support her.I'm guessing that's how it is with this group of authors too.
So I don't argue with them.I don't even speak to them.
"Cassia, pretty baby," I rasp, talking to my girl instead.She's in this cabin somewhere, hiding from me.I feel her in there.My arms fuckingachefor her."I don't know why you ran, but I'm not letting you go without a fight, princess.When I said you were mine, I meant it.If you're going back to Seattle, I'll sell the ranch and go with you.Whatever you want.But you aren't leaving me now.I won't allow it."
"S-sell the ranch?"Cassia whispers from deeper in the cabin, her voice ravaged by tears.The sound breaks my heart.
"If that's what I have to do," I say, planting my feet to keep myself where I am.Every instinct I have screams at me to go to my girl, but her friends still stand between me and her, and I'd never put my hands on a woman, even to move her out of my way."Whatever you need, pretty baby.If Seattle is where you're happy, then we'll live in Seattle.I don't give a fuck where we are so long as I'm with you."
"Maybe we should give them a minute," the brunette says, glancing between the other girls.
A blonde with wild curls glances at me and then nods.
I step to the side, allowing Cassia's friends to file out.
"Call us if you need us," the brunette says, pausing in the doorway.
"Thanks," Cassia whispers.
The brunette steps out, allowing me to step in.As soon as I catch sight of Cassia, my breath catches in my throat and my stomach sinks.Her sweet face is stained with tears, her eyes red and swollen.Even crying, she's beautiful.
"Pretty baby," I whisper as the door clicks shut behind me."Why'd you leave me?"
Her bottom lip quivers."I told you I l-love you," she whispers.
