“The lodge is locked down and secure for now, but I don’t like you being—”
“I’m going with you. You’ll keep me safe.” I had no plans to listen to orders or change my mind.
“Fine.” He took hold of my arm and led the way, and we passed Beau standing guard near the front entrance.
Beau gave a grim nod but didn’t stop us, and that was when I saw Alex. He was at the far end of the hall, forcibly dragging someone behind him.
Alex had blood smeared on his jacket and up the side of his neck.
Please don’t be yours.I broke into a run, pulling away from Ryder. I reached Alex before I could talk myself down, and he quickly shoved the asshole over to Ryder to catch so he could then catch me.
With the prisoner secure in my brother’s arms, I crashed against Alex’s chest and threw my arms around him, eyes stinging with tears.
Alex carefully shifted me to the side, pinning me gently but firmly against the wall with his body like a shield as Ryder forced the man farther away from me. “Don’t let her out of your sight,” he yelled on his way down the hall with the prisoner.
Alex didn’t answer; he simply stayed where he was, hand braced against the wall beside my head, dark eyes fixed on mine.
“I was worried. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” His gravelly voice sent a shiver through my body.
I reached up for the side of his neck, needing to feel something solid. Something real. I dropped my forehead against his chest, barely understanding the connection tethering me to this man, but I couldn’t deny it. Not when I could feel the hard thrumming of his heart against my forehead. “About that hug you were going to give me before all hell broke loose ...”
“Yeah?” he murmured.
“I need it now, please.” A half sob caught in my throat.
Alex didn’t hesitate. He wrapped me in his arms, becoming my anchor. Holding me like I belonged there and he never wanted to let go.
He didn’t say a word—just held me. And that was more than enough.
“I’m glad you’re okay.” I sniffled. “I mean, who else would Inottalk about my underwear with, right?” I half laughed, half cried, the sound breaking as it came out.
“Relieved you’re okay, too.” He tangled his fingers in my hair and held the back of my head the way I’d held Chase earlier. “But, Audrey ...”
“I know.” I lifted my head to meet his eyes, blinking back fresh tears. “And I should never have asked you to let me go outside, and you—”
“Should never have said yes,” he bit out.
“Maybe this is dangerous? Or at least complicated.”
He quietly nodded, probably knowing exactly what I was talking about since he’d been the one to use that word last night. And he had to know I wasn’t referring to the danger we were in now because of Mitch.
We were on the same page, but it felt dog-eared. Bookmarked for later. But something told me we’d wind up back on a shelf, simply collecting dust. Destined to never try to uncomplicate things. To just be, well,friends, like I’d said I wanted to be earlier.
“We need to focus on getting you and Chase to safety.” He cupped my face, his thumbs skimming along the line of my jaw. Even covered in someone else’s blood, he was gentle with me.
“Of course.” I swallowed, never losing hold of his gaze.
He let go and stepped aside, then placed his arm protectively behind me as we walked.
When I heard the unmistakable low hiss of pain he was clearly trying to hide, I twisted free to confront him. “Did you lie about being okay? Is some of that blood yours?”
He closed one eye, pressing a hand to his side.
“Alex,” I said in my mom voice, and I shifted his jacket and shirt up. “You’re hurt.”
“Not that bad. Relax,” he grunted, shoving my hands away. “I’ll deal with it later.”
