Because my body remembered him. His laugh in the tavern. The way he’d always been there when I came home to visit my dad—quiet, teasing, infuriatingly handsome.
I’d told myself I didn’t need him.
I’d told myself I couldn’t want him.
I’d been wrong.
The Magnolia ladies finally shuffled out after Sheriff Tate promised them they’d be updated. They didn’t look convinced, but they left.
Trigger didn’t move.
The room felt too quiet once the chaos was gone.
Nora tilted her head, watching Trigger. “You two need to talk.”
Trigger’s jaw flexed. “Nora—”
“No,” she said firmly. “I’m not leaving her alone with this. But Iwillgo into the other room and pretend I’m not listening.”
Trigger’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Where is your husband?”
“He’s downstairs.”
Nora smiled. “Try not to be too scary.”
Then she waddled into the bedroom, closing the door to a crack—absolutely not subtle.
I almost laughed.
Almost.
Trigger finally turned from the window.
His gaze landed on me like heat.
I lifted my chin, trying to look like I wasn’t afraid.
Trigger’s voice came out quiet. “Why didn’t you call me?”
My throat tightened. “You were gone.”
“You could’ve called Saint. Havoc. Anyone.”
“I didn’t want the Rangers involved,” I snapped before I could stop myself. Then my voice softened. “Because once you’re involved, someone ends up bleeding.”
Trigger took a slow step toward me.
“That’s the point,” he said. “We bleed so you don’t.”
I stared at him.
His eyes didn’t flinch.
I whispered, “Thomas said he would kill you first.”
Trigger’s face went still.
My chest tightened. “He knows you’re the one person in town who would take me from him.”
