“No thanks.” I shake my head.
“Butno onehas ever impacted him the way you have. I can see it written all over his face that he’s in love with you.”
I bite my lip and lean on the counter.
“We haven’t said the words,” I say quietly as we look at each other in the mirror. “But I love him so much, I ache with it, Wills.”
“The age gap doesn’t bother you?”
I shake my head. “I don’t care about that. I’m in my mid-twenties. We don’t see each other the same way that we did when I was a teenager.”
“Time apart would have helped with that,” she agrees with a nod. “I get it. I sincerely hope it works out between the two of you because Ilovehaving you out at the ranch with us. I’ve always wanted a sister.”
My lower lip trembles, and Willow wraps me in a tight hug.
“Thank you so much,” I whisper. “I’ve always felt like such an outcast in my life. And you’ve made me feel so welcome. Like I belonged here the whole time.”
“Maybe you did,” she says. “I’m sorry I was such a bitch in the beginning. We lost so much time.”
“I understand,” I remind her. “And I appreciate that Gideon has people in his life who love him so much.”
“You both do,” she says with a wink. “Now, we’d better get back out there before they come looking for us. Gideon’s already on edge.”
“I feel bad that we talked him into it. I hate that he’s so uncomfortable on his birthday.”
“He’s fine,” she says, waving me off. “And we’ll be home soon enough.”
I open the door, and she walks out ahead of me. I step out behind her, and strong arms band around me, picking me up off my feet, and I start to flail as I’m being dragged backward.
“You’re coming with us, you little bitch.”
My heart is in my throat as I hear Willow’s scream, and I frantically look around to see if they’re taking her, too, but I don’t see her. Just three other big men as I’m pulled out the back door and behind the pub.
I can’t stomp on the asshole’s instep, but I can use my elbows, so I drive one into his side, making him lose his breath, and I slam my head back into his nose.
“Fuck!”
I’m dropped to my feet, and I spin and kick the asshole in the stomach, and he falls backward.
A different set of arms reaches for me, but I hurry out of the way. I can hear shouts now, and I know that Gideon is coming to help me. The last few seconds have felt like an eternity.
He’s right there. He’s armed. It’s okay.
I kick another guy in the knee, and he crumples to the ground, but then I’m pulled against someone else, and I feel metal press against my neck.
“Again?” I demand, more angry than scared right now because I know Gideon’s about to kill this fucker.
“Drop it,” this asshole screams in my ear as Gideon comes barreling out the door, his gun drawn, face set in rage-filled hard lines. His eyes hold mine for just a millisecond before they move to the man holding me, and the three others around us. Two of which are all kinds of fucked up, thanks to me.
“Training worked,” I say with a sassy grin, but Gideon doesn’t smile.
“You’re going to drop that gun, Lieutenant,” the asshole sneers, and I frown.
“Youknow him?”
“You and I both know that I’m not putting my weapon down, Rogers,” Gideon says, not acknowledging my question. “If you don’t want to die tonight, let her go.”
Rogers snorts. “Right. Not happening. I have orders to take her with me.”
