“We fight,” Luke said.
“We keep our guards up,” Tanner said.
“We find a way to bring the fight to him,” Garrett added, standing back up to his full height. “Instead of waiting for himto find me, I’m going to start looking for him. I’ll have both the element of surprise and the advantage of being on the offense.”
Reese looked at each man as they spoke, and for whatever reason, their words were easing her nerves just a little. Maybe if they were expecting Russell, they could help protect Garrett. “It happens in a cabin I’ve never seen before. He blows it up and Garrett…”
“Okay,” Garrett interrupted. “I’ll stay out of cabins. That also tells me it won’t happen tonight or at the school, because you’d recognize both those places. It also won’t happen at my house. Right?”
Reese sniffled. “Yeah, that’s right.” Her breathing was starting to slow and she was feeling more like herself again.
“Okay,” Garrett said. “Look at me, Reese.”
She lifted her gaze to him as he pulled her up to her feet. She brushed her fingers across his cheek and he leaned into his touch. “I don’t need you to look me in the eye to know how you feel about me, or how I feel about you.” He covered her hand with his, holding it to his face like his life depended on her touching him and never letting go. “I’m a man who knows what he wants, and I want you, Reese Graham. I want to give this a real chance. Because I can see forever with you and I want it more than my next breath. So, here’s the deal, from now on, we’re in this together. No more thinking of leaving, or running, or hiding. Whatever happens, we face it head on. Together. Okay?”
Reese wanted forever with this man more than anything else in the entire world. She wanted to stay here in Dallas, build her life with Garrett, and have more fun nights out with her friends. She wanted to watch Caden and Hallie get married, and dance with Garrett, and go home with him, and make love on their picnic table under the stars again. If there was a way she couldhave all that without worrying about Russell… “We just can’t let anything happen to you, Garrett.”
“It won’t,” Garrett assured her, pressing a kiss to the palm of her hand.
“And it sure as hell wouldn’t be because of you,” Luke added.
“Now, can we have a wedding, please?” Caden asked.
“We better,” Tanner said.
All eyes turned to Caden and the whole room seemed to take a breath and release a tense chuckle. Reese even managed a soft smile. “I’m sorry I caused a scene.”
“I’d be pissed if you didn’t,” Caden said. “You saw someone kill one of my best friends. I - all of us - have a right to know. And as soon as Luke, who so graciously offered to become ordained online, marries us, you better believe we’re going to start planning and talking strategy, because there’s no way in hell I’m going to let that son of a bitch hurt another person I care about. Ever.”
The resolve in Caden’s voice actually helped put Reese more at ease. “Okay,” she said, shakily, though oddly feeling better about everything. “Let’s get you hitched.”
Caden took Reese’s hand and held it for a long moment. “I don’t envy your gift, but I’m damn grateful for it. I will do everything in my power to keep you and Garrett safe.”
“Thanks,” she said, knowing he meant every word. But the pit in her stomach was still there, because she had never been able to stop a death she’d seen. Then again, she’d never actually tried to stop anyone’s death. So maybe, just maybe, if they all worked together, they could save Garrett’s life.
Caden released her hand and Reese found herself in Garrett’s arms. When everyone else left the room, she turned to look at Garrett, but he just crushed her to him and held her tight, stroking her back up and down with one hand while his other hand held her firmly at the base of her neck. “Don’t ever runaway from me like that again, Reese. If something scares you or upset you, I want you running to me, not away from me.”
She grimaced at his words. She hadn’t meant to take off on him at the creek like that. She just couldn’t accept what she’d seen. “I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do when I saw you die.”
Garrett recoiled at her words, but recovered quickly and tightened his hold on her. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I wish you hadn’t looked into my eyes.”
“No, I’m glad I did. If Tanner, Caden and Luke are right, maybe there’s a way to stop it. Maybe I can save you without losing you in the process.”
“Would you have really left without saying goodbye?” Garrett asked.
Reese hated admitting it, but it was the truth. “In a heartbeat. If it meant there was even a small chance it could save your life, I would do anything. Even leave you. Break both our hearts. Spend the rest of my life wondering if what we have could’ve been more. I’d endure all of that, for even a small chance at saving you.” Reese couldn’t read Garrett’s expression but he covered her mouth with his, kissing her so passionately and desperately, she could hardly breathe. She opened for him and his tongue surged inside. She moaned softly and he pulled her in tighter, giving her everything he hadn’t said with words.
When he pulled back, they were both breathless. “Don’t ever leave me,” he said, his voice cracking. “I don’t care if it saves my life. Just don’t.”
She placed her head on his chest and he covered it with a gentle hand. “I love you,” she said softly. “I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”
“I love you, Reese Graham. And you’re not going to lose me without one hell of a fight.”
