Chapter Nine
MATT
I tossand turn on the couch, unable to settle. The wind howls outside, a constant reminder of the storm that brought us here, but it's not the wind keeping me awake. It's her—Eliza. The way she came to me, unable to sleep alone, the vulnerability in her voice when she made that offer.
She invited me into her bed, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Part of me wishes I’d said yes, but I’m torn. I have to be more than the guy she turns to when she’s scared or lonely. She has to choose me because she truly wants me—not out of comfort, but for something deeper.
I shift again, my back stiff from the unforgiving cushions. The ache in my muscles is nothing compared to the knot of uncertainty twisting in my chest. Did I do the right thing? Or am I fooling myself, holding back when I should've let her see how much I care?
I slip off the sofa and make my way to the main room, the wooden floor cold beneath my bare feet. The bedroom door is still closed, and I hear Eliza's soft, steady breathing from within. She's still asleep, and I'm grateful for that. After everything she's been through, she deserves the rest.
I tiptoe to the kitchen, intent on making coffee. As I reach for the grounds, my hand hesitates. The memory of yesterday's panic attack flashes through my mind, and I have to take a steadying breath. Not today, I tell myself. I won't let the past control me.
I open the cupboard, surprised and relieved to see a brand-new coffeepot—likely left by one of Eliza's brothers. A small gesture, but it feels like a lifeline this morning. I fill the pot with water, the simple act grounding me in the present.
As the coffee brews, I lean against the counter, breathing in the warm, soothing aroma that fills the room. Despite the whirlwind of emotions, facing the day feels a bit more manageable now. And with Eliza here, maybe I can be more than her safe haven.
I reach for the coffeemaker when a knock at the door makes me freeze.
My heart skips a beat. Through the window, I glimpse Kane standing outside, his expression as stern as ever.Shit.
For a second, I glance toward the bedroom door, listening for any sign of Eliza stirring. Nothing. My pulse quickens as I turn back to the front door, my feet moving toward it. I pause, taking a breath before I grip the handle and open it.
“Morning, Kane,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual despite the knot forming in my stomach.
Kane's eyes narrow. “Morning. Is Eliza here?”
The creak of the bedroom door interrupts the conversation. Eliza steps out, her hair tousled, still in yesterday's clothes. My pulse quickens. This is going to be hard to explain.
“Kane,” she says, surprise and a hint of defiance in her voice. “What are you doing here so early?”
“I went to check on you at the cabin. When you weren't there, I got worried.” Kane's gaze flicks between us, his jaw tightening.
If Kane thinks we're involved, it could complicate things—fast. I’m not talking about an awkward conversation. I mean Kane, or any of her brothers for that matter, seeing me as a threat, as someone who's taking advantage of Eliza when she's vulnerable. And that’s not something they’d let slide easily.
My pulse quickens. Kane isn’t the type to talk things out—he’s more likely to drop something heavy on me while we’re fixing the lodge. Or worse, force me to leave altogether. And if that happened, where would that leave Eliza? Where would that leave me? Finn might never speak to me again. And as much as I’d try to walk away with my head held high, losing the chance to be here with her, to be part of her life, would hurt more than I’m willing to admit.
“It's not what you think,” Eliza starts, but Kane holds up a hand.
“Save it,” he says, his voice gruff. “We've got work to do. The supplies will be here in an hour.”
With that, he turns and stalks off, leaving Eliza and me standing in the doorway, the unspoken words hanging between us.
Eliza sighs. “Well, that could have gone better.”
“Your brother's going to kill me, isn't he?” I whisper.
Eliza gives me a reassuring look. “Kane won't do anything.”
“Are you sure? Because that look he gave me ... I think I saw my life flash before my eyes.”
She shakes her head. “Nothing happened. Kane will realize that once he calms down.”
“Try telling that to Kane's face,” I say, peeking out the door. My stomach knots at the thought of confronting him—and the four other brothers who won't hesitate to back him up. “I swear, Eliza, I can already feel the bruises forming.” I close the door quickly, the tension rising in my chest. “Will you promise me one thing?”
“What's that?”
“If Kane kills me, make sure they write 'Died heroically in his sleep' on my tombstone. It sounds better than 'Murdered for being a gentleman.'“
