“No. Just mine.”
“No guards?”
He shakes his head. “The guards stay here.”
I blink at him.
That was not the answer I expected.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Maverick moved every woman and child into the main house for a reason. I’m not pulling men from the estate for a sick horse when I can keep an eye on you myself.”
“It could be more than an hour.”
“Then it’s more than an hour.” He opens the passenger door for me. “I’m armed. I’m trained. I know that I’m insanely attractive, but don’t let that fool you. I’m capable of driving you to a farm and bringing you home safely.”
Despite the panic still rushing through my system, a laugh slips out of me.
“You really are insanely attractive.”
“Thank you. Finally, someone appreciates me.”
I climb into the passenger seat and set my bag at my feet.
Stefano closes my door, then walks around the hood.
Before he gets in, he says something sharp in Italian to the man at the garage entrance. I don’t understand all of it, but I catch enough from his tone to know it means watch the house, no one moves, keep everyone inside.
Then he gets behind the wheel and starts the SUV.
“We should be there in twenty minutes,” he says.
“Make it fifteen.”
His eyes flick to mine.
“I don’t think that horse will survive another twenty minutes,” I admit. “Fifteen is pushing it. And that’s only if Denise is able to get him up on its legs.”
“Don’t tell my brother I drove recklessly with you in the vehicle.”
“Get me there in time to save the horse, and I’ll lie like a criminal.”
His mouth twitches.
We’re halfway to the farm when something thumps behind us.
I freeze.
Stefano’s eyes snap to the rearview mirror.
My heart drops before I even turn around.
A blanket pile in the back moves.
Slowly, Livy’s head pops up from beneath it.
“Hi,” she whispers.
