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“We need to talk,” I told her.
Resigned, she nodded, following me outside.
I put my hand out for the keys when we reached her truck. “I’ll drive.”
She rummaged in her purse to get them, no argument and put them into my hands.
I opened the door for her. She climbed in, and I returned to the driver’s side. Slamming the door shut, I asked, “Are you okay, Savannah?”
She nodded, leaning her head against the window. I turned on the heater and started up the truck.
“Want to tell me why you whacked the beer out of my hands?”
“There’s so much I have to tell you,” she sighed. “I don’t know where to start. And you won’t be happy when you find out the truth.”
Sighing, I let her off the hook. “I already know, Savannah. Or should I say, Savannah Cayden?”
She took in a sharp intake of breath. “You know?”
“I know enough. I knew who you were a few hours after you strolled into town.”
“Shit!” She hit the inside of the door. “I should have known by the way you behaved, the way you look out for your people. I’m stupid. I’m so goddamn stupid!” Her head fell into her hands; her fists clenching her hair.
“Stop it,” I ordered. “You’ll hurt yourself.”
“That’s the least of my problems right now!” she yelled, her breathing becoming erratic. “I’ve fucked it all up! All of it! Gideon Fletcher is going to kill my uncle. You’re not going to trust a damn word I say, and I’m going to have his blood on my hands, all because I’m a selfish, stupid, pussy bitch!”
She kicked the dash, her anger palpable.
“Calm down. Beating up your truck won’t solve anything.”
“I’m sorry. Sorry for everything,” she whispered. “I came to town to find Warren Donovan. When I saw you in the bar, I noticed you from the sketch.” Her chest hitched. “I knew then that I had to take you down. And I just wanted to breathe, to rest, to take a goddamn moment to breathe. But I saw you with the townspeople, how you were with me. And when you took me to the brook, I saw you. I don’t think I realized it until I drew the picture. My attraction turned into feelings, in such a short time, it freaked me out. I had no clue on how to deal with it or how to deal with you. It became so twisted.” She exhaled and punched the dash. I cringed at the crack and grabbed her hand, holding it in mine. I wouldn’t tolerate her hurting herself.
“We’ll sort it out, Savannah.”
“I couldn’t do it,” she continued. “I couldn’t see you hurt. But I can’t allow them to kill him either. I’d have taken you to him, but saved you. I wouldn’t have left you once my uncle was safe,” she breathed. “Please believe me.”
I rubbed her back, urging her to take a deep breath. “I believe you. Breathe, sweetheart. Breathe.”
She found me, wrapping her arms around my neck, gripping my hair, and holding on. “I’m sorry,” she said again.
“We’ll work it out,” I reassured her, holding her close. She’d put me before her family. She’d chosen me. She’d sacrificed all and put herself in danger. “We’ll sort it.”
No matter what it took. No matter the clusterfuck ready to come, I vowed to ruin Gideon Fletcher for that alone. Seeing her tears just sealed the deal.
