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Strong arms kept me upright as a silent scream came out of me, the ache in my chest intensifying as fear overcame me, perching itself on my shoulders. The tears were never ending, and I held on tighter to the man I loved. Fear would eat away at me for the rest of my days, because of this love.
This was a love I couldn’t lose.
If I did, I wouldn’t survive it.
Before Denver, there was only my mother. She was all I needed, but over the last few weeks, she’s been teaching me to let go. Let go of her. Death is inevitable, and I knew I would lose her. Like everything else, I would bottle it up and go with the motions. That was the plan.
That plan was officially derailed because of my heart. My stupid, stupid heart.
“Valerie.”
Smoke.
I lifted my head and was surrounded by him again. Much like last night, he invaded my presence, stealing my ability to breathe. His dark brows were pinched together in concern, his jaw tight under his dark scuff. His rough hand cupped the side of my face, pushing my hair back, taking some tears with it. His gray eyes bounced between mine. “Talk to me,” he whispered.
I love you.
I’ll always love you, even if you don’t love me.
There will never be anyone else for me, Smoke.
My bottom lip trembled again, and his thumb dropped to it as his throat bobbed. “Your tears having the power to bring me to my knees, Enchantress. Talk to me.”
I inhaled an unsteady breath, focusing on the other problem. “He mentioned my mom.”
He nodded once, his jaw tightening again. “I know.”
I looked down. “I need to go home,” I whispered. Maybe that’s why my body reacted like that, because I had to go.
“You aren’t leaving,” he growled, his breath hitting my ear.
“Denver…”
He gripped my chin, forcing me to look up at him when I wanted to look anywhere else. My eyes held his fierce gaze.
“She comes here,” he declared.
I flattened my hands on his chest. “Denver, she can’t.”
“Yes, she can.”
“Where will she go for her treatments?” I asked in a panic.
He looked up and over my shoulder. Tipping his chin, he ordered, “Round up the boys. It’s time for a meeting.”
“On it,” Beau replied, and I heard him walk away. I looked to my side. Mags was still standing there, eyes on me.
“Mags.”
The man ignored Denver and made his way to us. With each step he took, my stomach dropped a bit more. He stopped two feet from us, his eyes never leaving mine.
“You’re family.”
My lips parted.
He walked away, brushing past us to head down to the barn. When I looked up at Denver, something flashed in his eyes as he stared at Mags’ back. Then, he looked down at me. “Tim Moonie will not harm anyone on Hallow Ranch, and that includes your mother.”
Chapter Thirty
