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“I don’t know, Raid.”
“I’ll call Alec. He can decide, all right?”
“All right,” she grudgingly agreed.
“This is my fault.”
“What?” she asked, staring up at him. How could any of this be his fault?
“I’m the one who pushed you to tell Jake what happened. If we hadn’t gone to him . . .”
“Then they probably would have to let Steven go,” she said. “And I’d never have any peace because what’s to say he wouldn’t come back for me? No. You were right to get me to do this.”
He hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head. And she knew it would be all right.
32
Hannah was exhausted.
Completely done in.
By the time she’d finished packing some stuff up, Raid had called Alec, who’d told him to get her ass to the ranch pronto. Apparently, those were his exact words.
Hannah had misgivings still, but she didn’t intend to disobey Alec Malone.
They’d spent three hours at the police station, giving her statement and doing a photo identification of Steven.
Or whatever the hell his name was.
Eli and Kellan had seemed happy when they’d left, so she guessed that was good. They also said that they’d arrange a video call with Steven’s last victim.
Now they were pulling up outside the main house and Hannah felt so drained that she wasn’t sure how she would get through the rest of the day.
“You need to eat. And to have a nap,” Raid said to her as he parked his truck around the back of the house.
“Yeah.”
“No argument?” he asked with surprise.
“I told you, I never argue. Raid, do you think . . . I mean . . .”
“What is it, baby?”
“Can we stay at the bunkhouse?”
He gave her a curious look.
“I just want to sleep in your space with you. Not in a guest room. Is that rude?”
She knew Mia and liked her. But still, it felt strange to stay in her house.
“Darlin’, I wasn’t going to let you stay anywhere that I wasn’t. But we can stay in the bunkhouse. I’ll text Alec.” He got out his phone.
“Oh God, it’s rude, isn’t it? No, it’s so rude. He’s opening up his house. I’m just being silly.”
“Hannah, look at me.”
She glanced over at him.
“I’d rather stay in the bunkhouse. I’d feel more comfortable there.”
“Yeah?”
“Yep. That way, I can get you to make more of those sexy noises.”
“Raid!” She gaped at him.
“What? I was talking about when I rub your back.” He winked at her.
Oh, sure he was.
He sent the text and then drove them closer to the bunkhouse. His phone beeped as he parked.
“Alec said that’s fine. The bunkhouse has as much security as the house. He wants to talk to us as soon as you’re settled though.”
She still felt like she was disrupting everyone’s life, which she hated.
Raid came around and opened her door, then he lifted her down. Opening the back, he drew out two suitcases. She reached in to grab the duffel bag and follow him in. He’d made her pack a lot of stuff. Then again, no one knew how long she’d be staying.
Raid turned to look at her. “Put that down right now.”
She gave him a startled look. “What?”
“You don’t carry your own bags, remember?”
“But Raid, I’m only carrying it inside. Otherwise, you’ll have to make two trips.”
He opened his mouth, then grimaced. “Please put it down.”
Please? Had he really said please?
“Did you just say please?” Tanner asked.
She glanced up to see Tanner standing on the bunkhouse porch, gaping down at Raid.
“Yes, I did. So what?” he grumbled.
What was wrong with him? She put the bag down, though. He nodded and then walked in. Tanner came down and grabbed the bag she’d dropped.
“What’s up with him?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Something changed since I . . . well . . .” Since she’d told him what happened.
She thought whatever it was had blown over. Until now.
He said please. And he didn’t threaten to punish me or add to my tally.
What is going on?
“Since he learned what happened with your ex?” Tanner asked.
She gave him a shocked look.
“I don’t know the details, Hannah. But it’s clear to everyone that something bad happened.”
“Right,” she whispered.
“Everyone cares about you. Come on, let’s go in before he gets grouchy, or should I say, grouchier.”
She followed Tanner into what was obviously a common area with a long corridor leading off it. It had a sofa, a TV, an old dining table, and a small kitchenette with a large fridge.
It looked comfortable and worn.
“Tanner, I need you to stay at the main house for a while,” Raid said, coming out of a room down the long corridor.
“What?” Tanner asked.
“We need privacy, and Hannah will feel more comfortable if you’re not here.”
“Raid!” she protested. She turned to Tanner. She couldn’t believe Raid had just done that. “Tanner, you don’t have to move out. I’ll go stay at the house. Alone.”
