Nash: A Rough Romance by Piper Stone (book series for 12 year olds txt) 📕

were, even though I knew Marines were honorable men. I could barely lift the cup to my lips, my throat tightening.

“Was everything you told me accurate?” Reaper finally asked. He didn’t bother looking in my direction, keeping his hard gaze locked on the fire.

“I didn’t lie to you if that’s what you’re insinuating,” I answered, probably more curtly that he would have liked.

“What is the full name of the district attorney you mentioned?” he continued.

“Is that necessary?”

He shifted his heated gaze in my direction, his eyes colder than before. “If you want to live it is.”

I thought about what he was requesting, my throat tightening even more. “Roger Porter.”

The way Reaper tipped his head toward his friend was telling. They were going to find out every detail of what had occurred. I wasn’t certain if I was incensed that they were taking over or thrilled that I had not only one man but two determined to find a way to resolve the issue.

Issue.

The death sentence.

Scorpion eased off the couch, moving toward a jacket he’d tossed over the back of the chair. When he produced what looked like two phones, I bristled and I had no idea why. “I went out this morning, purchasing two burner phones. I figured these would be needed since you left everything at the cabin.”

The brute of a man didn’t have to say because of me. I already knew that.

After Scorpion tossed both phones in Reaper’s direction, I huddled closer to the back of the couch, hugging the warm cup against my cheek. The bitter brew was enough to remind me where I was.

Cowboy land.

Montana.

Big sky country.

Home of the tough men who adored taming women.

Isn’t that what all the romance novels wrote about?

“Thanks. I feel a little like a shark out of water,” Reaper said before taking both of the phones and turning them on, obviously studying the phone numbers provided. I watched as he programed a single number into one, doing the same to the other before handing one of them to me. The second our fingers touched, the same damn electricity soared through me, leaving me breathless. I hated the way my body reacted to him, as if I couldn’t live without him.

I yanked it from his hand, cradling it in mine.

He snickered and shook his head. “I’m going to risk leaving you here while we talk to the sheriff. Kinda want to feel out the waters as to what we can expect. I’m certain she’ll need to talk to you later as well. You have my new number in case there’s an emergency. You’re not going to call anyone else. Period. However, I do want you to check in with me in a couple hours. I need to know you’re all right. You’re also not leaving this cabin. Do you understand?”

While his words were forceful, they were also laced with the same concern as before. “Sounds almost like you actually care about me.”

Exhaling, he gripped my hand that was wrapped around the phone. “I’m not fucking around with this, Mitch. You’re going to do as I say. Tell me you are.”

“Fine. I’ll call you and I don’t plan on going anywhere. Besides, where the hell could I go?”

Another look was shared between the men. They didn’t need to say a word to each other in order to communicate.

I could feel the heat of his body as he crowded closer. It was difficult not to suck in my breath given the way my body tingled.

“You know I will find you if you do.” He lifted my chin with a single finger, giving me the kind of look that made certain I knew he wasn’t kidding. “I’m a damn good hunter.”

A part of me wanted to laugh, to push hard against his dominating ways, but I wasn’t a fool. I needed to stay put in the only protected environment there might be. “I promise.”

Reaper chuckled, the darkness of his tone driving into every cell in my body. “Good to hear. Let’s just hope I can count on that promise. If not…”

He didn’t even bother finishing his sentence.

I’d be punished like a bad little girl.

Again.

Damn him.

Damn this bullshit.

Damn my stupidity.

“Let me make a couple of calls and we’ll get out of here.” Scorpion rose to his feet, moving out of the room quickly.

I put the cup of coffee on the table, hating everything about the moment. “Is it okay if I go outside or am I a prisoner in the house?”

He seemed surprised by my question. “You’re not a prisoner, Mitch, but all our lives are in danger now. That should mean something to you.”

I had no idea how to respond, although every thought in my brain had centered around the very peril that I’d placed them in.

All because of my stupidity.

I walked back to the bedroom, grabbing my coat. At least I could enjoy the sight of the mountains. I almost started laughing hysterically at the thought. Enjoy? I walked past him without bothering to look in his direction as I struggled into my coat. I knew if I dared glance into those gorgeous eyes of his that I’d be sucked into his charismatic realm all over again.

This wasn’t romance.

This was some kind of thriller where one or more players were destined to be killed.

As I stepped out onto the back deck, I was struck by the magnificent beauty even as the frigid air cut through me. I’d barely paid attention to the freezing temperatures when I’d been on the mountain. Now? It cut through me like a sharp knife.

Shivering, I took a deep breath, surprised how amazing the cold air felt in my lungs. Chicago was entirely different. The scents. The atmosphere. It was so quiet here with the ground blanketed in a fresh coat of white snow. Even the trees seemed to sparkle in the morning light, their limbs dipping as if in reverence to Mother Nature. I was struck by the beauty, in awe of the sight of the mountains.

Montana was an