“Move away from him, so I can put a bullet through his brain.”
The icy tone of her father’s voice sliced into Ella’s marrow. Her father was against violence. Against killing. What had gotten into him?
“You bastards won’t take another one of my children,” Robert Morgan said.
She had never heard her father use such language. Take another of his children? What did he mean?
“Now take your hands off her!” He raised the shotgun.
“Papa, no!” Ella leaned back into Raven’s hard chest. “Y-You can’t. I love him!”
“What?” He let the gun falter slightly but then steadied his hand.
“Raven,” Ella said, her voice shaking, “I-I’ve never seen my father like this. I want you to go.”
“Not without you.” Raven’s body was stiff. Unwavering.
“If you love me—”
“If I love you, which I do, I will not leave you.”
“Please.” He had to listen. Had to go. She couldn’t bear the thought of her father hurting the man who was the other half of her soul.
“You heard her, redskin. Get the hell out of here before I blow your guts out the back of your head.” Her father took aim once more.
“Not without my wife.”
Ella couldn’t see Raven’s face, but she knew he spoke through clenched teeth.
“Your wife? Are you daft?”
“My wife.” Her lover’s deep voice cut through the night air in a feral rasp.
“I haven’t officiated at any wedding.” He nodded to Ella. “Come on, girl. Go to the house.”
“Only if you promise not to hurt him, Papa.”
“Tehila—”
“Shh. Raven, please.” She trembled against his solid frame. He was so steady. So sure. “Papa, I’ll come with you. Just please don’t hurt him.”
“Ella, you’re trying my patience.”
“Please.” Her heart thundered. Protect Raven, her body hummed. Nothing else mattered. “I’ll never ask you for another thing. Just let him go.”
“I go nowhere without my wife.” Again, his tone bit through the words with a primal rage. So different from the loving tone when he spoke to her.
“Raven,” Ella said, as she slid her fingers over his taut forearms holding her, “we’ll figure this out. But for now, please. Just go.”
He sighed against her hair, and the loose strands tickled her neck. “If it is what you wish.”
“Yes.” Ella swallowed as her eyes misted. “It’s what I wish.”
“Very well. But he will not keep me from you forever.”
Within seconds, Raven had disappeared into the thick woods. He made no sound. He was just gone. Only the musky, leathery scent of him remained. Ella inhaled, trying to trap the fragrance inside her to keep him with her.
“Ella.” Her father spoke sternly, steadily. He said nothing more as she followed him to the cabin.