“Are you okay?” Dylan asked, putting his hand on her knee. She jumped sky high.
“I'm fine,” she told him. She moved away from him in the small car. It was one of his nicer ones.
“Right,” Dylan replied. He didn't sound convinced. “Do you want to come over to my place?”
“No,” she said shortly.
Dylan sighed and pulled the car over to the side of the road. Bonnie immediately became agitated. She needed to get home.
"What are you doing?" she asked, glancing around. She was ready to get out and walk if necessary. It wasn't far. She could actually see her cabin from here. If she hurried, she could be on the road before dark.
“You're planning on running again, aren't you?” Dylan turned to her, his dark eyes watching her every movement.
Guilt tugged at her, but she pushed it away. She raised her chin. "Yes. It's not safe."
He sighed, hurt pulling his lips tight. “Bonnie, you promised me.”
“I know,” she said, hating how guilty she felt. “It's just that I can't put you, or the ranch, in danger. They'll be coming for me. I know it.”
Thunder rumbled, echoing off the mountains. The ominous sound reflected through her entire being.
“Bonnie, I promised I'd keep you safe,” he said, his voice gentle yet firm. “I'm going to keep that promise.”
Beside them, two dark SUVs with pulled up. Dylan waved them off before the security teams could interrupt their conversation. Two men with earpieces hopped out of the car and positioned themselve
s so that no one could sneak up on them.
“You don't understand,” she whispered. Her mind went back to the fire. To the helpless feeling of watching her life burn. She remembered the police station. Brett had looked so small and afraid in the uncomfortable chairs. She didn't want her little brother to be scared anymore.
“I want to be with you, Bonnie.”
She closed her eyes tighter, trying to fight back the tears. She could hear the gentle plunk of raindrops start to land on the windshield. The rainstorm was starting.
She'd arrived in a rainstorm, and now she was going to leave in one.
She reached for the door, her hand shaking as she gripped the handle. She didn't want to leave, but she was so afraid. Afraid for Dylan. Afraid for Tyson. Afraid for Brett.
Afraid for herself.
“Please don't leave,” Dylan told her. His voice made her turn and look at him. His dark eyes were so sad. “Please. I love you.”
Her fingers fumbled on the door handle. She didn't open it. Her heart was bursting. Joy, fear, sadness, relief, and love were all exploding out of her chest, and she wasn't sure what she was going to do with all of them.
“I love you, Bonnie,” he repeated. His eyes were dark pools that drew her in. “Please don't leave.”
She didn't go out in the rain. The rain came harder, making the car a cocoon for the two of them. The world outside was lost to the sound of rain and thunder. They were the only two humans left.
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
“Then stay,” he said, reaching for her cheek. His fingers were rough but gentle as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. “I promise to keep you safe.”
With her eyes closed, she thought.
She loved him. She loved him more than she'd ever thought possible and the sheer amount of emotion she felt was terrifying. She let herself wonder if perhaps it wasn't part of her need to run. She was afraid he might break her heart. She was afraid she'd break his, and that was almost as bad.
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
Dylan was there. Just seeing him made her shoulders relax and her stomach stop twisting into knots. He loved her. He'd just said the words and the light in his eyes told her it was true.