Mountain Darkness (Wild Mountain Men 1)

But it hurt like a bitch.

The storeroom door burst open. I jumped a foot.

It was Nix and Donovan, side by side, completely blocking my way.

“What… what are you doing here?”

“Claiming our woman,” Donovan said.

Claiming—

“What?” I replied.

Donovan stepped into the room, Nix following. He closed the door, leaned against it, arms crossed. “We’re here to get you back.”

My heart was practically beating out of my chest. They wanted me. They came for me.

“But the murderer—”

“Is in jail. He confessed,” Nix said.

“I know but why? How?” So many questions.

“The guy’s name is Dennis Seaborn. Mid-thirties. They’d had a fling and she ended it for another guy. He was jealous. He describes the wedding, how he followed Erin home. When she didn’t take him back, he hit her with the trophy in anger.”

“But I didn’t hear anything,” I replied, confused as how it was possible.

Nix shrugged. “I don’t know the details. Miranski and the chief are on it. All I know is everything ties in with what forensics says. The time of death, all of it.”

“Now there’s no excuse for you to push us away,” Donovan said.

I shook my head. “No. God, please. Don’t. It’s too hard.”

Donovan smiled, swiped a tear away with his thumb. “It’s easy, Kitty Kat. Just say yes.”

I swallowed down a lump in my throat. “I can’t.”

“Why not? You don’t want us anymore?”

I shook my head, realized that was the wrong thing. “No, I do. It’s just—”

“What, Kit?” Nix asked. He had on his cop face, hiding all of his emotions.

I was an ugly crier, a total mess with splotchy cheeks, puffy eyes and a boogie nose.

“I won’t let you risk so much for me.”

Nix pushed off the door. “Donovan’s the one who likes to spank your ass, but my palm’s feeling twitchy. Since when do you decide what Donovan and I do about our jobs? Our feelings toward you?”

“When you’d get fired!” I shouted. “You’ve worked so hard for what you’ve accomplished and I won’t have it taken away.”

“Why? Because you have?”

I tossed my hands up. “Yes!”

“So you’ll take away even more—us?”

I looked at the linoleum floor at my feet. “Yes.”