Page 99 of My Secret to Protect

The cottage.

The guns.

‘Oh god.’ I breathe rapidly as panic wakes me up fully. ‘Arlo.’

‘I’m here, pix, I’m here.’ I’m aware of Zoe stepping aside as Arlo rushes forward and takes my hand.

‘You’re okay.’ I say, my voice scratchy and broken as I feel the tears escape my eyes and squeeze them closed.

‘Here, pix, have some water.’ The bed raises the top half of my body slightly and Arlo holds a straw to my lips. I drink, feeling my throat soothed by the ice-cold water before I release the straw and lift my gaze to his.

‘You’re okay,’ I repeat, and he nods, yes. ‘You saved me. You found me.’

‘I will always find you, Bree.’

He lowers down to kiss me, neither of us giving a damn that we’re surrounded by my family, but I feel them backing away, and he pulls back.

‘I’m not dead.’ I say, weakly and he laughs. I notice the tears stuck to his lashes—my big mountain of a man is crying.

‘Nah, short stuff, you’re not dead.’

Then he kisses me again, and I melt into him. Maybe it’s the drugs, maybe it’s the lighting, maybe it’s just this man, but I feel like I’m floating, and with him holding me, I never want to come down.

Nolanisdead.Heshot me. I killed him. It’s a lot to take in, but that’s the gist of it.

Arlo is sitting in the chair next to my hospital bed, holding my hand. We’re alone—finally. My family were all sent home, but myhusbandwas allowed to stay. I don’t want to admit how much I liked the sound of him being called that, and I can’t wait for the chance to make it true.

He’s been answering my questions. My mom didn’t want me to be overwhelmed by the details, but Arlo refused to keep anything from me. If I ask, he answers.

‘The other men there?’

‘Also taken care of,’ Arlo assures firmly.

‘They were from the club.’ He nods, yes. Hurt hits me deep in my chest, and he hangs his head.

‘My dad didn’t know, Bree. The VP took the job without his say and took some of the men with him. They’re all gone.’

There’s something behind his eyes, some hesitation in his words.

‘What aren’t you telling me?’

Arlo leans in, wrapping my hand in both of his, bringing it up to his mouth, and pressing a kiss against my knuckles.

‘I’m never going to be able to keep anything from you, am I?’

‘You want to keep stuff from me?’

He shakes his head. ‘Nothing important, but you know, surprises.’ He smiles softly, but it’s still there—that look.

‘Tell me,’ I encourage, and he nods.

‘Horse.’

The vice president. I remember him. He was the one who stopped me from seeing Arlo in court and in prison. He’s the one who delivered the news to me that Arlo didn’t want to see or speak to me. I will never forget that stupid nickname or the face of the man who delivered the blow that broke my heart.

‘It was him, pix. He called the cops that day. He got me arrested to get me out of the way and convinced me it was you.’

I suck in a breath at his words. All this time, I knew. Iknewsomeone inside the club had fucked Arlo over, but I had nobody to talk to about my suspicions when he wouldn’t see me.

---