Page 86 of Stolen Hearts

“Maybe not. But she’s here. With me.”

“Not anymore.” He grasped Rhae’s fingers with his free hand. “Theo, tie the fucker up.”

Before Theo could move, Ravencroft whipped out a gun.

The shot exploded through the room. Rhae’s shriek blended with Denver’s shot.

He dropped the man with a clean shot right through the shoulder. Ravencroft flew backward with a scream, clutching the wound as Theo rushed in to secure him.

Into the comms device in Denver’s ear came Carson’s voice. “We’ve got Justin in custody!”

Denver didn’t wait for what came next. He was already carrying Rhae out of the room, cradling her tight against him, whispering that she was safe, that he loved her, that he’d never let her go.

He would never let anyone come between them again.

Not Ravencroft.

Not the ghosts of their pasts.

He would be her shield. Her sword. Her safe place.

And Navy’s too.

Forever.

Chapter Eighteen

The Wyoming sun sank low in the sky, casting the Black Heart Ranch in a glimmer of gold. The field just beyond the house had been transformed for the evening event.

Carson and Layne’s wedding preparations began almost the minute the Malones returned safe and sound with Rhae. The past week had been a flurry of activity, and all their hard work paid off.

Rows of white chairs sat in neat formation facing a wooden arch with ivy and cream roses twisting around it. Twinkling strands of Edison bulbs already glowed lightly in the twilight evening. The wind carried the notes of a violinist warming up, along with the scent of roses and fresh-cut hay.

Everything shimmered in a magical wonderland perfect for the eldest Malone and his bride-to-be. It was unexpectedly elegant for a place known for dusty boots and callused hands, and perfect. Carson and Layne wanted something small and meaningful, black tie at Layne’s request, and including only their closest friends at Carson’s.

Rhae stood at the edge of the deck in flowing champagne-colored silk that all the bridesmaids were wearing. When Layne shyly came into her office and asked her to be in the wedding, Rhae couldn’t have been more touched.

The light breeze teased at her loose updo, playing with the artful curls framing her face. Her stomach flipped with nerves, but not for the newlyweds. She was happy for them—overjoyed, actually.

But the evening carried a different weight for her…one none of the Malones knew about.

“There you are.” The deep voice stroked her senses, and when she turned to meet Denver’s gray eyes, his gaze caressed her.

He approached in a sharp black tuxedo that shouldn’t have fit his rugged frame so perfectly—but of course, it did. His hair was pushed back with just enough defiance to sayI wore the suit, but I’m still me, and the slight rasp of stubble across his jaw made her throat tighten.

“All the guests are here. It won’t be long now.”

“There aren’t many chairs out on the lawn. When you said a small gathering, I didn’t think it would be this small. But of course, Layne doesn’t have many people on her side.” She looked down at her hands linked in front of her, trembling slightly with her nerves. “I don’t even have as many as her.”

He moved in, fingers lifting to brush the curl next to her cheek. “This little curl has a mind of its own.”

She smiled softly, unsure what to say.

“And you’re wrong. You do have family. You have me and Navy…and all the Malones. Whether you want us or not.”

Emotion rose up sharp in her chest. She blinked rapidly. If she ruined her makeup by crying, Willow would kill her, after the hour she spent painstakingly applying it.

He ducked his head to meet her eyes. “You okay? You’re quiet.”

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