Page 41 of Beautiful Exile

Her words had a sick feeling churning in my gut. What was it like to forever wonder if you were in someone’s crosshairs as you simply tried to live your life? But Arden also had a point. “This doesn’t feel like the threat of a professional killer.”

Trace sighed. “No, it doesn’t. But until we knowwhatit is, we need to take precautions.”

That had Arden sitting up straighter. “I won’t be kept under lock and key. Not again.”

Trace made a placating gesture. “I’m not saying you can’t live your life. But I think you should come stay with Keely and me.”

Arden’s eyes flashed, the violet engulfing the gray, and damn, it was good to see a little of her fire back. “I’m not staying with you.”

“Why not?” Trace pressed.

“It’s away from my workspace, my horses, my home. And if a psycho killer really is after me, do you honestly think I’d put Keely in that kind of danger? She’s never going through what I did. Never.”

Pain slid over Trace’s expression. “I’m sorry, Arden. I?—”

“It’s fine. I’m sorry I bit your head off.”

Trace’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “You could stay at the ranch for a while. You know Mom and Lolli would love to have you.”

Arden pushed to her feet. “Don’t you dare tell either of them about this. Or anyone else. You know it’ll make them sick with worry. And for what?” She ran a hand through her hair, tugging on the dark strands. “The more I think about the words…it was probably some prank. Kids getting their rocks off with some I-know-what-you-did-last-summer sort of jazz.”

That was certainly possible. Kids pulled knuckleheaded moves like that all the time. But it didn’t put me at ease. I wouldn’t be able to relax until whoever had put Arden in the crosshairs all those years ago was rotting in a cell where they belonged.

Trace scrubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw, suddenly looking exhausted. “Fine. But I’m not about to leave you alone out here. I’ll see if Leah can take Keely for a while, and I’ll stay.”

“No,” Arden said instantly. “I’m not stealing your time with Keels. You don’t get enough as it is. I’ll be fine.”

The pain lacing Trace’s expression told me custody of his daughter was a sore spot. “Arden?—”

“I’ll stay with you.” The words were out before I could consider the wisdom of them. There were a million reasons why I shouldn’t spend any more time with Arden than necessary. But I couldn’t stay away. Not before I knew what kind of danger she’d faced, and sure as hell not now.

Hell, I’d build her a goddamn army if I had to. Whatever it took to keep her safe.

16

ARDEN

I was pretty suremy brain was short-circuiting, or maybe I was having some sort of stroke. “You’re going to what?”

“I’m going to stay with you,” Linc said as easily as if he’d stated he was going to get a glass of water.

“There’s only one bedroom.” The words tumbled out of my mouth on instinct, anything that would keep some distance between me and the walking temptation that was Lincoln.

He simply pinned me with that swirling hazel stare. “Then stay here.”

I shook my head. “I can only sleep in my room.”

That was a stretch. Sleepnevercame easily to me. Even in the bedroom that had been mine for years. But at least I felt safe and secure there. It wasn’t like I thought someone would take me out if I stayed elsewhere, but I felt at ease in my space because it wasmine. There was comfort in the routine of what I knew.

A look of understanding settled into Linc’s features—one I didn’t want to look too closely at. “Then I’ll sleep on your couch. You do have one of those, don’t you?”

“Yes, I have a couch,” I snapped.

I opened my mouth to tell him it was lumpy and uncomfortable and certainly not suited for a billionaire likely used to the best beds money could buy, but Trace cut me off.

“Are you two done? I need to go get this note processed.”

I snapped my mouth closed, but annoyance still swirled, and guilt came fast on its heels. Because they were both being overbearing because they cared. But it still felt like control of my life was being wrested out of my hands. “I’ll walk you out.”

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