Page 21 of Naughty With The Mountain Man

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She already knows.

“Do you think it’s someone from the center?” she asks quietly.

“I think it’s someone who watches,” I answer. “Which means familiarity. Habit.” I hesitate, then add, “Someone who knows your schedule.”

That lands.

Her throat moves when she swallows.

I grab my jacket. Sling hers toward her as gently as my hands allow.

“I’ll keep you safe,” I say without blinking.

She nods. “I know.”

And damn me… she does.

Shetrustsme.

And that…

That’s everything.

As we step out into the cold morning, Ranger at my heel and her hand brushing close enough to touch but not quite.

I promise myself two things.

I will find whoever’s hunting her.

And I will end this on my terms.

Right now?

We’re done waiting.

We’re done hiding.

It’s our turn to hunt.

9

Ellie

The roads are half-frozen and glinting like silver ribbons through the pines. The truck hums beneath us, heat blasting through the vents, but I still keep my hands curled in my lap for warmth—not from the cold outside, but from the tension radiating off the man beside me.

Micah drives like he does everything else—silent, alert, a hand always near the gearshift and eyes scanning the tree line like the forest might spit out a monster at any second.

I don’t interrupt the silence for a while. It’s not uncomfortable. Not with him.

But after a few miles, the cabin in the rearview and the edges of town still a shadow ahead, I glance at him and ask, “So, how long’s it been since you came into town?”

His mouth tightens just slightly. “Few months.”

I raise an eyebrow. “A few months? To, like… get groceries?”

He shrugs. “Hale runs a private resupply. I get what I need.”

I shake my head, amused. “So you’re just up there… in the mountains… hiding out like a hot survivalist monk.”

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