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This wasn’t a graveyard that Nathan had found and repurposed. This was a graveyard that he had created. The entire graveyard was made for her. Because of her. This was what he’d been doing in this period of silence.

Joining Evelyn in the center of the graveyard, I took her into my arms. I needed to get her out of here. Right now. “Let’s go. You don’t need to see this. Or be here.”

“Look,” she said quietly.

We were standing in front of the two empty graves, already dug. The first stone was a single word. Thief.

And the second stone said Evelyn Taylor. With her real birthday, and a blank death date. She was perfectly still in my arms and didn’t move when I tried to pull her away. Nor did she react when I lifted her into my arms and carried her back to the cars.

The guys were ready and waiting, and the door had barely closed behind us before I barked at them to go. I would fill them in on the true meaning of those graves soon, but an open grave with her name on it was enough for them to understand the seriousness of the situation. And I had no doubt that they’d made the other important connection—the open grave marked Thief? That was for me.

Nathan thought that Evelyn was his property. He’d told her as much. By touching her and being with her, I’d stolen her. I didn’t care. He could come for me all he liked. I wasn’t going to let him touch her.

They drove us back to my house, and Jude whispered that he was going to secure the ranch. Full lockdown again. I nodded. Evelyn came first. Then a new plan. My brothers-in-arms could handle the defenses while I made sure that the most important person in my life didn’t fall apart.

She didn’t move until we got into the house. And it was a relief to see her come back. Evelyn had retreated so deep inside herself that I hadn’t been sure that she would come back. But her eyes were filled with black misery when she looked at me. “I have to run, Lucas.”

I shook my head. “You don’t.”

Suddenly her eyes were filled with tears. “I have to leave. He’s going to kill both of us if I stay. Maybe more than us. He’s not going to stop, and I can’t let you die—I can’t. I have to go.”

She’d moved into the center of the room and in three steps she was back in my arms. I made her look at me, guiding her gaze to mine. Fury vibrated under my skin at this man who’d taken everything from her and was still taking more. “I am not running,” I said softly. I let her see every ounce of determination that was in me. “I am not afraid of him.”

“I am,” she said, tears spilling over. “I don’t want to be, but I am, Lucas. I don’t want to die. I don’t want you or anyone else here to die because of me.”

“You’re not going to die.” In my voice, I could hear the rawness of those emotions that were still hardening. “You are not going to die.”

“Lucas—”

I pulled her close and wrapped her up in my arms. “He can’t have you. You are not his.” Those words were ones I’d said before. I made them a vow this time. “We are going to end this. And you are going to have a life that is more than fear. I promised you that, and it’s still true.”

Tears still ran down her cheeks, and I brushed them away. There was so much pain and fear there, and I couldn’t take it away. If I could carry it all for her, I would. “Do you believe me?”

A small, broken sound. “I believe that you’ll try.”

“That’s all I can ask.” If our positions were reversed, I wouldn’t have much faith either.

Like the first time that she’d been in this house, I lifted her into my arms and carried her upstairs. This was our home now, for as long as she wanted to share it with me. She didn’t resist, her strength gone. I stopped to remove our shoes before cradling her in our bed and holding her.

We’d left Aspen here while we were riding, and he was already on the end of the bed. I would thank God for the rest of my life for that dog’s intuitive nature. As soon as Evelyn hit the covers, he curled next to her on her other side. We surrounded her, and soon enough her breath smoothed out into long, even breaths, safe in the protection of sleep.

I swallowed down my own emotions, shuddering with my own fear. I hadn’t lied to her—I wasn’t afraid of Nathan. If and when the time came to face him, I could handle him. I feared losing her, and more, I feared not being there when she needed me the most. History repeating itself. Being too late.

Right now she was safe, and in my arms. For the moment, that was all I had, and I resolved not to waste a moment.

Chapter 24

Lucas

Evelyn rested in my arms, utterly asleep. I didn’t think that she’d slept so soundly since she’d started staying with me. Her mind was protecting itself from this new reality: Nathan was still here and close enough to reach us. He was absolutely determined to kill her.

And me, it seemed.

We hadn’t undressed to get into bed. Comforting her, making sure she felt safe had been more important. So my phone was still in my pocket when it vibrated against my hip.

A text from Harlan.

We need you here. Grant and Noah are on their way to guard the house.