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The deputy walked back to his car, and I moved April to her house. She was hissing into my ear about what a dick the cop was being, and I hustled her faster before he could hear any of her expletives. I got her inside and the door closed before I let her unload.
“That guy didn’t believe me. Can you fucking believe that?”
I sighed and patted the air in front of her. “April, chill, it’s okay. I believe you about the bear.”
“He looked at me like some stupid bimbo, and… wait, what?”
“I believe you saw a grizzly.”
She blinked rapidly as if her mind had short-circuited. “Well… why the hell did you lie to that cop? Why didn’t you back me up, for God’s sake?”
“It’s a long story, but I know for sure that the bear isn’t dangerous.”
April pointed toward the back of her house. “Dude, that thing was as big as a house. How could you possibly know it’s not some man-eater?”
“Look, it’s complicated. Trust me, okay?”
Her face changed. The manic anger at the cop and the panic from seeing the bear morphed into a cold and closed-off expression. She took a step away and turned toward the back wall, crossing her arms. “Not possible.”
The words hurt, but I understood. I didn’t blame her. “April, whether you believe me or not, I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. Nothing will hurt you while I’m around.”
Without turning around, she said, “Yeah, nothing will hurt me. Nothing except you.”
That was a verbal kick to the balls, and I nodded to myself. I deserved that. That, and more, if I were honest with myself. If my new plan was going to work, I had a shit ton of work to do. Fences to mend and bridges to build.
I opened the front door and stepped out. “Lock up as soon as I’m gone.”
She didn’t respond as I latched the door closed behind me. Once I was back home, all I could do was pace around my house. My original plan to push her away was not working, and I’d come to accept that over the last hour. Now, I needed another strategy. Some way to get her to look my way again. To bring
back the way she used to see me. I’d hurt her worse than I’d hurt anyone in my life. Before I could tell her the truth, I had to figure out a way to win her back. It made it worse that I’d spent the last couple weeks pissing her off even more. Had I not been an idiot not jumping at the chance as soon as I saw her again, it probably would have been much easier.
Since Miles had been the most vehemently opposed to my original plan, I called him. Perhaps he’d have some insight or idea how I could go about fixing what I’d broken.
As late as it was, he still answered on the second ring. “Yes.”
“Miles? Hey, it’s Steff.”
“Well, yeah, that is what the caller ID said.”
“Okay, smartass. I need a friend and you were the first person I thought of.”
“Sounds important. What do you have going on?”
“Remember the other day when I explained how I was going to try to get April to reject me?”
“Oh, yeah, the dumbass plan that will more than likely result in your death? I think I remember something about that.”
“That’s the one. Look, I’ve had… I don’t know, a change of heart.”
Miles laughed. “I figured you’d smarten up.”
“Right, now I have to win her back. Plus, that hunter Ryland is sniffing around, trying to get into her pants from the looks of things. What do I do, man?”
There was a several second pause before Miles said, “I think I have a plan. Get some sleep. Your first big game is tomorrow.”
I let out a breath of relief. Miles was the one you could always rely on to have a plan or vision. He’d been the one to first suggest opening a security firm. I’d never gone wrong following his lead.
“Thanks, man. I can’t explain how much it means to me for you to have my back.”
“That’s what brothers are for, Steff. Get some sleep. I’ll get you more info tomorrow.”
“Good night,” I mumbled, and hung up.
Brothers? My mind drifted back to my own brother. The person who should have been my closest ally and friend. He never would have done anything to help me, wouldn’t even have contemplated the idea of sticking his head out for someone else. He’d be the first one who’d want to see me fail. Thankfully, now I had three true brothers. My guys would go to the ends of the Earth for me, as I would for them. It was something to be truly grateful for.
I undressed and slid into bed, punching my pillow until it was just right, then I relaxed. My bear was more content than I’d felt in a long time. My own nerves were less frazzled. In the dark, as I waited for sleep, I finally understood how strong that curse was. Hopefully, whoever the curse hit next, whether it was Blayne or Miles, they weren’t crazy enough to attempt what I’d tried.
ELEVEN