“Are you kidding me? You want me to go from being stalked and hunted by some psycho retired Marine out of his head to one angry, depressed Marine with a tongue of fire and a piss-poor attitude to boot? Never mind one who thinks I’m sleeping with his dad. No thank you. I think I have enough to worry about.”
“My sons and their team, as well as I and the law enforcement in this community, can protect you.”
She shook her head.
“Cassidy, now is not the time to be so stubborn and resistant to help. If we know a potential problem is headed this way, then we can all take the proper precautions to stop anything bad from happening.”
“I can stop anything bad from happening. I can prevent Cash and his team from getting hurt because of me. I can leave this town, this ranch, and disappear.”
Red’s chest tightened with concern.
“For how long, Cass? How long do you think you can go without setting roots, making friends, and living a normal life?”
“As long as it takes, Red. And when I leave, you better be sure not to tell Cash and the others why.”
“But they can help protect you.”
She shook her head. “This is not the military. I am not under your command or some vital asset to the country, to the team, to sacrifice so much and ask them to risk their lives for me. I’m not worth that. I wouldn’t ask anyone to become part of this problem. I’ll survive. All I know how to do now is survive and count on myself.”
Red was silent a moment. He really didn’t want Cassidy to leave. He could sense Cash’s desire for her and even Memphis’s as he’d sat on the horse and listened to Cash demand to know what Cassidy was running from. Those men never brought a woman around here, and as far as he knew, they’d never shared one before. They would all be perfect for Cassidy.
“I don’t want you to leave. Not just yet. Stay a little while longer. Let’s give it some time.”
“I don’t think I can, Red.”
“For me, Cass. Stay for me.”
She inhaled then took another slug of beer.
“A few more days. Maybe,” she said, and he held on to the hope that those few days would turn into weeks, months, and even years.
Chapter 7
Blaze Scott sat at the bar with his buddies. An hour ago he’d been in his apartment sharpening his hunting knife and writing a list of the supplies he would need to search for Cassidy. He had no idea where she was. She could be anywhere.
“Blaze, maybe it’s time to move on. Maybe put Cassidy and this whole botched relationship behind you?” Kevin, his good buddy, said to him then took a slug of beer from the bottle.
He didn’t respond. Blaze was feeling the buzz. He’d drank too much too fast, and his temper was flaring, his mind wandering in circles.
“Did you hear me, man? Maybe she isn’t worth this shit. Look around you. There are plenty of fine pieces of ass around to fulfill your needs. Check out the two brunettes over there.” Kevin tilted his beer to the end of the bar.
One glance that way, and Blaze saw who Kevin meant. They were smiling his way. One of them was pretty but nothing like Cassidy.
“Not interested,” Blaze said then took another slug of beer, finishing off the bottle.
Kevin waved his hand, and a moment later, the bartender placed a new cold bottle down on the coaster in front of Blaze.
“Maybe fucking her out of your system might work,” Kevin suggested then winked.
Blaze gave a small chuckle. No such luck. Cassidy was special in more ways than Kevin or the others knew.
“Hi, fellas. You look like you could use some company.”
They both turned to find the two brunettes from the end of the bar now pressed up behind them.
“Sure thing. Can we buy you a drink?” Kevin asked.
“Captain and Coke for me,” one of them said and then squeezed next to Blaze. He smelled her pungent perfume but then saw the set on her. Maybe he could have a little fun.