Page 49 of Mountain Grump Protector

“Cal.” I move closer, hating how shaky my voice sounds. “Please.”

For a second, I think he’s going to keep ignoring me. And I wouldn’t blame him if he never spoke to me again.

The thought makes my chest ache, but I don’t have time to let that idea take root. I need to manage this situation. Because even if he is an asshole and doesn’t deserve my help, Bryson is still my brother.

After a long moment, Cal’s eyes find mine.

The anger I expected to see flashing in his gaze isn’t there. I almost wish it were. Because the hurt I see reflected back at me is worse.

So much worse.

“He only got here this morning,” I say softly. “I didn’t know what else to do. He promised he’d be gone by tomorrow.”

“You could have told me.”

The words aren’t loud, but they don’t have to be.

I open my mouth to find some kind of explanation, but there isn’t one.

“You should have told me, Willow.”

He’s right. We both know it. After everything, I should have told him. I should have trusted him. In my gut, I know it would have been okay if I’d been honest with Cal. It’s not a familiar feeling, knowing I can trust in someone. But that doesn’t mean I can’t learn.

“I know,” the words are slightly more than a whisper. “And I’m⁠—”

The unmistakable sound of tires crunching gravel and the revving of a truck engine cuts through the air before I can tell him everything I’m feeling.

For half a second, nobody moves, as if we’re all trying to convince ourselves we didn’t hear it. Then another set of tires follows the first.

Bryson’s head twists toward the closed door and the unmistakable sounds outside. Fear flashes over his face. “Shit.”

Every muscle in Cal’s body tightens. Whatever hurt he’d let me see a second ago is shoved aside as something cold and focused takes its place.

Beside me, Luke has gone still, too.

“What did you do?” Cal aims the question at my brother, who swallows hard and shakes his head. “I’m only going to ask you one more time, asshole.” Cal grits the words out. “What. Did. You. Do?”

“Hatch.”

We already knew the answer, but the name still sucks the air from the room.

“I called him and⁠—”

“Bryson!” My mouth drops. “You called him? Why?”

“I’m in trouble, Willow.” His wild eyes find mine. “I saw the money he brought,” his head jerks toward Luke, “and I thought maybe it could buy me some time. You don’t know these guys like I do.”

“Yes.” Cal jerks him by the collar. “She does. And so do I. If you think for one second they’re going to let you walk out of here just because you’re a traitorous rat, you’re a bigger idiot than I thought.”

For a moment, I’m afraid Cal’s going to hit him, and I no longer care. But Cal shoves Bryson back against the wall as he releases him and turns to Luke. “Get the women inside.”

Luke’s already moving toward where he left Lilly on the porch. He stops and looks at me, but I shake my head.

“I’m not⁠—”

“Willow.” Cal’s voice is tight.

“I’m not leaving,” I tell him. “This is my mess. I started this, and I’m not⁠—”