The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [70]
Sawyer covered the mouthpiece. “Tell him to meet you here tomorrow.” He handed her a piece of paper that Morgan had slipped to him. Honey stared down at the address, recognizing that the location was an area on the outskirts of Buckhorn. Numbly, she shook her head, knowing he planned to put himself in danger. “No.”
“No what?” Alden tried cajoling. “Listen to me, Honey. I know you feel betrayed. And I’m sorry. I really do care for you—”
“Let me think, Alden!”
Sawyer walked over to her and gripped her shoulder. He shoved the paper toward her again, then whispered low, “Trust us, Honey. Tell him.”
They were all looking at her, waiting. How in the world could she do this to them? She loved each of them. Then Morgan gave her the most furious face she’d ever seen on a human. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his sheriff’s badge, flashing it at her as if to remind her this was his job, as if her hesitation had insulted him mightily.
Jordan shrugged at her, and he, too, spoke in a faint whisper. “Either you have him come here, on our own home ground where Morgan has some legal leverage, or we go after him. It’s your decision.”
She narrowed her eyes at the lot of them. Bullies every one. They had the nasty habit of ganging up on her whenever it suited them.
Alden suddenly asked, “Who’s with you?” and suspicion laced his tone.
Knowing she had no choice and hating Alden for it, she did as the brothers asked. “I’m in a diner in a small town in southern Kentucky.” She glanced at the note again, then said, “You can meet me in Buckhorn at the town landfill at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. It’s…it’s deserted. There won’t be anyone around.”
Sawyer nodded and whispered, “Good girl,” and she elbowed him hard. He rubbed his stomach and scowled at her.
“Can you give me directions, sweetheart?” Alden sounded anxious, and Honey’s stomach knotted with dread even as she did as he asked.
“Just hang on until tomorrow morning, darling. You’ll feel safer as soon as I get you home.”
Though she nearly choked on it, she said, “Thank you,” and after she hung up the phone, she glared at all the men, but concentrated most of her ire on Sawyer. “I hope you’re happy,” she meant to growl, but what emerged was a pathetic wail quickly followed by tears. The brothers looked appalled, and Sawyer, his face softening with sympathy, reached for her. Honey knew if he so much as touched her she’d completely fall apart, so she ran from the room.
She didn’t want him to confront Alden. She didn’t want him in danger. At the moment, she wished she’d never laid eyes on him. At least then she’d know he would stay safe, and because she loved him so damn much, even though he didn’t feel the same, his safety was the only thing that seemed to matter.
She wanted to pretend sleep when Sawyer crept into the dark bedroom hours later, but she was shaking so bad, he knew right away she was awake. He sat on the side of the bed and smoothed his hand over her cheek.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?”
“Yes. Did you make all your plans?”
His hesitation was like an alarm, making her sit up. “Tell me, Sawyer.”
“You’ll stay here with Casey and Gabe.”
“No. If you insist on doing this…”
“I do. Morgan has alerted the state police, and once Alden shows up, we’ll grab him. There’s no reason to worry.”
“Like you wouldn’t if you were left behind!”
“Honey…”
She hated acting like a desperate ninny, but she was choking on her helplessness, and she didn’t like it. “If Morgan and the police have it in hand, why do you need to go?”
“Because he hurt you.”
His quiet words nearly crumbled her heart. She launched herself at him and knocked him backward on the bed. “Sawyer.”
He couldn’t answer because she was kissing him, his face, his throat, his ear. Sawyer chuckled softly and tried to hold her still, but she reared back and tugged on the fastening to his pants. Surprised,