Chapter Five

" S orry I'm late." Ledger braced himself in the doorway of the dining room. As his gaze fell over the table where his buddies sat, his senses prickled. Tension rolled off them.

Colton tilted his head toward a vacant seat, and Ledger moved to the worn wood table. When he took his place beside Wolfe, he noted the concern etched on each of their faces.

"What the hell happened?" Tightness filled his chest, same as it had when they received orders in the military.

Seated at the head, Colton traced a finger over a map spread on the table. The corners were held down by small rocks. From several places down the table, Ledger couldn't make out what was on the map, but he could guess that it wasn't the location of that last strike in the Middle East.

"Here." He pointed to a spot. "This is the location of the ranch where a wolf attack happened last night."

"Jesus. Wolves? You're sure?" Elbows landing on the table, Hunter leaned forward.

Colton nodded. "The cow was bleeding heavily when they found it. The rancher managed to get it to the barn, and the vet was called."

At those words, Ledger's gut lurched. Demi . She'd left the Gracey to rush to another animal in need. That had to be the call.

He hadn't stopped thinking about her since. One part of him wanted to find her and haul her over his knee and spank her for running away from him before he got the answers he needed.

The other wanted to caress that sexy rounded ass and then fuck it.

Under the table, he flexed his fingers in an attempt to rid himself of the feel of her in his arms…wrapped around his cock.

Colton planted his other index finger over another spot on the map. "Here's the Gracey."

From here, Ledger couldn't make out the fine details of the map, but Colton's fingers were too close together for any of their comfort.

Hunter curled his fingers around a bottled water in front of him. The plastic crinkled under his strong grip. "First we're guarding against trespassers and attacks from assholes sent here by the loan shark—or the investor. Now it's wolves? We're spread too thin."

Wolfe, opposite Hunter, stared at the map. "That's too damn close to ignore. What do you suggest, Nox?"

Colton glanced at his watch. "Our answer should be arriving any second."

As if on cue, female voices projected from the front of the house. Even before Ledger saw her, he knew Demi was joining them.

His muscles hardened. He could almost feel her stretched across his lap and his hand on her sweet ass.

When she entered, his gaze was fixed on the doorway.

Meadow entered first with Demi right behind.

Her stare flew directly to him. His body moved to rise without him willing it to. He gripped the edge of the table.

She shot him one of those warning looks he'd seen too many times from her.

He preferred the way she looked at him that night together when she begged him to take her.

"Welcome, Demi. Thanks for joining us." Colton gestured toward the free seats around the table.

Meadow took the chair at the foot, opposite from her man. That left one option for Demi—across from Ledger.

He raked his stare down her body as she slipped into the seat.

"We were just discussing that we have to watch out for two kinds of predators," Colton filled in the ladies.

Meadow made a quiet noise of worry, but Demi showed no outward distress.

Christ, the woman hid behind the steel bars of a fortress. She gave nothing away through either expression or body language. And she sure as hell wasn't talking.

But she would.

He caught her gaze and held it until she fidgeted in her seat and glanced away.

She drew a deep breath. "It seems you must be on your guard twice as much now."

Before anyone could respond, Ivy entered with a woman Ledger didn't know. Her ranger uniform gave away her reason for joining them.

Since the six chairs were taken, Ivy went to the side of the room where two extra wooden chairs were placed for such an occasion. Hunter got up and grabbed one in each hand, carrying them back. They all shifted down to make space around the table.

Ivy waved a hand at the newcomer. "Guys, this is Opal Vale. Forest ranger. The doc called her in to help us form a plan."

Opal nodded at each of them and then offered Demi a small smile.

Ledger studied them both. That exchange seemed charged with something more than simple courtesy.

"Being newcomers to the area, I'm sure you guys don't know much about the pack of wolves that the forest service monitors on the mountain." Opal had a breezy way of speaking and a carefree manner. She was poised. In charge.

Once she had their attention, she continued. "Those wolves all have trackers. I checked the system for their positions. The pack is still on the mountain. They didn't leave their usual habitat."

The heavy boot thuds in the doorway announced another visitor. Zach Webb, the ranch manager, stepped into the room and stood back, observing, his arms folded.

He lifted his jaw toward Opal. "You're certain that you have every wolf in that pack tracked?"

Raising her head with a queenly air, she fixed him in her gaze. "I'm sure of it. My colleagues and I have a very good head count. Every time a new pup is born, we implant a tracker on them. And we have trail cams in the area where the pack is known to stay."

She drew out her phone and after a few swipes, held up her device. "See? This is a live shot of the pack's location right now."

Webb crowded closer.

She swiped again. "And a screenshot of their activity last night."

"It's a known fact that packs can merge. How do you know that new wolves didn't come into the mix?" Webb's question made the ranger sit up straighter.

Ledger could read the tension in her shoulders, and irritation was clear on her pretty face. Webb's interrogation was ticking her off.

"It's possible but unlikely, since we just collected fresh data three days before the attack at the ranch."

"I'll round up my ranch hands. We'll grab shotguns and head out tonight."

She pinned Webb with a scathing look. "Wolves are protected. They can't be shot."

Face impassive, he held her stare. "I'll do my job as I see fit. You do yours."

Colton settled his palms on the table. The gesture cut the interaction between the ranch manager and the ranger.

Ledger didn't know which one would blow first—Opal or Webb. But his money was on Opal.

He swung his stare to the only woman he wanted to look at. The one across from him.

Demi stiffened and avoided his gaze. That only made him want to lure her out.

"Do you have a solution, Demi?" He drawled her name. The flavor of it on his tongue affected him as much as his fantasy about spanking her.

The soft clearing of her throat was the only giveaway that she was nervous. "Opal and I have discussed a plan, but I'd like to hear what you will do to protect the Gracey. You can't afford any more injured animals." Her attention landed on Meadow, who nodded.

Colton took charge once more. "We'll patrol the fence line, especially the one bordering the mountain. Webb already sent some of the men to look for tracks."

He tipped his head in agreement.

"That's a good measure to take. An even better option is for me to patrol the fence with them tonight."

Ledger's fingers curled into a fist on the table. "What will that help? Isn't your job to help animals, not kill them?"

Demi was visibly rankled at his question. Brushing her hair over her shoulder, she looked him in the eyes.

Exactly what he wanted. Now he could hold her stare prisoner.

"I'll tranquilize any wolves and then cage them so we can relocate them farther up the mountain. If they're really from a rogue pack that's new to the area, they will either join the pack that Opal monitors or we can relocate them to another region."

"How will you tranq them?"

"With a tranquilizer gun." She formed each word with precise slowness like she was speaking to an imbecile.

" You can do that?"

Her beautiful, full lips tightened across her teeth. "I do it often on the job. What I do is completely safe if done correctly. No one will injure the wolves on my watch." As she said this, she turned her head to look at Opal.

The woman gave a nod.

Ledger had seen a lot of bonds between SEALs, and it was obvious that the women shared one.

"That seems like a solid plan." Colton looked at the ranch manager. "Webb? Make sure the doc has what she needs to go out with the men tonight."

Ledger lost the thread of conversation because he was too fixed on Demi. She raised a hand to her mouth, stifling a yawn.

She looked exhausted. The longer she sat here, the more her glow seemed to dim.

The talk continued for long minutes, with each person giving their take on the action they needed to take. Someone suggested bringing in WEST Protection, the security company, again.

Demi's eyes slipped closed. Ledger studied her for a heartbeat. Her long lashes swept over her cheeks and her mouth opened on another yawn. She clapped a hand over it and snapped her eyes open.

He captured her gaze and then stood. "Demi. Come with me."

All talk halted. Everyone swung their attention to him.

He didn't give a damn what they thought. He was getting Demi out of here. Now.

He circled the table and stopped beside her, waiting.

She didn't budge.

The warning look he gave her made her push her chair back, a noise of exasperation escaping her lips.

"I'll be back tonight," she tossed out to the guys and then stalked out of the room.

Ledger followed. When they cleared the doorway, he took her by the elbow and steered her through the house and outside.

She tore her arm from his grip. "What do you think you're doing? You made a big scene back there."

"I couldn't care less. You're so exhausted you can hardly keep your eyes open. You're swaying on your feet."

It was true. As he spoke, her eyelids seemed to grow weights and dip over her beautiful brown eyes.

"Demi," he grated out. "Let me take care of you."

She blinked at him. "What are you going to do?"

"That question comes with a lot of actions that are better saved for when you're not about to collapse from fatigue."

Her lips popped open on a silent gasp.

He slipped his arm around her and started for the barn. "For now, I'm going to find you a safe place to take a nap."

"But I have more animals to check on!"

"I'll call the office and tell your receptionist to cancel them. You sleep and when you wake up, I'll feed you again. And if the sun is down, you can show me how to dart the animals."

She shook her head and tried to escape his grip, but he held firm and propelled her into the barn and toward the ladder leading to the loft.

Not far away came the sound of hammering from the construction crew the Graceys had hired to rebuild the bunkhouse after it burned down. The pounding noise got under his skin, but he pushed it down. He didn't have time for dealing with stupid emotions.

He led her to the ladder.

She swirled to face him. "You're not going to back off, are you?"

"About time you realized that." He waved at the loft above. "You go first. I'll follow to make sure you don't fall."

Her sigh came out as more of a scream, but she gripped the ladder and started up it.

At the gorgeous view of her supple ass inches from his face as she ascended to the loft, his cock stiffened to the point where he could hammer nails like those workers.

Once they reached the top, he led her to a soft pile of hay and spread a clean horse blanket over it. She sank to her knees, and his gut gripped with need at seeing her in the position he wanted her in most.

But she immediately stretched out on the hay, curled on her side. Her eyes slipped shut.

"I hope the hammering doesn't keep you awake." He knew nothing would keep her up.

She raised a hand and flipped him the bird.

Laughing, he left the sassy veterinarian alone to rest. She needed it to grow his child.

* * * * *

The fresh scent of hay filled Demi's nostrils. Her limbs felt deliciously heavy as she drifted on the border of sleep and waking.

Where was she?

Who cared? It had been the best sleep of her life.

No, really. Where was she? Her bedroom didn't smell like hay even after she'd been around horses all day.

She opened her eyes and blinked up at the wooden rafters of a barn.

Everything flooded back—the meeting at the Graceys' and Ledger ordering her to come with him, then practically forcing her up the ladder to the hay loft.

She must have passed out so fast. The last thing she remembered was shooting him the bird and his deep, rough chuckle followed.

He'd taken control and ordered her to sleep.

For her own good.

Nobody had ever done that for her before.

The smoldering way Ledger had looked at her across the table earlier caused her lower belly to tingle…and other parts lower still.

He eyed her up like she was a prime steak and he was the hungriest man alive.

And god, she wanted him too. What use was there in lying to herself? Hormones were making her horny, and he was pretty damn skilled in the bedroom.

She wasn't going to boost his ego any higher by telling him that he was the best. The man already had more than enough confidence in himself.

A loud whinny—verging on a scream of alarm—echoed through the barn. She bolted upright.

Was that Lonesome Rose? It had to be. The Graceys only had one horse barn, and she was in it.

Quickly, she rose onto her knees and scrambled toward the ladder just as the horse let out several more loud snorts and whinnies.

Something's wrong.

She swung over the edge of the loft, her feet planted on the rungs of the ladder. She rushed downward, toward the horse, picturing another injury or even a wolf sneaking into the barn, drawn by the scent of blood.

Landing on the floor, she ran toward the expansive stall.

She stopped dead.

A man wearing black clothing and a mask whipped toward her.

"Who the hell are you?" she demanded.

He lunged at her, swiping his arm across her chest and knocking her off her feet. She hit the stall wall hard with a loud crack.

Pain rippled through her spine and shoulder. She instinctively twisted onto her side to shield her stomach and unborn child from another attack, but he was already sprinting out of the barn.

Gathering air into her lungs, she let out a scream. Several men rushed in.

"Oh my god! It's the doc. What happened?" Hunter crouched next to her, and she waved off his help.

"I'm fine! Go after him—"

A roar sounded from the doorway, sending every horse into a panic. Suddenly, Ledger appeared in front of her. His strong arms snapped around her in a protective hold.

"Tell me what happened. Did someone attack you?"

Breathing in gulps, she nodded. He smelled like man and hard work and a hint of mint. "A man was around Lonesome Rose. When I came down from the loft, he saw me and pushed me."

Ledger's angular jaw seemed to firm into pure steel. His gray eyes glinted with fury. "Find him. And when you do, I call the shots."

The men paused for only a beat before taking off in pursuit of the man who'd been in Lonesome Rose's stall, leaving her alone with Ledger.

He cupped her face and raked his gaze over her from head to foot. "You hit the floor?"

She felt shakier as adrenaline struck full force with nowhere to go. "He knocked me into the wall and I fell on the floor."

His jaw flexed, looking like the tendons might snap. She swore she heard the noise of his molars grinding. "Goddammit, Demi. I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Ledger, I'm fine."

His gaze dipped to her midsection. "You're going to a doctor so he can check you out."

From what she knew of animals, unborn fetuses were well protected in their wombs. She wasn't hurt and hadn't fallen on her stomach. She was in early stages of pregnancy. More than likely, everything was fine, but she still should be examined.

Her insides tremored. He was right.

She nodded, started to push to her feet. Before she could move, he whipped her into his arms. She landed softly against his chest, cradled protectively.

When he carried her outside, she looked around at the ranch, fearful of what she'd see. It felt eerie. Abandoned. Where was everyone? A sinister pall hung over the land.

That man had sneaked past all the guards and he was going to…what? Finish off the horse that he'd failed to kill the first time?

Ledger placed her in her car and drove her to the hospital several miles outside of Eden. Each mile they drove, he threw her another worried look until she couldn't stand it anymore and reached over to cover his hand with hers.

He released a rush of air and squeezed her fingers. "It's okay, Demi. I'll make sure you're okay."

Emotion balled in her throat. She couldn't speak so remained silent.

The next hour was a whirlwind of explanations to medical staff. When they finally put her in a darkened room to perform an ultrasound, reality smacked her like a freight train.

She could lose the baby.

Would that be a good thing? It was an easy way out of the unexpected responsibility, and she wouldn't have to deal with Ledger anymore.

Holding her breath, she watched the monitor. Being trained, she knew exactly what those little wavy lines revealed.

When the fast tick tick tick of the baby's heartbeat filled the room, she burst into tears.

Ledger stood next to the bed, straight and tall and…stunned. He seemed frozen, mesmerized by what he was seeing and hearing.

The doctor conducting the ultrasound didn't shift her attention from the screen. "That's your baby's heartbeat."

He swiped a hand over his face.

"You're measuring at eight weeks pregnant, which you may know means your baby began growing six weeks ago. We measure from your last menstruation."

Demi watched another wave of surprise wash over Ledger's face.

Did he think she'd lied to him? She supposed some women liked to trick men that way—he might only be familiar with that variety of the opposite sex.

The doctor moved the wand lower, the movement catching Demi's attention again.

After a minute or two, she pulled the wand off her stomach and wiped it off with a towel. "I'll have the doctor come in now and talk to you."

While they waited for the doctor, Demi and Ledger gave each other awkward glances. When the doctor entered, she offered them both a comforting smile.

"Everything looks good. No placental abruption. You're lucky. Usually I recommend that you go on bedrest for a week to ensure the safety of the baby."

Demi opened her mouth to protest, but Ledger's warm, rough fingers closed around hers, stealing any words right off her lips.

"I'll make sure she obeys orders." He looked down at Demi, his eyes burning with determination. "I'm here for her."