Chapter Twelve

G etting out the door was easier than Carson expected. In no time at all, Layne was showered and dressed for travel and had her carry-on bag packed.

He paused at the door to appreciate her curves in black leggings and a fitted black top that molded to her body. She'd topped it with a long sweater in rust and tan tones, the colors of the earth. The Southwestern pattern was popular in these parts and made Layne look every bit the country girl he remembered.

The look she gave him was filled with trepidation.

Stepping forward, he cupped her cheek in his palm. "It's going to be okay, doll."

She leaned into his touch, nodding.

At that moment, the noise of wheels on hardwood floor caused them both to look up to see Faye coming toward them, dragging her own small suitcase.

He broke away from Layne, hurrying to grab Faye's bag from her. The woman's eyes crinkled with a smile.

"Thank you."

"You're going to love staying at the ranch. I hope you'll take it easy and treat your time there like a vacation."

"I'd like to stay busy."

"There is plenty to do around there. My sister will help you find something to your taste." He offered her a smile and led her to the door. Right on time, a knock sounded. He took a moment to check the security app before opening it.

Colt stood there, dusty and looking as if he'd just put in a day of work around the ranch before coming to escort Faye to their place. Carson glanced past him to the driveway where Oaks was waiting in the company SUV to ride as guard to the airstrip.

As soon as Layne spotted Colt, her jaw dropped. She pointed to him, then swung to Carson, eyes wide. No words came out.

"You know Colt."

"Good to see you again." He gave her one of his rare smiles and tugged the brim of his very dusty cowboy hat in Faye's direction.

Layne rocked on her heels as if someone had barreled into her. "You were just a kid when I last saw you. I don't know why I thought time would stop for you guys and not me." She stepped forward and gave him a hug.

Carson's second brother wasn't much for affection, but he gave Layne an awkward pat on the back in return. When he moved away, he gave a brisk, "Ready?"

Layne and Faye spun toward each other. Tears glimmered in both women's eyes. They embraced in a long, tight squeeze.

"I'll see you very soon, Faye. Take good care of yourself. And take Carson's advice and put your feet up for once."

Faye nodded, sniffled and then walked out the door with Colt leading the way, her suitcase in hand.

Carson urged Layne outside. Suddenly, she turned back.

"I forgot something."

"What did you forget, doll?"

"The letters. I can read them on the plane."

Damn. This was not going to be good.

Before he could stop her, she rushed back inside. He caught up to her at the door of the study. She came to a dead stop, staring at the clean desk.

"What? What happened here?" Her voice raised a notch. "What did you do ?" She whirled on him.

When he only stared down at her, she screamed in frustration. "Don't you dare give me that blank expression. That mask! You can't hide your feelings from me if you want to make this work, Carson Malone! Now tell me…what did you do…with my letters!"

His chest burned.

She balled her fist and thumped him on the chest. "Tell me! I deserve to know!"

He bowed his head. "Fuck. You're right."

"Where are they? Tell me you didn't destroy them." Her harsh whisper broke him open. There was no stopping the emotions from flooding in.

He shook his head. "They're in the guest room closet."

She shot him a glare tinted with worry. "Why would you do it?"

"Because I don't want you to hate me. Again." He spread his hands.

"Oh, Carson." She faltered.

Unable to stop himself, to shield her from the feelings that she deserved to feel the same as he did way back then…he took her in his arms.

After several silent moments, she looked up at him. "I want those letters back."

He nodded. "You'll get them. I promise. But right now, we have a jet waiting for us. Leave them for now. Okay?" He stroked his finger down her delicate cheek.

Oh no. She tipped her chin in that defiant little way that told him he was in for an argument.

She opened her mouth, and he pressed a finger over her lips.

"I'll tell you what's in the rest of the letters."

Her eyes narrowed. Twisting her lips away from his finger, she challenged him like he knew she would.

"You're telling me you remember every word? Because I want to read every word."

"And you will. But we need to go. Now."

She firmed her lips.

"Please, Layne."

She heaved a sigh and then gave him a nod.

"Come on." He took her by the arm and led her out the door.

Using his body as a shield, he made certain she walked only a step behind him all the way to the vehicle. He was sure no threat was around, but he wasn't taking any chances with her safety.

At his truck, he ushered her into the front seat and tossed their bags in the back. Colt was already off with Faye, rushing down the driveway. Probably eager to get back to those chores he'd been yanked away from. After the big call he was on got resolved far more quickly than any of them ever thought it would, Colt would be restless.

Carson gave Oaks a nod as he slipped behind the wheel. When he put the vehicle in gear, Layne twisted her head for one last look at the house.

"We'll be back, doll. I promise."

He heard her gulp back tears. He hoped to hell it wasn't from what he'd done with the letters.

She sniffed. "I know it isn't final. It's just…I always feel so sad when I leave this place. I love it so much."

"Ever thought about living here permanently?"

She threw him a strange look, one he couldn't interpret. Maybe if he knew this older, wiser version of Layne better, he'd know what was on her mind. But that wasn't the case unless she was willing to share it with him.

She didn't. Only gave him a noncommittal shrug and wrapped her arms around herself, huddling into her sweater.

The entire drive to the airstrip, Oaks followed close behind. They passed few cars on the road. Once they reached the less-traveled road to the secluded airstrip, they were the only two vehicles.

So far, everything was easy.

As they rounded a bend, the asphalt airstrip rose out of the field. At one end sat the Malones' private jet.

Layne bolted upright in her seat, eyes fixed on the plane. "You've got to be kidding me. Carson! You actually own a jet."

Her shocked tone made him smile despite the reason they were making an escape. "Did you doubt me?"

"I thought you might be exaggerating. This is huge."

"I wouldn't say huge. Maybe average."

She gave him a flat look at his innuendo, and he chuckled.

"It fits my family easily, and serves our needs." He parked in the private parking lot next to a few other vehicles belonging to the pilot, copilot and the air traffic controller here to see them safely on their way.

They climbed out, and Carson grabbed their bags while Oaks followed them over to the big white bird. Carson turned to his brother. "I got it from here. Thanks, man."

"I've always got your six. Have a great flight." Not one for sappy goodbyes, Oaks threw them a wave and walked back to the SUV to head to the ranch.

The pilot greeted them at the top of the steps. "Welcome aboard. Good to see you, Carson. Ms. London."

Carson held out a fist, and his old friend who'd once flown fighter jets for the Navy bumped his knuckles against it in a show of camaraderie.

Layne entered first, and Carson ducked under the doorway. Her audible gasp amused him even more.

"I should have known you'd have black leather seats and leather on the walls. You really know how to make a woman feel like a real passenger princess, Carson."

He waved a hand. "Sit anywhere you'd like."

Getting into the air was smooth going. Now if their arrival in Italy was just as uneventful, he might be able to fully release the breath that had been trapped in his chest since he walked back into Layne's life.

* * * * *

The sweet weight of Layne's head on Carson's shoulder transported him back in time to simpler days. Days when they'd curl up together to watch the sun set or enjoy the latest teen movie on the big screen.

She was with him, and he couldn't quite believe it. While he wished to hell the reason for her returning to his life wasn't because she was in danger, he couldn't deny he loved having her in it.

So far, their flight had little turbulence, and she'd fallen asleep somewhere over the Atlantic. It left him a lot of time on his hands. He spent far too much of it thinking—and overthinking. His brain worked overtime on the issue of her stalker. Who it could be, where they had first seen Layne.

He also had a chance to research more on the note that had been slipped into that gift envelope with the rose stems. After Oaks texted him the name of the producer, Carson dug deep. He now knew every place the paper was distributed from here to the Pacific coast.

In his mind, he saw the words again. If I can't have you, no one can.

Fuck.

Who wanted Layne dead? The son of a bitch was going to pay. In his enemy's prison, Carson had learned the worst ways to kill a man slowly. Dragging it out until they snapped or broke.

Never in his life did he believe he'd employ any of those torture tactics…but he didn't have to avenge Layne back then either.

The flames he saw in her eyes every time he looked at her…when she screamed his name and came for him…changed all that.

The motherfucker who wanted her for himself wasn't getting anywhere near her.

According to his phone's GPS, they were approaching Italian airspace. He thought about waking Layne to open the window shade so she could watch their descent. But she was so peaceful, curled against his side, that he couldn't bear to interrupt her slumber.

As they dropped in altitude, a few text messages from Colt that hadn't come through while they were at cruising altitude arrived. His brother assured him that Faye had reached the Black Heart without issue and Willow had taken personal responsibility for the older woman.

Carson stopped himself short of making a pleased noise. He didn't want to wake Layne.

Colt's next text informed him that all was quiet on the Londons' ranch. Nothing new to report.

Did the stalker know Carson had taken the object of his obsession far away? It was doubtful he would follow to stage a strike. And they hadn't passed a single car on the road to the airstrip. The private jet provided the anonymity Carson required too.

When his phone vibrated with an incoming call, there was no keeping silent to preserve Layne's sleep. He brought the device to his ear.

"Malone."

"I'm a Malone too, dumbass."

He grunted. "Denver. I didn't recognize the number."

"I'm calling from a satellite phone. Look, there's no time. Oaks told me that you're on your way to Italy."

Layne jolted awake at his first words. She sat up, rubbing her hand through her hair in an attempt to get her bearings.

Carson looked at her as he spoke to his kid brother, a SEAL in an exclusive and off-grid team who never got a chance to call home. The fact that Denver was phoning him now wasn't lost on him.

"Yeah, my ward and I are on our way to Italy."

"Man, you want to turn that bird around."

"What? I can't do that."

"You have to. You don't want any of the trouble here. There's a matter of national security and I'm about to drop into the thick of it now. Listen to me. Get the fuck out. Go anywhere else."

His chest seized at his brother's warning. Just then, the landing gear touched down on the runway and the brakes thrust them back in their seats.

He focused on Layne's beautiful face. Fear gleamed in her hazel eyes.

Fuck. What now?

"Do you hear me, Carson? Get the hell out of Italy."

Though the phone had disconnected, Carson still spoke the words. "Too late. We're here."