No matter what horror movies and novels claimed, wood chippers were not the most convenient way to dispose of dead bodies.

“I need about six more showers,” Gage said, rubbing his hand roughly over his bushy hair as he stared out the windshield.

“Maybe if you shaved now and again, you wouldn’t feel so filthy.”

“Women love a beard.”

I wouldn’t know, seeing as how I hadn’t grown one in a few years, but I didn’t give a fuck about women anyway. Just the one woman sitting back at the house we were slowly heading toward. The one who might not want to see me again—bearded or not.

When he hit the road leading up to the ridge, Gage went silent. Focused on the nonexistent path that would take us up to Anabeth’s. Water still covered the road, and the rain just kept feeding the overflowing creek, but the flow wasn’t as fast as before. It wasn’t as bad as when I came through and lost my truck to the force.

“One of the earthen dams upstream must have broken,” I said, nodding toward the evidence of a wider, faster body of water moving across the gravel. “That’s why I couldn’t make it through.”

Gage grunted, downshifting as the Jeep crawled through the standing water. “Looks like it. Wonder what’s going on in town.”

I checked my phone. “Nothing from Alder or Finn.”

Gage kept driving, kept keeping us moving. Kept holding his tongue and focusing on the road. Until…

“Text Katie. Make sure she’s okay.”

I didn’t argue, pulling up her info and typing out a message as he’d asked, but there was no way I could just let that slide. “You sweet on our restaurateur?”

He didn’t answer, which only made me more curious. And cautious.

“She’s the sheriff’s niece.”

“I know that.”

Good. It needed to be a consideration. “Just making sure you know. Their relationship could be a problem for you.”

Gage kept his dark eyes on the road, his face set in a tight, angry expression. “There’ll be no problem. I’m just looking out for the newbie.”

There was no way I was buying that horseshit.

But as we finally made it through the water flowing over the road, I set aside my thoughts about Gage and Katie to focus on what was truly important to me. Anabeth. I needed to know that she was okay, that she’d calmed down since we left her. That Deacon had taken care of her without taking care of her. The man had charm—anyone would agree—and though I trusted him, Anabeth was mine. Some sort of primal, animal urge to mark her, claim her, and keep her all to myself flowed through me whenever I thought of her with someone else. Something I should probably push down until I convinced her to stay.

Or convinced her to take me with her when she left.

Leaving Justice for good had never seemed like an option before, but after the past few days? After Blade had taken her hostage? After even the thought that she might not have made it out of that house alive? There was no way I was letting her go without a fight. One that hopefully didn’t end in bloodshed.

Deacon opened the front door as we pulled up in the Hansen driveway, leaning a shoulder against the jamb and watching us with a slight smile on his face.

“She drinks a lot of tea,” he said, his eyes on mine when I stepped out of the Jeep.

“Always has. So did Miss.”

He shrugged, switching his focus to Gage. “We all good?”

“Yeah.” Gage climbed onto the porch, running his hand over his wet hair again. “I’ve got a couple little things to deal with, but those four won’t be telling any tales.”

“Good.” Deacon nodded and stepped out onto the porch. “I think you need some time with your girl, Bishop. Or maybe she needs time with you.”

Yeah. I definitely needed that. “You two sticking around?”

“Nah,” Deacon said, shaking his head. “Gage and I will take Rex out for breakfast.”

My lips kicked up in a smile, and I darted a look at Gage. “To Katie’s?”

Deacon shrugged, looking like he knew exactly what he was planning. “Yeah. It’s close enough, and they’ve got good food. Plus, she doesn’t seem to mind the mutt running around her restaurant. You down, man?”

“Could eat,” Gage said, not looking at either of us as he nodded. Too stiff to be casual. The man wanted to do more than eat, but he wasn’t admitting it. He whistled, and Rex came racing out from the hallway, jumping and slobbering all over his owner.

“So,” I said, focusing on my friends instead of the mutt at my feet. “You two are going to breakfast, and I’m—”

“Walking the plank.” Gage smirked.

Accurate. “Jackass.”

Deacon chuckled and smacked my shoulder as he walked past me. “She’s something else, that’s for sure. I can see why you’re stuck on her. Good luck, man.”

I had a feeling I’d need it.

Gage bumped into me, holding on to my elbow as he did. Supportive but putting me in my place. “Now I know why you never dated redheads. She’s pretty fucking unforgettable.”

I huffed, knowing there was no way to deny that fact. “Completely.”

He stared hard, his face serious, his hand steady on my arm. “I’m glad I didn’t fuck up and get her killed.”

That was about as close to emotional as I’d ever seen the man.

“Me too.” Understatement. Because if she’d died last night? My world would have ended right there where it had truly begun.

Gage gave me a clap on the shoulder then stepped out into the rain, following Deacon across the driveway. They left me alone on the porch, heading off for food and time with the little brunette who’d moved back to town. Me? I was more interested in the redhead inside the house.

I stared through the open door for a handful of long minutes—nerves firing and anxiety creeping higher, almost drowning me. But like when the water busted over the road, there was no way through but forward. No way to know if she could get past what I’d done to Blade if I didn’t deal with it head on. No way to convince her to stay with me if I didn’t fight.

So I put one foot in front of the other, stepped inside, and closed the door behind me.