“You’re scaring her. What the fuck do you think you’re doing, standing out in the wide open where she can see you?” Clive growls, rounding the corner of the house.

“Go back in, and leave me alone—Clivey,” I respond, using the nickname that I’ve heard Hayden use once or twice.

“Not until you and I come to an understanding. Victor allows you to keep an eye on Hayden, but if I tell him you’re terrifying her, he’ll put a stop to it. You need to pack up and go back to that damned barn and leave Hayden alone. She doesn’t need you in her life anymore—she never did.”

“Worried she’ll kick you to the curb, Stroker?” I ask him, stepping under the overhang of the house enough so that I can light a cigarette. I can’t remember when I took up smoking. It was after Hayden left, when my nerves were shot, and I needed something to do with my hands. It’s a nasty habit that I need to kick, but there’s no point. There’s no point in anything…

“I’m her bodyguard,” his says, backing away from me.

“But we both know you want more. You can lie to yourself, but don’t bother trying it with me.”

“You’d be the last person Hayden would want in her life.”

“Probably, but that was my choice. She wouldn’t pick you, though, and that fact eats you up inside. I’ve seen how you stare after her, how you hang on her every word. Got a small tip for you Stroker. Women don’t want a man they can lead around by the dick. You need to grow some balls.”

“Bastard,” he snarls and I have to laugh.

“Run back in the house, Clivey. Maybe you’ll get lucky and she’ll let you help her pick out what shoes to wear tomorrow,” I sneer.

“You really are a miserable sack of shit,” Stroker says, walking off.

He’s right, I am. There’s not a fucking thing I could say to that. I’m completely miserable. I miss Hayden so much I ache inside. I shouldn’t, but I can’t resist walking back around the side of the house. I stay deeper in the shadows this time, but I watch her bedroom window, hoping for just one more glimpse of her. I’m not sure how long it takes. Twenty? Maybe thirty minutes later, Hayden stands in front of the window again. She leans her head against it just like she does every night and she looks up at the sky.

The rain has begun to soak through the poncho and into my clothes. It has me chilled, but I can’t really feel it. I’m always cold. It seems like I’ve been cold for a decade…if not, then at least since I’ve lost Annabelle. I drop my cigarette to the ground, letting the rain extinguish it. I wonder—just like I always do, exactly what Hayden has on her mind when she stares up at the sky. Is she thinking about Maggie? The future? Me? I curse this need clawing inside of me to claim her. It’s too late. It always was…just too late.

“My turn yet, Sunshine?” My head jerks as Devil comes around the corner. I shake my head. I really don’t know why I like this bastard, yet I do. I have even less of an idea why I agreed to let him come to Wyoming with me.

“I’m good. You can have the night off.”

“You sure? You look like you could use some sleep. Actually, you look like you could use a hell of a lot more, but you should start with sleep.”

“Whatever. Don’t you have some woman you can go play with?”

“Always, amigo,” he smirks.

“You’ve been hanging around Skull too much.”

“I’ve had to do some business there for Diesel. Skull’s not a bad guy. Gets a little touchy when I hug Beth goodbye,” he cracks and I just shake my head. If he’s hugged Beth, it’s a wonder he still has hands.

“I’m staying here. You can come by in the morning.”

“You know chances are she’d be fine without us watching.”

“Aren’t you the fucker who encouraged me to come after her?” I ask him, my eyes going back to Hayden, who has stopped looking at the sky and is now looking out over the lawn. I want to walk towards her. Let her see me. I don’t.

“Absolutely. Still, I meant, go claim your woman. Bend her over a desk, give her a good fuck and stop being an idiot. That clearly didn’t happen,” he half laughs. I flip him off and he laughs harder.

“I told you if you’re tired, you can go home. I’m fine on my own. I prefer it.”

“There you go spreading joy and happiness again. I’m good, asshole. I just think you need to claim your woman, before you lose her.”

“She’s not mine. I just want to make sure her and the baby are safe until Blade is caught.”

“What if he’s never caught? Fuck, he’s probably given up on her and is sunning it up on some beach in Mexico, living the good life.”

“He’s out there somewhere,” I tell Devil, and I’m sure of it. I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.

“What makes you say that?”

“Because he’s a moron.”

“Well I can’t argue with that, but still—”

“And Hayden is not the kind of girl a man just walks away from. Not even a twisted, sick fuck like Blade.” Devil watches me for a minute. It feels like he’s dissecting me. He shrugs and for once he doesn’t come back with some asinine retort.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Sunshine. I’ll bring doughnuts,” he says, walking off. I grunt in reply, watching his back disappear around the house. “And coffee. Lots of coffee,” he adds and I’m definitely okay with that. Wish I had some now.

I turn my attention away from him and back to Hayden. She’s no longer standing in front of the window now and there’s immediate disappointment. I slide down to the ground, ignoring the wetness. I look up at the sky and thunder roars above me and the rain increases.

It’s going to be a long night.