Page 103 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“I got him water,” I said, setting the bags down and handing her the coffee.

“Thanks. Can you fill the bucket?”

She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and started pumping the fuel.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Her voice was tired but steady.

I leaned against the side of the trailer.

“You’re not fine. You’re running on adrenaline and spite.”

Her gaze lifted to mine.

“Spite is what keeps me focused on what I need to do so we can live without my father looming over us.”

I couldn’t argue with that, but I also couldn’t let her live like this forever.

“Where are we headed?”

Cracking a bottle open, I grabbed Atlas’s water bucket.

“We’re going to Dylan’s.”

Just hearing his name made my jaw lock.

“I know you don’t like him, but his family has a barn. My father would never think to look there. Atlas can be unloaded, breathe, drink, and settle in.”

“I don’t trust him. There is a difference.”

Kaylani smirked at me.

“Okay, fine. I don’t like him. But Dylan isn’t the type to do favors out of the goodness of his heart.”

“He’s not. This arrangement is purely monetary.”

I clipped the water bucket to the hook outside Atlas’s window so he could drink. My gaze flicked to her.

“Are you sure that’s all he wants?” I failed at keeping the edge of jealousy out of my voice.

Her eyes flashed with a hint of irritation.

“I’m not in the mood to fight with you about this, Goran.”

“Then don’t. Just hear me. He’s not your friend. He needs to be reminded of that, or he will push for more.”

Kaylani stared at me for a beat, then nodded.

“Fine. I’ll make sure Dylan is reminded.”

I didn’t believe her. Not because she was soft. Because she needed Dylan right now and wouldn’t want to start a fight, and that asshole would absolutely love that about her.

The pump clicked off, and she put the hose aside. It had taken ninety, but I decided the old guy needed the ten dollars in change more than I did.

I grabbed the bag of snacks, pulled out a chocolate bar, and a bag of barbecue chips.

“You can take the rest. How much further,” I asked, taking down the water bucket and placing it in the tack area before grabbing the carrots Kaylani had stashed there.