Page 158 of Knot my First Rodeo

A week ago, I worried about her leaving, wondering if Virginia would eventually call her home, or if we'd be enough to make her stay.

Now, I’m afraid somebody might take her.

Chapter

Forty-Six

Autumn

The cameras, the motion detectors, the side stares from my alphas—it’s all starting to piss me off. Every time I see one, I think about the photographs. I think about somebody standing close enough to watch me, without me ever knowing they were there.

The frustrating part is that the ranch still feels like home. Everything is exactly the same, except now, there's this tension. The guys are trying so hard to keep me safe that they're starting to smother me.

Clint is standing on a ladder near the back door installing another motion detector, while Tripp sits cross-legged on the floor surrounded by batteries and camera manuals. I settle onto one of the stools at the island with my Kindle, pretending to read while my thoughts circle around the same things they've been circling for days.

For a while, the only sounds in the room are Clint working and Tripp muttering instructions. Then Briggs looks up from the security monitor sitting on the counter.

"Maybe we should call Hunter."

My stomach immediately sinks.

Across the room, Clint pauses, and Tripp lowers the handful of batteries he's holding. Nobody says anything right away because the suggestion itself isn't unreasonable. If this has to do with me, my brother should know.

I would agree with that.

Briggs keeps talking.

"Maybe the safest place for you is with him, until we figure this out."

For a second, I honestly think I misheard him. I stare at him, waiting for him to realize what he just said and take it back.

"You're kidding." The words leave my mouth, and my tone is venomous.

Briggs finally looks at me, and the expression on his face makes something twist painfully in my chest.

He means it… he wants me to leave.

"Autumn."