About 40 minutes later, Jared and Beck strode into the house, guns drawn.They didn’t waste time with words just nodded and walked past them into the house. Jared checked the shattered window while Beck swept through the hall and upstairs, then both men vanished into the darkness outside.

Myla clutched Hayden’s hand, heart thudding, listening to the faint crunch of boots fading into the trees. The minutes stretched tight until they returned, their boots and pant legs muddy, their expressions grim.

“All we found were fresh tracks." Jared said shortly. “Whoever it was, they took the north ridge into the mountains. That means they may know the terrain."

“And this house,” Beck added, eyes narrowing as he looked through the camera footage on Hayden's tablet. “They knew that there's a blindspot in the cameras and that Myla's room window is the only one not covered. That was why they targeted it."

Jared nodded grimly. "What they weren’t expecting was for Hayden to be there with her.”

Hayden’s face darkened, his hand curling into a fist. "So you're saying they also probably knew I and Myla hadn't been staying together?"

Myla felt a shiver of horror run down her spine. If Hayden hadn't been there, what would have happened to her?

Within the hour, a repairman was outside fixing the glass while Beck sat with arms folded, glaring at the security monitors while Jared made calls, arranging for new cameras and motion sensors as he checked for anymore leaks.

“You need to get out of here, Myla,” Jared said firmly when he returned. “Go to one of Hayden’s hotels. Stay until this place is adequately secure.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but Beck cut her off. “Don’t argue. You’re too exposed here. We won’t risk you. When we're done here, Hay would join you.”

Hayden opened his mouth to protest but a look from Jared silences him.

She nodded and left to reluctantly pack her and Hayden's essentials. Later, as she was passing by the study to grab her phone, their low tensed voices made her pause in the hallway.

“…someone who knows this house,” Jared said in a low stern voice. “It's more serious than them attacking you.”

Her pulse stuttered. Attack??

----------

Beck’s eyes narrowed, his voice rough. “Now they're trying to get in.”

Hayden’s jaw flexed, but he only nodded once.

“We can’t risk this again,” Jared said, his tone clipped. He turned on Hayden, his eyes flashing. “If you had told us the truth from the beginning. If you’d said something sooner, we would—”

“Not now,” Hayden cut him off, voice low but firm as he sighted Myla standing in the hallway. He turned to her, his voice going soft and sweet. “Oh, Myla, love! What happened? I thought you were safely gone. What are you still doing here?”

“I came back to get somethings and overhead the last part of your discussion.” Myla wrapped her cashmere cardigan tighter around her. “So this is real,” she whispered. “Someone… someone really wants to hurt us.”

Neither Jared nor Beck spoke. Their silence was enough.

Myla frowned at them and entered deeper into the room. “The truth about what, Hayden? What are you keeping from me?”

The room went thick with tension. Jared’s lips parted, but Hayden cut in, his voice steady, resolute. “This is nothing for you to worry about, Mine.”

Her stomach knotted. She hated when he used that voice with her, the one that closed doors she wasn’t allowed to open.

Beck and Jared exchanged looks, but neither said anything.

Myla threw them dirty looks but Beck avoided her eyes while Jared only shrugged at her like there was nothing he could do.

She rolled her eyes at them, so now they decide to not butt their mouths into their issue. She glanced sideways at Hayden, taking in the stubborn look in his eyes. That look meant that whatever thoughts he was having his mind was set and he absolutely believed he was doing what was best for her.

One thing Hayden had never been able to resist or stand was her tears though.

She smirked at Jared and Beck. They looked at her questioningly but she only turned back to Hayden and softened her voice. “What about me?” She whimpered out, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Do you think I am not smart or responsible enough to know what is going on?”

Beck quickly hid his laugh of surprise behind a cough. Oh, she was good.

The stubbornness on Hayden’s face cleared and he wheeled himself over to her. His eyes beseeching as he held out his hand to her.

I wanted to keep all of this from you,” Hayden paused for a moment. “But maybe there is more safety in knowledge than in ignorance.”

“That’s what I said.” Jared muttered.

Hayden threw him a dirty look. “ I wanted to protect you and keep you safe.” he said to Myla. “Do you trust me?”

“Always, Hayden. I trust you. I have always trusted you.” Myla said as she bypassed his hand and sat on his laps. “What’s going on, Hayden?”

Hayden sighed, then he told her about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his accident, the driver, and the death threats.

When he was done, Myla had cuddled deeper into his arms, her face paper white, her hands gripping him so tight that he tried not to wince. Then he felt a painful sting as she pinched him in his side.

“Fuck!” he hissed in pain. “I have forgotten just how painful those pinches are.”

“Well, you deserve it and more for keeping something that huge from me.” She scolded him.

“I second that.” Beck added.

“Before y'all start planning more punishments for me, let’s focus on what is currently on ground.” Hayden said.