Wouldn’t his presence here shock the shit out of Mystery? She might not want him around forever, but he’d damn well make her explain that to his face before he let her go. No way would he sit around morosely and wonder why she left him, not after the way Dad had when his mother had taken off for a new life.

Finally, twin lights bobbed up and down the dirt road, coming toward Axel at a careful clip. He held his breath, beyond relieved that Heath had delivered her as promised. If the Brit had wanted her dead, he’d had her alone for nearly seven hours. The man could have snuffed her out and dumped the body anywhere along the road.

At least he knew Heath wanted her alive. As much as Axel didn’t like the other man, he had to rule him out as a suspect in Mystery’s death threat, damn it. He’d love a reason to pound the asshole’s face.

As the lumbering black vehicle headed closer to the little farmhouse in the distance, Axel made sure the headlights were off, started his rental, then pulled forward to block the road. No way would Mystery have another chance to escape without a conversation.

Finally, Heath parked in front of the house, just in the circle of the cheery light from the front porch. He helped her from the car, and she stretched before making her way to the little porch, complete with a rocking chair. Even at a distance, Axel could see Mystery slumping her shoulders and bowing her head, exhaustion evident in every line of her body.

Heath took her by the elbow toward the porch as Aunt Gail opened the door. Axel shut off the engine and exited the rental. He locked it manually so it didn’t beep and shut the door softly, grateful the spring breeze muffled the sound.

Mystery hugged her aunt, a tall, thin woman in her fifties with ashy blond hair in a bob and wearing a blue bathrobe. Axel jogged down the lane toward them.

Heath heard him first and turned, gun in his hand. He cursed when Axel stepped into the porch light’s glow. “Oh, bloody hell. You’re here? Why did you follow her?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Axel shot back.

Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Mystery pull from her aunt’s arms and turn his way. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of him.

“You.” Axel pointed at her. “We’re going to talk. Now.”

“She has nothing to say to you,” Heath answered for her. “Didn’t her leaving you indicate that she’s had enough?”

“Who is this man?” Aunt Gail asked nervously. “Should I call the police?”

“That would be brilliant.” Heath smiled.

“I’m Axel Dillon, ma’am. Mr. Mullins called you about me.”

“Of course.” She smiled. “Please come in. I hope everyone is hungry. I made cookies.”

Heath cursed.

The woman’s gesture was a kind one but Axel actually agreed with the Brit just now. Fuck the cookies. “I’m sure they’re delicious, and I’ll be happy to eat one after I’ve spoken to your niece.”

“You came here?” Mystery sounded shocked.

“Of course.” Had she thought he’d simply stay in Dallas with his thumb up his ass and not try to figure out what the fuck had happened between them?

“You came for me?” She looked on the verge of tears, but he couldn’t tell if they were happy or sad.

Was she asking if he’d followed her all this way because she was touched by his gesture? Or did she think he was delusional for imagining they had a relationship that didn’t exist?

“You called her father?” Heath barked, his tone accusing. “I suppose that explains why he tried to call me.”

Why wouldn’t this asshole just shut up, Axel wondered. “Mullins wants me with his daughter. I don’t shirk my responsibilities.”

Mystery gasped. “Responsibility? Is that what—”

“Do you normally barge your way into a paycheck?” Heath demanded, stepping between Axel and Mystery, his stance protective.

He wanted to wring the guy’s neck. Mullins wasn’t paying him; Axel was just concerned for her. “Do you normally behave like a fidiot?”

“Oh, dear. It’s a good thing I don’t live close to my neighbors.” The older woman looked nervous.

Mystery reached back and absently patted the older woman’s hand. “I’ll handle this.”

“No,” Heath assured. “I will. Fidiot, am I?”

Axel nodded. “When someone threatens a target, why would you imagine it’s a good idea to take off and leave the one in danger with less protection?” Axel demanded.

“It is when one of my protectors is a cheating douchebag!” Mystery yelled at him, fists clenched, then headed toward the front door.

“Cheating?” As he charged after her, stepping onto the porch, the truth hit him. Somehow, Mystery had seen or heard him with Misty. He grabbed her arm. “You’ve got it wrong, princess. Sweet Pea and I are friends.”

She jerked her arm free. “So you cuddle all your friends on your lap and whisper words of devotion to them? Right, and I was born yesterday. I suppose you’re going to tell me next that you’ve never had sex with her.”

Axel gritted his teeth. The truth was only going to make everything exponentially shittier, but he refused to lie. “No. I have—more than once. Our relationship is complicated but it’s also over. If you’ll tell me why the hell you ran off yet again, then listen to me, I’ll explain everything.”

She turned her back on him and reached for the front door handle. “Save your lies. After growing up with my dad, I won’t have anything to do with a philandering prick.”

“Yeah?” He grabbed her around the waist and yanked her back against him. “After growing up without my mom, I’m not interested in an unreliable flake.”

Mystery looked taken aback, as if the thought that she might have hurt him hadn’t occurred to her. “Oh.”

Axel gritted his teeth. How did she not grasp that taking off on him twice in less than twelve hours had been hurtful? “Now that we’re done exposing all our inner wounds or whatever, let’s talk in private.”

Heath shook his head. “Leave her alone.”

“She doesn’t need you to speak for her,” Axel spit out.

“Stop it!” Mystery snapped. “Both of you.”

“I would—if he’d stop the verbal equivalent of lifting his hind leg on you,” Axel muttered.

Heath rolled his eyes. “Coming from you, that’s rich. Barmy wanker.”

This asshole really crawled up his back, but Axel refused to keep giving the man so much of his energy. He had to focus on Mystery and figure out if they could have more than an inexplicable connection and great sex. Snipping at her bodyguard wasn’t going to win him any gold stars.

“Axel, I don’t want to talk about it. I’m tired.”

At nearly four in the morning, he wasn’t surprised. “I am, too. But we need this.”

“What’s the point? If you want someone else—”

“I don’t,” he insisted. “I’m willing to believe we’re just having a misunderstanding we can clear up quickly. Aren’t you even curious to hear what I have to say?”

“No.” She hesitated, then sighed. “All right.”

Relief pouring through him, Axel took Mystery’s hand. Her small fingers curled around him, and he clutched her warm palm to his.

He regarded her aunt. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. Sorry to come in arguing. We’ve got some things to settle if I’m going to protect her. Can we talk somewhere private?”

“Anywhere downstairs, I suppose. I didn’t expect you so late, young lady, and I’m going back to bed.”

“I’m sorry. I called you earlier to let you know,” Mystery explained. “Did Bible study run long?”

The woman shook her head. “Errands in Emporia, then a late dinner with some old school friends. Sorry I missed your call. Make yourselves at home. This old broad can’t stay awake another minute. See you in the morning.”

The trio wished her a good night, and the older woman disappeared up the stairs. On the second floor, a door slammed. No one spoke into the silence. Axel feared it would be a long night.

*   *   *

THE moment only grew more awkward as time dragged on. Mystery darted into the cozy white and mint-green kitchen. A pewter cross hung above the stove. Not much had changed since she was a kid. She remembered coming here with her mom every summer. The year she’d passed away, they’d visited during spring break. Mystery remembered the snow and being amazed that the white stuff could fall so close to April. That was the first time she’d ever played in a winter wonderland. She and her mom had been sledding, then shared a big mug of hot chocolate afterward.