“There’s no one after me. You need to take the assignment.” I faked a smile and looked at him like he was being ridiculous.

“So you mean to tell me out of all those crazy fans of his there isn’t one still scaring or threatening to hurt you? You don’t need to lie to me, Taryn!

I can tell by the way you’ve been so jumpy lately that something is going on.”

My pulse quickened and I froze in place. I was starting to think that the only person I needed to be protected from was Kyle.

“Kyle, Ryan has hired another bodyguard for me. It’s not your job to worry about me.”

Kyle scowled at me. “I don’t know why you felt the need to do that,” he groaned defensively. He apparently didn’t like that piece of news at all.

I swallowed hard and chose my words, almost begging him to understand.

“Kyle, I’m not your concern. I’m not yours to protect. I know you know that.” I hoped he could see the sincerity in my eyes.

Kyle’s demeanor frightened me; it was obvious he was hurt and bordering on anger.

“I have a detective reviewing any letters I get that threaten me,” I lied. “The detective thinks that the latest letters I’ve received are coming from someone who lives here, not someone who has travelled here.”

Kyle shifted his weight on his barstool.

“He also thinks that the sender is male,” I continued, embellishing my lie and going with my hunch. “It’s amazing how they can figure things out like that.”

Kyle took a sip of his beer and set it on the bar. He stopped making eye contact. “Why didn’t you tell me you were getting letters?” He returned to glower at me.

“Kyle?” I called out to get his attention. “Whatever it is that you’re doing, please… please stop. It’s not healthy for either one of us.”

His lips twitched and he looked astonished. “Are you accusing me of something? You have something to say, just say it!”

I tried to come up with an appropriate defense but I was powerless under his glare.

“Is this what you really think of me?” he asked warily. “Do you honestly think that I would do something like that? That I would be capable of hurting you?”

“Kyle, I don’t know what you’re capable of. You know I’ve committed my heart to another man, yet here you sit.” If Kyle was going to be angry with anyone, I wanted it to be me.

“Taryn, I care about you. That’s why I’m here. And it kills me to see someone as wonderful and beautiful as you are wasting your love on someone like Ryan.” He gritted his teeth.

“You said to me once that I put myself between people who need protection and those who mean to do them harm.” He looked me right in the eyes. “At least I don’t make out with all sorts of women for a living. And one day when that man that you love so much has a slip of judgement and takes his acting too far with some other woman, who’s the one who will live with regret? He’ll only be sorry for a minute. You, on the other hand, will be shattered.”

I turned my glance away. His words stung like a thousand needles.

“I keep hoping, Taryn. Hoping that your eyes will open up and you’ll see the heartache before it hits. Once he breaks you, it will take a strong man to put you back together. You deserve a better future than that!”

My thoughts traveled a new course, back to the safe, familiar road that didn’t lead to heartache. Maybe I’d be better off alone again?

“I’m here because actions speak louder than words,” he said, suddenly looking hopeful.

His statements stoked up the fires under my deepest fears. As much as I wanted to cling to the thought of Ryan’s undivided love, part of me still faltered.

“Can’t you see he’s trying to rip us apart?” Ryan’s voice echoed through my heart, shouting at me not to listen to Kyle.

“I love you. Never doubt that,” my love reminded me, the memory of his lips brushing on mine when he spoke those words made my mouth tingle.

“Kyle…” I shook my head. “This… this has to stop. Please. I think it’s time for you to leave.”

He huffed, completely shocked by my reply. With one long gulp, he finished his beer and set the empty bottle down on the bar.

“Fine. I’ll see you later,” he muttered. Kyle gathered his keys and slipped his jacket on.

“No, you won’t,” I said as I stepped closer to him.

“Tell Ryan he will have to try harder if he wants me out of the picture,” he muttered over his shoulder.

“Kyle, don’t force my hand,” I whispered. “Let go and walk away, with dignity.”

“Is that what you really want?” he asked, his tone was sharp but at the same time, pained.

“Yes,” I stated without hesitation, although it pained me to say it. “Goodbye Kyle.”

I watched as Kyle stormed out of the pub. He never looked back.

“Everything all right?” Marie asked. She had been watching the entire conversation from the opposite end of the bar.

I nodded, hating myself for hurting him.

“Is he planning on coming back?” Marie asked.

“I don’t know. I hope not. My nerves are so shot,” I muttered. “I didn’t even get my period this week from all of this stress.”

I thought about Ryan’s attempt to get Kyle stationed elsewhere and how that didn’t seem to work. I reached in my pocket for my phone; Ryan needed to be informed before he flew home. I would never put him in harm’s way.

Chapter 30 - Rumors

Ryan still had his jacket on when he snuck into the pub through the kitchen door. He was supposed to call me when he was on his way from the airport, but instead of a phone call, he decided to surprise me. He came right behind the bar and tossed me over his shoulder, carrying me off quickly into the kitchen.

He set me down to rest on one of the new stainless steel counters and I wrapped my legs around his waist.

“Oh God, I missed you,” he said while kissing me.

I giggled lightly. “I missed you too!”

He let me go long enough to hastily pull his jacket off.

“What do you think…of the kitchen?” I managed to mumble. His tongue was quite a distraction.

“Uhuh,” he muttered, kissing me harder. The kitchen was dark and his eyes were closed. “Looks… great.” His mouth locked tightly on mine.

“It’s good to be home,” he finally sighed, giving us both a moment to breathe again.