“You want me to stop lookin’ into this,” I said, surprised at how hurt I felt.

“No,” he said slowly. “I think it’s too late for that. You’re tied to it now, not to mention that I meant what I said—we make a good team.”

“But you want me to go with Wyatt. That’s why you told him to stay.”

“If someone shows up lookin’ for you, I’m not sure how much good I’ll be at protectin’ you.”

“Maybe I don’t need protecting,” I countered. “I’m a damned good shot. And let’s not forget that I was tryin’ to protect you from Carson.”

He flashed a tight grin. “True enough, but I still think you should go with him. Hank may be one-legged, but I suspect he won’t put up with bullshit on his property, which will make him one hell of a bulldog.”

Marco had no idea.

“And Wyatt would throw himself in front of a grenade to protect you.”

I suspected he was right. “I’m not sure if we’re going to get back together. If I leave with him for the sake of protection, then I’ll feel like I’m using him.”

“So tell him that up front.” He leaned closer. “Tell him you’re pissed about how he handled this, and you’re not sure it’s gonna work out. But I know Wyatt Drummond. He’s as loyal as the day is long. It’s one of his greatest strengths. It’s also his greatest weakness.”

The way he said that last sentence set off something in my brain. “You know more about what happened between Wyatt and his parents.”

“You need to talk to Wyatt about that, Carly.”

“I’ve tried,” I confessed. “He knows some deep, dark secrets about my past. Things that could get me killed, yet he won’t share a single thing with me.”

Worry crinkled his eyes. “You’re in another danger besides this situation?”

I released a harsh laugh. “Doesn’t it seem strange to you that my car broke down and I just stayed?”

He cocked his head. “Your car didn’t break down? You were a plant?”

“No, I actually did have the supreme bad luck of getting stranded here. And it was true I was stuck here, but you and I both know I could have left. In fact, I considered hopping on a bus and getting the hell out of here during Seth’s murder investigation.”

“But you stayed,” he said. “Was it for Wyatt? Hank? Because you like Max, Ruth, and Tiny?”

“All of the above,” I said quietly. “But I’m also hiding, Marco.”

He drew in a short breath. “Are we talkin’ a domestic violence situation, or are you runnin’ away from a legal matter?”

“I’ve done nothing illegal,” I said. “So you can wipe that concern from your conscience. It’s more similar to the first. The people looking for me have the means to find me. Money. Resources.” I leaned in closer and held his gaze. “There are no CCTV cameras in Drum. I have a new identity. I thought I would be relatively safe here, so I stayed.” But that wasn’t quite the full story, so I added, “But I only stayed because of the people. I could have gone off the grid somewhere else. At least I have friends here.”

He studied me as though I’d sprouted a second head. “I have a ton of questions, but I won’t ask most of them because you would have shared the information if you’d wanted me to have it, so let’s go with this one. The way you said relatively safe makes me think your identity has been compromised. Has it?”

“Remember what I told you about running into Bart Drummond? He wants to meet with me next week. And the way he said my name…he knows it’s not my real one. He knows I’m in hiding.” When Marco didn’t say anything, I added, “In hindsight, I should have seen it coming. He seemed intrigued by me at the funeral. It stands to reason that he would have had me investigated.”

“And you think he’s going to blackmail you with it?”

“Possibly. The other option is to give me up, but if he planned on turning me over, I’m not sure why he’d go to the trouble of warning me first. Besides, I doubt he’s really interested in half a million dollars.”

Marco blinked and then his eyes bugged out. “Half a million dollars?”

“Thinkin’ about turnin’ me in, Marco?” I asked in a dry tone, my accent slipping in.

He turned serious. “Who the hell wants you that badly, Carly?”

I remained silent. I realized he could find out easily enough, but the lack of internet or cell phone service would make it harder.

“How would Bart know someone’s lookin’ for you?”

“It’s public information,” I said. “A few weeks ago, the person hunting me offered a large reward for my ‘safe’ return.” I used air quotes around safe.

“If they’re willing to go public, surely there’s no danger?”

I got to my feet. “Look, I realize it’s a lot to take in, and I know you want more information. You have no idea how much I appreciate your restraint. But trust me when I say he will find a way to make it look like an accident. A car crash. A drug overdose. I won’t last long once he has me back.”

He ran a hand over his head, looking like he was about to be sick. “Jesus, Carly. Who the hell were you mixed up with? Must be one hell of an ex.”

I released a bitter laugh. “You have no idea.”

He frowned and pushed out a breath. “Let Wyatt take you home. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at nine, and we’ll get back to investigating. We can come up with a plan in the morning.”

“As much as I’d like to think otherwise, you have no business going out tomorrow, Marco. You need to stay home and rest.”

“I’ll rest tonight.” He planted his hands on the table and got up to stand on his right foot. “I’ll pick you up at nine.”

“Okay.” I knew I should insist he stay home, but I’d go crazy sitting around all day, worried about Lula and Greta, and his warning hadn’t fallen on deaf ears. It would be foolish of me to go out alone. I’d just have to make sure he took it easier tomorrow.

I picked up my purse and coat from the coffee table and headed for the door. Wyatt was leaning with his back against the front of his pickup truck. He pushed away when he saw me, but his gaze darkened as he took in Marco hopping out behind me and holding on to the doorframe.

“You be careful tonight, Carly,” Marco called out. “Call me if you have any sign of trouble.”

I knew exactly what he was up to—trying to stoke Wyatt’s protective instinct.

“I don’t need you to fight my battles, Marco,” I called out as I marched toward Wyatt’s truck.

I heard him chuckle.

Wyatt looked pissed, but he just stomped to his side of the truck and got inside as I did. Yep, he was pissed. He was usually eager to open car doors for me.

Marco waved with a grin as Wyatt started the truck and backed up. We were both silent until he pulled out onto the road.

“You gonna tell me what’s goin’ on?” he finally asked.

“You gonna treat me like a grown woman and not a four-year-old girl?” I countered.