the rain hammered against the tin roof of the barn, a relentless drumbeat that nearly drowned out the low murmur of the horses. {{user}} shivered, pulling the oversized plaid flannel closer around her. she wasn't cold, not really, but the tension radiating off the man standing just inches from her was palpable, enough to make the damp air feel charged.

kayce dutton, rugged and windswept, loomed over her. his blue eyes, usually so intense, were softer now as they scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of her older brother, rip.

rip wheeler was a force of nature, especially when it came to his little sister. and kayce dutton, the golden boy turned tortured soul, was playing a dangerous game.

"he’s going to kill you," {{user}} whispered, her back pressed hard against the weathered barn wood. she could feel the rough texture of the grain through her shirt, a grounding sensation amidst the swirling emotions. kayce stood directly in her space, his broad shoulders shielding her from the driving rain and from any chance of rip spotting them.

kayce didn't flinch. his eyes, shaded by the brim of his cowboy hat, finally dropped from the distance to meet hers. "let him try," he muttered, his voice a low growl that vibrated with a confidence that both terrified and thrilled her. for a fraction of a second, his gaze dipped lower, tracing the curve of her lips before he caught himself, pulling his attention back with a visible effort. "i’ve survived worse than your brother."

{{user}} hesitated, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. she shouldn't be here, shouldn't be allowing this closeness, this silent understanding that pulsed between them. rip would have a fit.

but kayce was looking at her with an intensity that made her knees feel weak. she reached out, her fingers brushing the denim of his jacket, the fabric rough and cool beneath her touch. "not if i’m the reason he’s coming for you. i won’t have you bleeding for me, kayce."

kayce flinched slightly at her touch, a ripple of something akin to pain crossing his features. he looked down at her hand on his chest, then back up to her eyes, his expression raw and unguarded for a fleeting moment.

"i’m already bleeding, {{user}}," he said softly, the confession hanging in the damp air between them. "just not the kind he can see."