“Can you let me talk to Molly alone for just a few minutes?”

“Why?” Kevin’s brows lowered into one straight line.

Cheyenne grabbed him by the arm, nice and tight, but Molly knew there would be no bruising. Cheyenne dragged Kevin out of the room. When he resisted, Falcon helped by shoving him, then muttering something to him Molly couldn’t hear.

Kevin stretched to look over Falcon’s broad shoulder and gave her a shocked look, then he was out of the room.

She turned back to Wyatt.

Still holding the wrap on her arm, he slid his hand along her back and urged her toward the table. “Sit down. Please. I had no idea he’d hurt you so bad, Molly.”

She sat, and Wyatt crouched beside her.

“You’re not really going to kill him, are you?”

Wyatt’s jaw went tight. “No man should harm a woman. In the West, we know that a woman is a rare and wonderful thing. A precious thing. That he would do this to you—” His chin moved as if the words he wanted to say were fighting to get out.

“I want the law to handle this, Wyatt. And not just because I don’t want you killing anyone, but because Hawkins deserves to be punished by the law for his crimes.” She rested her palm on his cheek. “And killing someone leaves a scar on your soul, Wyatt. I don’t want that for you.”

Wyatt leaned his head to press his cheek to her hand and closed his eyes. She saw him battle to control his anger, and she saw him win.

Finally, he opened his eyes. He looked calm and kind. “Molly, I’ve come to your bedroom window night after night.”

“Knowing you were coming made the days bearable.”

A faint smile curved his lips, but his expression remained solemn. “I’ve wanted to talk to you of how I feel.”

“I know you’ve wanted to find proof against Hawkins. You didn’t need to tell me.”

“Hush.” He kissed her. It shocked her into silence, which was no doubt his goal.

“Not how I feel about the investigation, or Hawkins, how I feel about you.”

She thought of the kiss they’d shared. Thought of waking up in his arms.

She had feelings, too.

“It wasn’t right. It wasn’t proper to have such a talk when we were, well, when we were—were there . . . alone . . . in the night. With you taking such risks, and me just leaving you there in danger all day.”

“I wasn’t in danger, not really. Not until today. Rachel lived there much longer than I did, and he didn’t leave a mark on her. I wonder why he hurt me so much sooner?”