Page 103 of How To Tempt A Bodyguard

He'd survived worse than this. He'd survived years of his father's brutality, years of fighting pits and violence, years of believing he was worth nothing more than the damage he could inflict.

He couldn't survive much more of this.

He hid the horse in a copse a half mile from the Hollow, tethering it where the trees grew thick enough to swallow its silhouette. The rest of the way he went on foot, keeping to shadows, moving with the silence he'd learned in darker places than this.

The Hollow appeared through the trees. No lights in the windows at this hour. Everyone asleep.

Almost everyone.

He was fifty yards from the main house when the attack came from behind.

An arm locked around his throat. A knee drove into his lower back. He was yanked off balance, twisted sideways.

Matthew reacted on instinct. Dropped his weight. Drove his elbow back into his attacker's ribs. The grip loosened for half a second—enough.

He spun, caught the man's wrist, swept his legs. They went down together, rolling in the dirt, each fighting for the upper hand. A fist glanced off Matthew's jaw. He blocked a knee aimed at his groin, drove his forearm into the man's throat.

And recognised the fighting style.

"Stop." He grabbed his attacker's collar, hauled him close. "It's Matthew."

Tam went still beneath him.

"Thought it was you," Tam said. "Recognised your clumsy footwork."

"Wonder why I've got my knife at your throat then."

Tam glanced down at the blade pressed against his neck. His mouth twitched.

"Looks more like you want to fuck me than kill me."

"It's a love-hate thing."

Tam's laugh was a low rumble. Matthew withdrew the knife and hauled the bigger man to his feet.

"Could've killed you," Tam said, brushing dirt from his coat.

"Keep dreaming."

They stood in the darkness, catching their breath. Tam studied him with knowing eyes.

"Here for your wife?"

Matthew felt heat creep up his neck. Said nothing.

Tam chuckled. "So that's how it is, eh?"

"Shut up."

"Go." Tam jerked his head towards the main house. "Third window on the left. I'll keep watch."

Matthew moved past him, then paused.

"Tam."

"What?"

"Thanks."