16
Dante
Montana was one of my favorite places, and not only because Bone’s property was like out of a movie or that show everyone loves, Yellowstone. The dude’s place had top-notch everything.
Plentiful hunting and fishing. Snowmobile trails. A big blue sky.
But Minnesota would always have the best ice fishing, something I missed doing with my friends, uncles, and dad. It was getting late in the season, so I’d have to wait until next winter.
“So, I hear Ember’s giving you a chance, cuz.” A shit-eating grin stretched across Track’s face.
“Your dad has a big mouth.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. And what’s this I hear about you and an underaged girl?” He made a tsk-tsk sound and waggled his finger. As if he were Mr. Perfect, he’d fallen in love with his stepsister. Of course, they were both adults and had never lived together growing up. Still, their parents were married, and had four kids together. Raymond, Valerie, and the twins. Izan and Sophia were Track’s and Brynne’s half-siblings.
When I put it all out like that, it was definitely weird. But hey, Track and Brynne worked, and they’d been together for almost twenty years.
I groaned. “Storm has a big mouth.”
“He tells me everything.”
“I doubt that. My dad told you, didn’t he?”
Track chuckled. “Yeah, Storm doesn’t tell me shit. He’s still bitter about moving my family to Montana, but it’s still new and he’ll get over it.” He guzzled his beer. “My dad needs me, and Stom knows family is everything.”
“I get that. I would’ve done the same.”
“What’s up?” Saint set a bottle of Crown on the table and sat down. “Is this a private party, or can anyone join?”
“We’re just catching up,” Track replied. “Right, cuz?”
“Yup.” Dammit. Ember had texted me earlier about Saint, and I told her if I saw him, I’d nose around. I’d really hoped I wouldn’t see him. My loyalty was to my cousin Raymond, and I didn’t want to be caught in the middle of the shit between him and Birdie.
“Cool.” Saint filled his glass half full of whiskey. “We didn’t have time to get acquainted at your party last weekend. I hear you were in the military.”
“That’s right. I severed six years, five as an Army Ranger.” I took a swig of my beer. “How do you like Montana?”
“Born and raised here, never leaving.”
“I feel the same about Minnesota. Birdie says hi.” I threw out the last part casually like they were friends.
“Why would she say that?” Track hiked a protective brow. Should’ve known he’d question it. He always had Storm’s back.
I eyed Saint, who seemed surprised.
“So do you hunt?” Saint changed the subject, but I could tell my cousin was having none of it.
“Hold up. Why the fuck would Birdie mention you? She’s Storm’s daughter.” Track’s jaw twitched as he accused Saint of a crime without knowing the details.
“She’s also an adult, twenty-three, if I recall correctly.”
“Her age doesn’t mean jack shit, and you know it. Tell me you didn’t get in her pants.”
“I never kiss and tell.”
“Son of a bitch!” Track jumped to his feet, knocking back his chair. “I should skin you from your neck to your toes. You’re a walking STD. Fuck!”
“What the fuck? I’m clean. I always wrap it up.” Saint appeared unfazed by Track’s dramatics. “I didn’t do anything she didn’t want.”
I just sat back and watched how it all played out. This way I didn’t have to ask questions, something I didn’t want to do. I had to give Saint props, though. He wasn’t intimidated by Track at all. Why should he be? The dude was massive and could put my cousin flat on his back with one finger.
Raymond had some hefty competition.
“Prospect, we’re heading home in the morning.” Maddox entered the bar with a club girl on each arm. “Wait here.” He left the two blondes at the door. They had on matching fitted T-shirts and booty shorts, despite the temperature outside being thirteen degrees.
I was glad my cousin Valerie wasn’t around to witness Maddox’s behavior. She was a best-selling romance author and on a book tour overseas for her latest book. Those two had a similar story to Raymond and Birdie.
Big age gap.
Good girl. Bad boy biker.
Right person. Wrong time. You name it, it probably applied to all of them.
“What’s up?” Track asked.
“Someone is targeting Birdie.”
“Targeting her how?” Saint asked, but I didn’t see any actual concern, just curiosity.
“Naked photos of her are circulating Bastion and social media.” Maddox held up his phone for Saint to see.
“Don’t show him that!” Track shoved Maddox’s hand away from Saint.
“That’s not her body. Her face, yes. But that’s not her body,” Saint said matter-of-factly.
Maddox and Track glared at Saint.
“Just trying to help.” Saint grabbed his bottle of Crown. “I’m out.”
“How in the fuck does he know what her body looks like?” Maddox asked.
“How do you think?” Track rolled his eyes.
“Fucking hell.” Maddox shook his head. “How he knows is not our concern.”
“If it’s not her body, then what are the photos?”
“Deepfakes.”
“What’s that?”
“Search it up, old man.” Maddox patted Track’s back.
“Fucker. I’m only ten years older than you.” He’d turned fifty a few months ago and got easily riled up about his age. He hated being fifty.
“Yes, but I’m still younger.” Maddox snorted. “We leave at six, prospect.” He left the room and took the girls with him.
“Christ. It’s always something in Minnesota, isn’t it?”
I nodded at my cousin. It sure seemed that way. But involving Birdie lit a fire in me. We’d catch the bastard who did this to her and make him pay… painfully.