Chapter 2
Cannon
Icheck the screens in my office again, ensuring that all access points to the ranch are secure. The main gate camera shows desrted road, the barn’s exterior perimeter is empty except the horses, and the south pasture fence line undisturbed. All access points to Circle Ridge are secure.
Outside the window, the Montana sky is a dark blue, light fading behind the distant mountains. Beyond the main paddock, tall aspens stand against the fading light, and somewhere past the property line, the now-frozen Silverheart River cuts through the valley.
I text the security team, shifting responsibility to them, and head out the door to the barn, which is a long walk from my cabin. I take the UTV to cut time.
Here at Circle Ridge, I’m head of security for Bennett Carmichael, a tech billionaire whose money is a secret from the public.
He has no interest in having his holdings known by the public, but he’s not a fool.
After his income quadrupled practically overnight, within six months he was already pulling in hundreds of millions of dollars. That’s where I come in.
To outsiders, I am the ranch manager, even to the ranch hands who work here.
Only Bennett and his close family know that my real job is bodyguard.
The property is massive, though private, and he has a security team that specializes in ranch security.
They oversee day-to-day operations, unaware of Bennett’s financial success.
I don’t trust anybody, though. An ex-Navy SEAL, I learned that even those closest to you can betray you without thinking twice. So I conduct regular background checks on everyone on the security team and keep a tight hold on anyone who comes onto Circle Ridge property.
Although it’s winter, spring is right around the corner, and we haven’t had real snow in a week. The air is dry and cold, making the drive to the barn quicker than typical this time of year. Makes my job easier, that’s for damn sure.
Ahead, the massive timber barn rises against the darkening sky, its angled metal roof dusted white, the thick cedar columns framing the tall entrance. The design is modern yet functional.
When I step inside, the winter sting evaporates from my cheeks, the smell of hay and horses and oiled leather filling the air. It’s an H-style building with a long center aisle and the stalls on either side. The barn manager is on site, so I don’t stop check on the herd or supplies.
My boots echo on the wooden stairs, salvaged from the original barn Bennett tore down.
The small landing at the top opens to a glass panel overlooking the riding arena, which is empty right now.
Bennett’s already got the heater running in the lounge to the right, the scent of fresh coffee filling the space.
“Hey, man.” Bennett nods, already sitting at the table for our daily briefing.
“Boss.” I pour a cup of coffee and join Bennett at the table where I’m able to see out the side window. A few horses graze near the fence line of the south pasture. With the temperatures dropping, they’ll move to the nearby loafing shed soon.
“Will you cut it with the ‘boss’ crap? It’s just the two of us.”
I laugh, taking a sip of the steaming brew. No cream, no sugar. “Old habits, motherfucker.”
“Mm-hmm.” Bennett laughs.
At 6’2”, he’s an inch taller than me but I outweigh him by eighteen pounds. My workouts are extreme given the nature of what I do.
Somewhere along the way, Bennett has become one of my best friends. That’s now a liability that I won’t be a part of. So… I put in my resignation, but he won’t accept it.
Let’s be real. I do whatever the fuck I want, but Bennett had sound points when he made his arguments, some of them being I know the ranch better than anybody, and I work harder than most. He asked me to give it a year before deciding.
We’re six months into that year, and my opinion really hasn’t changed. I hired an old friend from my SEAL days to be my backup, and I’m already training him. Jake can’t be bought, can’t be swayed, and I trust him with my life. And by extension, Bennett’s.
But being this close to your boss doesn’t bode well long-term, and Bennett knows that, which is why he let me hire my former teammate.
“Violet and Willow will be going to the Silver Heart Arena the day after tomorrow to set up for the Cattleman’s Dinner. Since you’ll be on site later anyway, can you assist me and Jake with lookout?”
“Yep.” He nods, thumping the table. “The ladies will be happy for extra help with the centerpieces.”
“Sweet.” We discussed logistics and what that might look like.
After we finish with our meeting, Bennett steeples his hands, elbows on the table. “Willow’s coming over tonight for chili.”
I nod once. Willow has free access to the property now, along with her own gate code, because she’s Violet’s cousin and Tiffany’s best friend. She’s family twice over now. It’s Jake’s shift to monitor the gate, but I pretend I don’t know what Bennett’s up to.
He sits back in his chair, thumbs the conference table, and watches me longer than necessary. The silence stretches between us, filled only by the distant sound of horses moving in their stalls below and the hum of the heater.
“What?” I ask in my direct, no-bullshit tone.
“When are you going to quit acting like an ass and ask Willow out?”
“I am not mixing work with pleasure. You know that.”
“Don’t be so damn stubborn. I know you’re training Jake to take over for you. What’s the harm?”
“What’s the harm? Violet is sunshine and happiness and light, and I am the opposite. I like shadows and danger and activity. I don’t see that we’re compatible.”
Bennett laughs. “Ohmigawd. She follows you around here every time she’s over, interested in anything you do. Doesn’t matter if you’re different. What matters is if there’s interest. And you, my friend, are interested.” That's exactly what my cousin, Colt, said.
I glance out the window where twilight is settling over the ranch, the mountains now just dark silhouettes against a deepening purple sky. Somewhere out there, Willow’s finishing up at the flower shop, completely unaware that she’s the reason I can’t think straight anymore.