Chapter 5
JUNE
“Seth Benton.” Deputy Jones stands at the edge of the corral, one hand resting on the cuffs at his belt, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else on the planet right now.
I’ve known Leo since he was twelve years old, stealing candy from the general store and thinking nobody noticed.
He’s twenty-four now, with dark hair cropped short and a face that still hasn’t quite hardened into the cynical mask most cops develop after a few years.
Right now, that face is tight with discomfort as he addresses the cluster of cowboys in front of him.
“You’re under arrest for assaulting Deputy Tanner Rook,” Leo continues, his voice carrying across the suddenly silent space. “I’m going to need you to come with me to the station.”
My insides freeze up. Someone gasps. A few of the crew members exchange wide-eyed looks while Belle lowers her camera.
And Seth’s whole body goes rigid. “This is bullshit.” His voice is low, dangerous. “That asshole struck me first. I was defending myself.”
Leo’s jaw tightens. He pulls the cuffs from his belt, the metal glinting in the morning sun. “That’s not what Deputy Rook’s report states. According to him, you initiated the physical altercation while intoxicated. We have a record of you being arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct last night.”
“I wasn’t drinking.” Seth’s hands curl into fists at his sides. The bruise on his jaw, the one I watched Tanner put there, stands out, purple and angry, against his skin. “Whatever was in my system, I didn’t put it there.”
Murmurs ripple through the crowd, but most of my attention is fixed on Seth.
On the way his shoulders have pulled back, his chest expanding as he draws himself up to his full height.
On Kai and Carter moving at his sides like they materialized from thin air, flanking him with expressions that have gone hard and cold.
And it’s my fault.
If I hadn’t been standing on that sidewalk when Tanner showed up. If I hadn’t—
Stop it, June. This isn’t helping.
Seth’s father pushes through the crowd, silver threading through dark hair, those same sharp blue eyes fixed on Leo with irritation. He’s carrying himself like he expects people to get out of his way. It helps that he’s a big man.
“Officer.” His voice deepens. “Surely we can handle this somewhere more discreet. The circuit has a reputation to maintain.”
“Sir, I’m going to need you to step back.”
He huffs loudly. “Are cuffs really necessary? My son is cooperating.”
“Sir—”
“He’s telling you he didn’t start the fight. And that he wasn’t intoxicated by choice. The least you can do is show some discretion until—”
“Back up. Now.”
The father’s mouth thins, but he steps back. Leo moves closer to Seth, cuffs still in hand, and the tension ratchets up another notch. Kai shifts his weight, muscles coiled. Carter’s easy grin has vanished entirely, replaced by something sharp and watchful.
And I’m just standing here.
Do something.
My heart is hammering against my ribs. My palms are slick with sweat. I think about last night. Seth swaying on his feet, barely coherent, but still stepping between Tanner and me without hesitation. Still taking that first punch. Still making sure I was okay before he let himself fall apart.
He doesn’t even remember doing it. And now he’s going to be arrested for it.
Screw this.
“Leo, wait,” I say.
Every head turns toward me.
Seth’s gaze finds mine too, and something flickers across his face.
“I was there last night, during the incident,” I say, walking forward until I’m standing near the group.
“I hadn’t had anything to drink, and I was completely sober.
” I meet Leo’s eyes, willing him to believe me.
“You can check with the officer at the station, and Barb was on duty when I picked Seth up. Tanner approached us on the street. He was drunk. Aggressive. Verbally abusive. And he threw the first punch.”
Silence.
The kind of quiet that presses against your eardrums and makes you hyperaware of every tiny sound. The horses shifting in the pen. The wind rustling through dry grass. My own blood pounding in my ears.
Leo’s frown deepens. “June, this is a formal arrest. I can’t just—”
“I’m telling you what I saw. Tanner shoved me to the ground and then went after Seth. Seth was defending himself. Defending me.”
More murmurs from the crowd and wide-eyed stares.
Seth’s gaze on me intensifies. His blue eyes are wide, intense, boring into me with an expression that makes my breath catch.
“It is you,” he breathes. “From last night. You—you were the one who—”
He breaks off, brow furrowing, like he’s trying to grab hold of something slippery. Trying to piece together fragments that don’t quite fit.
My face heats. I remember last night, him against me, his face inches from mine, that low voice telling me I was his scent match. The way he looked at me in that motel room, like I was something worth remembering.
And now he’s staring at me the same way.
I tear my gaze away and focus on Leo, because if I keep looking at Seth, I’m going to combust right here in front of everyone.
“I’m willing to come down to the station and give a formal statement,” I state. “But I’m telling you the truth, Leo. Tanner started that fight. Not Seth.”
Leo hesitates. His gaze darts from me to Seth to his father to the crowd of onlookers, all watching with interest.
“I still have to bring him in,” he says finally. “Formal procedure. But if you want to make a statement, it’ll be taken into consideration.”
“You have a witness confirming he didn’t strike first,” Seth’s father cuts in. “Surely that means restraints aren’t necessary.”
A muscle ticks in Leo’s jaw. But he glances at the crowd, at the phones I’m now noticing in several hands, probably recording every second of this.
“Fine.” He clips the cuffs back onto his belt. “But you’re coming with me voluntarily. Any trouble and this gets a lot worse for you.”
Seth nods once, sharp. “Understood.”
Leo steps back, gesturing toward the patrol car parked near the entrance. Seth starts to follow, then stops. Turns back to stare at me.
Those blue eyes hold mine, and there’s so much in that gaze—gratitude, confusion, intensity.
“I’ll see you at the station, then,” he confirms.
I nod.
He holds my gaze for one more moment that stretches like taffy, that feels like it contains entire conversations we haven’t had yet, and then he turns and walks toward the patrol car.
The crowd parts around him and Leo, the deputy’s hand hovering near Seth’s elbow like he’s not entirely sure the voluntary part is going to stick.
Carter and Kai move to follow, but Leo holds up a hand. “You can meet us at the station.” Leo’s voice has fallen flat. “But right now, it’s just Mr. Benton.”
Carter puts a hand on Kai’s arm. “Fine.”
The patrol car doors slam, the engine starts, and then they’re pulling away, kicking up gravel, disappearing down the road toward town.
For a moment, nobody moves.
Then the whispers start. The stares. The general chaos of people trying to figure out what the hell just happened.
“Hey,” Kai says next to me. “You okay, doll?”
“Yeah.” The word comes out clipped. Tight. “I’m fine.”
He doesn’t look convinced.
“Thanks for standing up for Seth,” Carter says. “I’m going down to the station. You need a lift? I’m Carter, by the way, one of Seth’s pack members.”
I nod. “Would love that, as I came in with Belle.”
He nods toward the parking area, where a shiny red pickup truck gleams in the morning sun. It’s huge with chrome details, extended cab. “Okay. We can make sure Seth’s got people in his corner.”
“Yeah,” I hear myself say. “Okay.”
Carter nods to Kai. “Stay here and help Belle wrap things up and deal with the crew and other guys so they all head on home.”
Kai sketches a lazy salute, but his eyes are still on me. “You got it.” That grin spreads across his face. “Don’t have too much fun without me, June.”
My stomach flips despite everything. “No promises,” I joke, knowing there’s no fun to be had at the station.
He laughs as Belle joins me. “You okay, June? You need me to come with you?”
“Nah, I’ve got this.” I try for a reassuring smile. “Just need to give a statement. Make sure the record’s straight.”
“This is about Tanner.” Not a question. Belle knows my history with him, the controlling behavior, the constant monitoring, the way he made me feel like I was slowly disappearing. She was one of the people who helped me see that I deserved better.
“When isn’t it?” I say bitterly.
“Hey.” She grabs my arm, her grip firm. “Don’t let him get under your skin. You know what he’s doing. He’s trying to drag you back into his orbit, make you feel guilty, make you small. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”
“I won’t.”
“I mean it, June. You’re stronger than he gives you credit for.” She glances toward Carter, who’s waiting by the truck. “I’ll take your camera with me. Pick it up from my place later, okay?”
“Thanks.” I pull her into a quick hug. “You’re the best.”
“I know.” She squeezes me back, then releases me with a gentle push. “Now go. And text me later.”
The truck is even more impressive up close. Deep red paint polished to a mirror shine. Carter opens the passenger door for me, and I haul myself up into the cab, settling onto leather seats.
He rounds the front and gets into the driver’s seat, and starts the engine. Being in closed confines with him…
Oh God.
His scent floods the enclosed space. Sweet and sharp all at once, like someone poured cola over a cinnamon roll and then opened the windows after a summer rainstorm. It curls around me, slides into my lungs, makes every nerve ending in my body sit up and pay attention.
My skin goes hot. My pulse kicks into overdrive. There’s a tingling sensation spreading from my chest down to between my thighs, and I have to grip the edge of the seat to keep myself from leaning over the center console and burying my face in his neck.
What’s happening to me?