Chapter 28 #2
Trent walked over, keeping a careful distance from Moose.
He was too busy brushing dirt off his shirt, ignoring us until he was a few feet away.
When he finally looked up, he stopped dead.
Shock flashed across his face as he took in the oversized coat, my cowboy boots, and Brock’s Stetson pulled low on my forehead.
It disappeared almost instantly, replaced by his perfect smile. It made my skin crawl.
"Sienna," he said, smoothing his cuffs. "Didn’t think you’d still be here. Figured you’d be on a plane back already."
"I took a week of PTO."
He gave a small nod, like it didn’t really matter, then turned to Brock and extended his hand. "Trent Masters. I’m the senior publicist they sent in for Vegas. I tried shooting you a few emails to set up a meeting, but since I didn't hear back, I figured I'd make the drive."
Brock just stared at the outstretched hand. "Sienna handles that stuff for me."
Trent dropped his hand, completely unfazed. "Right. Well, the agency decided you needed someone with more experience. No offense, Sienna. You did an okay job cleaning up after that bar fight. We can sit down later and go over the handoff before you fly out."
"I’m not handing anything off to you," I said.
He sighed. "Could we at least be professional about this?"
"Professional? That’s rich coming from you."
He shook his head. "You’re still holding a grudge."
Moose let out a soft whine and leaned his heavy body against my leg. I reached down and buried my fingers in his fur.
"Not really," I said. "Doesn’t mean I have to be friendly to you."
Brock's arm came around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side without a word.
I froze. Part of me was grateful, but the other part was screaming that we were standing way too close.
Trent’s gaze dropped to his hand on my hip. His expression shifted.
"You know," he said, his voice turning conversational, "when Avery told me you were still out here, I couldn’t figure it out. You, managing a rodeo cowboy? I figured you’d be dying to get back to the city. But you actually like it out here, don’t you?"
I held his gaze without blinking. “And what if I do?”
"I saw the kind of videos you posted," he continued, ignoring my question. "You two look real cozy." He gave a cynical little laugh. “Jesus, Sienna. I didn’t think you’d have it in you. You actually slept with one of your clients?”
Brock’s expression went cold. “Watch how you talk about her.”
Trent held up his hands. "No offense, man. I get it. I’d have done the same thing."
“You don’t know a damn thing about me or her.”
Brock’s grip on my hip tightened like a vice, his muscles going rigid. I grabbed his forearm, my nails digging into his heavy canvas sleeve, and shot him a frantic look. Don’t do it. He’s not worth it.
"It’s none of your business anyway," I said quickly.
"It’s my business. I’m the one who’ll have to tell the agency you crossed the line." His voice remained smooth. "I didn’t think you’d throw away your career over a summer fling."
My stomach dropped. Everything clicked into place.
"The video from the fair," I said, searching his face in disbelief. "You sent it to Avery."
His expression didn’t change. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."
"You’re lying."
"I was assigned this account yesterday."
"Bullshit!" My voice rose, sharp in the open air.
Behind us, Rio let out a nervous nicker and paced along the fence. Moose slipped out from under my hand and trotted away.
I stepped forward, pulling out of Brock’s grip so I was facing Trent head-on.
"I don’t believe you. I think you dug up that video, sent it to Avery, and volunteered to take my place. You ruined my career back home, and now you followed me out here to finish the job."
Trent laughed softly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "C'mon, Sienna. You're really going to blame me for your fuckups? Listen to yourself. You sound psychotic."
"Watch your mouth," Brock said, his voice low. “You’re pushin’ it.”
Trent waved a dismissive hand, not even looking at him. "Relax. I’m just trying to talk some sense into her. She has a habit of acting like this when things don’t go her way."
I didn’t flinch. A year ago, that tone would have made me second-guess myself. Now I just felt tired.
"I don’t care what you think of me, Trent," I said. "But you need to get back in that car and leave. Tell Avery to send someone else, because if you stay here, this isn’t going to end well."
Trent scoffed, pulling his keys from his pocket. "Gladly. I don’t even want to be out here anyway."
He yanked the SUV door open, then paused for one last bitter look.
“You always thought you were too good for the rules. Look where it got you—throwing yourself at some hothead who’s dying to swing on somebody. Couldn’t even keep your legs closed.”
Brock moved before I could stop him.
For the first time all afternoon, Trent looked genuinely unsure.
One second he was standing there with that smug look, and the next Brock had him by the front of his shirt, twisting the expensive fabric in his fists and slamming him against the side of the SUV.
The metal groaned under the impact. Trent’s sunglasses flew off and shattered on the gravel.
Moose erupted into loud, frantic barking.
"I don’t give a damn who sent you," Brock growled. "You speak to her like that again, and I’ll break your jaw."
"You can't do this!" Trent choked out, trying to pry Brock’s hand loose.
“You’ve got ten seconds to get back in that rented piece of shit and drive off my land. If you’re still standing here when they’re up, I’ll drag you out myself.”
“Sienna, tell him to back off!”
I stepped up beside Brock. “You heard him, Trent. Get off his land.”
Brock released his grip. Trent stumbled back against the SUV, breathing hard, then scrambled into the driver’s seat.
The tires spun in the dirt before catching. The car fishtailed wildly as Trent sped down the driveway, disappearing in a thick cloud of dust.
Silence settled over the yard. The only sound was the wind rustling through the cottonwoods. Moose had stopped barking and now hunched on the porch.
Brock watched the dust settle until the engine noise faded. Then he turned to me, stepping close and resting his hands on my shoulders.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
I tipped my head back, letting out a long breath. My shoulders finally dropped as the fight drained out of me.
"I'm fine," I said. "But Brock… he’s gonna go straight to Avery. He’ll tell her everything that just happened. Outlaw’s gonna drop you and—"
"I don’t care."
"Don’t say that!" My voice cracked. "I won’t be able to pay Mara’s tuition. You’re so close to paying off the ranch’s debt!"
"Sienna." He cupped my face in his rough hands. "Look at me."
I did. His blue eyes were steady, the anger already gone.
"I'll pay the tuition," he said. "I can pick up extra work now that I won’t have to rodeo for a while. We’ll figure it out together. But your sister is going to be fine. I swear it."
My heart twisted. I knew he meant every word. He would work himself into the ground to keep that promise, the same way he did for his family.
"I put my hands on him." His thumbs brushed my cheeks. "That was my choice, and I’d do it again. None of this is on you."
He pulled me against his chest, wrapping his arms around me. I closed my eyes and buried my face in his coat, breathing in cedarwood and cold air.
Trent was my ex. He’d followed me out here, and now he had exactly what he needed. He’d run to Avery, claim Brock assaulted him, and Outlaw would believe the worst. After the bar fight, they wouldn’t even ask for his side before dropping him.
If it got out, Ryder & Co. would pull the catalog deal. The ranch debt wouldn’t get paid. Maisie wouldn’t get her Braille tablet.
Brock was ready to burn it all down just to keep me.
And as I stood there in his arms, listening to the steady beat of his heart, my decision was made. I loved him too much to let him lose everything because of me.