41
I slam into the Bullshit Box to find Davis combing through security footage from three days ago. The storm outside is nothing compared to the one in my head.
Davis arches a brow, his expression amused. “Hello to you, too.”
“Fuck you.” Beside me, Keena lifts her head and whines.
Charlie leans back in his chair and sighs. “I think I liked you better when you hated love.”
“Fuck you, too.” I flex my fist. My heart hammers a crazy, feral beat in my chest. Punching Gavin wasn’t enough. I need him to be hit by a fucking bus.
Davis shakes his head, then asks, “Reese all set?”
I blow out a breath and drop into a chair. “Got her money yesterday.”
Charlie grins. “Rich woman.”
“Yeah.” Despite everything, I can’t help but grin. “She is.”
Bosko worked quickly. True to his word, after Reese called and pulled the trigger, he had her money transferred over to the Montana State Bank in less than twenty-four hours. She’s got it all.
It’s hers.
And soon, she’ll be away from her prick of a manager.
Easy. Too easy.
I don’t trust it.
Everything feels too goddamn precious. Tentative.
I have a family I care for. A woman I need to keep safe. A ranch that in a few days’ time could be ten feet underwater.
“She hear from Gavin yet?” Davis asks.
“Only every other goddamn day,” I growl. “You should see the texts he’s sending her.”
The asshole’s still harassing her via text. Vulgar and degrading threats that make me see red. The minute she took that money out, he snapped. It takes all my self-control not to smash her phone to pieces.
She’s taking it better than I am. I’m furious he won’t let her go. The last few days, she’s been fielding calls and emails from reporters, battling the story Gavin leaked about her suicide attempt and time at Muirwood.
I’m so goddamn proud of her. I was worried the stress would break her, but not my bluebird. She’s strong as hell.
Me, I’m the weak one when it comes to her. Reese has unlocked that protective primal side of me and good luck getting it back in the bottle.
“Got something else to show you that’s gonna piss you off.” The keyboard clicks as Davis pulls up the security footage. “Take a look at this.”
Charlie and I slide our chairs his way and stare at the screen. The footage is of the day Gavin ambushed Reese. He walks into the frame of the main camera and into the lodge.
I exhale and flex my fist, wanting to hit him all over again. “He got on the ranch that easy?” Not even the paparazzi camped out have made it past our gates.
Davis clicks through the different cameras showing different angles of the ranch. “He’s here.” A new angle. “And here. But there’s no car. Like he never arrived that day.”
The fuck? It makes no sense.
Outside, thunder rumbles. The monitors go fuzzy. Scowling, Davis slams his fist against the side of the display.
Charlie roughs a hand down his dark beard. “All the guests get in and out with a key card through the access gate, or with our employees. We don’t look too hard at them, only unannounced arrivals who don’t use the com system.”
“So, what? He was announced?” I run a hand along my jaw. I’m worried. Really fucking worried. The cameras don’t catch everything. We have no clue what’s behind the scenes.
As the video plays, my eyes are drawn to Gavin pinning Reese up against the wall of the lodge.
Red rises in my vision, and I breathe through the rage that holds me hostage. Crazy shit has happened on the ranch, and I’ve stayed composed. But touch one hair on my girl, and best believe I lose my shit.
That fucker putting his hands on Reese came within a heartbeat to hell.
Davis nods at the video. “That’s cold-blooded rage. Personal.” Shooting me an apologetic look, he exits the footage.
I arch a brow. “You know what we should have done…”
“Don’t,” Davis says, leveling a stern finger. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“Twin sense?” Charlie asks.
“Murderous sense,” Davis says.
As twisted up as I am, I grin. “What’s one more body on the ranch, man?”
Davis and Charlie exchange a quick glance. My eyes narrow.
For the last two years, there’s been some kind of secret conspiratorial bullshit between them.
I pin them both with a glare. “All right, you fuckers, y’all keep doing this. Who else is buried on this ranch?”
Davis glances at our younger brother. Charlie’s jaw is set.
A long silence. Outside, the wind rattles the tin roof of the Bullshit Box.
Then Davis sighs and clips, “Declan Valiante.”
I gape at him. “That was you?”
“Afraid so, brother.” Davis’s mouth thins. “Not a word to Wyatt. This stays between us.”
I drag a hand down my face. “Jesus Christ.”
Charlie studies me for a moment. “You think he’ll leave her alone when her contract ends?”
Reese gave mepermissionto share her story with my brothers. When they heard what Gavin had done to Reese, it took everything in them not to follow the bastard and beat the living shit out of him.
I look to the window, worry in my gut. “Not sure.”
“Listen. You don’t want to hear this, but I’m going to say it, anyway.” Leaning forward, Davis hesitates, then says, “I wouldn’t put it past him to come after her, Ford.” My twin’s eyes are pained, faraway, and I know he’s thinking of Dakota.
He’s right.
It’s human nature to crave power.
And Gavin craves Reese.
The possibility that it’s more dangerous than either of us considered hangs over me. The way he was talking to her, looking at her…it bordered on obsession.
I squeeze my eyes shut and grip the desk. If anything happens to her, I wouldn’t survive it.
“Keep her close,” Davis warns, pulling me away from my grim thoughts. “We’ll be on the lookout, too.”
Charlie dips his bearded chin. “We got your back. And hers.”
I give them a nod of thanks, emotion clogging my throat. I love my brothers for sticking up for my girl. We fight, we bicker, but family having your back is everything. And Reese saw it. Saw they’re her family. That she’s meant to be here.
At this point, I’m not taking any chances that Gavin won’t show his face again.
Reese is under lock and key until that contract expires.
Luckily, Runaway Ranch—and my bed—is the best place for her to be.
“Thinkin’ we turn the guests loose tomorrow,” Charlie says, shuffling papers on his desk.
“That necessary?” It’s a week early.
“Hate to do it, but I don’t want any guests on the ranch when shit hits the fan.”
I follow his gaze to the dark clouds brewing on the horizon.
Hell . It’s gonna be bad.
A tinny knock on the door has our heads snapping up.
“What?” Davis barks. His face softens when Dakota opens the door.
“Ford.” Dakota’s voice is hard. “You have a visitor.”
I follow Dakota down the walk to the garage. Parked in front of one of the doors is a red BMW. Standing beside it, Savannah. The wind whips her short shaggy platinum hair, and I really wish it would just blow her off the edge of the earth.
I have no idea what the fuck Savannah’s doing on Runaway Ranch. After all the shit she did, said, she’s got some nerve.
Savannah uncrosses her arms. Her defiant gaze clashes with mine. “You don’t look happy to see me, Ford.”
I shrug. “It’s been a long time.”
“Not long enough,” Dakota mutters, low enough for only me to hear.
Savannah looks at Dakota. “Do you mind? I’m here to discuss business.”
Dakota snaps open her mouth, and I chuckle, laying a hand on her bristling shoulder. Pissing off the women on the ranch won’t do her any favors.
Fire in her eyes, Dakota looks up at me. “Let me know if you need anything. Beer. Pastry.” Her hard gaze lands on Savannah. “Arsenic.”
“Easy, tiger.” I give her an amused look. “Go take that aggression out on a pie.”
She strides away, leaving me and Savannah alone.
“So…” Savannah’s blue eyes scan the ranch, disdain all over her face. “This is what you turned down my daddy for?”
“I wasn’t aware I didn’t have a choice.”
Before she can say another word, I enter my garage. She follows, each click-clack of her heels like needles in my brain. There’s only one woman I want wearing heels in my garage, and it’s not Savannah.
I watch as she inspects the space, silently, curiously.
Emotions roll through me, but not the ones I’d expect. There’s no regret, no bitterness—just annoyance. Annoyance that she’s here, that she thinks my life needs her, when it’s the opposite. I already have everything I want.
Turning toward me, she runs a finger along the smooth lines of my Chevy. “I remember this.”
“Don’t do that,” I warn. “Act like you still know me.”
The fire dims in her eyes.
Crossing my arms, I lean back against the shop table. “Why are you here, Savannah?”
Her red lips turn up. “Right to the point. I like that.” She nods like it’s obvious. “I’m here for you, Ford.”
I rub my jaw and glance around the shop. A pang goes through me when I see Mouse’s empty cat bed. “What are you talkin’ about?”
“When my father told me he was considering you for a job, I thought it was meant to be.” She lifts a shoulder. “I thought if you took the job, maybe we could…reconnect. Have a second chance.”
I laugh out loud. She legitimately believes she could get me back. Savannah and I are in the past. It’s all just another life that doesn’t matter because Reese wasn’t in it.
Second chances are for Dakota and Davis. Not me and Sav.
Chuckling, I shake my head. “Honey, we’re dead and buried.”
She bites her lip. “I messed up, Ford.” A long, heavy pause. “I shouldn’t have said no.”
I shrug. “Best thing that ever happened to me.”
For a long second, she’s speechless, then she scoffs. “You should take my daddy’s job. Help you with your career.” Her lip curls. “Or lack of one.”
There it is—the same spoiled Savannah, lashing out when she doesn’t get what she wants.
I shift, shaking my head. “Don’t need your help.”
“It’s a good offer.”
“I got good things here.”
“Like?”
As if on cue, the apartment door opens. My gaze travels up the steps. To Reese.
I grin, my eyes eating up her beauty. She makes every other woman irrelevant. Forgettable and that includes Savannah.
Long wavy hair, cowboy boots, and those short shorts that drive me wild. A tiny tank top clings to her, and my name gleams in gold around her neck. She looks like a dream. My dream girl.
“Sorry.” Reese’s steps are hesitant as she makes her way down the stairs, holding a bowl of kibble in her hand. She sends me a curious look. “I didn’t know anyone was here.”
Shoulders rigid, Savannah’s burning gaze travels from me to Reese.
Before Reese can head for Mouse’s bowl, I pull her into my side. “Savannah and I are just talking business,” I tell her, not wanting her to get the wrong impression. “She’s going now.”
Reese tenses. “You’re Savannah?”
Savannah’s jaw tightens, her teeth grinding together. “I am. And you?”
“Reese Austin. I’m sure you’ve heard of me.” The haughty brow, the ice-cold chill in her voice have me smothering a smile. My girl is ruthless.
Fuck, but I love it.
Savannah’s eyes go wide when she sees the necklace with my name.
“Whatever you’re offering, it won’t be enough.” I tuck Reese closer, making sure I’m crystal clear. No confusion. Not about what Reese means to me. “I’ve got everything I need right here.”
“I see.” Adjusting her purse on her shoulder, Savannah gives a quick nod. “I’ll be on my way then.”
At the garage door, Savannah turns back toward me. “Ford—”
But she doesn’t get to voice whatever she planned to say.
“He’s mine now,” Reese says, laying a protective hand on my chest. My mouth goes dry at the simple action. The love this girl’s shown me eclipses Savannah, any woman, by a country mile. “You had your chance.”
No malice or bitterness in her voice. Just plain fact.
Goddamn truth.
With that, Savannah disappears out the door and into the whipping wind. I dip my head, drawing Reese closer.
Like I said, dream girl.