Chapter 12 Trouble Before Breakfast #2
Of course. Of all mornings for this conversation.
“He’s been out at The Rusty Spur mouthing off again,” Gunner continued. “Saying he saw something big on your property the other night. Something worth bragging about.”
My throat dried. “He’s still going on about that?” I hadn’t told Gunner about T-Bone’s intrusion the night before, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
“Still?” Gunner huffed. “Liv, he’s got half the boys at the bar ready to come out here. Talking about hunting, tracking—hell, you know how stupid they get when they’ve had a few. He’s making it into a damn event.”
A cold ripple moved through my chest. “You think he’ll actually show up?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I warned him to stay away, but I didn’t want you blindsided if he didn't listen.”
He shifted his weight on the porch step, looking past me again, scanning the house like he expected trouble inside it too.
“I didn’t plan on coming out here today, but…I guess I wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re okay.”
I forced a small laugh. “I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep enough. And Boone barking woke me up fast.”
“Mm-hm,” he said, not convinced. “You’re acting… jumpy.”
Stepping back a little, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen. Please keep the doors locked today. Don’t go wandering around the property at night alone, okay? If T-Bone and his buddies are half as loud as Riggs said they were last night, you’ll hear ’em before they’re on the drive.”
“I won’t” I said, softer than I meant. I didn’t like not having freedom to walk around my own property, but I didn’t want to put Vek at risk. Eventually, T-Bone would move on to something else. I hoped.
Gunner gave me a long look—the kind he used when we were kids and he sensed something was wrong even before I said a word. His voice gentled. “If anything feels off, call me.”
“I promise.”
I thought Gunner would turn away and leave then, but Boone darted back inside, barking, and Gunner’s eyes followed the sound past my shoulder.
“What’s gotten into him?” he asked.
Before I could answer, June Bug darted past me as well, nails scattering across the hardwood like she’d remembered something important. Boone followed her, both dogs alert and laser-focused on the bedroom door.
Gunner’s brows pulled together. “Liv… what’s going on?”
“Nothing, I—wait—Gunner—”
But he was already stepping inside.
“Hold on—” I grabbed his arm, but he moved past me with the kind of stubborn momentum that ran through our bloodline.
He rounded the corner and stopped dead.
Vek stood at the end of the hallway.
He wasn’t hiding. He wasn’t threatening. He simply was—tall, bare-chested, bandage around his arm, fur tousled from sleep. His posture stayed even, his gaze flicking between Gunner and me, waiting for direction.
Boone barked once. June Bug trotted straight up to him and sat at his feet.
Gunner didn’t breathe for a full second. “Liv,” he whispered, “what am I looking at?”
Stepping forward, I placed myself where both could see me. “His name is Vek.”
Gunner’s hand drifted toward his belt. I lifted my palm sharply. “Don’t. You’ll scare him.”
Gunner froze, swallowing hard as he stared at Vek. “That’s him, isn’t it? The one you saw. The one T-Bone’s been running his mouth about.”
“And the one I shot,” I said quietly. “The one who didn’t raise a hand to me. The one I brought into my barn because he was bleeding and alone.”
Vek stayed still, watching my face.
Gunner’s jaw worked as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. “He’s… big,” he said finally.
“I’m aware,” I muttered.
Taking one slow step forward, Vek lowered his head just slightly—a gesture that felt more respectful than submissive. His gaze moved between us, then settled on Gunner.
“Gunner,” he said, the word rough but recognizable.
Gunner flinched. “He talks?”
“Better than I expected,” I said. “He understands far more.”
Gunner blinked hard, absorbing that. Knowing him as well as I did, I could see the moment he realized panic wouldn’t help.
Clearing his throat, he took a sip of his coffee. “He’s not safe here with T-Bone riling up people in town. He’s got a handful of drunk, eager idiots happy to follow him into any shenanigans he’s willing to lead them into.”
My pulse stumbled. “I’m not sending him away.”
Gunner nodded, but his jaw flexed. “I don’t know what to tell you, Liv. Those boys aren’t careful. They’ll shoot at anything that looks like a shadow, and with him here, you’re in danger too.”
Vek’s attention snapped toward the mention of shooting. Gunner noticed.
“Liv,” Gunner continued, “if they come here and see him…” He exhaled sharply. “They won’t ask questions. They won’t think. They’ll fire.”
“I know,” I whispered.
Gunner turned to Vek, worry etched plainly across his face. “You protect her?”
Vek nodded once, no hesitation. “Yes.”
The word hit like a promise.
With a hard swallow, Gunner nodded back. “Then I’m trusting both of you. But if anything feels wrong—anything—you call me. Immediately.”
“I will.”
He took one last look at Vek, equal parts cautious and respectful, then returned to the porch. Before stepping outside, he pressed a hand to my shoulder.
“And Liv?” he said quietly.
“Yeah?”
“Try not to piss T-Bone off. He ain’t got any sense. Just stay out of his way.”
Dread burned up my throat, but I forced a laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.”