Chapter 10 Sam
SAM
The way the Redford family operates is nothing new to me. They’ve always prioritized Dolly’s opinions and desires above their own until it comes to safety. Safety in the Redford family is top priority.
Dolly’s hands shake as she holds the letter. Rosie went to put the twins to bed, but Monroe is sitting quietly beside her.
“I don’t understand. What family could he even have?” Her voice shakes. She seems to be going into shock and possibly experiencing some PTSD.
Cash’s expression is grim. “We don’t necessarily believe it is a member of his family.
Rosie can’t think of anyone it could be, and she reached out to her mom and aunt to ask them.
They both agreed that Cain was universally despised.
We’re doing some digging, but for now, we’re assuming the threat could be anyone. ”
Her eyes widen.
Cash is the expert in this field. He knows the stalker universe, being the bodyguard to a world-famous celebrity with countless obsessive fans.
He kneels down in front of her, his grim face softening as he takes her hand.
“We will find who this is and deal with them, but until then, we don’t feel that you’re safe at Redford Ranch.
You’re there alone for hours at a time, and whoever this is will know to look for you there.
We think, for the time being, you’ll be safer at Moonlight. ”
I watch her face drain of color. When I agreed to let Dolly stay with me at Moonlight, it was before Duke and I went to get her at Mario’s.
Now that I’m face-to-face with her, I wish I could take it back.
There has to be another way, some other solution that would keep her safe and keep her at arm’s length from me.
As her pale gray eyes dart to mine, her pouty pink bottom lip quivers, and all I want to do is bite it to keep it still.
Holden steps forward. “Sam is the only man we trust outside of us. If we can focus on catching this sick son of a bitch, knowing you’re safe and away from Redford Ranch, it’ll make it a lot easier for us to just be done with it. Sam is like a brother to all of us.”
The guilt weighing on me is nearly unbearable.
I’m torn between two realities. For one, Dolly’s safety is paramount to me.
I’ve always known she was in the best possible place, living at Redford Ranch with her psychotic, violent brothers surrounding her, ready to put a bullet in the head of anyone who dared harm her.
On the other side of the coin, they’ve all claimed that they view me as another brother to her, an honorary member of the family.
I’m pretty sure that the sensual fantasies about her that have been playing on a near-constant stream in my head since she brought me that damn coffee cake and sat on my lap on my boat are not at all in line with the familial narrative they all have.
I’ve accepted that narrative since we were kids, never letting my mind wander outside of it until she came to visit me after my grandfather’s death.
My grief has numbed me in a lot of ways. The fear of consequences I constantly felt before just isn’t as potent anymore.
Holden nods at me, respect shining in his eyes. He’s always been like an older brother to me, including me in the Redford family as one of their own. My chest squeezes. It means more now than it ever did before since I’ve lost all my blood relatives.
Cash rises to stand, reaching out a hand toward me. I shake it firmly, meeting his eyes.
“I’ll go over a few techniques we have with Monroe’s team, and we can get some security cameras installed at your gate and around the perimeter of the house.”
“Do I not get a say in this?” Dolly asks, lifting her stubborn chin. “What about Pops? Who will take care of him?”
Her eyes shine with a defiance that makes blood rush to my groin.
She’s so strong and fierce. But she’s also tiny, and she’s always been physically weaker than Rosie and unable to build up much strength because of her heart condition.
I never realized how protective of her I was until now.
I’d be willing to do anything, overcome any obstacle, to ensure her safety.
Pops does need her, but her making him eggs every morning is something Duke can handle for a while.
I ignored her and the attraction for years. There’s no reason I can’t do it for a few more weeks.
I square my shoulders, a renewed sense of determination filtering through me. Duke finishes off his tumbler of liquor, slamming it down on the table before speaking up.
“Dolls, you know you’re just being stubborn right now. Sam is willing to let you live at Moonlight while we deal with this, and there’s no good reason for you to say no to that. I’ll watch out for Pops. As long as he has the bottle, he’s doing fine.”
Rosie enters the room, a glass of rosé in her hand.
She walks over to Holden, who lifts his arm and cradles her underneath it.
He brushes a kiss on the side of her head over her fiery-red hair.
Watching them together reminds me of just how alone I really am.
It also reminds me that what they have is what Dolly wants, which isn’t possible with someone like me.
“What do you want to do, Dolly?” Rosie asks.
Monroe nods. “You’re entitled to your opinion here. Do you not think the threat is credible? Will you feel safer at home or maybe somewhere else? My house in California is an option.”
I inwardly grimace.
Holden immediately shakes his head, and Duke follows suit.
“That’s not an option. She needs someone with her to protect her.
We can’t risk this person finding out where she is and her being completely alone.
I also don’t think we’re at that point yet.
It could still turn out to be nothing.” Cash reaches for Monroe’s hand, interlacing her fingers with his. She gazes up at him with adoration.
I can’t hang out with these lovebirds anymore.
Rosie nods, eyes skating over me. She studies me, pursing her lips for a moment before turning back to her childhood best friend and sister-in-law.
“Maybe Moonlight is the best place for you, just for now. If you try it for a few days and it doesn’t work out, you can come stay with me and the twins and Holden.”
Holden nods, but his brow furrows, like he’s confused.
“I don’t see what could go wrong. It’s just Sam.
We’ve known Sam forever. He’s practically a Redford.
She knows how the work on the ranch goes.
She’ll tag along in his truck and read her books while he fixes fences. She’ll be right up the road.”
Rosie nods, giving Dolly a look that only a lifelong best friend could interpret.
It’s no secret to me that Dolly has had a crush on me for some time, and I’m sure Rosie knows about it.
Her recent first date and all the time she spent with Ben at my lake house might be an indication that she’s over it.
Dolly sighs, chewing her bottom lip. “Fine. But I’m not staying there forever if this guy doesn’t reveal himself. I can take care of myself, and I have my own gun.”
I clench my teeth to avoid smirking. She’s so sexy when she’s being stubborn.
Those are the kinds of thoughts you’re going to shut down.
She stands up, turning to me. Her black hair cascades over her shoulders in thick waves. “I need to pack.”
My mom only lived here until she ran away at sixteen with my sperm donor.
Her old room has the best lighting in the entire house. I don’t go in it often, but I need to make sure the bathroom is clean and that Lolita has the bed made up. Dolly is still at Redford Ranch, packing.
When I open the old wooden door, I see my grandmother’s quilt is spread out over the queen-size bed with little blue flowers dotting the faded white fabric. Frilly pillows are lined up across the headboard.
The shiplap walls are a warm white with a scallop trim around the bay window. It has a built-in seating area with a pale pink striped cushion decorating it. It overlooks the wheat field and riding arena. The sunrise streams in through that window, lighting up the room every morning.
I don’t know how long I stand in the center of the room, staring out into the darkness outside the window, but I hear Duke’s truck pulling up in the front driveway and a car door slamming before I move to turn on the lamp beside the wire-framed bed.
I meet them downstairs just as he’s bringing in the second suitcase. Dolly is standing in the entryway, arms folded over her middle as she peers around the room. Last time she was here, I was drunk in the morning and asking her to feed me cake with her fingers.
Not going to repeat that scenario.
She changed into spandex shorts and an oversize hoodie.
Her hair is still in soft waves around her shoulders, but she’s washed her face free of all makeup.
I hate that a primal part of me loves her in this state, loves that I get to witness her dressed down and comfortable.
I imagine her groggy and sleepy in the morning, and I have to look away before I continue down that road.
Duke walks over to me, his face unusually solemn.
“I want you to know I view you as a brother. I trust you as much as Sterling, Cash, or Holden. I know you’ll make sure no one lays a finger on her, the same way any of us would.” His eyes bore into mine, like there’s a double meaning behind the words.
I hold his gaze, trying to ignore the sweat that’s beading up on my lower back. I slowly nod. “You know I won’t let anyone near her.”
He holds the stare-off with me for a few more beats before turning to Dolly. He pulls her into a tight hug, whispering something in her ear before walking back out the front door. The hinges squeak until it shuts with a finality.
We’re alone again, for the second time in our lives. Thank fuck I’m sober.
Dolly seems to shake herself out of whatever stupor she was entranced in, moving to grab one of her two large suitcases. I step forward, careful not to touch her as I take it from her hands. I grab the big one next to it before swinging the duffel bag over my shoulder.
“Your room is this way.”
I lead her up the stairs. Once we reach the room, I set the bags down inside. She steps in, taking the room in through her eyes. For some reason, I’m holding my breath.
She wanders over toward the window seat, peering out into the black night. There’s a lonely light illuminating the arena and a three-quarter moon in the night sky.
It’s unsettling, having her here. I don’t know what to do with my hands, so I shove them into my pockets.
“Well, you know where the kitchen is. The bathroom is in there.” I gesture to the door that leads to the en suite. “I’m two doors down the hall. I’ll sleep with the door open, in case you … need something or whatever.”
She spins toward me, gray eyes studying my face. “Like, if I have a nightmare, I can just crawl into your bed with you?”
That defiant, bratty attitude is rearing its head. I know her well enough to know she turns it off and on at will when it suits her. I don’t know why she feels it’s necessary at the moment.
“No. You’d probably be wise to stay out of my bed while you’re here.”
She scoffs, rolling her eyes. “I’m only at risk of ending up in your bed in your dreams, Seymour. Don’t worry; if I get lonely and sad, I’ll just bring Belly Flop in to cuddle with me.”
I nod, stepping back through the doorway, needing to put physical distance between us.
“That’s good. I’ll see you tomorrow then. Good night.”
She doesn’t answer. I turn and walk out into the hall, shutting her door behind me.