Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
HUNTER
"We've got some of the ranch hands at the main entrance. I've given them the invite list, so no one who ain't invited is getting in. And the catering company is here," Beau tells me, tossing his hat down on the couch, revealing his man bun.
I cringe. He really needs to leave that hat on today. He doesn’t pull his weight around here on the ranch anymore after Dad died, and he becomes less of a cowboy every day. But, fuck me, a cowboy with a top knot?
"I don't believe the Greeks will be stupid enough to turn up at my kid's birthday party. But I don’t trust 'em as far as I can throw 'em.
" I walk over to the window, watching Ace show Wyatt around all the different party areas.
The bounce house he desperately wanted. The kids' shooting game.
The tent set up where the food will be, and the huge birthday cake that looks like Gary, his goat.
All I care about is the smile on my boy's face. That's what all of this is about. I might fuck up in other ways in life, but never when it comes to Wyatt.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Half of me expects Ashley to call. I thought she might have at least wanted to video call or speak to her only son on his birthday. But then again, she might have gone on another bender the second I left the house last night.
I want to believe she's getting better. For him. But it isn’t a risk I’m taking yet.
Wyatt spots me in the window and waves, and I can't hide my smile. He doesn't know. He doesn't need to. Not yet. Not ever, if I can help it.
Today, I forget about the mafia bullshit. I forget about my duties on the ranch.
Today, I'm a father celebrating his son's sixth birthday. Just like my dad did with me every year. Surrounded by friends and family.
I grab my hat and leave Beau watching TV in the living room. "If you're just going to sit on your ass, Beau, go help out the ranch hands. Be proactive. Or I don't know… go spend time with your brothers?"
He grunts, flicking the channel over.
"Are you sure you trust Enzo?" he asks, not even looking at me.
He has some fucking nerve. Maybe Dad should have kicked the shit out of him—maybe his attitude wouldn't be so crappy now.
"Today ain't the day for business talk, Beau.
It ain't up to you. Our agreement with Enzo doesn't concern you, so don't let it worry that brain of yours.
You focus on the ranch. Remember your place, brother.
" I hold his gaze until he looks away first. He always does.
But there's something sitting behind his eyes today that I don't like.
Something that feels a lot like defiance.
I file it away. Deal with it later.
The heat hits me the second I step outside. Dry, relentless Arizona sun already baking the dirt beneath my boots.
This is mine. All of it. Every blade of grass, every fence post, every acre stretching out. Sterling land. Sterling blood.
Ace and Wyatt are running around with dummy guns, laughing so hard Wyatt can barely keep upright. Ace scoops him up, throws him over his shoulder, and my boy screams with the kind of joy that makes my chest crack wide open.
Ace is the best uncle. He's right—he is the fun one. Wyatt loves him.
"Mr. Sterling." One of the waiting staff greets me.
I tip my hat. "Good morning, ma'am."
I hear movement toward the back of the house, and a line of very stressed-looking people, all dressed in white, are pacing toward the tent with huge boxes.
The caterers.
I catch the long dark hair of one, and I recognize her instantly. Lola's friend from the bar.
She glances at me, and her eyes go wide, like she's just been caught stealing. She comes to an abrupt stop and takes a breath before fully facing me. "Hunter, right? I'm Violet. Do you know where I can find Mr. Sterling?"
I take a step forward, extending my hand. She gives it a firm shake and steps back. I can’t help but grin.
"Right here, Violet. Hunter Sterling, pleasure to meet you," I confirm.
She doesn’t hide the shock on her face. Her pupils blow wide. Her body is now completely stiff.
"And you must be Ray's niece?" I ask.
Ray is a good guy. I heard he’s pretty sick now, and his niece moved here to take over his business. Fuck. I should have put two and two together. Ray had family in New York.
She nods with a nervous smile. Her eyes are darting all over the place. "I am. I’m taking over the business from him."
She glances to her left, and I follow her eye line. And just like that, my whole body knows before my brain catches up.
The hairs on my arms stand on end. My pulse kicks hard against my throat. A tightness settles low in my gut, the same one I felt the second she walked out of that bar and left me behind. The one I've been swallowing down for days, telling myself it was nothing. One night. A woman passing through.
I wonder if she was just here to visit her friend? Or was my firefly lying to me?
But that feeling in my chest? It likes that she’s here. On my ranch.
And still, my body is already reaching for her like she's the only thing in this goddamn county that matters.
"How's Lola?" I ask quietly.
The name tastes the same way she did. Sweet. And dangerous enough to rip my life apart.
Her mouth drops open, then snaps shut. "Uh. She's. Um."
“Violet! We have an issue!” a guy shouts from the tent. She gives me a smile and starts backing away. And I just stand and watch her.
“You can tell me how Lola is once you’ve dealt with your issue,” I tell her, shoving my hands in my pockets.
“O-okay, sir.” She rushes out, and then she’s gone.
And I’m chuckling. People ‘round here don’t hide shit from me. They know I can see through lies. Yet Violet and Lola… they aren’t from ‘round here.
Colten appears from the stable and leans on the post. “Where is the birthday boy?” he asks, lighting up a cigarette.
“Over there, playing with Ace.”
He frowns. “No. Ace was just looking for him in the stables; they were playing hide and seek or some shit.”
I roll my eyes. That game drives me crazy here. There are way too many places for him to hide. And I can’t stand it when he’s not in my sights at all times. Especially not when we’ve got a mafia war brewing.
“Jesus, fuck.” I grumble.
I know his favorite spots. I need to find him so I can breathe properly again.