Page 41 of Vicious Sabotage

“What do you think about going to the ranch with me after this?”

“The Gracey?”

He nodded.

“Sounds fun. It would be good to see Meadow and Ivy. But…is it safe there?”

“You’ll be with me. That means you’ll be safe.”

She swiped her tongue over her full bottom lip as if tasting the kisses they’d shared. Goddamn if he didn’t want to stomp over to her, whip her into his arms and capture her mouth again.

And again.

“We’ll go after we eat.”

“And go to the bank.”

His lips quirked. “Okay.”

“And I need to pick up some laundry detergent.”

God, she was adorable even when making lists of chores he could only think of as husbandly duties. But he was willing to do all of them with her.

After sharing their meal and running all their errands, they drove to the Gracey Ranch. When they pulled in, two men came out of the barn. Colton and Hunter looked hot, dirty and pissed off.

But when they saw Livia, they slapped more pleasant looks on their faces and approached her to say hello.

Each gave her a brief hug.

“Meadow’s with her horses. Ivy’s at the house working on the books.” Colton nodded toward the big ranch home that screamed money. But money didn’t make for a happy world. Carver knew that money was the real reason why the Gracey family was under attack.

Livia bobbed her head. “I’ll go say hello to Ivy first. Maybe she’ll walk with me to the training pen to see Meadow.”

The men stared at her.

She didn’t take a step to do those things.

Then she glanced at Carver.

Fuck. She was waiting for him to give the go-ahead. Whether he’d finally convinced her to allow him to do his job or she’d been frightened by that rattlesnake in a way she hadn’t relayed, he didn’t know.

He stepped up to her and took her hand. Squeezing her fingers felt so damn good, so damn right. “It’s safe. Go on. I’ll find you at the bonfire pit.”

She nodded and pulled free. When she walked across the verdant green yard, he watched her go.

“Damn. Never thought I’d see the day.” Hunter’s comment brought Carver around.

“I won’t pretend I don’t understand what you’re talking about. But I’ve got more on my mind. Where can we talk?”

Colton and Hunter traded a look. Colton canted his head for them to follow, leading them to a long line of fence that overlooked a pasture. Cattle dotted the land, and beyond that, the stark mountains sliced into the sky.

It was a beautiful place. A place to feel part of the universe—or totally alone, depending on a man’s mood.

Carver had been in both places, especially after that strike on his team. But right now, he was glad to have his brothers with him.

They took up spots leaning with their elbows on the fence. He didn’t pause a beat before stating his reason for being here.

“What do you guys know about rattlesnakes in these parts?”

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