Page 66 of Bleeding Blackheart

She wraps her fingers around my ring, and that’s when I realize I almost forgot to answer her question. “I got this ring one year on the day after Margaret died. The day I tried to kill myself. This ring was a gift to myself as a promise to never try and take my life again.”

Montana rubs my lips with her thumb. “Well, I’m so glad you’re here, Gunner. I’m so happy I got to meet you. That I get to know you.”

I don’t even realize my tears have started to spill until she’s wiping them away. I grab her fingers, kissing the tips. “I want you to stay with me, Montana. I don’t want to know another woman besides you. I want you in my bed when I get up in the mornings. I want to hold you while I fall asleep. I need to start over. And I want to start over with you.”

I wake up naturally at seven a.m. Montana’s still asleep in our guest bedroom at Dallas’. I want to stay beside her until she gets up, but my mind is racing, and I need to walk around.

I get out of the bed slowly, bundling the blanket tighter around her so she doesn’t get cold. After I shut the door closed behind me, I head downstairs and see Dallas in the kitchen having coffee.

He looks up with bags under his eyes, still exhausted from the events last night. “Where’s your girlfriend?”

I go up to the fresh pot of brown liquid and pour myself a cup. “She’s not my girlfriend.”

Dallas sips his drink slowly. “Well, what the hell is she then?”

“She’s a woman who I’m seeing I guess. A woman who has agreed to move in with me.”

His lips pause on the rim of his cup, and he sets it down in front of him. “So she’s more than your girlfriend.”

I take a glance upstairs, making sure my little fox isn’t eavesdropping over the banister. “I don’t know what the hell she is, man.”

He leans back in his chair, grinning like an idiot. “But you like her.”

I’ve never felt this bashful before. “It’s clear that I do.”

One of his brown eyebrows dips. “I know. So why are you so damn awkward about it?”

Glancing into my friend’s green eyes, I get a flash of Margaret. “It’s just strange for me. To say I’m dating someone when . . . it’s just something I’m getting used to.”

He sighs and takes another sip of his drink. “It’s okay to talk to me about Montana.”

I sip my liquid, softening my voice. “Isn’t it awkward when you miss her?”

Dallas looks past me as if he’s lost in a memory. “I’m always gonna miss my baby sister, man. But that doesn’t mean I want to stay stuck in the tragedy she ended up in. She wouldn’t want me to. She wouldn’t want you to.

“And I like Montana. She’s sassy and witty. She reminds me of her. And she’s good for you. When I saw the horses I thought—man I thought you’d do something terrible to yourself. I was dreading it. Crying mainly for the loss of you instead of them. I think the only reason I didn’t lose you last night is because of Montana.

“You’ve been cold and callous for so many years, Gunner. For a long time, the only thing I saw in your eyes was death.” He smiles. “But when I showed up to your house and saw your hand wrapped around that girl’s neck, there was no death. Only fire. I knew then you’d been brought back to life.”

I think about all of the moments I’ve shared with Montana, and it’s true. She has brought me back from the dead. I finish up my drink and let my shoulders relax. “It just doesn’t seem right for me to have her. After all I’ve done. To others and to her.”

Dallas rolls his eyes. “Enough of all this martyr bullshit, Gunner. What’s not right is that the bastard who abused her, the same bastard who slaughtered your horses, is still out there walking. That’s what the fuck is not right. I want to kill him.”

I roll my eyes. “Join the fucking club. We’re going to his house in a little bit.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

I stand up, stretching my legs while I get another cup. “I don’t know. But after he sent someone to break into my house last night, I got the urge to break into his.”

He stands up, tucking his hands in his pockets. “You want some company?”

I love how Dallas always has my back. If I call, he’ll come running. His loyalty is priceless. But this feels like something I have to do without him. “It might be best if I go with her alone. If you could check on Violet, that would be great. I know Montana would appreciate that.” I wince as soon as I mention my girl, remembering that Violet was Margaret’s horse.

Dallas smiles, nodding his head. “You bet. Margaret would be glad Violet chose Montana.”

“I know. I need to keep that damn horse alive for theboth of ‘em.”

I take a look around, realizing the house is extremely quiet. “Where’s Cali?”

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