Page 182 of Burn the Wild

As twisted up as I am, I grin. “What’s one more body on the ranch, man?”

Davis and Charlie exchange a quick glance. My eyes narrow.

For the last two years, there’s been some kind of secret conspiratorial bullshit between them.

I pin them both with a glare. “All right, you fuckers, y’all keep doing this. Who else is buried on this ranch?”

Davis glances at our younger brother. Charlie’s jaw is set.

A long silence. Outside, the wind rattles the tin roof of the Bullshit Box.

Then Davis sighs and clips, “Declan Valiante.”

I gape at him. “That was you?”

“Afraid so, brother.” Davis’s mouth thins. “Not a word to Wyatt. This stays between us.”

I drag a hand down my face. “Jesus Christ.”

Charlie studies me for a moment. “You think he’ll leave her alone when her contract ends?”

Reese gave mepermissionto share her story with my brothers. When they heard what Gavin had done to Reese, it took everything in them not to follow the bastard and beat the living shit out of him.

I look to the window, worry in my gut. “Not sure.”

“Listen. You don’t want to hear this, but I’m going to say it, anyway.” Leaning forward, Davis hesitates, then says, “I wouldn’t put it past him to come after her, Ford.” My twin’s eyes are pained, faraway, and I know he’s thinking of Dakota.

He’s right.

It’s human nature to crave power.

And Gavin craves Reese.

The possibility that it’s more dangerous than either of us considered hangs over me. The way he was talking to her, looking at her…it bordered on obsession.

I squeeze my eyes shut and grip the desk. If anything happens to her, I wouldn’t survive it.

“Keep her close,” Davis warns, pulling me away from my grim thoughts. “We’ll be on the lookout, too.”

Charlie dips his bearded chin. “We got your back. And hers.”

I give them a nod of thanks, emotion clogging my throat. I love my brothers for sticking up for my girl. We fight, we bicker, but family having your back is everything. And Reese saw it. Saw they’re her family. That she’s meant to be here.

At this point, I’m not taking any chances that Gavin won’t show his face again.

Reese is under lock and key until that contract expires.

Luckily, Runaway Ranch—and my bed—is the best place for her to be.

“Thinkin’ we turn the guests loose tomorrow,” Charlie says, shuffling papers on his desk.

“That necessary?” It’s a week early.

“Hate to do it, but I don’t want any guests on the ranch when shit hits the fan.”

I follow his gaze to the dark clouds brewing on the horizon.

Hell. It’s gonna be bad.

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