Page 5 of Burn the Wild

I look around to make sure I’m alone—no cameras, no fans—then I wade into the water. The rippling movement is hypnotic, made even more so by the crescent moon above and the distant lights of Broadway.

I hiss a breath as the cool water hits my waist like its soft edge might cut me. Chill bumps dot my arms. The soggy rabbit fur coat is like a heavy chain dragging me down.

Even so, that deep, dark hole constantly hovering above me shrinks. My lungs open up. I can breathe again.

Just be brave, Reese.

I move deeper through the rippling water.

A hand wraps around my arm. “What the fuck? Reese?”

I’m yanked backward and spun around. A tall cowboy frowns down at me.

My anxiety ebbs a little when I see who is in the water with me.

Grady Montgomery. My first opening act. Disheveled brown hair, an endearing grin. I’ve barely known him for two months, but he’s relentlessly cheerful.

He glances at the murky water behind me, and I know what he’s thinking. His gaze lands on my face, and his eyes aren’t accusatory. They’re worried. It’s the same expression he’s worn for our last six shows. I’m hit with a memory of him, making me sit and drink water before the show in Los Angeles.

Dark brown brows draw together. “You okay?”

I shake my head, a hysterical sob bubbling in my lungs. “No. I’m not.”

He studies me for a moment and then his hands clasp my shoulders. “What do you need?”

I tense at his question, then fling myself into his arms.

“I don’t know what to do.” It’s a breathless rasp into Grady’s chest. My arms wind around his waist. “I hate this life. Nothing feels right anymore. No one cares what I do. Or where I go. They just care that I make them money.”

It’s all rambling nonsense, but somehow Grady hears me.

“I care,” he says, rubbing my back. He has no scorn or sarcasm in his tone. Only concern. “I care, Reese.”

I hug him tighter. Until this moment, we’ve been strangers, but it feels like he’s seen more of me than anyone ever has.

Is it possible that Grady Montgomery is my only friend in the world?

He releases me. “You need to go.”

My gaze shoots to Grady. “What?”

He tilts my chin up, his expression gentle. “I want you to go to your place, pack a bag and go. Lie low.”

Helplessness crashes over me. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“I have a place.”

My throat closes up for a second. “Where?”

“Runaway Ranch.”

“Runaway Ranch,” I echo.

Grady nods. “It’s my brother’s ranch in Montana.”

Montana. Already, it sounds like heaven. The perfect place for quiet. For secrets.

“Really?” My voice comes out small, distrustful.

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