Page 126 of Live for Me

I didn’t—what?

“Babe, I understand you needed to go off and start your career, but you shouldn’t have left Sheri all alone,” Ricky said plainly. “She’s a good woman.”

“She beat me,” I whispered. “She threatened to sell me to the men in town for money.”

My tongue felt heavy, and I didn’t understand why I said that. I never talked about that with anyone. The only people on thisplanet who knew about all the horrors I’d endured during my childhood were Jigs and Beau.

Everything around me became fuzzy, and I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

“Just take a nap, Abbie,” he sighed. “I’ll pack your things, and then we can go.”

As I fell to my side, the only thing I saw was the man who’d ruined my life walking into the cabin where I was supposed to spend the rest of it.

Then, everything went black.

Beau, I’m sorry.

I love you…

Chapter Thirty-One

Beau

“Chase!” I barked, kicking in the doors of the police station.

Amy, the front desk assistant, shot up from her chair, her face paling.

“Beau? Lawson? What’s going on?”

Lawson pointed to her. “Get your fucking boss out here now,” he clipped as my phone buzzed.

Without looking, I put it to my ear. “Give me a fucking update.”

“Do you have eyes on my wife?” Denver clipped.

Just then, both Valerie and Harmony emerged from Chase’s office. I allowed relief to rain down on me for a second as they ran to us.

“Red,” Lawson breathed, wrapping her in a tight hug.

Valerie came straight for me, tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Beau. I’m sorry. He—he pointed a gun at me, and—and—” She cut herself off on a sob, covering her mouth with her hand.

On the other end of the line, Denver roared, “PUT MY WIFE ON THE FUCKIN’ PHONE!”

She heard him and pulled the device from my hands. I wanted to be upset, but I couldn’t. My anger wasn’t geared towards her.

It was towards the sheriff.

Harmony came to me then, her hands trembling. “I-I-I am so s-sorry, B-Beau,” she stuttered, her rasp thicker than usual, her blue eyes filled with fear.

Harmony had been through a lot in her life. Situations like this weren’t good for her. I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight. “It’s okay,” I told her, finding Chase emerging from his office, strapping his gun to his hip, holding the phone against his shoulder, barking orders into it.

“I don’t care,” he snapped. “Do not let them leave the fucking premises.”

“Smoke, I’m alright,” Valerie said, grabbing Lawson’s hand and giving him a “don’t worry about me" smile.

The two women were precious to all of the Hallow Ranch cowboys. We’d burn the fucking world down for them and now, they were ready to burn the world down for my wildflower.

Chase came to the front of the station, ending the call and holding his hands up. “Beau, listen to me.”

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