Page 91 of Live for Me

A low whistle came from Mason. “Knew both of you in that cabin would do some damage. That didn’t take long.”

“I’m this close to breaking your jaw,” I told him simply, giving him a look.

The bastard grinned. “Don’t flirt with me. I’m married.”

“I highly doubt Harmony will want a husband who can’t fucking talk,” I shot back.

“Actually, she might,” Denver added just before Mason gave us both the bird.

“Look,” I began, getting back on topic, “I don’t know who was behind this, and I’m going to do some digging. Abbie didn’t have a lot of enemies, but her mother did.”

“So do we,” Denver reminded me. “Hallow Ranch has always had a target on its back.”

I leaned back again. “I’m just a ranch hand to the outside world, Den.” A few years ago, Denver and Mason came to me with an offer to make me a shareholder. At first, I didn’t understand, but the Langston brothers were quick to remind me how much work my father and I had put into this place. I now owned a small share of Hallow Ranch and Evergreen Feed, one of Mason’s top sponsors in the PBR.

“And to the outside world, you’re still family to us,” Mase tacked on.

“We need to make a list of potential suspects,” I told him. “Then, I’ll start digging.”

Denver sighed and put his fist on top of his desk. “One more thing, Beau,” he called at I rose from my seat. “Do you want to bring Chase in on this or not?”

Instantly, I replied, “Until we know who is pulling Chase’s strings now, he stays out of this business.”

Mason nodded, adjusting his hat. “I think Chase needs to stay out of Hallow Ranch business for now anyways, Denver. Something doesn’t sit right with me. There’s been a change of power, and we need to be mindful of that.”

Present Day. Hallow Ranch.

Denver stood beside me as we watched Ricky walk back up the hill to his truck, the phone connected to his ear the entire way. Mason was behind us in the barn, saddling his horse.

“You felt it too, didn’t you?” I asked, crossing my arms. In my peripheral, Denver adjusted his black cowboy hat.

His answer was quiet, vibrating with darkness. “Yeah, I sure fucking did.”

“You said something was coming and I should’ve believed you.”

“In this business, Beau, it becomes second nature to watch your back.” He left me with that, heading over to the bunkhouse while I remained in my place, staring at Ricky’s back. The clicks of hooves sounded from behind me, and then, I was nudged forward. Mason’s horse stared at me, his tail flapping behind him when I turned.

“Hey, buddy,” I said, giving him a pat before looking at his rider.

Mase’s eyes were zeroed in on Ricky’s truck, now making a U-turn to leave Hallow Ranch for the day. Ricky’s team would be here within the hour, and Mason was heading out to pasture four to relieve Mags.

“You sure you don’t want me doing that?” I asked.

The bull rider looked me dead in the eye. “The only thing I want you doing tonight is spending it with Abbie,” he said, guiding his horse by me. I bit down, grinding my teeth as he mounted. “Do me another thing, yeah?”

I pulled off my hat, running a hand through my hair. “What’s that, Mase?”

“Tell her I’m sorry.”

My head snapped up again, my fingers tightening around the top of my hat. I knew Mase had said something to Abbie the first morning she was here, and I couldn’t fault him for that. He was just protecting his own. “I’m not in the business of delivering apologies, Mason. You want to apologize, do it yourself.”

He nodded. “Done.” He clicked his tongue and snapped his reins. Then, he was gone, and I headed into the bunkhouse. The door swung shut behind me as I muttered, “What the fuck?”

“That’s what I want to know,” Denver growled, leaning against the kitchen sink, fury masking his features now. He was a completely different man than the one I’d seen just a few minutes ago—a different kind of cowboy.

I looked over to the back of the bunkhouse, spotting Pop at this small desk, holding up his hands. “Don’t look at me. I just work here.”

My eyes suddenly found the bunkhouse ceiling very interesting as Denver barked out demands to the twins. “What did I fucking say about this shit?” he bellowed.

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