Page 14 of The Wrangler

“And she’s mine to protect,” Jesse interrupted, voice low and final. “So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Reed’s nostrils flared. Keely held her breath. Jesse knew how dangerous Reed was, didn’t he? But from the way the others were looking between them, it would appear they thought Jesse was just as dangerous.

As for Jesse, he never broke eye contact with her brother. Never wavered.

Jesse had made the claim, and Keely had no idea how the hell to feel about it.

Keely could feel the moment the air in the room shifted, the weight of Jesse’s words sinking in like a live grenade.

‘She’s mine to protect.’

Not Reed’s. Not Silver Spur Security’s. But his—Jesse’s.

Reed’s jaw locked so tight she swore she heard his molars grind.

“You wanna run that by me again?” Reed’s voice was low, controlled, but Keely knew her brother well enough to recognize the storm brewing beneath it.

Jesse didn’t flinch, didn’t back down. He stood there, all calm and unshakable, broad arms crossed over his chest, owning every inch of the space like he was ready to go to war over her.

“I said, I’m handling this,” Jesse repeated, voice even, but edged with something final. “I’m protecting Keely.”

Reed’s eyes darkened. “She’s my damn sister, Jesse.”

Jesse nodded once. “And she’s my damn responsibility.”

Keely’s stomach dipped. She was used to Jesse stepping in, keeping an eye on her when Reed got overbearing. But this? This was so very different.

Reed’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “What the hell does that mean?”

Jesse’s voice didn’t change. Didn’t waver. “It means if someone’s going to put their ass on the line for her, it’s going to be me.”

Gavin let out a low, frustrated growl under his breath. Hawke and Dawson exchanged pointed glances, like they could already see how this was going to go south.

And Keely? She could barely breathe.

Because Jesse Bryant wasn’t just making a professional call, he was making a personal one.

Reed snorted, running a hand through his hair. “You’re too close to this.”

Jesse’s jaw ticked. “And you aren’t? Besides, you don’t have a say in this.”

“The hell I don’t.” Reed stepped closer, shoulder to shoulder with Jesse now, the heat between them enough to melt steel. “Tell me right now—is this about the job? Or is this about something else?”

Silence. A long, heavy, impossible silence. Then Jesse’s eyes flicked to hers.

And in that single heartbeat, she knew. This wasn’t just about the job. This was about her. About them. Something dark and undeniable passed between them, a pull that had been building for years, buried under rules and lines neither of them had been willing to cross.

Keely’s mouth went dry. Reed noticed. His expression shifted, a flicker of something dangerous and knowing flashing across his face.

“You son of a...”

Gavin stepped in, fast, cutting between them. “Alright, that’s enough.”

Reed didn’t move, didn’t blink. “This isn’t happening.”

Jesse exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “It already has.”

Keely felt that deep in her bones.

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