Page 26 of Dark Horse

Something wrong with just plain old photos?

I look up from my phone behind the bar and raise my eyebrow at him. He matches it.

THE DEVIL:

It’ll be more than photos you’re delivering. You were going for video and live tiers. You’ll need them if you want to work this debt off before retirement-home age.

I’m still hoping for a last-minute sugar daddy to save me from you.

Afraid the clock’s run out on you for that. See Rule Number Two.

I haven’t agreed to the rules yet.

You’re still confused. You don’t have to agree. They’re my rules to make. Yours to follow. That’s what happened when you got yourself so deep in debt with the Horsemen.

Maybe Levi will save me then.

Not a chance in hell.

Would he let me call him Cowboy?

No.

Daddy?

Hartfield. Look at me.

Do I look like a man who shares?

I glance up, and he looks positively devilish—living up to every single whispered rumor of his reputation from across the room. I don’t respond to him; we just stay locked like that for full moments, staring at each other from opposite ends of the bar.

I’m in danger.

I realize it now. This side of him is so differentthan the one I normally get. I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad for me, but I know one thing for certain: I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts.

NINE

DAKOTA

The next day,I’m at the ranch helping Hazel set up for what she’s deemed the “wedding games” this weekend. She’s pairing everyone off and making them compete to win a prize in lieu of having a bridal shower. The girls and I had planned for some more traditional games and pink champagne, but we could adapt.

“I don’t need more things. I just want more time with my friends and family, you know?” Hazel looks at me as we put together centerpieces for the tables. She’s been worried about making every detail perfect to make Ramsey happy, and he’s been worried about making sure every last thing is just the way she wants it. They’re adorable, and I’ve nearly forgiven him for everything he did. Which makes me a little short on Stocktonhate these days and a lot in danger of liking them—one in particular.

“I feel the same way. Less stuff. More time spent with the people we love. There’s never enough of that.”

“Exactly!” She finishes the last piece with a bouquet of wildflowers and slides it off to the side. “But I did have to invite his siblings, you know, to keep the peace around here. Family unity and all that.” I can hear the uncertainty in her tone. She, more than anyone, knows my feelings about the family. She just doesn’t happen to know about recent developments.

“Ah. Do you think they’ll actually come?” My stomach flips at the thought of him being here, but I can’t imagine Grant Stockton at a wedding shower.

“Aspen already RSVPed.” Aspen is their one and only sister. She’s quite a bit older than Ramsey, and I’d only met her once or twice.

“Do we like Aspen?”

“We love Aspen. She checked in on me even after the divorce—er, the original divorce-not-divorce, not the accidental real one.” Hazel grimaces.

Hazel and Ramsey’s story is a long one. One you’d have to hear from her to even begin to understand the mess those two got themselves into last year.

“Well, that’s good. But Levi and Grant?” I try to sound nonchalant when I bring up his name. His being here this weekend would make this arrangement we’ve found ourselves in even trickier, and I’d like to know ahead of time.

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