Page 66 of Unguarded

We pass the hour drive with Holden and Duke catching up on the ranch and bull riding business. Our main income is cattle sales and hunting leases, but we also supply bulls to an underground bull riding ring.

“We got a new round of bulls to test tomorrow morning,” Holden says as we pull into the long driveway of Redford Ranch.

“I’m sleeping in,” Duke says.

“No, you’re not.” Holden parks the truck in front of the bunkhouse.

I asked my sister to prepare the bunkhouse for me and Monroe to stay in together. I physically can’t leave her again, and I don’t need Duke flirting with her when she’s vulnerable.

The guys help us unload her many suitcases and stack them right inside the living room. Seeing the house through Monroe’s eyes, I feel like it’s more rustic and primitive than I previously thought. She’s accustomed to luxury suites and penthouse hotel rooms.

“Dolls and Rosie stocked the fridge for you. You gonna show up for bull testing?” Holden asks from the threshold.

I nod. “Thanks. Yeah, I’ll be there.”

He studies me for a moment, his knowing eyes glancing from me to the celebrity standing in our modest kitchen. He pauses, a smirk crossing his lips before he steps out onto the porch. “Night.”

He slams the door shut, leaving us alone. Tension immediately stiffens the air. I move to the door to remove my boots. When I turn back around, Monroe is studying a large elk head mounted on the wall. I blow out a long breath.

She probably thinks we’re uncivilized beasts.

“Let me show you to your room.”

I lead her to the nicest room in the bunkhouse. It has a four-poster queen-sized bed with a frilly pink bedspread on it that I’ve never seen before. An array of matching pillows is lined up across it. A little basket of toiletries is sitting on the nightstand. A throw blanket with pink and white bows all over it is draped across the leather chair in the corner.

I owe Dolly and Rosie big time for this.

“Well, this is it. I, uh, I know it’s not the same as The Ritz and?—”

She stops me with a heat-searing hand on my forearm. “It’s perfect. I can never thank you enough for bringing me here with your family …” She sucks in a shaky breath. “And I’m never going to be able to pay you back for this. You’re so lucky to have somewhere like this to go, to call home.”

Her blue eyes are shiny with tears. I might have to go out and ask Duke to hit me if she cries right now because I can’t take another drop of being responsible for her emotional damage. All I can manage is a nod toward the bathroom.

“There’s the bathroom. I’m just down the hall if you needanything at all, or if you can’t sleep, you can just … just come wake me up.”

She nods, folding her arms over her chest. “Can I see your room?”

I hesitate for a moment before leading her to the room down the hall. It’s much simpler and more masculine, but it’s clean. She studies every aspect of the room, not knowing I usually sleep in the one she’s in, minus the ruffles.

“So, if anyone breaks in …” she starts, chewing her bottom lip.

“No one can get to you. I’d never let that happen. That’s why I brought you here.” I move closer to her, looking down into her eyes. “But if you’re afraid …”

“I’ll come to you,” she says, nodding.

“Yes.”

“Okay, well, good night then.” She turns, walking back to her room.

I watch her step into it and shut the door. I stare at the door, feeling all the rage and fear coursing through me from what happened over the last three days.

I will keep her safe here. I can’t fail. She’s depending on me.

25

MONROE

Redford Ranch is unlike any place I’ve ever been. The trees are sprouting fresh green leaves, and wildflowers are beginning to spring up across the field in front of the house. The sunrise looks like something out of an old painting. It makes me want to write. I pull my phone out and tap on the Notes app.

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