Page 48 of Song Bird Hearts

“Then you know Steele takes care of its own,” he chastises. “And we ain’t gonna let our country music superstar get murdered by some secret shadow organization sniffin’ where they don’t belong.” He tips his head, a grin creeping across his lips. “That would just be silly. Besides, I assume you know what you’re doin’.”

I exhale hard. “I know what they did and what they’re capable of. And I know I’m not hidin’ anymore.”

Knox doesn’t look at me, his jaw clenched, but Gilden smiles.

John nods. “Then let’s make some noise, superstar. The White Stag Way.”

Chapter23

Valerie

Trucks kick up dust on the road in, loaded down with supplies and old friends. People I haven’t seen in years—neighbors, cousins, rodeo rivals, even the twins who used to egg my mailbox every Halloween—pour in like floodwaters. They bring tools, guns, food, and old grudges ready to be used for good. And none of those people come alone.

When Dakota Steele shows up to my ranch followed by his friends Wiley and Levi, I’m surprised to finally see a face I don’t know. The woman at their side has bright eyes and the swagger to back it up in her cow print cowboy hat, blue streaked hair, and black attire.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Valerie,” she says, her smile infectious. “Big fan. I’m Kate.”

“It’s so nice to meet you, Kate.” My eyes glance to the three men standing around as they help the preparations. “Steele Mountain is taking good care of you, I hope?”

“The best care,” Wiley Carter purrs. His hand traces down Kate’s hip and she smacks it off with a blush.

“Anyway,” Kate says, narrowing her eyes on Wiley. “We just wanted to let you know we’re here to help. I may not be from here, but I’ve made it my home, and I don’t take too kindly to people showing up here and trying to cause trouble.” She leans in conspiratorially. “That’s our jobs.”

I laugh. “Damn right it is.”

But my eyes flick to Knox where he handles someone dropping off what looks like a bunch of high-tech security equipment. If we asked him, he’d say I’m too much trouble.

Kate’s eyes follow mine and then focus back on me. “I got one of those, too.”

I blink innocently. “One of what?”

“The grumpy ones,” she says, glancing at Levi.

I won’t lie. Levi is definitely grumpy. I haven’t seen that man interact with anyone since his rodeo accident, and I don’t blame him. He’s had a hard go of things. But to think this wildfire of a woman is there to help him pick up his pieces, it makes me happy for him. For all of them from the looks of it.

“Knox isn’t grumpy,” I say, glancing at him again. “He’s just. . .not a fan of trouble.”

“Oh, he’s a fan,” Kate says. “Every time you look away, his eyes find you.” She squeezes my arm and I get the feeling if she could reach my chin, she would have chucked me on it. “Don’t let it get to you, cowgirl. He’ll come around.” Her eyes shift fondly to Levi. “They always do.”

I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be home, how it feels to be a part of something more than just me. I needed this, even if I’m not here under the best of circumstances.

Everything is busy and stays that way for the rest of the day. Someone is reinforcing the barn doors with reclaimed iron. Someone else is stringing up cameras and wiring rigs with alarming speed. And in the center of it all, I stand, my boots planted in the dirt, watching as my childhood home turns into an actual fortress.

I turn to the three men in charge of all this—Knox, Wolf, and Gilden—as each of them watch me with different versions of the same look. Concern. Curiosity. Something quieter and hungrier.

“I have no idea what I’m doin’,” I admit when we’re a little more alone. I rub a hand over my face as I try to make sense of what exactly I’m trying to do. Even Kevin looks at me like I don’t know what I’m doing.

Gilden slings an arm around my shoulders with easy warmth. “Wingin’ it ain’t so bad,mon rossignol.”

“Wingin’ it when it’s life or death is stupid,” Knox growls.

Gilden’s arm stiffens as he glares at Knox. “So is acting like the worlds gon’ end if someone cares ‘bout you.”

Knox looks away on cue, jaw tight. Before it can escalate any further, Wolf reaches out and takes my hand. His fingers are cool and steady, as always. He forces me to meet his eyes, and the intensity there should scare me. Wolf is older than me, than all of us. How old is to be determined since he won’t tell us, but he’s clearly at least in his mid-forties with his hair full silver. This is a man that should be out having a good time or settled down with a wife of twenty years. It doesn’t make sense that he’s here, focused on me, looking at me like I’m the prettiest thing he’s ever seen in his life.

“I would die for you,” he rasps. Unwarranted. Uninvited. Just full-on declarations of loyalty I’m not prepared for.

I stop breathing for a second. “No,” I say firmly when I can get my voice to work. “No dying. Me is one thing. But the three of you? You stay alive at all costs.”

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