Page 70 of Every Single Vow
“What happened?” He growls.
He pauses, before he nods. “We’ll call you tomorrow.”
When he hangs up, he never moves his eyes from mine. My worst nightmare was coming true. He was free. And he was coming for me.
Chapter forty-five
Cooper
“Is this necessary?” Ryder asks for the third time.
“If you ask me that again, I’ll punch you in the fucking face,” I threaten before climbing down from the ladder.
I had already installed a camera at the front entrance. One at the barn. Two in my cabin, and now we’re putting a couple at the main office where Maddox and Ivy do the majority of their work. We had a minimal security system. We never had issues with anyone breaking in. But all that changed when I heard Billy Sterling was walking free.Was he here?His exact where abouts where still unknown, and Jefferson assured me they wereworking on it. It had already been four days, and I was having a really hard time letting Kota and Ari out of my sight.
“I get it man.” Ryder picks up a screw gun. “I’d do the same thing.” He pauses. “Well, I mean you know what I’d really do to solve this problem.”
I’m aware my brother has zero fucks to give. Which is why if I gave the word, he would end Billy Sterling, no questions asked. But having him in prison, or anyone else in my family for that matter isn’t a valid option.
“I appreciate the offer.” I swipe at my brow with my forearm. “But I don’t think murder is the way to go.”
He shrugs. “Just a thought. In case you need a plan B.”
I stare at my brother. I know there’s more to what he’s been through in his life to make him so aloof. Socold.But he doesn’t share. And I’ve never forced him to. That’s how we work.
“You want to come to Ari’s birthday party next weekend?” I ask, moving the ladder to the other end of the building.
“A teenage girl’s birthday party. Sounds right up my alley,” he mumbles, following behind me.
“Good. It starts at four. We’re doing cake and ice cream then taking her to the festival.”
“I never said I was going,” he says before he pulls out another camera from the back of the ATV.
“Dakota thinks it would be good for her. Get her mind off the accident and the custody stuff. I don’t think she was ever able to just be a normal kid, you know?”
“Like Dakota?” He asks, handing me the camera.
“Yeah.” I swallow. “Can’t let that happen to her. Not after I wasn’t able to keep Kota safe.”
“You did keep her safe.” He fires back. “Always have.”
We both work in silence after that, neither of us knowing how to articulate how we feel. It feels heavy, and once we finally get the last camera attached, we call it a day. Dakota wasn’t going tolike what I had planned for her, but if she gave me any lip, I’d just kiss her until she agreed.
End of story.
“A deal is a deal.”
Ari narrows her eyes, before she crosses her arms.
“Am I right?” I ask as I hold the reins to Buster.
“You told her how you feel?” She questions.
And then some.
“Yes.” I motion my hand. “Now you have to ride a horse.”
An angry snort, followed by a frustrated neigh echoes from the arena behind us. The sound of Dakota’s cursing has me holding in a chuckle. She’s working with one of the new colts today. He’s turning out to be a problem horse. But if anyone can break him, it’s her.
