Page 126 of Perfect Cowboy

I don’t doubt that he means it, that he would literally end someone else’s life for me.

“I’m going to call Cameron and let him know what’s going on,” Gavin continues. “He’ll come to get us after Henry is done taking our statements at the station. I’m sure as shit not standing in the middle of this field for hours.”

“How much do you trust Cameron?” I ask softly.

“What do you mean? He’s one of my best friends.”

“I know, but… Look, the cause of all these problems has to be someone on the ranch who knows where we’re going to be. You tell Cameron everything. Someone who works for you is either doing all of this shit to us, or informing someone else so they can do it. And he drives a black Chevy.”

Gavin blanches, but rather than immediately reject a premise that he doesn’t like, he stops to consider my words.

How else would whoever is attacking us know about our date nights, our trips, when we get home, and where we’re going to be at any given time?

It’s an inside job, and I can only imagine how much that fact has to hurt Gavin. He has such a tight-knit crew who he always assumed was loyal.

“You could be right, but I just don’t think Cameron has it in him. Either way, I’ll call my dad instead until we figure this shit out.”

Now he’s lost Scout. He’s lost his truck. He’s lost his quiet, peaceful life.

All over me.

But I agreed to come here knowing how it would be. Well, maybe I didn’t realize it would be this bad and continue escalating, but now there’s no doubt in my mind.

It’s not going to stop until someone is dead.

Chapter 32

Gavin

We’reoverdueforafamily meeting.

Henry drove us home from the station, and my parents are waiting for us in their family room where Bobby and I spent countless hours growing up.

Watching sports with our dad.

Family board game night.

Sharing big news and accomplishments with each other.

And now I walk in holding Ashley’s hand. Dad puts a beer in my free hand, and I immediately take a long pull.

They have Bobby and Savanna on a video call, and I hate to see the tears on Savanna’s cheeks. She’s scared and I don’t blame her because life isn’t exactly an ordinary state of affairs right now.

It’s suddenly become a blow-up movie.

“I’m so sorry I can’t be there right now,” Bobby says, his face grim, “but a security team will be there first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thanks, man.”

Ashley looks at me uncertainly and tries to pull her hand out from mine, but I squeeze it reassuringly. She isn’t sure if she should be here and if she’s considered part of the family or part of the problem.

She’s my family.

Period.

“What else can we do?” Savanna asks. “Ashley, do you want to come and stay with us until the heat dies down? I know it’s not what we planned, but Bobby and I are happy to host the holidays here instead.”

It took a long time – a very long time – but Savanna found her confidence with Bobby and is sure of her place in his life and in our family. She speaks up and is his partner in every sense of the word. It’s amazing to witness, and I’m so glad that she’s in our lives.

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