CHAPTER 1
LEVI
I was stillin bed when my phone rang. Took me a second to figure out it wasn’tmybed. A busty brunette curled up next to me. What was her name again? Jackie? Jen? All I could remember was she smelled like cinnamon and had been pretty damn eager to get her hands on me last night. I never took women back to my place. That might give them the wrong impression… that I was interested in more than a one-night stand.
I reached for my phone, sitting up when I saw Ruby’s name on the screen. She didn’t usually call unless she needed something, especially this early on a Sunday morning. “Hey, Ruby. What’s going on?”
She didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “It’s Brooklyn.”
My chest immediately tightened as my mind spun out of control. Brooklyn was my brother’s girl. If something bad had happened… an accident… a house fire? I didn’t want to think about it. “What about her?”
“She showed up at the women’s shelter early this morning, and?—”
“Is she okay?” Brooklyn showing up at the women’s shelter didn’t make sense. If Kyle had done anything to her, hell, I didn’t care if hewasmy brother. I’d rearrange his fucking face.
Ruby sighed. “She will be. Right now, she needs somewhere to stay. The shelter’s full, and all my cabins are rented out. I know you’ve been working on the bunkhouse up at Shane’s place. Do you think it’s far enough along that she could stay there for a while?”
“What do you mean ‘she will be’? Did something happen to her?” It was no secret my brother had a temper. He’d lost his shit in front of me too many times to count. But even at his worst, I’d never suspect him of taking his anger out on a woman.
“She can fill you in on the details. My top priority is finding her somewhere to stay. What about the bunkhouse?”
I got up from the bed and moved out into the kitchen, so I didn’t disturb the brunette. “The bunkhouse isn’t an option. After Aiden and Paisley moved out, I gutted the bathroom to get it ready for Shane’s buddy, who’s coming in next month. There’s no running water.”
“Well, shoot. There goes that idea.” Ruby clucked her tongue. “You’ve got an extra room at your place, don’t you?”
“Doesn’t she have somewhere else she can go? A distant aunt? A friend?” My gut churned. I already knew the answer. She’d followed Kyle when he moved back to Mustang Mountain a couple of years ago. He’d told me she didn’t have any family, and he didn’t like her making her own friends outside of his small circle.
“There’s no one else. You know that.”
“I don’t think it’s such a good idea.” Even as I argued against it, deep down, I knew I wouldn’t feel right about her going anywhere else. And that didn’t have anything to do with the fact that I’d had it bad for my brother’s girl from the moment I laid eyes on her. She was too good for Kyle, and I’d never been ableto figure out why she’d stayed with him for so long. Smart and funny with curves that went on for miles, Brooklyn could have done a hell of a lot better than my older brother. I’d always wondered what she’d seen in him.
“Do you have a better idea?” Ruby asked. “It’s your brother’s fault she no longer has a home.”
“What happened?”
“It’s Brooklyn’s story to tell, Levi. Are you going to help her or not?” Ruby was losing her patience with me. I could tell by the irritation in her tone.
“Yeah. Of course, I am.” I didn’t have a choice. Even though I’d tried to avoid her to keep my attraction under control, when push came to shove, I’d do anything for Brooklyn.
“Good. You had me worried there for a bit. I know having her around might put you in a tight spot with your brother, but it’s only for a day or two until a room opens up at the women’s shelter,” Ruby said. “She’s at the Merc right now. I’ll have a cup of coffee waiting for you. How soon can you be here?”
I couldn’t give her an ETA, because I didn’t know exactly where the hell I was. Stalling, I pulled up my location on my phone. “I’ll be there in twenty.”
“I’ll let her know. You’re doing the right thing, sugar,” Ruby said.
We hung up, and I headed back into the bedroom to grab my clothes. The brunette slowly sat up in bed. As she did, the sheet slipped down to her lap, leaving her exposed from the waist up.
“Where are you off to so early?” Her voice came out low and husky.
“Something came up. I’ve got to head out.” I pulled on my boxer briefs and reached for my jeans. I’d been pretty damn eager to distract myself with her last night, but with Brooklyn waiting for me, I wasn’t the least bit tempted to delay my departure.
Her bottom lip bumped out in an exaggerated pout. “Do you have to go so soon?”
“Yeah.” I finished getting dressed.
“Maybe you could come back later. I don’t have to be at work until seven tonight.” She tilted her head like she was trying to keep things cool and casual, but I could tell she wanted more.
“Sorry, babe. I’m not that kind of guy.”
