And the newest one. The attempted abduction. The masked men who were here for Tessa… but took me instead. The terror, helplessness, boom of gunshots as my brothers took them out, the smell of blood and gunpowder that lingered in the house for days.
All of it blends together until I feel the walls of my room closing in. I run a hand down my face, breathing hard.
You’re awake. It’s morning. You’re okay.
I swing my legs out of bed, feet hitting the cold wooden floor. Sweat clings to my skin, my shirt damp against my spine. I push myself up, stretch my fingers until they stop trembling, and cross my room to the window.
Outside, the sun is just starting to spill gold over the pastures. Horses graze quietly, tails flicking. A few ranch hands drive out toward the training grounds.
The world looks peaceful. Too peaceful.
I swallow the lump in my throat. I don’t have time to fall apart today. Cole is coming for a survey, and there’s the bid to prepare for. I’m Iron Stallion’s CFO, the one who always has her shit together. It doesn’t matter that I woke up drowning in memories or that I’ve barely slept after leaving his office last night, my body still humming, my mind replaying every moment we shouldn’t have had.
I straighten my spine. Today, I have to be normal—smile, and be the Ella they all love and admire.
By the time I’m dressed and down in the kitchen, the house is already alive with the usual Morgan chaos.
Quinn is feeding baby Oliver on one arm while trying to unlock something on her phone with the other. Beck wanders in, shirtless, hunting for coffee, and Tessa, hair in a messy bun, laptop under one arm, is lecturing Jace about some computer program that goes over my head. Daisy is sitting at the island coloring unicorns. Zane has one of the calves’ milk bottles on the counter while Dad is reading the paper like the circus around him is a lullaby.
It’s loud, overwhelming, and familiar.
“Morning,” I greet, forcing a smile as I pour myself coffee.
Daisy pops up from her chair and wraps her arms around my waist. “Auntie El!”
I hug her back tightly, her warmth grounding me. “You look tired,” she mumbles against my shoulder.
I give her a small squeeze. “Just a little bad dream, sweetheart. I’m okay.”
Ava glances over, eyes narrowing the way only she can—soft, perceptive, just a little too knowing. “You sure?”
“Yeah,” I lie with a smile.
But then Dad lowers his paper and gives me that look. The one that sees everything I don’t say. I turn away before he can ask anything.
“I’ve got plans with Cole today,” I mumble into my mug.
That gets everyone’s attention. Quinn pauses mid-sentence. Jace raises a brow, and Beck smirks like an idiot.
Ava’s eyes soften into something warm. “He’s coming to survey the land?”
“Mmh.”
“And you’re okay with… everything?” she adds pointedly.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
Beck mutters, “Because everyone in here knows you have the hots for him,” into his coffee.
My cheeks heat. God. I hate this family sometimes.
I flick a piece of toast at his forehead. “I’ll be fine.”
I hear a truck’s engine just in time to save me from more interrogation. I peep out through the window and confirm it is indeed Cole’s truck pulling into the driveway.
I step outside just as he opens his door. The morning sun hits him full on—the broad shoulders, the sharp jaw, the shirt that clings just a little too well.
I swallow. Professional. Be professional.
