And that’s just it.
I don’t know if they can trust me to keep my hands off their sister, even though all three of them clearly expect it and are only proposing this with that condition in place.
Cash taps a poker chip on the edge of the table. “Take time to think about it, Seymour. No need to give us an answer right now. Between the three of us, finding this fucker and watching out for all of our women and running the ranch will be difficult, but we can manage if this is too much to ask.”
“It’s not that,” I finally say.
Fuck, what possible good reason can I give for not wanting to do this, aside from,If you leave your little sister alone with me for too long, I will most likely be making her scream my name into a pillow?And to make things worse, I know she’d be enthusiastic about it since she’s had a crush on me for as long as I can remember, and a few years ago, I started to notice she wasn’t a kid anymore.
Oh, and last week, she came on my lap on a boat, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
I swirl the amber liquid in my glass, feeling the weight of three sets of intense eyes on me. “How do you know she’ll even agree to this? She might balk at the idea of having to move to Moonlight.”
Holden leans forward. “Look, I’m all about giving her the freedom to make her own choices and be the person she wants to be, but not when it comes to safety. This is a serious threat, and the less vulnerable bodies we have here on Redford Ranch, the more time and energy Duke and Cash and I will have to find this guy. We’re all at risk, not just Dolly. But she is, by far, the most obvious target.”
Cash leans in. “Her being with you, especially if, to the outside world, it looks like you two are dating, the less chance he’ll view her as an easy target. A single woman is a much more appealing mark to a sick fuck than a woman in a relationship, living with a man who’s expecting her in his bed every night.”
My pulse spikes. “You want us to pretend we’re dating?” The hair on the top of my arms rises.
Duke slaps the table. “Hell yeah, that’s actually a damn good idea. If people think y’all are together, he won’t view her as the most vulnerable one.”
My chest tightens. “You really are gonna have to get her to agree to that then.”
Cash nods. “Where is she anyway? How long have you had this letter?”
“She was at the house when I left. I’ll check her location.” Duke pulls out his phone.
Holden grabs the letter. “This is the first letter, and it was left inside the mailbox in a blank envelope with just my name on it. I also had a note left on my truck in town a week ago, which was odd. I threw it away and didn’t think anything of it until now, but it said,I hope you’ve enjoyed your last few years of freedom.”
Cash nods. “Definitely connected.”
Duke swears. “Fuck. She’s in town right now; looks like she’s eating at Mario’s.” He stands. “I’m texting her, telling her to get home now.”
“Who is she with?” Cash asks.
That’s what I’d like to fucking know.
Holden stands. “Y’all go pick her up, and we’ll talk to Rosie and Monroe while you’re gone so they can help us convince her this is the best plan of action.”
9
DOLLY
This isn’t the best first date I’ve ever been on, but it could definitely be worse. Ben is cute and a little awkward, which I find endearing. He must be nervous because he’s got a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead even though the AC inside Mario’s Italian restaurant is cranked up. I shiver, wishing I’d brought a sweater. I didn’t want to cover my cute sky-blue sundress. It has a flattering corset bodice and a lacy neckline. My boobs look good, and my usually straight hair is in big waves around my shoulders. I’m even wearing eyeliner and a lip stain.
I’m here to get over my fear of opening up to men and with dating and sex. This is purely experimental.
“You look stunning, by the way.” He smiles. “I’ve never been out with such a gorgeous woman.”
I smile at him.
He’s sweet. I’m attracted to him. This is fun!
Why am I trying to convince myself I’m having fun?
The waiter brings us a basket full of breadsticks and our drinks. I ordered rosé wine, and Ben got a beer.
“Can I get you something to eat?” the waiter asks.
