Holden steps forward. “Sam is the only man we trust outside of us. If we can focus on catching this sick son of a bitch, knowing you’re safe and away from Redford Ranch, it’ll make it a lot easier for us to just be done with it. Sam is like a brother to all of us.”
The guilt weighing on me is nearly unbearable. I’m torn between two realities. For one, Dolly’s safety is paramount to me. I’ve always known she was in the best possible place, living at Redford Ranch with her psychotic, violent brothers surrounding her, ready to put a bullet in the head of anyone who dared harm her.
On the other side of the coin, they’ve all claimed that they view me as another brother to her, an honorary member of the family. I’m pretty sure that the sensual fantasies about her that have been playing on a near-constant stream in my head since she brought me that damn coffee cake and sat on my lap on my boat are not at all in line with the familial narrative they all have. I’ve accepted that narrative since we were kids, never letting my mind wander outside of it until she came to visit me after my grandfather’s death.
My grief has numbed me in a lot of ways. The fear of consequences I constantly felt before just isn’t as potent anymore.
Holden nods at me, respect shining in his eyes. He’s always been like an older brother to me, including me in the Redford family as one of their own. My chest squeezes. It means more now than it ever did before since I’ve lost all my blood relatives.
Cash rises to stand, reaching out a hand toward me. I shake it firmly, meeting his eyes.
“I’ll go over a few techniques we have with Monroe’s team, and we can get some security cameras installed at your gate and around the perimeter of the house.”
“Do I not get a say in this?” Dolly asks, lifting her stubborn chin. “What about Pops? Who will take care of him?”
Her eyes shine with a defiance that makes blood rush to my groin. She’s so strong and fierce. But she’s also tiny, and she’s always been physically weaker than Rosie and unable to build up much strength because of her heart condition. I never realized how protective of her I was until now. I’d be willing to do anything, overcome any obstacle, to ensure her safety. Pops does need her, but her making him eggs every morning is something Duke can handle for a while.
I ignored her and the attraction for years. There’s no reason I can’t do it for a few more weeks.
I square my shoulders, a renewed sense of determination filtering through me. Duke finishes off his tumbler of liquor, slamming it down on the table before speaking up.
“Dolls, you know you’re just being stubborn right now. Sam is willing to let you live at Moonlight while we deal with this, and there’s no good reason for you to say no to that. I’ll watch out for Pops. As long as he has the bottle, he’s doing fine.”
Rosie enters the room, a glass of rosé in her hand. She walks over to Holden, who lifts his arm and cradles her underneath it.He brushes a kiss on the side of her head over her fiery-red hair. Watching them together reminds me of just how alone I really am. It also reminds me that what they have is what Dolly wants, which isn’t possible with someone like me.
“What do you want to do, Dolly?” Rosie asks.
Monroe nods. “You’re entitled to your opinion here. Do you not think the threat is credible? Will you feel safer at home or maybe somewhere else? My house in California is an option.”
I inwardly grimace.
Holden immediately shakes his head, and Duke follows suit.
“That’s not an option. She needs someone with her to protect her. We can’t risk this person finding out where she is and her being completely alone. I also don’t think we’re at that point yet. It could still turn out to be nothing.” Cash reaches for Monroe’s hand, interlacing her fingers with his. She gazes up at him with adoration.
I can’t hang out with these lovebirds anymore.
Rosie nods, eyes skating over me. She studies me, pursing her lips for a moment before turning back to her childhood best friend and sister-in-law.
“Maybe Moonlight is the best place for you, just for now. If you try it for a few days and it doesn’t work out, you can come stay with me and the twins and Holden.”
Holden nods, but his brow furrows, like he’s confused. “I don’t see what could go wrong. It’s just Sam. We’ve known Sam forever. He’s practically a Redford. She knows how the work on the ranch goes. She’ll tag along in his truck and read her books while he fixes fences. She’ll be right up the road.”
Rosie nods, giving Dolly a look that only a lifelong best friend could interpret. It’s no secret to me that Dolly has had a crush on me for some time, and I’m sure Rosie knows about it. Her recent first date and all the time she spent with Ben at my lake house might be an indication that she’s over it.
Dolly sighs, chewing her bottom lip. “Fine. But I’m not staying there forever if this guy doesn’t reveal himself. I can take care of myself, and I have my own gun.”
I clench my teeth to avoid smirking. She’s so sexy when she’s being stubborn.
Those are the kinds of thoughts you’re going to shut down.
She stands up, turning to me. Her black hair cascades over her shoulders in thick waves. “I need to pack.”
My momonly lived here until she ran away at sixteen with my sperm donor.
Her old room has the best lighting in the entire house. I don’t go in it often, but I need to make sure the bathroom is clean and that Lolita has the bed made up. Dolly is still at Redford Ranch, packing.
When I open the old wooden door, I see my grandmother’s quilt is spread out over the queen-size bed with little blue flowers dotting the faded white fabric. Frilly pillows are lined up across the headboard.
