My stomach twists.
Bile burns the back of my throat.
I brace my hands on my thighs, bending forward,dragging in long, uneven breaths, fighting the surge of panic before it spills into hyperventilation.
Marnie bends down, a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
I stand slowly, shaking my head. “I…can’t.” I hate how weak I feel.
“Of course.” She gives me a smile that’s more of a sigh. “Call me when you’re ready.”
Then she’s gone, leaving me staring down the barrel of the same old gun I thought I’d already survived.
CHAPTER 13
cade
“This is so awesome,” Noelle says as she looks around in awe at Landon’s place.
His house is all polished metal and glare, every corner gleaming, every rug probably costing more than one of my prize heifers. Not a hint of ranch dust anywhere. It doesn’t feel like a home but a stage.
I try not to think about how he spends his half of the profits on bullshit like original art that Violet can show off, while I put it all back into the ranch so I can see a profit the following year.
I didn’t want to bring Noelle. I wanted to end things with her. But showing up to an event like this without a plus-one would mean a whole hell of a lot of annoyed bullshit from Violet.
So, I hitched up and went along ‘cause Landon insisted that this was important for his campaign andcareer.
“They need to see you and hear from you. It legitimizes where I’m from.”
Great. Now I’m a way for him to demonstrate his understanding of the blue-collar ranching community.
Noelle snuggles up to me.
She’s wearing a flimsy dress she bought in Aspen for the occasion. It’s cream-colored and resembles underwear. She tells me it’s made by some designer.
Whatever. As long as I didn’t have to pay for it, we’re all good ‘cause I’d rather spend two grand on feed than clothing.
She shifts and winces softly, uncomfortable as hell in the high heels she insisted on putting on. I have no idea why a woman wears things she’s not relaxed in.
But then, I don’t have moral high ground on comfort because I’m wearing a fucking suit.
I hate wearing a suit. It feels like a noose dressed up in silk.
“Cade. Noelle.” Violet’s voice floats across the foyer as she sweeps toward me in some slinky dress. It’s burgundy red and has a similar look and feel to what Noelle is wearing.
“Oh, Noelle, the Gucci looks stunning on you.” Violet gives Noelle air kisses, like we’re in Paris or something.
Aspen ain’t that fancy, doll.
“And the Schiaparelli looks so good on you,” Noelle gushes.
The who looks good on her? Yeah, give me a gun so I can blow my brains out. Please?
“So glad you made it, Cade.”
Violet is smiling, but her face is tight—she doesn’t like me on a good day, but she really dislikes me right now because she wants to sell the ranch, and I won’t. She’s made her displeasure with me loud and clear.
I grunt a greeting, tugging at my collar. I’d rather be knee-deep in mud pulling a calf than standing here.
