“I swear?—”
“Listen, I’m doing my best not to lose my mind over here,” Cal interrupts our loved-up cuddle. “But I draw the line at you whispering sweet nothings in my sister's ear while she’s holding my daughter.”
Gracie’s mom saunters our way, taking her out of my arms. “Carry on.”
Her husband looks at her with a mix of emotions before grumbling, “Traitor.”
Owen takes my hand, pulling us closer to the rest of the family. “I have some updates.” Sighing, he drags his hand over his face.
“What's wrong?” Knox asks, taking a seat on the arm of the sofa.
It’s still odd to have him present at family gatherings. It’s welcome, but strange.
Before he answers, Owen looks around the room, and I swear he’s counting heads to make sure we’re all here. “So, as you know, Dusty Armstrong was arrested.”
“Yeah, and that’s good news. So, why so serious?” Cal questions.
“He confessed to the fires and cutting the fences. Since he knew we had him on camera, he didn’t bother denying it. He also felt confident that whoever paid him would protect him. Yes, someone paid him.”
Silence falls over the room.
“Without saying as much, he confirmed that Boston is paying him. The incidents at the ranch are connected to Daisy’s fall, just as we figured.”
“Well, at least he’s behind bars,” Mom says, trying to find the positive.
Owen clears his throat. “Somehow, his mother paid his bail. They released Dusty earlier today.” Murmurs of outrage drift around the group, but Owen holds up a hand and continues. “I don’t think he’s a threat any longer. In fact, I’d be surprised if he hasn’t already skipped town.”
“There’s no way his mom can afford to pay the bastard’s bail,” Cal says, putting the pieces together. “So, whoever he’s working for must have given her the money.”
“That’s what I think,” Owen confirms, squeezing my hand. “Then there’s Daisy’s text.”
“What text?” Angus asks.
The entire room focuses on me.
I pull my phone out of my back pocket and forward the text to the family group chat. A chorus of pings sounds around the room. Everyone reads the threat, Heather looking over my mom’s shoulder to see what they’re all looking at.
“Well, shit,” someone says.
I’m not sure who, because Owen’s hand slips from mine, and that’s all I can focus on.
He steps away, raking his hand through his hair. “It’s important that you all do what your security detail says. If they tell you to stay home from work, stay home. If they tell you to follow your usual routine, do it.”
Tension radiates from his body as he addresses the room, but his eyes are on the floor. He can’t bear looking at any of us.
“Don’t go anywhere without your assigned detail. If someone new shows up claiming they’re relieving your current security, don’t let them in without calling Hopper back in L.A. and confirming. You all have his number, right?”
I reach for Owen, but he paces in front of the fireplace with the weight of our situation on his shoulders. Gone is the man who was whispering in my ear. He’s in work mode now.
“After you call Hopper, call me.” He looks each member of my family in the eyes to make sure they're listening. “If you see or hear anything strange, alert your security detail and then call me. I don’t care what time it is. Knox, Dusty mentioned me during his interview. If Hopper has the manpower, I’d like to get some additional protection here at Mom’s place. My family is in the line of fire now too. I’ll pay whatever it costs.”
“I got you, brother,” Knox says, leaving the room with his phone to his ear.
Owen’s mom steps in front of him, blocking his route. “Son, you’re only one person. This isn’t all on you.”
“It’s my job to protect my community. And this isn’t just my community; this is my family. I confronted Chad. They know I’ve reached out to my contacts on the East Coast. I’m not only a target, but I’ve also made things worse for the people I care about the most. It’s not just the McKinnons, Mom. It’s you and Livvy too.”
Hopelessness, guilt, dread, and other nameless emotions cross his features, and time slows.
