Page 83 of Branded Betrayal

Mom died before any of it really came to a head, so she was at peace when she left this world. The barbed wire is my father, the evil that hovered around her until the day she passed.

“And your confrontation with your father at the hospital?” she finally asks. “Is that somehow related?”

“Yes.” And I wait to see if she’ll ask anything else. Part of me wants to finally let it out, but Savannah just stares at me like she knows better than to ask. So instead, she gently brushes her lips against the image like she knows the pain the memory causes me.

I hug her tighter, knowing that she’s too good for me but just not giving a fuck anymore.

Because I’m in love with this woman.

Hell, I never stopped loving her.

But if I tell her, then she’ll give up her life for a future with me. She’ll sacrifice everything because she’ll think love is enough, that it’s all we need to create a happily ever after.

It’s not.

So I keep my mouth shut and swallow down the words that will only make my next choice more devastating. I nod my head at the open laptop on the nightstand.

“Burnin’ the midnight oil?” I ask.

A smile plays at her lips. “Yes. I’ve been working on a business plan for Red Rock, and one of the streams of income will come from land rental for cattle grazing. I have other plans, too, of course. But that is the most immediate one. I managed to get a three-month sabbatical from my job, so I’ll have money coming in to prep the place for more cattle. But I need the rental income to invest in other upgrades.”

“You find anyone who’s interested in leasing the land?” I roll onto my side and prop myself up on my elbow.

“I did, actually. I have one renter who will have cattle delivered in a few weeks. Mikey, Randy, and Nash are working on some repairs to get things ready. I’m excited. This is the first step to making Red Rock profitable.”

“I’m proud of you. Your aunt would be too.” A swell of pride rises in my chest. I always knew she would do great things, and her talents on Red Rock would be a force.

Except there are too many people lurking and waiting for her to crumble.

Me included, while my head is held to the flame by my asshole keeper.

“Thanks.” She toys with the edge of the comforter. “Do you think you and Nash will ever find your way back? I mean, it’s crazy he’s held a grudge about our affair for so long. Seems so insignificant in the grand scheme of things, you know?”

“Yeah.”

Because Savvie still doesn’t know why it is against all odds that we’ll ever be friends again. Hell, he can barely look at me now, much less carry on a civil conversation.

So yeah. No shot in hell Nash will ever call me a friend again.

“Time heals all wounds, right?” I say.

Did it heal yours, Savvie?

I pull her close. She flings an arm over my chest, her head resting on my shoulder. It isn’t long before her breathing evens. I stroke the back of her head, the smooth, silky strands of hair between my fingers.

I want to stay here forever, holding her tight, protecting her from all of the sons of bitches out there looking to use or hurt her.

But instead, it’s me out in the pasture a couple of hours later, cracking one of the fence posts that was in need of repair so that the wood buckles and her cattle are free to escape from Red Rock.

Because what good is a cattle farm without cattle?

In the morning, when she calls me in a panic to help save the ranch from total and utter disaster, I’ll look at myself in the mirror and remind myself that the villain never gets the girl.

And let’s face it. I’m no hero.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Savannah