Page 32 of Taking Denver

Ranger had been the elusive business partner I never asked about. Why would I? I didn’t care about my dad’s work and had no interest in the long and tedious meetings he had in his office. And while I hadn’t exactly been in need when my dad had died, I had been something else—lonely.

So, the funeral ended, and I’d called a number left with my dad’s things. A man called Cal answered and told me the address. I packed a bag, took a taxi, and on a warm summer evening, in a funeral dress with dried tears on my face, I met Ranger Luxe.

And nothing was ever the same.

I’d expected a man in his sixties, but Ranger was thirty-one when I walked into his house. When my dad met him, Ranger was a sixteen-year-old new father fighting for money and stealing for anything else. He’d raised Ranger as a protégé, a man to take over, and that’s precisely what Ranger did. Every DeLuca business, both legitimate and otherwise, became his.

And so did I.

The spark between Ranger and I was quickly a fire. We argued almost constantly about his rules—no strangers at the house, not that I had many friends to begin with, no late-night drinking, no trips without twenty-four hours’ notice, no trips anywhere without security or him.

Soon, I realized it had nothing to do with being protective and everything to do with me. Ranger wanted me. And that meant no one else could have me.

It went on for years, his quiet ownership that suffocated and excited me. To have the attention of a man so powerful was a rush, but one I wouldn’t allow myself to experience fully. I didn’t want to be stuck with a dangerous man like my mom had been.

So, when Ranger hired Wyatt, I set my sights on him—a man who knew my world and wouldn’t run from it but could be convinced to escape with me. We kept our relationship a secret for months, and when I eventually told Ranger I was pregnant and Wyatt was the father, all hell broke loose.

It was the first time I’d seen Ranger hurt. He’d stared at me from across his office, eyes wild, hands clenched into fists. The crackle between us that had always existed exploded.

He’d kissed me. He’d kissed me and said nothing, and when I kissed him back, he took me to bed.

I’m not proud of it, but I saw it as a goodbye. I’d given him what he wanted, and I could walk away. It worked. He didn’t stop me from being with Wyatt or us marrying a month later.

Maybe that was our mistake.

Wesson hops onto the bed, tail wagging enthusiastically. Ranger pulls on a shirt and scratches the dog behind the ears.

“Staring is rude.”

His voice warms me, and I sigh. “I’m making sure you don’t eat my dog.”

“Please, I prefer the dog to you. He’s obedient.”

I huff in response. Dragging myself up from the sofa bed, I flick on the coffee machine. Warm prickles climb down my spine, and steady footsteps follow the rich tones of his voice.

“You didn’t have to sleep on the couch.”

I focus on retrieving two coffee cups from the cabinet. “I’m a married woman, remember?” I wiggle my wedding finger at him.

I inhale sharply when his next words are uttered against my shoulder.

“Widow,” he corrects. His presence pushes into me, the warmth of his body, the smell of his cologne—just knowing he’s here thrusts heat into the coldest parts of my heart. I grip the mug, my eyes flutter closed, and I pray. For what, I’m not sure. “No coffee for me, little bird. I have to get back.”

He moves away, and I exhale quietly. “So soon?”

“Cal swept the hotel, and I spoke to Richmond.”

Anger sweeps over me at the mention of Richmond. I take out my anger on the cutlery drawer, slamming it closed after I pick out a spoon. “You mean the prick that was following me?”

“He’s here to keep you safe.”

I whirl and slap the curve of the spoon into my palm. “Great job he’s doing. Maybe give him a raise. I onlyalmostgot shot.”

“He paid the price for that.” Ranger pulls on his suit jacket. “Count his fingers next time you see him.”

My toes clench. “Are you kidding?”

“I never kid. Not when it comes to your safety.” I listen as he collects his things from the bedroom, only lifting my head when he touches my cheek.

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