Page 124 of Dirty Cowboy

The door swings open, and the sound of heavy footsteps fills the room. Julian and Tristan walk inside, their faces softening the second they see me awake. Julian reaches me first, his usual calm cracking into something raw.

“Emma.” His voice catches as he grips my hand, his warmth grounding me. “Thank God you’re okay.”

Tristan stands stiffly at the other side of the bed, arms crossed over his chest. His relief is clear, but so is the frustration simmering beneath it.

“We thought we lost you,” he says, his jaw tight. “What the hell were you thinking, running after Huntz like that?”

And there it is.

I exhale, sinking deeper into the pillows. My entire body aches, and Tristan’s lecture isn’t helping.

“I couldn’t let him take Misty,” I yawn, exhaustion tugging at my eyelids. “She needed me.”

“Misty’s fine. You’re the one who almost died,” Julian says, dragging a chair closer. His voice is tight with barely restrained emotion. “You should have gotten help instead of running headfirst into a dangerous situation. Huntz shot you, Emma. He nearly killed you.”

I turn away, shifting toward Tristan, but the disapproval in his eyes is just as heavy.

“You put yourself in danger,” he says, voice low. “And for what? Eric is not worth dying for. He’s brought nothing but chaos into your life. You deserve better.”

His name is like a punch to the gut. My throat tightens as I turn back toward Julian, my heart tangled in a mess of love, pain, and confusion.

I think of the last time I saw Eric, and the desperation in his eyes when I left. I want to defend him. I want to tell my brothers they’re wrong.

But the words won’t come.

Where is he?

“He’s not coming anywhere near you ever again,” Julian states, his voice edged with finality.

“Over my dead body,” Tristan adds.

“Stop it.” My voice wavers. I meet Tristan’s hard stare, then Julian’s, forcing strength into my words. “I appreciate your care for me, but you don’t get to decide what’s best for me. That’s my decision. I love you both, but you’re way too overprotective, and it has to stop. I need to live my life for me.”

Julian exhales sharply. “Eric’s not the right decision. What he did to Caroline?—”

“—is bullshit,” I snap. “You don’t know everything. She ruined his life. You don’t get to judge him, and you sure as hell don’t get to make decisions for either of us.”

Julian flinches, exchanging a glance with Tristan. The tension in Tristan’s face softens, just slightly.

“We’re just trying to keep you safe,” he mutters.

My mom, who’s been silent until now, sighs and stands.

“Safe?” I let out a bitter laugh. “And you thought keeping me away from Dad was the way to do that?”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Mom interjects, her voice gentle but firm. “Emma just woke up. She doesn’t need you two getting in her business. She’s right. She’s old enough to make her own choices. You both need to respect that and support her. That’s. All.”

Julian sighs, then leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry, Ems,” he murmurs. “We’re just glad you’re okay.”

Tristan nods, his gaze lingering. “We’ll let you rest, but we’ll be back later.”

As they head for the door, Mom calls after them. “Wait, bring him in.”

I frown. “Bring who?”

Mom’s lips curve into a knowing smile. “It’s a surprise.”

Eric.My heart jumps, hope flickering to life.

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