Page 61 of Branded By the Cowboy

I stare at the old photo on my desk—Mom holding a foal in her lap, sun in her hair, Dad laughing beside her. “I am.”

He’s quiet for a moment. Then, softer, “Is she okay?”

“She will be.” My voice grits out low. “Smoke inhalation. Minor burns. But if I’d been a few minutes later…”

“You weren’t.”

“But I could’ve been.”

Beckett lets out a slow exhale. “Still carrying it, huh?”

“You don’t ever stop carrying it.”

“No,” he agrees. “But you can decide where to set it down.”

I close my eyes, signaling the end of this impromptu deep and meaningful. “You coming?”

“Yeah,” he says. “I’ll be there in two days.”

“You sure?”

“If someone’s coming after you—after her—they’re gonna learn real quick that shadows bite.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “I’ll provide food and a roof over your head.”

“You got a dog?”

“Four dogs. And goats.”

“Christ.” He groans. “Do I get hazard pay if one of them tries to climb me in the night?”

“You’ll love Cheese Puff.”

“I already don’t.”

“You’ll need to keep a low profile. I haven’t told Luna I’m bringing in help yet.”

Beckett grunts. “You think she’s gonna like having some half-drunk ex-merc skulking around the ranch?”

“No. But you get a pass because you saved my life. She wants to meet you.”

That lands with silence. The kind Beckett never fills unless it matters.

“Two days,” he says finally. “And Angus?”

“Yeah?”

“If it comes to it—if whoever this is doesn’t back off—you know I won’t hesitate.”

“I’m counting on it.”

The call ends. I set the phone down and press both palms to the desk, breathing through the quiet rage curling low in my gut.

Someone came for what’s mine.

Now I’m bringing hell to their door.

Chapter16

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