Page 41 of Where They Belong

Levi gave him another curious look as he followed Mason outside, but Colt could only shake his head. He closed the door behind them and turned to find Wes watching him with a frown on his face.

“You slept with him,” Wes accused. “Dammit, Colt. You know better.”

Colt snorted half-heartedly and rubbed his hands over his face. He did know better, but it didn’t seem to matter where Mason was concerned.

“Do we need to take you off this job?”

Colt’s heart stuttered. Away from Mason?

“No. I’ve got it under control,” he lied.

“What’s up with you and my brother?” Levi asked as he caught up with Mason and walked at his side.

Mason thought about how to answer. He wasn’t about to get into his and Colt’s whole story with the youngest Stonebraker, but the tension between him and Colt was so palpable even the most oblivious person on the planet could pick up on it.

“Too much history,” he finally answered.

“Huh.” Levi picked up a stick and threw it. Marley stayed with them, but Diesel charged off after it. “Looks more like current affairs to me.”

Mason didn’t say anything in response, too annoyed and ready for this day to be done with already. He’d been worried when he’d woken up alone. Psyching himself up for Colt to do another one-eighty and claim temporary insanity for winding up in his bed. That it could never happen again. Which led to thinking about how his dad had succeeded in separating them for two decades and the lengths he’d gone to.

But instead, Colt had been making breakfast for him. Kissed him. And just as he started thinking that maybe things were going to be okay after all . . .

Jack happened.

The blood in Mason’s veins began to boil. That Jack felt so entitled to just go ahead and set up a camp like that on his property. Threaten him. Hunt the local wildlife—hiswildlife . . . Didn’t he have enough to deal with already? His only worries should be about making sure he had enough safe space for the wild horses who needed some semblance of their freedom back, returning the rescues to good health and showing them the kindness and love they deserved. Not this. Not illegal hunting and vandalism and harassment and lawsuits and physical threats.

Even as he stewed over Jack illegally camping and hunting on his land, he kept skirting back to last night. He’d always imagined sex with Colt would be amazing—and the real thing was light-years beyond that—but the realization that his dad had managed to pit him and Colt against each other weighed heavy on his heart. Not to mention how much Colt and his family had suffered for it.

Mason sighed, so tired of the cacophony of emotions riding him, and tried to focus on the current situation.

Fortunately, Levi didn’t press for more information and stayed mostly quiet while Mason checked on the rescue horses and got updates from Selma, Dion, and Angela. They were all improving, slowly but surely, and the light in their eyes was growing brighter by the day. Spice was starting to live up to her name when Levi stopped to give her a pet. She snatched Levi’s hat off his head and tossed it up and down.

“Hey, now!” Levi laughed as he half-heartedly tried to get it back.

Spice was having fun playing keep-away, and Mason took his first full breath since the Stonebraker brothers had burst into his house. Happiness at seeing the chestnut mare coming back to herself as her health improved eased the weight on his shoulders a little.

Levi finally managed to retrieve his hat, now covered in slobber, and held it behind his back so she couldn’t get it again. He rubbed her neck and whispered to her before he stepped away and put his hat back on his head.

“I like her,” Levi said with a grin. He fell into step with Mason as they made their way out of the barn. “Bet she’d keep Ranger on his toes.”

“Well,” Mason started as they stepped into the courtyard. “Those three will be available for adoption once they’re sound again.”

“Yeah?” Levi grinned, and his eyes, so much like Colt’s, glittered.

Mason swallowed hard at the reminder of Colt’s eyes, and his stomach fluttered. “Just saying.”

Levi rubbed his hands together and glanced back over his shoulder, where Spice was still standing with her head hanging over the stall door, watching them. Levi hummed.

“Come on,” Mason said, feeling lighter. “Let’s go check on the wild ones.”

Hours had passed since Colt and Wes left to meet up with Nick, and Mason grew antsier by the minute. How long could it take? Did they catch Jack yet? Was it all over now? He frowned at that last thought. As much as he wanted the person behind all of this to be caught and put away, he was far from ready for Colt to leave. Especially now.

“I’m sure they’ll be back any minute now,” Levi assured, affable as ever, as he stepped out of the Gator after they’d returned from checking the herds. He clapped a hand on Mason’s shoulder and gave a squeeze.

Levi had been amazing at keeping him distracted by regaling him with tales of Levi and his brothers growing up, after they’d left the ranch. Or rather, after Mason’s dad had kicked them out.

The dogs barked and took off up the driveway. A few seconds later, Colt’s blue Dodge came rumbling down the long dirt drive with the dogs bouncing along beside it.

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