Page 61 of Montana Justice

“Like a teenager caught raiding the fridge,” Beckett added, grinning.

More stories flowed—about escape artist goats, a therapy cat who’d appointed himself supervisor of all barn activities, and several about an alpaca named Al Pacacino. Each tale was told with affection for the animals who’d become more than just part of their work.

“All right, all right,” Lucas finally said, standing up. “Who’s ready for dessert?”

A chorus of agreement rose from around the table. Several of the men headed toward the kitchen, Lachlan among them. He squeezed my shoulder as he passed, and I turned to press a kiss to his hand—a gesture that felt both natural and impossible.

The moment his skin left mine, Caleb started fussing. His hungry cry.

“I’m going to step out on the porch,” I told Lachlan quietly. “Feed him where it’s quieter.”

“Want me to come with you?”

“No, stay.” I nodded toward where Zeke was already making his way over, eyes fixed on Lachlan’s shiny badge. “You’ve got a fan.”

“Badge, Unca Lock!” Zeke announced, reaching up with grabby hands.

Lachlan’s face softened as he knelt down to the toddler’s level. “Want to see? Got to be very careful, though.”

I slipped out through the French doors onto the lodge’s back deck, the cool night air a relief after the warmth inside. October in Montana meant crisp evenings that warned of winter’s approach. Soon, it would be too cold for moments like this.

I settled into one of the wooden rockers, adjusting Caleb against my chest. He latched immediately, those dark eyes—so like his father’s—staring up at me with absolute trust. The sounds of laughter and clinking dishes filtered through the windows, muffled but still present. Still welcoming.

For just this moment, I let myself believe this could be my life. This could be my family, my place, my?—

“Hello, daughter. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you belonged in that little party.”

The voice came from the shadows beyond the porch light, and every drop of warmth fled my body. Ray stepped forward just enough for me to see his face, but not enough for anyone inside to spot him through the windows.

“Don’t make a sound,” he said conversationally, like we were discussing the weather. “Just sit there with that baby and listen.”

My arms tightened around Caleb instinctively. He made a small protest noise at the change in pressure, and I forced myself to relax, to keep nursing him like my world wasn’t crumbling.

“What you’ve done so far has been okay,” Ray continued, moving closer but still staying in the shadows. “But I need more. Real intel. The kind that comes from being in the room when plans are made.”

“I can’t.” The words came out as barely a whisper. “There’s no way to get more without Lachlan realizing I’m the one?—”

“Betraying him?” Ray’s laugh was soft and cruel. “Oh, sweetheart. You crossed that bridge the moment you spread your legs for him. Everything since has just been details.”

Shame flooded through me, hot and sick. Caleb pulled away from my breast, his feeding disturbed by my distress. I quickly adjusted my shirt and lifted him to my shoulder, patting his back with a shaking hand.

“I have something that will help.” Ray pulled a small box from his pocket. Even in the dim light, I could see it was a watch box. Expensive-looking. “You’re going to give this to lover boy. Tell him you bought it for him with your paycheck or some shit. I’ve seen how he looks at you—like the sun shines out of your ass. He’ll wear it.”

“What is it?”

“Recording device. He wears it to meetings, I get the intel I need, everybody wins.”

“Ray, please?—”

“Except there is no winning for whores, is there?” His voice dropped to that dangerous whisper I’d learned to fear as a child. “But you already knew that. Take the watch, Piper. Give it to him tonight. Or I stop being so nice about our arrangement.”

He set the box on the small table beside my chair and melted back into the darkness. I sat frozen, listening to his footsteps fade away, Caleb warm and trusting against my shoulder.

The French doors opened, and Lachlan stepped out. If he’d come outside thirty seconds earlier—even twenty—he would have caught Ray.

But that was it, wasn’t it? Even catching Ray wouldn’t have ended this hell. It would’ve just made it worse.

“Hey.” His voice was soft with concern. “You okay?”

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