Page 109 of Beautiful Exile

Icy claws of panic dug into my chest, but I shoved the sensation down. Instead, I focused on the man opposite me. The one who’d been there for me in all my darkest moments lately. I needed to do the same for him. Had to give him back a little of what he’d given me.

“It’s so peaceful here,” Linc said, his eyes shaded by a Seattle Sparks ballcap.

My gaze swept the high desert landscape, taking in the mixture of sage-filled plains and thick forests, all leading to Castle Rock and the Monarch Mountains. “The vastness of it always puts my problems in perspective.”

He glanced over at me as Brutus ran ahead of the horses to sniff the trail. “You trying to give me that? Perspective?”

I shrugged. “Maybe. Or escape. A little reprieve to gather your strength to fight another day.”

A muscle in Linc’s jaw ticked. “I’m not sure he’s someone I can ever defeat.”

“Gotta find his weak spot. Same as sparring.”

“Sometimes, I don’t think he has one.”

I stared at Linc for a moment, trusting that Whiskey would keep us on the path. “I know he does.” Linc’s gaze cut back to me, surprise lighting there. “He doesn’t realize what’s right in front of him. The incredible son. The amazing daughter. He’s missing out on what he has in his quest for more. He can never take in everything that’s been given to him because he’s too blinded by trying to have it all.”

Linc’s throat worked as he swallowed. “I don’t want to be like him.”

Hell.

I guided Whiskey toward Stardust, close enough that I couldreach out and take Linc’s hand. “You never could be. You’re never blind to the world around you. Never turn away from someone who’s hurting.”

Linc didn’t look convinced.

“You got Cope in with the best doctors and rehab specialists. And look how much better he’s doing already.”

“Maybe I just wanted my star player back,” Linc challenged.

I rolled my eyes. “What about all you’ve done for me? Stepping in, even when I shoved you away.”

Linc’s gaze roamed over my face, feeling like a featherlight touch of fingertips. “Maybe I just wanted to get laid.”

One corner of my mouth kicked up. “I guess that worked out well for you.”

“I guess it did,” Linc said, the dark green in his eyes flashing a little brighter.

“You can’t hide from me, Cowboy. I see you. I see how much you care. You fight for the underdog every single time. The company that needs extra support. The sports team that was on an epic losing streak until you turned it around. Even paying the most attention to the quietest kid at art camp.”

“Gracie?” Linc asked.

“Gracie.” I squeezed his fingers. “You’ll never be your father because you’re uniquely you. You took all his ugliness and turned it into beauty. Like a living sculpture. So damn breathtaking.”

“Vicious?”

“Yeah, Cowboy?”

“You say stuff like that, and I’m gonna need to fuck you. And the only thing that’s around here are tumbleweeds and rocks. That does not sound pleasant. So, I’m gonna need you to stop being so amazing.”

My mouth stretched into a wide smile. “I’ll try my best, but amazing is kind of my default setting.”

Linc barked out a laugh. “Damn if that isn’t true.”

The warmth of it all slid through me. Unfortunately, fast on its heels came panic. But I did what I always did and shoved that shit down.

39

LINCOLN

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