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At one point, Alvaro leaves the bedroom to talk with Durante and make some kind of arrangement with him.
I stay on the phone with Naomi the entire five-hour drive from her apartment to the ranch, pacing in the living room the entire time in my pajamas. I walk her through her stops at Buc-ee's, getting gas and snacks. I talk to her the whole time about what's going on at the ranch, the plans we have for next week with the rodeo being in full swing.
By the time that she's turning off Highway 87 and onto the dirt road that leads to the ranch’s entrance, I'm bleary-eyed but my heart is still racing.
I need her here with us. I need her safe.
Finally, her headlights pull up in front of the house and I end the call, sprinting outside to meet my girl.
Chapter 15
Naomi
Sunlight is just peeking over the horizon when I arrive at Bex and Alvie’s house.
Bex comes sprinting outside and is at my driver’s side door, pulling it open, before my car fully rocks to a stop.
I scramble out and into her arms. Within her grasp, I break down all over again, despite being on the phone with her for over five hours. Sobs rack through my body, and I cry out all the tears that I’ve been holding back for the past five hours.
A large, warm hand on my shoulder draws my attention away from Bex and to Alvie, who’s standing beside us.
He takes my hand and guides both of us inside, where the smell of breakfast meat and pancakes wafts through the space.
“I’ll grab your things in a bit, but first we’re all going to sit down and have breakfast together,” he says simply as he pulls out dishes from the cabinets and starts to fill a plate with food. “You’re going to drink three glasses of water and a glass of orange juice. You’re going to finish everything on this plate, and if you want more, you’re going to ask. Understand?”
The way he looks at me is full of strength and fire. There’s determination there that warms my heart because it’s for me. He’s concerned and taking care of me the best way he knows how.
“I understand,” I reply as I sit myself down at the kitchen island next to Bex.
Placing the plate before me, he says, “I’m glad you’re here, bun.”
“Me too,” I respond with a small hiccup.
Alvaro goes about serving both Bex and himself before sitting down at the island with us. Breakfast is quiet but comfortable, though I know a confrontation is coming.
I’m dreading having to explain what happened tonight. I don’t know what triggered everything. Or rather, I don’t want to think about who triggered everything.
My brain is as scrambled as the eggs in front of me.
“I’m sorry . . . I shouldn’t have . . .”
“Yes, you should have, and you did,” Bex interrupts, reaching for my free hand. “Let’s eat breakfast, and then we can curl up with some tea and talk, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Breakfast is quiet, but my anxious mind is swirling less. When we finish, I offer to help clean up, but Alvie and Bex settle me into the couch in the living room with a blanket and tea.
I love seeing the peace and ease with which they move around the kitchen together. They fit so well, and the sight of them makes my heart ache.
I want that. I want the peace that comes with partnership. The security of being loved.
Bex turns around and at the sight of me scurries over.
“Nay, why are you crying?”
“I don’t know,” I lie, and she wipes away my tears that won’t stop.
“Do you know what you need? Or do you need suggestions?” she asks.
