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For a moment, I hold the small book, allowing the significance of it to seep through my fingers. This book could be the key to everything. If only it could fix things…
Carefully, I open the cover. The room is so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. I’m pretty sure I hear everyone’s breath swirling in and out. I’m at the section Winnie marked. My fingers turn the pages carefully, delicately, like it’s as important as the constitution. Hell, it could be.
I’ve just found the place when a loud banging on the stained-glass front door snaps us all to attention.
“Open the door!” A male voice roars. “Deacon Dring? I know you’re in there. I know you have my sister.”
I know who it is, but Angel says the word. “Beto…”
Winnie leaves the room, catching the side of her robe and dashing down the hall. At first I think she’s going to answer him, but she strides with purpose in the opposite direction. I don’t have time to wonder. Beto is beating on the door like he’s a fucking storm trooper.
Angel catches my arm, speaking softly. “Let me talk to him.”
“I don’t like the sound of this.” Protective anger is hot in my chest.
“I can handle my brother. Give me a second to talk to him.”
“You’re not going out there alone.”
“Deacon.” Her slim hand touches my stomach. “H
e’s my brother.”
Reaching out, she turns the brass deadbolt, walking out onto the front steps. “Beto?” Her voice is strong, firm. “Why are you here?”
“The question is why are you here?” He’s dressed in only dark jeans and a white tank, but he’s wearing a belt, which I’m pretty sure has a holster on it. “Chris said he saw you at that big party tonight.”
“I went to the Cattleman’s Masque with Deacon.”
“So you think you belong in this world? You think they won’t chew you up and spit you out like they do with all our kind?”
“I think you need to go home. You have no business being here.”
“I’m not leaving without my sister.” His voice is a quiet roll of thunder, approaching danger. “Papá would expect me to protect you from these people.”
“These people.” Angel exhales a laugh. “You sound just like them. You all use the same words. You all share the same hate. It’s senseless, and it’s not Deacon and me.”
“Let’s go.” He steps forward and catches her arm, and I’m out the door.
“Let her go.” I remove his hand and stand beside her. “Angel is my fiancée. If you have something to say, say it to me.”
Beto’s dark eyes gleam. “Are we doing this again?”
“I’m not doing anything. You’re going home.”
The loud click-click of a gun echoes at my shoulder, and I step aside to see my aunt holding a massive, double-barrel shotgun at her shoulder.
“Oh, shit.” I pull Angel behind me.
Winnie’s cheek is lowered as she looks through the sites, which are leveled point blank at Angel’s brother. “Get off my place.”
Beto’s hands go up, but his smile holds steady. “What is this? Hiding behind some old lady now?”
“This old lady is going to put a hole in your head the size of Texas if you don’t get off my land.” Winnie’s voice is fierce, and her blue eyes flash cold fire.
“Your land.” Fury kindles Beto’s eyes. “Give me my family, and I’ll get off your land.”
“Looks like you have a problem with English. Habla Inglés?” Winnie still hasn’t lowered the gun.
