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PRESS
This wasn’t the type of book I’d read on my own, but I caught myself continuing to the end of the chapter anyway, smiling when I thought about Luisa’s reaction if I told her I had. It was just one of the things she and I shared solely between us.
I set my tablet on the bedside table and stared up at the ceiling. “I wish you could’ve met her, Mum. She’s amazing. Brave, strong, funny, gorgeous. She reminds me so much of you.”
I closed my eyes, but quickly opened them, hating that the last time I’d seen her, she was kissing my brother.
“He doesn’t love her the way I do. Father talked to me today and warned me against stepping to the side like I always do for him.” I brushed a tear from my cheek. “I miss you, Mum. I hope you know how much Beau and I love you.”
Rather than returning to the library of books on my tablet to look for something to read, I continued with the chapter after the one Luisa and I shared, adding a note to remind myself where she and I had left off.
My eyes drifted closed,and when they opened, the sunrise was visible through my window. After showering, I bundled up and took a walk in the vineyard. It had been a long time since I last had. At this time of year, the vines were dormant. I remembered taking a similar walk with my grandfather when I was a little boy.
“Let them sleep,” he’d say. “They need their rest so, come springtime, they’re ready to produce again.”
Some of the vines still had leaves hanging. The colors varied greatly depending on the varietal, just like autumn leaves varied by tree species.
While being here made me nostalgic, I didn’t regret the decision I’d made those years ago about not living here full-time like Beau did.
Overseeing the financial positions of the Barrett holdings was possible from Cambria, London, or anywhere else in the world I chose to be. I had no desire to commit to anything that would require me to remain at the property in Napa Valley, what we owned in Paso Robles, London, or anywhere else in the world.
As it had many times in the last few hours, my mind drifted to the kiss I’d witnessed between Beau and Luisa. How I longed to know the feel of her lips touching mine, her body nuzzled against me for more than “big brotherly” comfort. I wanted her to look at me the way she did at Beau—as a man she desired, a man she wanted. Was it foolish of me to think she ever would?
“Press!”
I spun around when I heard someone shout my name. Brix and Ridge were walking toward me.
“Good morning,” I said when they joined me.
“You’re out and about early,” said Ridge, putting his hand on my shoulder. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m not certain it’s hit me.”
Brix nodded. “It took a long time for my father’s death to catch up with me. I was so busy trying to bring in the harvest, I didn’t have time to think or even to mourn him.”
“Understood.” I remembered that time well. Los Caballeros had stepped up to help with crush that year. However, the person who’d helped more than any other was Maddox Butler. When he and Alex Avila married, Ridge had believed his heart was broken. Then he’d met Seraphina. Their wedding, only a few days ago, was proof positive the two were meant to be together far more than Ridge was ever intended to be in a relationship with anyone else.
Was the same true for me? Was I pining for Luisa in the same way Ridge had been for Alex? Was I a fool to think there’d come a time she’d care for me the same way I did her? In the meantime, I wasn’t getting any younger. Brix, Ridge, Zin, and I were considered the “old men” in Los Caballeros now. Along with Tryst. However, his role had become that of an advisor more than of a participating member. Not that he wasn’t capable. The man was in better shape than I was.
“Shall we walk?” I asked, continuing on whether they followed or not.
“Listen, Ares asked about speaking with Luisa. Actually, what he wants is for her to talk with two profilers he’s working with, Mayhem and Hanadarko,” said Ridge as we wandered through rows of vines.
“I’m sure she’d agree to it if it would help find the person who’s made her life a living hell,” I said.
“Is it okay if I put her in touch with them directly?”
I stopped in my tracks. “Are you asking me?”
Ridge nodded.
“Why?”
His head cocked. “Because…”
Brix laughed.
I saw nothing humorous. “Since when am I Luisa’s gatekeeper?”
