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Because I’ve seen it before and now, I remember where.
I open my laptop, the new one Charlie had overnighted for me, and give a quick glance around the kitchen.
Charlie’s left me alone for a couple of hours, but it’s nearing noon, which means I have about ten minutes before he gets back and starts fussing. I love it when his broody face watches my every move, like he’ll put me back in bed if I try to lift anything heavier than a feather. It warms my heart.
I go toLassomamav76’sTikTokaccount page and pull up the video of her and Ford. I watch it play through once, then, on my second viewing, I stab the pause button. She’s wearing the same belt buckle in her Instagram avatar.
Be Victorious. Be Valiant. Be Vicious.
I pull out my phone. I locate the image I took of Colton and zoom in.
“Oh my god,” I murmur shakily, my gaze locked on the photo.
The belt buckles match. The slogans, the turquoise, the crossed rifles. Stunned, I shut my laptop, then push up out of my seat, sirens going off in my mind.
Eyes watering, I walk to the window, folding my arms around myself. My heart pumps hard and I take slow breaths. I can’t get worked up. My heart needs me calm.
Even if it’s the last thing I feel.
It’s not an angry guest with a grudge. It’s sabotage. Colton wanted to hurt the ranch. He attacked me and Wyatt. But why? And how are he and this woman connected?
My stomach caves in on itself as I’m hit with a sinking feeling that I’ve made this worse for Charlie and his brothers. Me being here only caused trouble. Because the ranch isn’t failing, it’s thriving, and I’m the one responsible for it.
What if the danger isn’t over? What if it’s just beginning?
“Ruby.”
Charlie slides his hands over my shoulders, and I’m so startled I jump. So lost in thought I didn’t hear him come on.
I smile, trying to rope my hammering heart back into my chest. Angling my face up, I meet his lips, already inbound for mine. He pulls me into his large body, crushing me against him.
“What’s wrong?” His handsome face is a frown as he quickly picks up on my emotions. Damn it. He’s getting too good at it. “Sunflower, you okay?”
I open my mouth to tell him about Colton, but something in his face stops me. Our conversation from the night of my attack rings in my head.
No one puts their hands on you, Ruby. Do you understand me? No one touches my girl.
His admission to nearly killing a man doesn’t scare me. In fact, it makes me love him more. I understand why Charlie is who he is. Intense. Protective. Loyal and fierce. A man who would kill for the people he loves.
Which is why I can’t tell him.
I need to get answers first.
Because the minute he hears Colton was the man who attacked me, he’ll be out of this house so fast I won’t be able to stop him. Colton will be a dead man, and we’ll be without answers.
“I’m fine,” I say, bouncing into him and cupping his bearded jaw. “Just tired.”
He skims his thumb across my lower lip. “That’s why you shouldn’t be working.”
My fingers curl into his T-shirt and I bring him closer for a hit of his scent. Hay. Horse. I bury my face in his chest. “Cowboy, you’re fussing. What will the ranch think?”
“Don’t give a fuck what the ranch thinks.” He pulls back, cradling my face in his large hands to bring my gaze to his. “You are what matters, Ruby.You.”
“Charlie,” I whisper as my heart trembles from need. From the weight of his words.
“Listen, baby,” he murmurs, sliding a hand into my hair. “I gotta go out for a few hours.”
I nod.
