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His mother let out a quiet gasp. “What were they doing at Sal’s?”
Tate snickered. “What do you think they were doing?”
“You hush.” She flicked her fingers at him.
Sean ran a hand through his hair. “What are you thinking, Ian?”
Ian let out a sigh. “I figure we have one of the best properties to keep a lookout. I think Cedar Hollow is the safest place right now.” He met Sean’s pensive stare. “In a few days you and I can go talk to the sheriff personally. I’ll give them my statement, and we’ll wash our hands of the whole thing.”
Sean jutted his chin in Jessica’s direction. “And what about her? Do you think it’s wise to bring her here? You might be putting a target on all of our backs. Maybe you need to rethink your plan.”
“Sean!” his mother admonished.
He didn’t back down. “I don’t think Ian is telling us everything. There’s a reason he brought this woman here. She’s obviously involved more than he’s letting on. Besides being a witness—”
Jessica moved out from behind Ian. She lifted her chin and folded her arms. “They killed my boyfriend, who apparently worked for them. Ian thinks they don’t want any loose ends.”
Brock dragged a hand down his face. Reading Brock was like watching a movie play out on the big screen. He was the only one who’d caught on. The moment Brock saw Jessica, he knew Ian had a thing for her. It was probably all he could do not to say something to that effect right out of the gate. He met Ian’s gaze, pity written all over his face. Brock glanced at Jessica. “What’s your name?”
“Jessica.”
“Well, Jessica,” Brock drawled. “Would you mind giving my family a minute to discuss this?”
His mother smiled warmly at Jessica. “Come on, sweetheart, let me get you some fresh-squeezed lemonade from the kitchen.”
Jessica glanced at Ian, who nodded. She’d be safer with his mother. The next few minutes could get rough.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Sean spoke up. “Absolutelynot. I’m not going to put our family in danger for a stranger.”
Brock chuckled without humor. “She might not be one for long.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sean eyed Brock for only a moment before returning his focus to Ian.
“Come on, Sean. You can’t tell me you don’t see it. Ian has the hots for her.”
All five pairs of eyes landed on Ian. This is what he hated most about being part of this family. Why couldn’t everyone just mind their own business? Sean was the oldest so he could work the ranch to his heart’s content. Brock had found love once, but now he’d rather focus on breeding the strongest cattle. Tate seemed to stay out of stuff unless he could make the situation humorous. And the twins were always watching to see if he’d screw up. Apparently he’d done just that. No one was coming to bat for him. Had he really made such a bad decision?
“Jessica is in danger and needs our protection. She doesn’t have anyone else who can help her.”
“I believe mom mentioned something about the sheriff.” Sean was digging his heels in hard.
Ian snorted. “Do you honestly think Sheriff Donahue and his lackeys have the ability to keep drug dealers away from her? Because I don’t. They shot a man in cold blood in front of several witnesses. That sounds like a couple of people who either have law enforcement in their back pocket, or they don’t care how much blood they shed.”
“Maybe it’s a little bit of both,” Cal muttered.
“Exactly.” Ian met every one of his brother’s gazes. “Jessica is going to stay here. End of discussion. She can help out around the ranch while we figure out what to do. And I don’t want you messing with her or making it hard on her.”
A slow smile slid across Tate’s face. “Right. Because she just lost her boyfriend. Hey, does that mean there’s an opening?”
Brock rolled his eyes and Finn snickered.
Ian glowered at them. “I said leave her alone.”
Brock clapped him on the back. “Good luck, buddy. I’ve been there, and I’m not going back any time soon. Let that tell you something. No woman is worth it. Not the pretty ones, not the feisty ones, and definitely not damsels in distress.”
He’s wrong.Ian bit back the retort. He’d had enough of his brother’s jabs. At this point all he wanted to do was find a spare room for Jessica, get his arm patched up, and head straight to bed. Things would be clearer in the morning. He just needed a good night’s rest.
