Wyatt spots me in the window and waves, and I can't hide my smile. He doesn't know. He doesn't need to. Not yet. Not ever, if I can help it.
Today, I forget about the mafia bullshit. I forget about my duties on the ranch.
Today, I'm a father celebrating his son's sixth birthday. Just like my dad did with me every year. Surrounded by friends and family.
I grab my hat and leave Beau watching TV in the living room. "If you're just going to sit on your ass, Beau, go help out the ranch hands. Be proactive. Or I don't know… go spend time with your brothers?"
He grunts, flicking the channel over.
"Are you sure you trust Enzo?" he asks, not even looking at me.
He has some fucking nerve. Maybe Dad should have kicked the shit out of him—maybe his attitude wouldn't be so crappy now.
"Today ain't the day for business talk, Beau. It ain't up to you. Our agreement with Enzo doesn't concern you, so don't let it worry that brain of yours. You focus on the ranch. Remember your place, brother." I hold his gaze until he looks away first. He always does. But there's something sitting behind his eyes today that I don't like. Something that feels a lot like defiance.
I file it away. Deal with it later.
The heat hits me the second I step outside. Dry, relentless Arizona sun already baking the dirt beneath my boots.
This is mine. All of it. Every blade of grass, every fence post, every acre stretching out. Sterling land. Sterling blood.
Ace and Wyatt are running around with dummy guns, laughing so hard Wyatt can barely keep upright. Ace scoops him up, throws him over his shoulder, and my boy screams with the kind of joy that makes my chest crack wide open.
Ace is the best uncle. He's right—he is the fun one. Wyatt loves him.
"Mr. Sterling." One of the waiting staff greets me.
I tip my hat. "Good morning, ma'am."
I hear movement toward the back of the house, and a line of very stressed-looking people, all dressed in white, are pacing toward the tent with huge boxes.
The caterers.
I catch the long dark hair of one, and I recognize her instantly. Lola's friend from the bar.
She glances at me, and her eyes go wide, like she's just been caught stealing. She comes to an abrupt stop and takes a breath before fully facing me. "Hunter, right? I'm Violet. Do you know where I can find Mr. Sterling?"
I take a step forward, extending my hand. She gives it a firm shake and steps back. I can’t help but grin.
"Right here, Violet. Hunter Sterling, pleasure to meet you," I confirm.
She doesn’t hide the shock on her face. Her pupils blow wide. Her body is now completely stiff.
"And you must be Ray's niece?" I ask.
Ray is a good guy. I heard he’s pretty sick now, and his niece moved here to take over his business. Fuck. I should have put two and two together. Ray had family in New York.
She nods with a nervous smile. Her eyes are darting all over the place. "I am. I’m taking over the business from him."
She glances to her left, and I follow her eye line. And just like that, my whole body knows before my brain catches up.
The hairs on my arms stand on end. My pulse kicks hard against my throat. A tightness settles low in my gut, the same one I felt the second she walked out of that bar and left me behind. The one I've been swallowing down for days, telling myself it was nothing. One night. A woman passing through.
I wonder if she was just here to visit her friend? Or was my firefly lying to me?
But that feeling in my chest? It likes that she’s here. On my ranch.
And still, my body is already reaching for her like she's the only thing in this goddamn county that matters.