Page 141 of For Cowgirls and Kings

She breaks the silence once more, taking a single step toward me, pleading replacing the anger. “Why are you doing this to me?”

I look out over the expanse of land, and everything it could be if Valentina would give it the time of day. I think about our childhood, and everything my mom told me, about V being the one to raise me. I think about everything I owe her, and how I’ve never loved someone more than her.

And then I think about what Dale went through, and how, despite everything,I love her more,with every fiber of my being.

“I know what you did, that caused Dale to be kidnapped. Everything, all of it, was your fault. Not only did Dale suffer things you can’t fathom, multiple lives were lost. Because of you and your greed, your power complex. We aren’t the fucking mafia,” I growl, prowling toward her. McCrae takes a single step between us, and I freeze. “The Reyes name will not be tarnished by blood anymore, that’s not what father or grandfather would have wanted.”

“You might have been father’s special puppet, his perfectly molded son, but you didn’t know him. Not the real him. Not the man I knew,” V hisses, her eyes glistening now. It’s enough to rattle my resolve, and I sag, thefight leaving my body.

“You killed that boy. Or you”—my eyes find McCrae’s—“killed that boy. And because of that, their mother died, which drove the other brothers to seek revenge. And then two of the others died at your hand too. What do you think the third is going to do? Just let it go? We might have gotten away with the killings, but I won’t have any more on my conscience. I won’t have your death on my conscience.”

“If you leave me here, I will die, Mateo,” Valentina whispers, and I sag. Instead of saying anything else, I turn on my heel, walking back to my truck, reaching for the door handle.

“Mateo,” McCrae hisses, clearly at a loss for what to do.

I shoot him a sad smile over my shoulder. “I don’t owe you anything McCrae. Stay, go, I don’t give a fuck. But this is the fate my sister has if she doesn’t want to be homeless, broke, and lose every last piece of our family ties. Saddle yourself to her, or don’t, but know this”—I yank the door open, ready to climb inside and get the hell out of here—“What you’ve done is wrong, but this isn’t a punishment. This is a little brother, trying to save the sister he’s spent his entire life looking up to from a life she won’t be able to escape. This is a chance at a life, and I hope, someday, I’ll get to be a part of it again.”

I climb inside and fire up the engine, rolling the window down. Both Valentina and McCrae just stare at me, their faces a mix of rage and devastation. “Three years V.” And then I drive off, feeling both lighter, and more full of grief than I’ve ever felt in my life.

Everything is done.Now I just have to get the girl.

FIFTY-ONE

ADALENE

August 1st, 2025

STETSON: Have you talked to Mateo recently?

ME: I mean, I called him a week ago, but I told you that.

Three dots danceacross the screen, and I pull my knees to my chest, Tut’s paw presses into my thigh as he stretches out over the velvety couch. I know he misses the luxury of a million sunny windows and down blankets on every surface from Mateo’s house, but he’s been extra clingy since returning, and I think he can sense I’m getting better—happier.

Finally the dots disappear completely, and I pull up Stetson’s contact to call her. Before I get a chance, the message finally comes through.

STETSON: Nothing since?

STETSON: He hasn’t called you and you ignore him oranything?

I roll my eyes. Of course she’d know that.Mateo’s a fucking tattle-tale.

ME: No mom. I haven’t heard from him. Why?

STETSON: Why are men such pussy’s?

ME: Why Stet?

STETSON: Talk soon. Love you.

I stare at the cryptic messages, the want to call Mateo nearly overwhelming. I want to hear how he’s doing, how the casino is, how the horses are. I want to hear him say he misses me again.

“Well, Tut, what should we do today?” I run a hand through his orange hair, his rumbling chest calming my achy heart the way it always does. He tips his chin back, his eyes finding mine even upside down, and he yawns, his tongue curling. It’s so cute I want to smoosh him. “Nap huh? I might go for a run, and then join you afterward.”

As if accepting this, Queen Tut rolls into himself, his arm slinging over his face.

I don’t get as far as the front door before my phone rings.

“Heyyy, Dale.” Stetson’s voice fills the line and I can’t help but snort.