Page 1 of Saddled in Secrets (Cloverleaf Meadows #2)

Seven years ago…

T he crowd roars when my opponent crumples onto the stained concrete.

Their rowdy applause is meant to congratulate me, but the noise just spears at my temples like a drill.

I don’t feel victorious. Everything hurts, especially my pride.

It’s been three years since I left my father’s crew and this is all I have to show for it.

That weighs me down more than the heavy ache in my muscles.

I stumble to my corner of the makeshift ring and collapse onto the folding chair.

It barely holds me upright. The metal legs wobble under the force of my desolate reality.

I’m not sure how much longer I can do this. But what choice do I have?

A glance around the dingy basement proves just how far my ambition has taken me. I fought to escape a life of crime… only to fight for food and a roof over my head. Maybe this is where I belong—in a windowless room that smells like piss and sweat.

“Great job, kid.” A meaty palm claps my bare shoulder.

I’m off the chair and rounding on him in the next breath, all signs of exhaustion forgotten.

The man’s low chuckle mocks me over the dying cheers of my win.

I clench my bruised knuckles and he lifts his hands in surrender.

Once the red haze clears from my vision, recognition takes hold.

Even a gutter rat like me knows Jimmy Benson.

His family—mostly his older brother—practically owns the entire town of Cloverleaf Meadows.

They’re millionaires, local celebrities, and legitimate.

The cash they rake in through their multiple businesses is squeaky clean.

My father’s wildest dreams couldn’t reach their level, no matter how many laws he broke to get there.

But this Benson in front of me isn’t strait-laced like the rest of them. Dad used to brag about Jimmy sniffing around his games every now and then. I can only imagine what this rich asshole wants with me.

“You just made me a lot of money.” He rocks back and forth on the soles of his expensive cowboy boots. “And I think there’s potential to make a lot more.”

Ah, there it is. I narrow my eyes, silently telling him to fuck off. There’s not a damn thing he could say that would interest me.

Jimmy bobs his head and raises his palms again. “Okay, I get it. Just something to think about.”

And then he’s blending into the crowd like a poisonous snake. My upper lip curls, the fire in my gut rekindling. Fucking criminals. They’re all the same.

I’m about to reclaim my seat when another man approaches. His stride is poised and relaxed, labeling him as not a threat. This Benson deserves my attention, unlike his uncle.

My chin lifts in greeting. “What’re you doing here?”

An underground fighting match doesn’t seem like Brody’s scene.

We’re from complete opposite sides of the tracks, but that hasn’t kept us from crossing paths.

He’s older than me, but not by much. Rumor has it that he’s about to take on more responsibilities at Benson Farmstead.

Must be rough having unlimited wealth and power at the age of twenty-five.

“I could ask you the same question,” Brody drawls.

Which is odd until I recall how I started our conversation. “Something I can do for you?”

“Well, that depends.”

My sigh is losing interest with this exchange. “On what?”

“Whenever I’ve followed my uncle to these matches, you’re in the ring.”

“And?”

“You’re damn good. Drop ‘em like flies.”

A prickling sensation spreads along my nape and I step back. “I don’t need you to stroke my ego… or anything else.”

His glare warns me to watch what I’m implying. “You’re not my type.”

“Hey, man. No offense.”

“None taken and for the record, I couldn’t care less about what direction your dick swings.”

“Uh, right. My bad.”

“Do you like doing this, Colton?” He motions from the bookies dolling out filthy cash to the blood stains on the floor.

I shrug. “It pays the bills.”

“How about I offer you an alternative?”

My hackles rise. Assumption is quick to tell me that he’s just like the rest. But there’s no greed in his gaze. I don’t see disgust or pity either.

“Let’s hear it,” I say.

Brody widens his stance. “Now that we’ve settled I’m not hitting on you, I wanted to offer you a job. There are a few options. Security mostly.”

I could almost smirk at his cavalier, don’t give-a-fuck attitude. “Okay, I’m listening.”

“Our auction barns and trailer lots need to be guarded. You’ve proven to be more than capable of defending yourself. My property can use that protection.”

Bile rises in my empty gut, but the question needs to be asked. “How’s the pay?”

“Better than this.”

“What’s the catch?”

“There isn’t one. I can tell you’re fighting as a last resort. It’s probably killing you to feel trapped in these conditions. Your drive and determination deserve more than”—he gestures at our surroundings again—“this.”

My sore muscles flex, suddenly itching for another round. “Don’t act like you know me.”

“Tell me I’m wrong.” He whips out a business card and tucks it between my scarred fingers.

Against my better judgment, I thumb over the embossed script. Dirt immediately smudges the white paper. How fitting.

“That’s my personal cell,” Brody continues. “Use it or not. The choice is yours.”

Five years ago…

It’s damn ridiculous that my fingers tremble while I enter the numbers into the keypad. Almost embarrassing, really. The pressure is getting to me in this moment, but I’ve been working toward this move for a lot longer.

Brody has rewarded my loyalty countless times over the last two years.

Just yesterday, he gave me a personalized code to the locked gates of Benson Manor.

That grants me access to his private estate and inner circle.

This is the first time I’m entering the promised land unaccompanied, and the sense of trust is more uplifting than a bonus payday.

My truck sputters something fierce as I pull forward along the curved driveway.

The 1979 F-350 is in bad shape and needs to be restored, but she’s all mine.

I bought her as a project to keep me busy, but the list of parts is endless.

Not to mention expensive. That process might be able to start soon thanks to the promotion and salary increase.

I’m officially at the top-tier of Brody’s security team. Maybe I’ll be the lead someday.

He’s hinted that the position could be available soon if my dedication to the company continues.

What’s crazy is this has become so much more than a job for me.

It changed my life. Brody scooped me off the bloody pavement and gave me an opportunity to succeed.

So, yeah… I’ll keep busting my ass to follow his orders. The perks aren’t too shabby either.

Through the windshield, acres of manicured lawns stretch in front of me. The Benson mansion and connected offices are on the left. Three large barns and numerous other farm buildings are on the right.

That’s where I first see her.

Tires squeal when I slam on the brakes too hard.

I barely register the racket, too focused on spotting Bianca Benson in the flesh.

Until now, Brody’s younger sister was basically a rumor I’ve heard about.

I’ve watched random clips of her at a competition, enough to prove she’s real.

Stumbling upon her during practice is another thing entirely.

Not only do seven years separate us, but her barrel racing career requires constant travel.

She’s the real deal, a professional athlete, winning championship buckles and big checks all across the Midwest. Broader than that, I’m sure.

Her mom started her young and they drive wherever the rodeo circuit takes them.

Bianca will never have to work beyond her passion—rich in her own right, just from doing what she loves.

If that’s not inspiring, I don’t know what is.

Which is why I find myself hopping out of the truck and cutting across the grass toward the outdoor arena rather than meeting Brody in his office.

Bianca is running a brown horse through the pattern.

The pair moves seamlessly as one unit around the sharp turns, but the rider steals the show for me.

Her braid whips behind her like a lasso.

She sure caught my attention with an invisible rope.

I have an unexplainable urge to snatch the elastic from her hair and set the dark waves free.

That seems more her style, or how she should be.

Wild and reckless… flowing with the wind.

After crossing the imaginary timer, Bianca pulls the horse to a stop and her eyes immediately find mine. My lungs seize at the impact. Fuck, she caught me. I drop my gaze, glaring at my worn boots that need to be replaced.

“I like your truck,” Bianca calls over the distance.

Heat crawls up my neck. She’s making fun of me, pointing out where I stand, as if I’m not painfully aware of how far apart we truly are.

I scold myself for getting off track and wandering over here.

This is my first day on the new job. Brody is waiting on me.

But instead of working, I’m drooling over his younger sister.

She’s only eighteen, which dumps on another load of shame.

But then Bianca adds, “It has great character. Looks rough and sounds angry, but I bet it’s super reliable. You’ll never have to question if you’ll make it to where you’re going. Maybe that’s symbolic, hmm?”

All I manage to do is blink in rapid succession. My palm blindly reaches out for support on the nearest fence post. This woman has rendered me speechless, not that I’m much of a talker on a good day.

Bianca giggles at my stunned stupor. “Do you ride?”

I shake my head, still at a loss for words.

Her smile widens. “Might have to change that if you wanna keep up, Cowboy.”