Page 11 of Saddled in Secrets (Cloverleaf Meadows #2)

T he Paddock is packed when we walk in. One thing the folks of Cloverleaf Meadows can agree on is supporting their local community and small businesses.

Alongside whatever the Benson name touches, this place is a cherished staple in town.

From satisfying hunger without breaking the bank to scratching the gambling itch at the pull tabs counter, they’ve got it covered.

And the crowd agrees. Everybody is damn glad to be here.

Decked out to resemble an old-fashioned saloon, the Paddock has country charm and a cozy vibe.

A server buzzes by with a tray full of food to feed a family.

Several others weave around in a practiced formation to gather orders.

It’s a random Wednesday night, but every table is occupied.

More people stand in clusters at the back where there’s shit to do like throw darts and ride the mechanical bull.

The bar sits in the center, occupying a majority of the real estate in this large room.

Bianca strides straight for a stool. It’s the only one available at the rail.

Anyone in her path quickly moves as if they sense the significance approaching them.

I’m very familiar with the effect she has on others.

Her sassy ass parks on the seat and I hover from behind like usual.

A bartender with a towel slung over his shoulder leans too close to her for my comfort.

I move until her back is almost touching me and the guy gets the message.

His eyes widen at my towering presence before he takes off to fetch Bianca’s cocktail.

She swivels on the stool to confront my waiting gaze.

Her glare is ready to slice me in half. “I could use some space, Cowboy. Nobody is gonna try snatching me outta here.”

As if she can guarantee that, but I’m not a total dick. My boots inch backward to give her an arm’s length of freedom. That’s all she gets after the stunt she pulled earlier. Last thing I need is to lose her in this sea of bodies.

Her dissatisfaction huffs loudly above the music before she whips back around.

There’s already a dull ache stabbing into my skull from the noise, but this is Bianca’s element.

Sugary sweet words of gratitude signal the arrival of her martini.

I’m forgotten as she gets lost in the feel-good energy.

Her shoe taps along to the popular Riley Green song that’s playing.

She smiles at fellow patrons while sipping on her drink.

Men openly admire her lush curves in the stretchy material she’s wearing.

Her outfit is entirely black and looks painted on.

They probably don’t notice how her right side dips in deeper.

Or that she’s perched herself slightly off-center to alleviate the uneven pressure from her hips and pelvis.

Whenever she stretches slightly, it’s to ease a discomfort that’s blooming somewhere.

There’s probably a dull ache spreading from the muscles around her crooked spine right now.

Seats with a backrest are much better for her condition.

Massages are very beneficial as well. The list goes on—all factors of her scoliosis.

What she considers a major imperfection is a piece that makes her even more special.

I worship every part—even those she considers flaws.

One dude is willing to risk his life, turning until their legs brush. Red tints the edges of my vision. I’m about to intervene again when someone clamps a hand on my shoulder.

“You owe me fifty bucks.”

My attention shifts from Bianca to her brother beside me. “Why’s that?”

“The wife bet that we’d find you here. I was certain Bianca stayed home tonight. Couldn’t give me a heads-up to stack the odds in my favor?”

“She tried to run off,” I tell him. “This was a last-minute decision. Really more of a compromise.”

Brody almost smirks, but then he notices Paisley doesn’t have a chair. It takes a single glare to change that. The guy responsible for testing my limits moments ago wisely surrenders his stool to her. It’s the Benson impact. She offers her gratitude before sliding in beside Bianca.

“I think this is yours.” Paisley sets a recognizable phone on the counter.

Emerald eyes roll at the failed tactic. “Thought I was being so clever. Let him track a decoy instead of me for a change.”

Brody’s wife glances at me. Whatever she sees on my face has her laughing. “Never gonna happen, sis. That man is hooked on you like a trailer hitch.”

“More like an incurable disease.” She winces and hangs her head. “Shit, that’s super insensitive after what he shared.”

“Which is?” Paisley rolls her wrist.

“That’s his story to tell.” Bianca buttons her lips.

Affection warms my chest and spurs my heart into a gallop. Fuck, this woman gets to me even when she’s not trying. She’s considerate of my feelings whether she realizes it or not. I couldn’t care less if she blabs about my father’s illness, but she didn’t and that means something.

“You need a drink before we dive into the latest shit storm Colton created.” Bianca signals for the bartender.

With them taken care of, Brody gets our conversation back on track. “Where was she going?”

I shrug. “Didn’t get that far.”

He bobs his head. “It’s not as easy as it used to be. She’ll get away eventually.”

“Not if I can help it.”

“Taking this new role seriously. I respect that.” The admiration reflects in his tone.

A grunt is my only response. Bianca is much more than a job. He probably already knows, but that doesn’t mean I’ll admit it. A confession like that could cost me everything.

Or Brody could surprise me again. I stare at the thick braid hanging down Bianca’s back and consider that possibility. His sister is a delicate subject. One of his only weaknesses. We have that in common. The rest is up for debate.

But that doesn’t sit well. Even at the beginning, Brody didn’t treat me as less than. My father likes to assume the Bensons aren’t decent people. The truth is that they’re far more. Their entire family—excluding that bastard Jimmy—are the superior sort everyone else should aspire to be.

I’d been barely scraping by after leaving my father’s crew.

Brody gave me a job when I needed it most. Down to my last dollar and zero luck.

A punk from the wrong side of town didn’t deserve his trust, but I worked hard to earn it.

After two years of proving myself, he granted me access to his inner circle.

That’s when I met my biggest downfall. The rest is fucking irrelevant.

Bianca was only eighteen when I first saw her. Barely legal—definitely too young to pique my interest—but I couldn’t fight the obsessive need to stay close. That’s why I settled for watching over her in secret.

Only seven years separate us but our life experiences put us on opposite sides of the scale. She’s too innocent and soft. A princess. I’d ruin her. More than I already have.

The day will come where she meets a man actually worthy of her.

I’ll have to let her go. It’ll cleave me in two—the thought alone is painful—but she’s not mine.

Not how it truly matters. I swallow thickly and avert my gaze.

Just so long as he treats her right, unlike the mysterious Scout. That coward has yet to show his face.

I haven’t pried about the dude’s identity, but I haven’t forgotten either. He’s probably a troll from the internet. They probably had an online relationship of some sort and kept in contact. That’s the only explanation I can manage. The alternative flexes my hands into fists.

“Be honest with me.” Brody’s voice slaps me out of the violent thoughts.

“Always,” I say without hesitation.

“Do you love her?” He lifts his chin at Bianca, as if there’s any confusion.

I almost swallow my damn tongue and shoot a glance at the woman of my dreams. She’s too preoccupied with her own conversation to overhear ours. Thank fuck for small miracles.

“Not sure how to answer that,” I mutter.

His gaze slides to me. “I asked for the truth.”

My stare lifts to the wood beams on the ceiling. “I know my place, boss.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

It’s seems like such a simple thing to admit, but there’s nothing simple about my feelings for Bianca.

This obsession consumes every part of me.

It can’t be summed up in a single word. The constant burn in my chest lurks just beneath the surface.

I’m a bomb waiting to explode, releasing the savage destruction.

But I tell him the short version that he expects to hear. “Yes.”

Brody’s nod is sharp and concise. “Good.”

I find myself faltering again. “Good?”

“That’s why I trust you to guard her. This isn’t just another job for you.”

Which echoes my sole purpose. “Her safety is what matters most. Always.”

“I believe that. With your heart involved, you’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”

“I’ll never act on my feelings.” It seems important to admit that.

A crease appears between his eyebrows. “Why not?”

The reasons pile up like a multi-vehicle collision. “Won’t let it cloud my judgment.”

“Only adds to your dedication,” he counters.

“Don’t deserve her, boss. You know what I’ve done. What I’m capable of doing again.” The scabs on my knuckles suddenly feel like stains on my soul.

His loud scoff gathers the attention from several nearby tables. He ignores their curious looks. “She could do a lot worse than you, Colt. And I doubt there’s anyone better.”

Any lingering doubt that he views us on uneven ground vanishes. In this moment, we’re equal. His vocal acceptance heals something that I assumed was beyond repair. It must show on my face and Brody chuckles.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, big guy. Just because I approve doesn’t mean she will. My sister is pissed at you.”

“I was following orders.”

“Which I appreciate.”

“Bianca doesn’t,” I grumble.

He peers at his sister while she flails her arms to animate a point. “She can be a tad… unreasonable. Stubborn too. Her grudges have the tendency to last longer than a summer drought.”

“I don’t mind.”

His eyes widen. “Damn, you’re really fucked.”

“What else is new?” Never stood a chance after the way I was raised.

Brody scrubs over his mouth before asking, “How’s your dad?”

“Dying.”

He blanches at my tone that’s noticeably absent of emotion. “No shit?”

My gaze feasts on Bianca to fight off the claws of the past. “If I believe what he told me.”

“Well, damn. That’s why he wants you back.”

“He can find someone else.” Even my dumbass cousin can fill the role.

“Think he’ll accept that?”

“Has to eventually, right?” Maybe I’m being callous, but that cruel bastard doesn’t deserve anything else from me.

Brody bobs his head. “And in the meantime, we’ll be extra cautious.”

“Told her as much already.” I glare at a guy across the bar when his interest narrows in on what’s mine. He sees me towering behind her and wisely looks elsewhere.

“How’d she take it?”

“She didn’t knee me in the balls.”

“Eh, the night is still young.” Brody flags down the bartender to order a beer.

I accept his offer to add one for me. “Might as well. She’s promised it’ll be a long one.”