Page 38 of Wild and Unruly (Three Rivers Trevors Ranch #3)
stetson
My family welcomed us with open arms that night at dinner. Cal had thrown together a feast worthy of royalty, and he explained it was to welcome Bonnie home.
The woman cried again, making me pull her into my side.
She was going through a lot, and the tears were normal.
I hope we can get to a place where she can just accept the love that we were pouring into her and not have to feel like she doesn’t deserve it, because she does.
She deserves all the love in the world, and I was going to give it to her.
Dani reaches around Bonnie, pulling her in tight, and frankly, she has tears glistening in her eyes too. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Bonnie. We were worried sick about you.”
“Thank you,” Bonnie says quietly, “I’m just glad to be back.”
Dani places her hands on my girlfriend’s face and looks at her sternly. “Home. You’re glad to be home.”
Bonnie looks at me, and my chest fills with happiness at the sight of her looking at me for confirmation. Have I not made it clear that her home was mine?
“Damn right, you’re home,” I confirm for her, and she smiles at me, relief crossing her features.
We sit around the table, and the mood is light, even with the lingering presence of Tommy Smith on our minds. I was on high alert, knowing that at any moment, the piece of shit could show up here and cause problems for me.
I wasn’t going to allow it, not even for a minute. If he showed, I would let him know how unwelcome he was, probably so much so that he wouldn’t actually be able to walk even if he did try to leave.
“So, Bonnie, do you go back to work then?” my mom asks, concern written all over her face. She knew everything because that night we came home, after Bonnie was safely tucked away in my bed and sound asleep, I called her.
And I cried. A lot.
Relief and misery and despair and frustration had all battled for top emotion, and I needed to let it all out. I felt like I couldn’t do that to Bonnie. She had been through too much already, and I wasn’t about to unload on her.
Mom let me vent and didn’t say a word except for how happy she was that Bonnie was okay.
“Actually, no,” she says, and I glance at her in surprise. I know she called her boss before we left, and her boss told her to take her time. “I quit my job.”
The table goes quiet for a few minutes, and Bonnie glances around in shock before quickly reassuring, “Don’t worry, your piece is going to be featured in the print version of the magazine. Actually, it’s probably being printed as we speak.”
“I don’t think any of us are worried about that, Bonnie,” Dani confirms, looking to me and back. “We’re just surprised you quit, is all.”
Bonnie sighs and says, “Well, after she ran the other article without talking to me, I realized that it wasn’t where I was meant to be. So, yeah, I’m unemployed right now.” She glances at me and looks contrite. “Sorry, I probably should have told you.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Fuck, she is free to live wherever she wants. I grab her hand in mine, holding it tight. “I’m happy for you.”
She smiles and turns back to her dinner, leaving her one hand in mine for the duration of the meal. When we’re all done, the girls head in to clean up with my dad, and Mitch nods at me to follow him.
I glance at Bonnie, who’s talking to my mom. Mom has an arm around her shoulders and pulls her in close, and I’m confident she’ll be okay for a while.
Mitch walks outside and turns toward me on the front porch, folding his arms and looking at me.
I frown. “What’s going on?” The night sky around us is shining bright with stars and the moon tonight. It’s one of the best parts about living in the country. No city lights obscuring our view.
“What would you say if I found that motherfucker for you?”
I glance to my brother and regard him carefully, hooking my thumbs in my pockets, and looking him up and down for confirmation. “What do you mean, Mitch?”
He runs a hand over his jaw and says, “I have some connections. Those connections found him and have him.”
My brows raise. “Have him?”
Mitch nods. “Can’t tell you much,” he starts, clearly reading my expression that says tell me more information. “But I can take you to him and make sure you get done what you think needs doing.”
For a moment, we stand there staring at each other. My brother hasn’t been the same since he came home. He’s been moody and closed off. He works security down at our sister-in-law’s bar, rides part-time for CT, and the rest of the time, he disappears.
“Mitch, who has him? Not here.” I glance around, my mind immediately searching for some hidden spot he shoved Tommy in.
“No, not here. I’d have to take you to him.”
I glance back at the house, my arms crossed over my chest, and sigh. “I can’t bring Bonnie.”
“You can.” He says, shrugging like he has no fucks to give. “But she should probably stay in the truck.”
I nod. I don’t want to leave her here, but I don’t want her to be wherever Tommy is. “And you for sure have him? Like he can’t go anywhere?”
“Not unless you want him to.”
Ignoring what he’s implying, I turn toward the house. When I enter the kitchen, Bonnie is laughing with Dani, gently tapping her bruised cheek when her laughter gets the better of her.
I smile for a moment, then remember why I came back in. Catching her eyes, I nod for her to come over, and her happy expression turns to one of concern. We head into the other room, closed off from the rest of the family, and I gently touch her cheek.
“I need to go somewhere for a couple of hours.”
Bonnie frowns at me and grabs my hand. “What for?”
“Just something I need to handle, but I think I should find you someplace to be. ”
“Stetson.” Her eyes look between mine, her worry growing. “I don’t want you doing something that you’re going to regret.”
I grab her face between my hands gently and hold her gaze. “Protecting you is never going to be something I regret.”
Her expression shutters for a moment, and I wait patiently, my hands still holding her, and finally, she gives a little nod. “Dani was talking about going to her house. She’s got this leather hobby and wants to show me.”
I nod. “Perfect. You’ll stay there until I’m done.”
Turning to leave, she grasps my wrist at turns me back to her. “Stetson Cash, you better not be doing this alone.”
I smirk at her use of my full name and dream of the day that we carry the same last name. Bonnie Cash just works. “No. Mitch is coming.”
“So are we.” I turn to the voice, seeing CT and Logan there, Jax standing just behind them, finally rid of his boot.
Before I can argue, Bonnie squeezes my hand and speaks. “Good. Bring him back to me safe and sound, please.”
Then, she turns to me and pulls me into a kiss, giving me the strength I need to go take care of this fucker once and for all.