Hell, I didn’t mind if they left their scruples at the door. I just wanted justice for my brother and for Bryce’s cousin and all those other poor kids who had become nameless in the last twenty-five years.

“Biker Bob found his original records,” Talon was saying. “And here they are.” He shoved a few papers on the desk toward me.

“Now? I thought you were meeting with him a week or so ago?”

“I did. He required a little more…incentive.”

I rolled my eyes. Talon wanted so much to find these guys, but for all we knew, this Biker Bob guy had fabricated records to get Talon to pay him. I’d go along. This was important to my brother.

I eyed the papers. “This is for the phoenix tattoo?”

“Yeah. He did the tat five times altogether on the left forearm, but only three of these fit the time frame. None of them, unfortunately, are named Nico Kostas.”

I scanned the documents. Christopher Headley. Declan Stevens. Milo Sanchez. I wasn’t one to say “I told you so,” so I didn’t. “So what now?” I asked.

“I’m going to track down all of these guys. One of them is him. I know it. He either used another name then, or he’s using one now.”

“You do realize, don’t you,” I said, “that this guy doesn’t want to be found?”

He nodded. “It’s him, though. I know it. Why else would he have disappeared? Clearly he has no conscience. He tried to have Brooke killed, for God’s sake.”

“You don’t have any proof of that either,” I reminded him. “And when are you going to find the time to track these guys down? You have an orchard to run, or have you forgotten?”

He raised his eyebrows. “What’s with you, Joe? Don’t you want to catch this guy?”

More than he knew. “Of course I do. But Tal, we have to be reasonable.” I was one to talk. I had Tom Simpson convicted in my mind already. But saying this wouldn’t help my brother keep things in perspective.

“Joe’s right,” Ryan agreed. “Don’t get so caught up in this that you forget to live your life.”

Talon let out a breath. “I know, I know.” He stood, clearly on edge. “You’re right. But why not have Mills and Johnson check these guys out? If anyone can track them down, those two can.”

“They can try,” I said. “And we can continue to lean on Larry to finger the other two. But that’s about all we can do right now. We do have a ranch to run.”

Talon reddened a bit. “Yes, we have a fucking ranch to run, Joe. God, you sound just like Dad. Who died and made you responsible for everything?”

“Dad did,” I said.

And he had—always drumming into my head that I was the oldest so I had to be responsible for everything.

“You know, Ry and I do our share around here.”

“I know.”

“So you can drop the big brother routine.”

If only it were that easy. I’d dropped the big brother routine one fateful day twenty-five years ago. Unlikely I’d ever drop it again.

Luckily, I was saved by my cell phone vibrating on my desk. I took a quick look and tried to disguise the happiness I felt.

Melanie.

“Sorry, guys, I need to take this,” I said.

They both stood and left my office. I knew we’d be revisiting the tattoo guys later, but for now, I wanted to see what Melanie needed.

“Hey,” I said into the phone, hoping to sound nonchalant. “What’s up, Melanie?”

“Jonah, thank God. I need to see you.” Her voice was scared and timid.

Something was wrong. My nerves skittered under my skin. “Of course. I can get away. Should I come to your office?”

“No. Not my office. I’m near you. I’m somewhere on your ranch. Where are you?”

“You’re here?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I know it’s forward.”

“No, don’t worry about that. I’m always glad to see you. You know that.”

“No, I didn’t know that.” She let out a tiny nervous laugh. “But I’m glad to hear you say it.”

“Tell me where you are.”

After figuring out where she was on the ranch, I gave her directions to my house. “Meet me there,” I said. “I can get there in about fifteen minutes.”

 

Melanie was waiting on my doorstep when I got there. I drove up in my pickup. I’d been out in the pastures earlier this morning, and I was a mess. Definitely needed a shower.

She looked distraught. She was wearing a tan dress and black boots, looking luscious as usual. But those beautiful green eyes were red-rimmed and sunken. She’d been crying.

I walked rapidly to her. “Sweetheart, what’s the matter?”

She launched herself into my arms.

“Whoa, baby. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Just take me inside, Jonah, please. I need you.”

With one hand, I unlocked the door to my place and led her inside. She melded into me, pulled my head to hers, and kissed me, hard.

I broke the kiss quickly. “Baby, I’m a mess. Let me take a shower first.”

“I don’t care. I need you. Now.” She took the Stetson off my head and set it on the table in my entryway. Then she began to unbutton my shirt.

I was grimy with sweat, and I didn’t even want to think about what I smelled like. But nothing deterred her. When she had unfastened each button, she parted the fabric and laid her cheek against my chest.

She inhaled. “I love the way you smell.”

I chuckled. “I probably smell like sweat and cattle.”

“I don’t care. It’s wonderful.” She inhaled again, closing her eyes. She brushed my brown shirt over my shoulders and to the floor and then sprinkled a few kisses on my sweaty skin. “You have the most beautiful chest. You’re just so beautiful, Jonah.”

I pulled slightly back from her, meeting her emerald gaze. “You’re the one who’s beautiful. Tell me what’s going on, sweetheart. How can I help?”

“You can take me to bed.”

I grinned. “There’s nothing I’d love more, but I really do need a shower.”

“No, you don’t. You’re so rugged and musky right now. So manly. So very manly.” She inhaled again. “You’re exactly what I need. All man.”