Page 15 of Take My Kiss
Or worse.
“Trust me, between the Hollis men and Maddox, this guy is gonna wish for death by the time they’re done with him.” Delilah grins. “This ain’t their first rodeo.”
“And if there’s anyone you should worry ’bout usin’ a gun, it’s Landen,” Wilder adds with amusement.
“Landen?” I bark out a laugh. “He’s the gooey center of a cinnamon roll.”
Wilder’s younger brother is always in a good mood and lives to taunt his wife. Ellie’s a professional barrel racer who takes her job very seriously but always looks like she’s about to strangle him for his antics. She’s pregnant with their first child, so her tolerance is even less than usual. But it cracks me up when they eat lunch at The Lodge, and she’s already had it with his teasing.
“He shot a drug dealer in the dick,” Delilah says casually.
“Oh my God?”Why is she so calm about that?
“Don’t worry, he deserved it. He killed someone and threatened Tripp’s wife while she was pregnant with Willow.”
Wilder’s other younger brother.
“He’s behind bars for life now,” she adds.
I can’t believe they never told me that story. But that’ll have to wait for another day.
“So, this is normal. Sugarland Creek’s a crime magnet.”
“Hey, nothing’s happened since Delly and Raven were kidnapped a year-and-a-half ago.” Wilder smirks. “Put those two guys in prison, too.”
“Guess that means we were due for somethin’ to happen…it’s been too peaceful with all the criminals in jail.” I groan, pickingup toys and random objects off the floor to keep myself from spiraling.
Delilah flashes a sincere smile. “Think of stayin’ at the resort as a free vacation. Don’t worry ’bout what’s happenin’ here. Plus, you’ll love the amenities—hot tub, massages, fancy food, horseback ridin’, fishin’, swimmin’—you’ll be there at the perfect time of year too. Summer is the peak season, so there’ll be plenty to do.”
Doubt I’ll be able to enjoy any of it, but the time off to spend with my kids will be a nice perk.
“Ugh, fine. But I want y’all to keep me updated.”
“We promise!” Delilah squeezes me. “Now let’s pack for your amazin’vacationin the mountains!”
chapter two
Colton
“C’mon, Remy. Back inside!”Sipping my coffee, I glance around for any movement to see where he is.
Although the sun is shining and the morning air is warm, the tall trees block most of it up the mountain where I live. It’s secluded enough that the guests from the resort don’t wander up here, but it’s only a ten-minute drive to my parents’ house on the ranch side of the property.
“Remy! Home!” I call out louder.
He loves to take his sweet time and wander through the woods, which I usually don’t mind, but Wilder called me bright and early, so now I need to get my house ready before he arrives with Amelia and her kids.
And my head to stop freaking out about seeing her again.
If he knew our history, there’s no way he would’ve asked for my help, and since he did, I’m assuming she didn’t tell him either.
The only person in my family who knows is Posey, and although Bellamy gave me shit at the wedding, I never told her what happened.
Posey’s the one who took her home the morning after, saying she had to get back to her kids and that it was only a one-time thing. She purposely didn’t leave her number since nothing more could happen between us. It was disappointing to hear from my sister a few days later, but it’s ultimately why I never asked Wilder for her number. She could’ve easily gotten mine from him as well, so after months of radio silence, I realized that all I’d ever get with her is that oneperfectnight.
A night I haven’t stopped thinking about.
Now…not only are we going to come face-to-face over a year later, but she’s going to be in my home for an unknown length of time, so we’ll eventually have to talk about the elephant in the room.
