Page 119

What I thought he was. What he actually was.

Aria goes very still when I say it. Joy does not.

Across the bar, Mav and Hunt are at a table with Duke. Joy looks over at them. Something passes between her and Mav—not words, just the frequency of people who have known each other their entire lives.

The three of them come over.

“Well?” Mav asks, his arm around Aria. He’s always touching her. Always with her. I thought Mason and I⁠—

Joy glances at me for permission. I shrug, giving it.

She gives the three men the essentials of what I just told her. Succinct and clear. As a lawyer, I’m quietly impressed with her ability to cut to the heart of it.

Mav studies me for a long moment when she’s done. His expression doesn’t change, but something behind it does. Mav is anchored in this valley and takes it personally when the community gets hurt. I knew this, but I feel it now in a different way.

Hunt asks, very quietly, to no one in particular: “Where is he right now?”

“A man like that? Who knows?” Aria clenches her jaw. “But if you find him, I wouldn’t mind rearranging his face.”

Duke has his hands in his pockets. “Kaz.”

Mav sighs. “Kaz.”

Hunt nods and pulls out his phone. “Kaz.”

I look at these people—these men who would, without theatrics, drive to wherever Mason Brooks is and make their feelings known about what happens when you hurt someone who belongs here—and it feels good.

Really, genuinely good.

I have this in Ignacio. I didn’t have it in Aspen. I didn’t know how much I’d missed it until right now.

I finish my beer. “Let him be.”

“Yeah, can’t do that, darlin’.” Duke says it gently but without hesitation. “We don’t let people mess with what’s ours around here.”

I shake my head. “Forget him. Forget all of them. I’m going to win this case.”

Mav sets his elbows on the table and leans in. “Sure. Doesn’t change the fact that Mason Brooks deserves an ass-whooping.”

Hunt’s phone beeps. He frowns at the message on his screen. “Kaz says to mind my own business.”

“Ah, hell.” Duke groans. “That means he’s working a case.”

Aria sighs.

Joy looks at each of the men, then at Aria. “Why do I get the feeling you all know something I don’t?”

The men say nothing.

“What she said,” I add.

“Hunt.” Joy smacks his chest.

“Ouch.” He rubs the spot. He groans when she glares at him. “Well, he’s getting out anyway, so —”

“So what?” Joy demands.

Hunt glances at Mav and Duke. They shrug.