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“How did he die?” I ask, tapping my nails on the table.

“Old age.”

I nod. “So you were a carergiver, not a wife. Jett is too young for you, no?”

Everyone around the table is trying their best not to laugh.

“Do I need my dates vetted by the family now?” Jett asks, frowning.

“Apparently fucking so,” Hunter snaps.

There is more to this. I turn to Colt. “Let me guess, her father tried to screw yours over?”

“Basically. And she’s known for going after the richest ones and sleeping with the rest of the town.”

Jealousy coils in my gut.

“Did you?”

“No.”

Well, that entrance was one way to ruin the mood.

The rest of the afternoon carries on as normal. Jett and Lacey keep their distance, which is a smart move. I’ve never seen the Sterling brothers so unwelcoming.

I guess they’re trying to protect Jett, and perhaps Violet too. Family is everything here.

“Hey sis!” Dom’s smile is so wide.

He’s so much more relaxed and happier now. He’s loving working beside Romeo and helping us build out LA. Although I think I can guess what’s giving him the extra spring in his step.

“Welcome back to the Ranch,” I say, pulling him out a seat beside me and Colt.

He doesn’t hesitate; Dom grabs a burger and stuffs it in his mouth, spilling it all over his white shirt.

“Am I good to stay here for a few days?” he asks between mouthfuls.

“You’re always welcome here,” Colten replies.

“You gonna teach me how to cowboy?” Dom asks.

In an ideal world, Dom would live here too. But I can’t have everything my way. I have to let him go to set him free. He’s always going to be my brother, whether he’s in LA or here.

He’s got to find his happiness now too. Just like I found mine. Even if that means being with a guy I despise.

I slide my hand into Colten’s, resting it on his thigh, and pick up my espresso martini. I could really use a cigarette, especially with the alcohol. But I won’t. I made myself a promise to live as long as I can to be a menace for Colten. I gotta stick to that.

“This is perfect,” Colt mutters with a smile on his face.

I rest my head on his arm. “It is. It really is.”

“I love you, Gianna. I love you so damn much.”

My eyes flutter shut, and I let out a sigh. “I love you the most.”

“Cute,” he teases.

And I don’t argue. Colten Sterling made me cute. He brought out a soft side in me that I didn’t know existed, because he made me feel safe.