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A reply bounces back in a few seconds.

Leroy

No shit? Is she OK?

Decker

Doc is looking her over now. This is BS

Leroy

I’ve got my friend, Dallas, coming in this weekend. We ride at dawn, bud

Decker

I’m ready for a fucking showdown

I’ve never met Dallas, but I’ve heard he’s a no-nonsense kinda dude, and I’m up for inflicting a beating if we find this chump. My first port of call will be Lanzetti Farms.

Leroy

Count me in. Beers later?

Decker

Raincheck. Need to make sure Pearl’s okay first. Friday work for you?

Leroy

You got it. Someone has to kick your ass at ping-pong

Only a town like Saddle would have a ping-pong table in the bar.

Decker

You wish

I call Nash and leave a message when it rings out. He must be on another call. I tell him what happened—even though I know Jade has done—and that if he doesn’t do something about Lanzetti soon, there’s gonna be hell to pay.

I like Nash—he’s become a buddy—but when it comes to the people I care about, I don’t mess around.

When the door opens and Pearl heads out, she has a bandage around her wrist. “I have a small fracture,” she tells me. “They put a splint there for now, but it may need a cast. I have to come back for a checkup in a few days.”

I nod, my anger barely contained. They hurt her. They hurt Pearl.

The urge to hold her in my arms washes over me, but then I remember she isn’t mine, and we’re in a public place.

“I’ll drive you home.”

“I should probably get back to the café⁠—”

I hold up a hand. “I think you could do with an afternoon off, considerin’ everything.”

“I am feeling a little woozy, to be honest.” She shakes her head with a little eye roll. “I’m not used to this kind of drama.”

“You were almost killed,” I remind her sagely. “It’s okay to be shaken up about it.”

“Diamond called me while I was in there.”