Brutal Heir (Billionaire Heirs #2)

Chapter 20

Sage

He never kissed me.

The thought crosses my mind as I pass the ranch on my way back to Carrizo. It’s strange how that one simple action can hold so much meaning. I replay our encounter in my mind, still feeling the heat of his hands on my body.

I can’t believe I let him touch me like that. It was unexpected, but I can’t say I regret it.

I never expected to find myself in bed with him.

Part of me feels angry at him. One moment I was in his bathroom, getting ready to start my day, and the next he was accusing me of being on drugs. It was all surreal.

But I know exactly why I went to him in the first place. I wanted to feel alive, to forget about the monotony of my life for a little while. I wanted to be wrapped in his arms, feel his strength, and revel in it.

Despite everything, there’s a part of me that wants to go back to him, to feel his hands on my skin. It’s why I showered at his place, imagining myself in that huge tub, with him. It’s why I went to his bed with hardly any clothes on.

Now, as I reflect on what happened, I realize I screwed up. I took the medication without a second thought. Now, with Ezequiel going off, I’m down two days’ worth of meds. What am I going to—

I backtrack through that thought only to have an icy shower fall over me. I’m more worried about the fact I lost two pills than anything else that happened.

Is he right? It’s become second nature to take it every day now, even though I promised myself I wouldn’t. Maybe I need to start weaning myself off it, to see if I can make it through the night without it. Fear nips at my heels. The nightmares always feel like they’re just waiting for me to fall asleep.

Dad keeps harping on me to talk about what happened. Even though he’s always been a hardass, he kept going on about how having a record doesn’t mean a guy’s bad. He opened a security business and hired some tough guys from his old neighborhood. Men who knew the streets and what to look for. And he’s never had any real problems with them.

What happened to me was revenge. An isolated incident. All I know is that when I picture that particular individual, I see his fist coming down at me.

I never expected to find someone I’d go to bed with. And I never would have expected I’d end up spending the night with Ezequiel Mata.

After everything that happened, my heart just wasn’t in it. I went to Laredo hoping to escape, to leave everything behind. But the memories followed me like a shadow. I tried going to the mall, but didn’t feel like shopping. I couldn’t decide what to do for lunch. Even as I sat at the food count, picking at my food, I had no appetite.

The truth is, I was looking for something. Something missing from my life. And when everything happened with Ezequiel, I thought I found something that might at least keep me going. His strength and the fact he was so possessive does something to me. I hadn’t really experienced anything like that before. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite.

As I drive back to Carrizo, I can’t help but think about what could have been. If only he had kissed me, maybe things would have been different.

I really like the way he reacted when I showed up. The memory of him holding me against the front door sends a shiver down my body. Another part reminds me I can’t get carried away. I’m not going to set myself up to be disappointed.

It’s too late to second-guess any of that now. The damage has been done, and I have to live with the consequences.

Just then, movement catches my attention. There’s a group of people hiding in the grass along the highway. My first thought is about the possibility of snakes. Then the fact these people came from across the border, walking through La Escuadra Ranch.

Fear creeps in as I think about the implications of this. I know I have to call the border patrol and report it, even though I hate the idea of doing so. It’s the right thing to do, and I can’t let my fear stop me from taking action.

Blowing out a breath, I reach for my cell and scroll down to the number for our contact at the border patrol checkpoint.