Chapter Eight

L ivia glared down at her cat. The white, long-haired ball of fluff was curled up on Carver's chest. Angel never got this cozy with Livia.

Traitor! she mouthed.

The cat blinked at her and then tucked her head, nose to tail, on the big SEAL's chest.

She let her stare slip from her pet to the man fast asleep on her couch. He was so long that he propped his feet on the arm and his shoulders swallowed the cushions.

Damn, he really was glorious in the buff. Her insides tingled at the memory of their one brief encounter. Though they both seemed to enjoy the sex, it seemed that they'd only have a one-night stand.

Sometimes she caught a stray glimmer in his eyes that made her wonder if he desired her. But then it would fade, replaced by the shards of steel always present in his eyes.

His chest was bare, the bronzed skin sporting a few patches of fluff from Angel making him into a bed. The sight made Livia's lips curl in amusement.

The thin blanket she gave him to use was twisted around his long, muscular legs, dipping low enough to reveal that he'd slept in his jeans.

When she looked at Angel again, she narrowed her eyes at the cat. She seemed to be having all the fun, sprawled out on the man who was supposedly guarding Livia from harm.

Not that she believed she was ever in peril. What happened with Ivy behind her bar was tangled up with the happenings on the Gracey Ranch. Livia had no doubt that they were digging deep into who was behind the attacks on the family…but she'd heard a few rumors too, all of which she'd shared with Colton when he grilled her.

She managed to tear her gaze away from Carver and focused on the clock on the range. If she was going to get her errands in, she had to stop gawking at Angel—okay, and Carver too—and get a move on.

Her socked feet didn't make any sound as she crossed to the entryway and put on her boots. With her purse and car keys in hand, she reached for the door handle.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

She leaped and spun in the same motion. Carver was standing so close that her nose brushed his bare, muscled chest. The springy hair tickled her nose, and his musk teased her senses.

Rocking backward, she stumbled over his big boot on the floor. He closed his hands on her upper arms, holding her upright.

"What the hell are you doing awake? You were asleep a minute ago!"

He cocked a brow.

Her mouth formed an O.

He wasn't asleep. He knew she was standing over him. He probably felt her stare linger on his body for far too long.

She drew up to her full height. "Well? What do you have to say?"

"I asked you a question first. Where are you going, Livia?"

"I'm off to run errands."

"Not without me." He firmed his jaw, which made him look even meaner. She would not want to meet this guy in a dark alley.

She darted a look at the door, then back to Carver.

He folded his arms. The move drew attention to a stray tuft of cat hair clinging to the springy hair on his chest.

"Don't try to leave, Livia. I will track you down and haul you back here to safety so fast, you won't know what hit you."

Oh god. That was kind of hot.

So hot that maybe she wanted to try it.

She eyed him for a long heartbeat before regaining her wits.

"I really don't have time for this. I'm supposed to be at the bar."

His sandy brows lowered into a line. "I thought you said it's closed Mondays."

"It is, but a special delivery of liquor is arriving today to replace what was smashed in the break-in the other day."

He nodded. "Give me five minutes."

When he turned to walk off to the bathroom, she couldn't quit staring at his hard spine and the way his jeans hugged his perfect, carved ass…

He tossed another grumpy look over his shoulder. "Don't even think about leaving without me."

Why did her body react to everything he said and did today? Maybe she needed to go back to bed. With her battery-operated boyfriend. Until lunchtime.

She issued a shaky sigh and attempted to keep her wits about her while she waited for Carver to return. She checked her phone for messages, and found one from Ivy saying that she was all right and would talk to Livia soon.

What a weight off her shoulders that was. Now if her little sister would check in about her new life with her delinquent boyfriend in Albuquerque, all would be right in her world.

After a few minutes, Carver emerged from the bathroom, looking fresh and wide awake. He'd changed his clothes and looked like he'd run his fingers through his damp hair.

"Wait—did you shower?"

"Grabbed a quick one."

A thrill coiled through her belly. "How did you have any time at all? You were only gone five minutes."

He shrugged, drawing her attention to his broad shoulders clad in black cotton. Her gaze dropped to his chest.

"Where did you get a Badlands T-shirt?"

"Found a box in the storeroom yesterday. Figured your bouncer should at least look the part, yeah?"

She started to splutter out some sharp reply but snapped her jaws shut.

"It looks good on you."

His chuckle washed over her, sending even more awareness into her already hyperactive system. When he snaked a long arm around her and opened the door, his body heat scorched up her side.

Her nipples hardened. Her mouth dried out. Her insides clutched.

By now she was getting used to Carver bossing her around when they left the house. She settled in the driver's seat of her car and started the engine.

"Would you look at that? I managed to make it all the way to the car without taking a bullet."

"Never joke about that." His hard monotone shot goose bumps over her forearms.

"Sorry. I wasn't thinking about the things you've seen and done."

He said nothing as she drove to the bar. When they reached the back door where she accepted deliveries, the truck was already parked there.

Carver whipped open the door, long leg extending to the ground. "Let me check him out first."

"Carver, really? He's fine. I know this guy. I see him every week."

He fixed her in his dark gaze.

"Fine!"

He walked over to the driver, and they exchanged a few words. When he twitched his fingers, indicating she could get out of the car, annoyance rolled through her.

When she approached the driver, she threw him a small wave of greeting. "Hi, Tom. Thanks for making the extra trip this week."

He leaned close. "This your new bouncer?"

"Uh…yeah. Why?"

"He ex-military or something?"

"Um…" She didn't really want to talk about Carver or answer questions as to why he was here.

"He asked to see my ID to prove I'm who I say I am."

She forced out a stilted little laugh. "Oh, he's just thorough. He'll ease up in time. You know how these guys are."

He gave her a look that said he didn't but would take her word for it.

When he unloaded the shipment using a dolly, Carver supervised his every move. After Tom climbed back in his truck and drove off, Livia smacked Carver in the arm.

He turned his head to look at her. "What's that for?"

"Do you have to be so intimidating? I consider Tom a friend. He keeps my business stocked. Without him, I'd just be a low-brow restaurant serving nothing but rum."

"Can't have that now, can we?"

She rolled her eyes and waltzed inside. The stockroom was always a mess after delivery day. Livia walked over to a big, heavy crate full of alcohol, threaded her fingers together and cracked her knuckles.

"What's that for?" Carver stood too close.

"I've got a lot of heavy lifting to do. I'm preparing myself." She jabbed the air with a couple punches and bounced on her toes.

His low chuckle and the amusement spreading over his rugged features warmed her. "Step aside, woman."

Her jaw dropped. Before she could fill her lungs with all the attitude she could muster to blast him with, he lifted the first box as if it were filled with bottles of air.

"Just direct me to where you want them."

Seeing that he wasn't going to take no for an answer—and he was a lot stronger than her—she hurried ahead to the wall of shelves. "Here is fine. I'll unpack them and stock the shelves and the bar while you carry over the boxes."

"Sure thing."

After she unpacked a few boxes, she realized how much more efficient it was to work with another person. The task went by much faster.

From the corner of her eye, she watched Carver. He was so strong. His thick biceps bulged as he balanced the box.

At this rate, she was never going to want to do this chore alone again.

When he set the final box on the floor next to the others, she moved to cut into it with her box cutter.

He cast out a hand, holding her back. "I'm going to open this one."

"Why is that?"

His expression was blank and still, giving her no read whatsoever on what was going on.

"This box is heavier than the others."

Scoffing, she bent over the box and sliced into it before he could stop her. When she pulled up the cardboard flaps, she let out a shrill scream.

Carver swept out an arm, shoving her behind him. Livia's pulse throbbed faster as she watched him grab a broom and use the handle to remove the rattlesnake from the box. He shoved the snake out the back door.

She rushed behind to see what he was doing. He hooked the snake on the broom and whipped it toward a patch of thick trees.

When he swung to face her, she balled her clammy hands into fists. That was far too close a call for her. She hated snakes. Luckily, living in the small town, she didn't see many. Only when she'd go hiking in the Montana mountains would she see snakes and other such wildlife, but she'd never had such a close brush with one.

Carver fixed his stare on her.

She shook her head. "Don't try to tell me that was an attack. Mice are a problem on the loading docks. The snake probably came looking for food."

He took a step, crowding against her. "You're shaking. Come here."

She couldn't toss up her hands to ward him off. She didn't know if she even wanted to.

He enveloped her in his strong arms.

* * * * *

Carver held Livia against him, determined to absorb every last shiver coursing through her body. As much as she wanted to believe there was no threat against her, he knew better.

He was trained to read signs of danger. If this wasn't a direct attack or some dark warning to Livia, he'd be the first to admit he was losing his edge.

But he was never wrong.

She slipped her arms around his back and clung to him. When she pressed her cheek against his chest and released a sigh, he flexed his arms around her tighter, more protectively.

He bent over her, and her sweet scent flooded his nose. "I want you to go into the kitchen while I unpack the rest of those boxes. Okay?"

She nodded, her cheek brushing over his chest and sending a sharp pang to his heart. "I'll fix us some sandwiches."

"I'd like an extra pickle on mine."

"You got it." She pushed back, tipping her head to look into his eyes.

"Oh fuck. Livia." He kissed her hard, claiming her lips in a gesture that made her rock onto her tiptoes and throw her arms around his neck.

He planted his hands on her waist and held her tighter, dragging her against his stiffening cock.

The blast of a car horn on the street out front forced him to break the kiss. When he stared down into her beautiful eyes, warmth closed around the walls of his heart. He let his hand dip to her round ass and give it a gentle squeeze.

"About that pickle."

She issued a husky laugh. "Is that what we're calling it now?" She rocked against his erection again, then withdrew from his hold and walked inside.

As he unboxed everything, his mind flipped to what could have happened to Livia if she had opened that box alone. And she worked alone so much of the time.

He dragged a palm down his face, trying to compartmentalize the anger raging inside him. Someone wanted to hurt her.

Who?

Besides the man she shot, what enemies did she have? She could have pissed off some drunk by not serving him, or a guy who wanted a date she didn't agree to.

Or more likely, her father had enemies that Livia might not even know about.

He had to get to the bottom of all this, and he needed to speak to his men. Colton and Hunter would be the voice of reason when it came to Livia's case…because Carver was quickly starting to realize that he was far from impartial when it came to the woman.

It had taken everything inside him to keep from tossing her back in the car and driving her to the closest safehouse. Just like it had required all of his control to keep from yanking her down on top of him that morning while he lay on the couch, aware she was studying him.

A footstep in the doorway made him glance up from the last box he was loading onto the shelf. Livia stood there, hands in the front pockets of her jeans, red hair wild around her beautiful face.

Dammit, he had to get her to safety.

"Sandwiches are ready."

He straightened from his crouched position and set the final two bottles of alcohol on the storage shelf. "Can't wait. Livia?"

Fine red brows hitched upward in question.

"What do you think about going to the ranch with me after this?"

"The Gracey?"

He nodded.

"Sounds fun. It would be good to see Meadow and Ivy. But…is it safe there?"

"You'll be with me. That means you'll be safe."

She swiped her tongue over her full bottom lip as if tasting the kisses they'd shared. Goddamn if he didn't want to stomp over to her, whip her into his arms and capture her mouth again.

And again.

"We'll go after we eat."

"And go to the bank."

His lips quirked. "Okay."

"And I need to pick up some laundry detergent."

God, she was adorable even when making lists of chores he could only think of as husbandly duties. But he was willing to do all of them with her.

After sharing their meal and running all their errands, they drove to the Gracey Ranch. When they pulled in, two men came out of the barn. Colton and Hunter looked hot, dirty and pissed off.

But when they saw Livia, they slapped more pleasant looks on their faces and approached her to say hello.

Each gave her a brief hug.

"Meadow's with her horses. Ivy's at the house working on the books." Colton nodded toward the big ranch home that screamed money. But money didn't make for a happy world. Carver knew that money was the real reason why the Gracey family was under attack.

Livia bobbed her head. "I'll go say hello to Ivy first. Maybe she'll walk with me to the training pen to see Meadow."

The men stared at her.

She didn't take a step to do those things.

Then she glanced at Carver.

Fuck. She was waiting for him to give the go-ahead. Whether he'd finally convinced her to allow him to do his job or she'd been frightened by that rattlesnake in a way she hadn't relayed, he didn't know.

He stepped up to her and took her hand. Squeezing her fingers felt so damn good, so damn right. "It's safe. Go on. I'll find you at the bonfire pit."

She nodded and pulled free. When she walked across the verdant green yard, he watched her go.

"Damn. Never thought I'd see the day." Hunter's comment brought Carver around.

"I won't pretend I don't understand what you're talking about. But I've got more on my mind. Where can we talk?"

Colton and Hunter traded a look. Colton canted his head for them to follow, leading them to a long line of fence that overlooked a pasture. Cattle dotted the land, and beyond that, the stark mountains sliced into the sky.

It was a beautiful place. A place to feel part of the universe—or totally alone, depending on a man's mood.

Carver had been in both places, especially after that strike on his team. But right now, he was glad to have his brothers with him.

They took up spots leaning with their elbows on the fence. He didn't pause a beat before stating his reason for being here.

"What do you guys know about rattlesnakes in these parts?"

He felt the surprise ripple through his friends.

"Not a lot. But I haven't been here long, and I stick close to the ranch." Hunter didn't need to say that he was staying close because of the woman he loved.

Colton shifted. "What happened?"

"Livia got an alcohol shipment at the bar today. And when she opened a box, there was a rattler inside."

"Goddamn." Colton tugged his cowboy hat off and raked his fingers through his disheveled hair.

"You got a photo?"

He nodded.

"You think someone put it there." Colton's tone made it clear it wasn't a question.

"Damn right I do. I need to find out who's after her. Then you guys better have the local police on speed dial, because I will kill him if it comes to protecting Livia."

Neither SEAL moved nor spoke.

"Later on, we'll find Webb and show him the photo you took. He's lived here his whole life. He'll know more about the snake." Colton placed the Stetson back on his head.

Satisfied with this next step in the process of finding out who wanted a piece of Livia, Carver relaxed against the fence. "Tell me what's going on around here. Any new developments?"

"Some things recently went missing. We found the items sold through online auctions." Hunter twisted to look over his shoulder at the house.

"Ivy located the items?" Carver guessed.

"Yup."

"You don't think someone's coming onto the ranch and stealing, do you?" He was already getting antsy being away from Livia for only a few minutes. Anything could happen in a blink—he knew that better than most.

Hunter and Colton exchanged another look.

"Hunter thinks that Webb's behind the theft."

"And you don't."

"No. The guy is a dark horse, that's true. But he is loyal as hell to the Gracey family. I don't think he's capable of such underhanded behavior."

Hunter shifted from boot to boot. "He's the only person who could get the equipment off the ranch." Colton started to speak, and Hunter held up a palm to stop him. "We've been over it all, brother. Let's stick to the facts."

"Has Sean Gracey been sticking close to the ranch?" Carver's question made both men straighten.

Colton eyed him. "What did Forest tell you?"

"It seems he told each of us something a little different. A little more ," Hunter added.

A lot of time had passed since that day he and Forest shared a deep conversation about his family and the ranch.

One point stood out to Carver above all the other clutter.

"He made it clear he thought his father had a gambling problem."

Hunter wagged his head. "Damn. Knowing that a few weeks ago might have saved all of us trouble. But yeah, man. Forest had his old man pegged right."

They talked a little more about the situation on the ranch. The trespassers caught on film, the ranch hand who'd been found dead in the pond months before. The attack on Meadow and then Ivy. Both women had barely made it out with their lives. The heavy weight of everything crashed down on them, and they all fell silent for several minutes.

Finally, Colton clapped Carver on the back. "C'mon. We're going to break you in right."

"Put a shovel in your hand." Hunter flashed a grin.

Carver nodded. "Lead the way. I'm game for some hard work."

Colton chuckled. "Like hanging around a beautiful bartender is work for you."

Carver turned to stare at the house where Livia was hanging out with her friend. "Are you kidding? Have you ever talked to Livia? She's the most stubborn, independent female I've ever met in my life."

The guys busted up with laughter, and by the time the three of them reached the barn again, Carver was burning to keep on walking straight to the house. To Livia.