#kayce dutton fan fiction

[bradleybeachbabe]

Secret Relationship

pairing: Kayce Dutton x Fem!Reader

request: Hi, I was the Anon with the Kayce ask! My request for kayce is reader being a wrangler for years and had a secret relationship w/ him then left suddenly. Years later she comes back w/ a baby on her hip. Would u be willing to do that? If not I totally understand and respect ur decision!

summary: basically what the request says :)

warnings: cuss words, angst, fluff, and pregnancy (if i missed anything, please let me know!)

word count: 2.6k+

a/n: THERE ISN’T ANY SPOILERS OF THE FIRST TWO S5 EPISODES IN THIS. also should i make this a series?? or make more fics with this dynamic couple. please let me know! also this is my first kayce request! so please, be nice to me. my yellowstone are open too! and this wasn’t proofread, so i’m sorry for any grammar mistakes

You couldn’t believe it. You were about to enter the place where you used to work for five years. You used to work at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. You worked as one of the wranglers, but that all ended. It all ended because you got pregnant. And the one that got you pregnant was Kayce, your boss's son. You two had a secret relationship while you were working on the ranch. The moment that you found out that you were pregnant. You immediately packed up your bags and left the ranch without telling anyone. You didn’t want the others to find out that you were pregnant, and most definitely. Who got you pregnant, because if they did. You could be in deep trouble. So that’s why you left, but little did you know. When Kayce found out the next day. He was upset. He didn’t know what to do without you. He hoped you would come back again someday and explain why you left without telling anyone. And that someday is today.

“Here goes nothin’, you sighed to yourself. You took your car out of park and drove through the entrance of the ranch. The moment you started driving through the entrance of the ranch. You felt your heart start to beat very fast, and you even felt your palms start becoming sweaty against the steering wheel. You had so many things running through your head right now. You weren’t sure how Kayce and even John were going to react to you being back at the ranch and even having a baby on your hip.

When you finally reached the house. You parked your car and got out. You grabbed your daughter from the backseat and took her out of her car seat, and placed her on your hip. While you were walking up to the house. You noticed Kayce's truck and even John’s truck were parked outside. You were now even more nervous than you were when you first arrived because you know that the moment you knock on the front door. You’re going to face Kayce or either John, or either of the both of them.

You walked up the steps and to the front door of the house. You raised your free hand to knock on the door. You were waiting there anxiously for the door to be opened. The moment the door opened. You were face to face with Kayce.

“Oh my goodness,” Kayce said. He was surprised that he could barely get any words out of his mouth. He couldn’t even gather the fact that you were standing right in front of him. For the majority of the past year and a half. He thought that you left Montana and never looked back, but here you are. Back at the ranch where you used to work, and the same place that you called home. Another thing he couldn’t even gather was the fact that you had a baby on your hip.

“Uh- can we talk? please,” you asked him nervously.

“Yeah,” Kayce nodded. He moved out of the way, so then you could enter the house. Once you entered the house, he closed the door behind you. Then he walked towards the living room and you followed right behind him.

“Please sit,” He motioned towards one of the couches when you walked into the living room. You took a seat on the couch, and you set your daughter down on the ground right in front of your feet. Kayce sat down on the opposite side of the couch that you were sitting on.

“Uh- I don’t even know how to explain everything,” you said, as you started to play with the promise ring that was on your finger. The promise ring was a gift from Kayce. You received the ring as a fourth-anniversary present. You still can’t believe that you still wear the ring on your finger. After everything that happened, you should have taken it off, but you just couldn’t.

“Well, you could explain why you decided to pack up your things and left without telling anyone. Or you could explain why you’re back here with a baby,” Kayce stated. His voice sounded cold and angry.

“Well, the whole reason why I left was because I got pregnant…a-and I-I’m back here with a baby because I thought it was a good idea to finally come back, so then you could finally meet our daughter,” you said, as you turned your head towards Kayce’s direction. All of a sudden you noticed that he had a soft look in his eyes. You were now hoping his voice wasn’t cold and angry anymore after what you just said to him.

“Wait. Our daughter?”

“Yeah,” you nodded. You had tears starting to form in your eyes. After you said that, you were regretting leaving in the first place. Kayce shouldn't be meeting his daughter in this type of way. He should have met her the moment she was born. The moment when she was placed on your chest.

“I’m gonna need a minute,” Kayce said, as he got up from the couch and walked away toward the kitchen.

“Okay,” you nodded. “I’ll be here when you get back.” You picked up your daughter from the floor and placed her back on your hip.

When Kayce walked into the kitchen. He walked in and immediately made eye contact with his father since he was in there. He was pouring coffee into his coffee cup. Kayce was now wondering if his father heard the whole conversation that went down in the living room not too long ago.

“Son, do you want to explain to me who you were just talking to, in the living room?” Also explain to me while you were talking to that someone, I heard them say, ‘our daughter?’

“Fuck,” Kayce whispered under his breath. He was mad that his father heard the whole conversation that he had with you. He was now going to have to explain to his father the truth and how he technically just found out today that he has been a father for at least a year now. “Uh- I was talking to Y/N.”

“Y/N? As in, Y/N Y/L/N? The one that used to work on the ranch?” John questioned his son.

“Yes,” Kayce nodded. “And the whole reason why you heard her say to me, ‘our daughter’ is because of the looks of it. I got her pregnant.”

When those words came out of Kayce’s mouth. John didn’t even know what to say, or how to react. The only thing he knew was that he was technically a grandfather now, and his son was a father. There was just quietness in the air. Kayce didn’t like that. He wanted his father to say something to him about what he just said.

“Dad? Aren’t you going to say anything about what I just told you?” Kayce asked him.

John put his coffee cup on the kitchen counter and faced toward where Kayce was standing. “Son, what do you want me to say?”

“Uh- I don’t know. Anything, to be honest,” He shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, I guess I could say that I’m pretty okay with the situation. But…it just upsets me that you were going behind my back and started to date her, and even gotten her pregnant. And you know how I feel when you or either your siblings go behind my back and do something,” John explained.

“How do you think I feel?” Kayce said. “I’m upset because obviously when she found out she was pregnant she just decided to leave and not say anything to anyone or anything, or even explain how she and I were about to become parents for the first time.”

All John could do was put his head down, and look down at his feet. He couldn’t bear the fact that his son was angry and even upset with the whole situation.

“What should I do, dad? Should I tell her to leave and never look back? Or should I start over with her?”

John looked up from the ground and looked at Kayce. “What you should do is start over with her. Get to know the whole story about why she left without an explanation, and get to know your daughter. Especially find out what her name is, and exactly how old she is at the moment.”

“Okay,” Kayce nodded. He walked out of the kitchen and back to the living room where you were at. When he walked in, he saw you were still sitting in the same spot as you were when he first left to go to the kitchen, and he even saw that you had your daughter on your hip again.

“So? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Everything is okay. My dad was in the kitchen when I walked in, so I explained to him about who I was talking to, and how by the looks of it. I got you pregnant,” Kayce explained.

“Omg. What did he say? Is he mad about this? Because if he is, I can leave and never come back, and we can all forget that this ever happened,” you said, as you stood up and were about to walk to the front door and head out with your daughter.

“No he isn’t mad about this,” Kayce reassured you.

“Oh,” you said as you sat back down on the couch. You put your daughter on the floor right in front of you, just like you did earlier when you arrived at the house. “Well, what did he say about this then?”

“Well, he told me that he’s okay with this situation. But on the other hand, he’s upset that I was going behind his back, and started to date you, and then, of course, ended up getting you pregnant,” Kayce explained. “Also speaking of me getting you pregnant, why did you leave after you found out?

You couldn’t even look Kayce in the eyes. You could tell by the tone of Kayce’s voice. He wasn’t happy at all. You took a deep breath and said, “I left after I found out because I didn't want anyone to find out about it, because if anyone did. Then I would start getting questions about who got me pregnant. Plus, I didn’t want anyone to find out the truth about you and me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? We could have figured something out.”

“I don’t know,” you shook your head. “I panicked and I thought the right option was to leave and not say anything. But now, I regret doing that. I regret not telling you about how we were going to become parents for the first time, and I regret not having your dad know the truth about us. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not telling you. I messed up badly.”

Kayce scooted closer to where you were sitting on the couch, and put his two hands on your cheeks to stop you from rambling. “Hey. Look at me.” You looked at him, and when you did. Kayce noticed that you started to form tears in your eyes. It broke his heart. He always hated seeing you upset in any type of way. “It’s okay. I promise.”

“So, you’re not mad or anything like that?” you asked.

“No,” He shook his head. He took his hands off your cheeks. “Just a little upset, but I’ll get over it real soon. I promise. Also, I have two questions to ask you.”

“Okay,” you nodded. “What are the two questions?”

“The first question is can we start over? And Is it possible that I can get to know who my daughter is?” Kayce asked.

“Of course,” you smiled. You picked up your daughter from the floor. She was just chewing on her fingers when you picked her up. “Kayce, this is our daughter Sarah Elizabeth Dutton.”

“She’s so cute,” Kayce said.

“She is, she isn’t,” you smiled down at her.

“Also how old is she?”

You looked up and looked at Kayce, “She’s one year old.”

“Wow,” Kayce said. “Next thing you know she’ll be two years old.”

“Yeah,” you nodded. “That just shows that time flies.”

“Yes. It does,” Kayce agreed.

“I have a question for you now,” you said.

“What is it?”

“Do you want to hold our daughter?” you asked him.

“Yes,” Kayce nodded.

You handed Sarah to Kayce. Kayce took her from your arms, and set her on his lap. Sarah didn’t get fussy about how she wasn’t sitting in her mom’s lap anymore. But of course, that was a good thing though. While he was holding her, Sarah kept on babbling. You and Kayce didn’t even know what she was babbling about, but you two thought it was the cutest thing ever. Since she was babbling, and talking. You had the perfect question to ask her. “Sarah. Can you say ‘Dada’?”

Surprisingly not too long after you asked her that question. You and Kayce both heard her say, ‘Dada.’ The moment Kayce heard that word. He started crying. He wasn’t crying because he was upset or anything like that. He was crying because he was happy. He was happy that his daughter said the word ‘Dada.’

“Omg! She actually said it, Kayce. She said ‘Dada’, you said happily.

“Yes. She did.”

--- --- ---

It’s been about two hours since you came over to the Dutton Ranch and explained everything to Kayce. After you were able to get Sarah to say ‘Dada.’ You and Kayce were able to catch up on everything, Plus, on top of that, John was able to get to meet his granddaughter. He was happy about that.

“One last question. I promise,” Kayce said to you. He was pretty nervous to ask you the question that he's about to ask you, but since you and he have both officially agreed to get back together and raise Sarah with each other and be a family. In the end, the question is going to make perfect sense.

“What is it?”

“Well, I know that we technically haven’t been back together for not even an hour yet, but I was wondering, do you move in and live with me?” Kayce asked you.

“Yes. Of course,” you nodded. “But what about all of my stuff? Everything I have is back at my apartment.”

“Let’s worry about that later. Okay?”

“Okay,” you nodded.

“For now, let’s just focus on us, and on our daughter who is sleeping peacefully in my arms right now,” Kayce leaned down and kissed the top of Sarah’s forehead. Kayce couldn’t get over how adorable Sarah was. He loved how much she looks like him. He was hoping that his mom was smiling down at him and being proud that he’s a father.

“I think she’s going to become your little sidekick when she gets older,” you commented.

“I think so,” Kayce agreed.

The sight in front of you was making your heart melt. You couldn’t get over how happy Kayce looked holding Sarah. The look in his eyes was just filled with happiness and love. You were glad that you decided to come back to the ranch. You still weren’t happy with yourself about the decision you made when you did find out you were pregnant with Sarah, but that’s all in the past now. The only thing that matters now, was that you and Kayce were back together and that you and he were going to be able to raise your daughter as a couple.

[anangelwhodidntfall]

Shark Week: Kayce Dutton

Yellowstone Masterlist 

word count: 700

description: kayce take care of you while your on you period. 

taglist: @minesodontlikeleave​

You groaned hearing your phone ring for the 20x in the past hour but couldn't be bothered to get up as you were currently fighting cramps making you unable to move. You slowly start sitting up, wincing as you did before grabbing your phone.

"Kace?" You asked answering the phone as another cramp shot through your body.

"Finally, I've been calling and texting you for the past hour." He said as you groaned.

"I know I'm sorry, my cramps are really bad and I couldn't move for a while to get my phone off the dresser. I'm sorry baby I didn't mean to worry you." You said.

"Cramps? Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry. Do you need me to bring you anything?" He asked concerned.

"A gun." You said making him laugh.

"Sorry sweetheart, I love you but not that much. I should be home in an hour or two, okay?" He said even though he was already planning on heading home to take care of you.

"That's fine. I'll be here waiting for Mother Nature to take me out of my misery." You said.

"I love you, sweetheart." He said making you smile.

"I love you too baby." You said before hanging up and laying back down.

Once Kayce got the clear that he could leave work, he climbed into his truck and headed to the store to pick up some stuff for you knowing that this time of the month was rough on you. After grabbing you some stuff, he headed to your favorite takeout place to pick up dinner before heading home.

Once he got home, he set the stuff down on the table before walking down the hall to check on you. He slightly cracked the door as he walked in, and saw you laying there watching whatever was on the tv until your eyes landed on him.

"Baby, what are you doing here? I thought you weren't going to be home for another hour." You said as he took a seat on the bed.

"You should know the second you said you weren't feeling good, I was gonna come home and take care of you. How are you feeling?" He asked running a hand through your hair.

"My cramps are so bad today, I can hardly move." You said.

"Oh sweets, I'm sorry. But I'm here now and I bought treats." He said walking to the living room and grabbing the bags he had set down.

"You did?" You asked as he walked back into the room.

"Of course I did. I grabbed dinner as well, but I swung by the store and picked up some stuff since I couldn't remember if you had everything you usually need." He said making your heart as swell.

"I would hug you and kiss you, but I can't move." You said making him laugh as he leaned down and placed a kiss on your lips.

"It's alright sweetheart, let me get some aspirin so you can get some relief, would you like me to draw a bath?" He asked you.

"That sounds nice actually." You said as he helped you sit up so you would be able to take your medicine.

After taking some aspirin, he went to go run you a bath and helped you into once it was ready, leaving you so you could warm your sweats in the dryer, so they are warm for you once you got out.

"How are you feeling?" He asked walking in and checking on you and placing your sweats on the counter before taking a seat on the edge of the tub.

"Much better, thank you." You said leaning up and kissing him.

"No need to thank me, sweetheart, I'm glad your feeling better.  Are you hungry or do want to wait a bit?" He asked you.

"Can we wait a bit?" You asked him as he nodded his head.

He helped you out of the tub and let you get dressed as he got your favorite movie set up, and a few minutes later you walked out and climbed into his arms.

"Thank you for taking care of me." You said to him once you were in his embrace.

"Of course sweetheart, I hate seeing you in pain. Get some rest, we can eat once you wake up." He said pressing a kiss to your lips.

"I love you, baby." You said to him.

"I love you more sweetheart." He said to you.

[countrymusiclover]

Next Thing You Know

Kayce and the reader are more than best friends now. They’ve had to become full time parents too. That is no easy task especially with an entire ranch legacy on your shoulders. So everyday in true Dutton fashion they just have to roll with it…to keep the ranch lifestyle and name going. @hcwthewestwaswcn co author 🤗

Tag list - just ask to be added

@mandabrammer2021

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 21: Shameless

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: NSWF, language, smut, sex, p in v penetration, no condom, biting

* Word count: 3,350ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all!

Special mention: @deanscroissant & @lexixstewart and the couple friends who don’t have tumblr so I can’t tag them, for giving me their honest opinions on the smut because, y’all I blacked out 💀💀😂

Author's note: Oh shit y’all! We’re here! 👀 I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well! Pretend in the gif that’s Stella and they’re inside and not in the forest 😅😂. Also please be gentle. This is my first attempt at writing smut and being serious with myself 😂

I’m posting this a day early because I’m nervous and ripping the bandaid off lmao. Also sinful things on a Sunday are a hilarious juxtaposition to me lmao. So feel free to comment or hit my ask box and flail with me lol. Just please be kind. 🤓💛

Stella rutched around in the waiting room chair. Her phone went off with a text from Ryan. Any update on Mr. Dutton?

She and Kayce had been here for quite a few hours. His dad was out of surgery and resting. John's current nurse just told Kayce he was allowed to go back and talk to him for a few minutes. She replied quickly. Out of surgery. Finally able to go talk to him. BRB.

She reached out for Kayce’s hand. “Do you want me to go with you?”

Kayce contemplated. “Sure.” He squeezed her hand and guided her along through the big double doors to the room he was told. When they got to the door, he paused.

Stella turned and checked him out. He hesitated to go in. “Hey,” she reached out for Kayce and pulled him into a hug. He wrapped his arms around her. “Everything is gonna be okay.” He hid his face in her neck. She gently rubbed his back. She whispered to him. “We’ll go in when you’re ready.”

He let out a hard sigh. “Let’s go.”

The pair walked through the door. They peeked around to the right at John's bed. He looked like he was fast asleep. Stella directed Kayce to the chair next to the bed.

The legs of the chair made a dragging noise and that seemed to perk Kayce’s dad up. “Who the hell is trying to bother me now?” He grumbled.

The friends shared a chuckle. Kayce reached out for his dad’s hand. “It’s just me and Stella, dad.”

“Hey, John.” She announced her presence since his eyes were still partly closed.

“So when did they say I could leave?” John started messing around with his blankets.

Kayce jumped to his feet to try and stop John from getting up. Stella rounded the bed to help on the other side. Kayce instructed his dad. “Woah woah woah. You ain’t leavin’ tonight, that’s for sure.” John still must have been under the effects of whatever medicines they had him on because he stopped fighting against them easily. Kayce smiled at his dad. “We’ll discuss all of that in the morning.”

“Are you going back home?”

“I can stay if you want.”

John looked up at Stella. It shook her, seeing him vulnerable. A memory of her dad floated through. “Stella get him home. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Stella laughed through her nose. “I’ll do my best, sir.” Someone knocked on the door behind them.

“Excuse me guys. Visiting hours are over. The nurses need in here to prepare him for the night.”

Stella approached the nurse. “Can we give them like five more minutes? Then I promise I’ll get us out of your hair.”

The nurse sighed. “Okay, sure. But only five more minutes and I’ll be back.”

“Thank you!” Stella moved to Kayce who was still standing at his father’s bed. “Hey I got you five more minutes. I’ll be right outside the door, okay?” She looked at John. “And you, sir, get to feelin’ better.” There was a gruff chuckle in response. Kayce grabbed her hand before she could leave. The two locked eyes, but didn’t say anything. Stella smiled and Kayce slowly let her hand go to continue talking to his dad.

She walked out of the door and leaned against the wall to wait for Kayce. She had to figure out how to convince the youngest Dutton to leave the hospital for the night. Looking around, she remembered how much she hated being in a hospital. Memories of before she and Ryan ran away came back. All the hospital visits for not only their own injuries, but when their dad got sick. When John had looked up at her from the bed, it was like she saw her dad all over again. She shook her head to clear the thoughts.

Thinking of Ryan, she messaged him back. He’s alright. In as rare a form as ever. I’m gonna take Kayce back to my house, if I can convince him, so he can actually sleep. You need anything?

The team of nurses came around the corner, ready to settle John in for the night. Stella reached behind her and knocked on the door to let Kayce know his time was almost up for the evening. Thankfully he came to the door, smiled politely at the nurses, and grabbed Stella’s hand.

Back out in the waiting room, Kayce sat again with Stella next to him. He still hadn’t let go of her hand. Anyone could see that he was an anxious ball of nerves. Stella rubbed her thumb across his hand. “Kayce?” He looked at her. “Let’s go back to my house.” She said softly.

“Stella, I don't know if I should leave.”

She fixed her glasses with her opposite hand. “I understand your fear of leaving him here. But he’s in the safest place he can be, with the best help in the state. They have your number. They’ll call if they need anything. There’s nothing we can do right now anyway.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “He doesn’t seem like he’s gonna be too much trouble tonight. You need to rest and I guarantee you aren’t gonna do that here.”

She pleaded to him. “My house is closer than the ranch. I’ll even let you use the bed tonight.”

“Okay, but —,” Kayce started saying, but Stella butted in.

“But if they call we’ll leave at the drop of a hat. I’ll also bring you back here bright and early too.” They started to stand.

“Wait, who said you’re driving?”

“I did.” She giggled. “I also still have the keys.” Stella jangled them at him. He tried to swipe them and Stella ran through the main hospital door. He watched her as she dashed for the truck. Kayce laughed to himself because they both knew he’d let her drive.

Ryan answered as Stella clicked her seat belt into place in the truck. Nah, I’m good. You be safe and take care of Kayce.

Stella joked walking into her house. “Man, I feel like this is déjà vu.”

“Stella, it was yesterday.”

She let out a laugh. “Can’t have any fun with you, can I?”

“Now you know that’s a bold faced lie.” Kayce took off his boots and placed his hat on the table.

They both just stood there. Not really sure what step was next. Stella motioned up the stairs. “Well, I guess we should get some shut eye, right?”

“Is this the first time we’re meeting or something?” Kayce smirked.

“Shut up, you doofus.” Stella laughed as the awkwardness dissolved. “C’mon.” She climbed the stairs.

However, once in her room, the bashfulness returned for Stella. Yeah they used to sleep together wherever they fell when they were younger, but being in the same bedroom as Kayce felt different. Now that she thought about it, being in a bedroom with Kayce always felt intimidating in a way.

Stella cleared her throat and offered. “Do you want the same clothes from the last night? I’m sure I’ve got some different ones?” She preoccupied herself picking things up around her room. It wasn’t messy, but there were some articles of clothing she didn’t want him to catch sight of, especially if she could nab them up before she turned the light on. Her cheeks flushed. ‘You really gotta start making sure you utilise the hamper.’

“Nah, the ones from the yesterday will be fine.”

“Okay I’ll go grab them for you.” She stopped herself so quickly she almost tripped. “Wait, where did you leave them?”

“Uhhh…,” Kayce tried to remember where he changed before they left. “I actually think I came up here to the bathroom.”

“Oh! I’ll be right back then. I just put the bedding on like, three days ago. So I can change it if you want, but it should be fine. I only slept on it once. I’ll take the couch tonight.” Stella babbled nervously.

Waltzing out of her bedroom she wanted to hit her own forehead. ‘You're literally acting like you’ve never spoken to him a day in your life. Stop being weird.’ She fixed her glasses and found the clothes where Kayce left them. They were neatly placed on the bathroom counter. She smiled at his manners slipping through. She grabbed them and walked back to her room to give them to Kayce.

“Thank you for —,” she stopped herself when she noticed he wasn’t in the middle of the room anymore where the light from the open door reached. Without a light on in the room, an oversight on her part, she couldn’t see shit. “Kayce?” The lamp on her bedside table painted the room with light.

“Damn!” Stella squinted. “Could’ve given a girl some warning.”

“I’m sorry, didn’t mean to blind ya.”

Stella giggled. “It’s okay.” Her eyes focused on him. It was very apparent to Stella that Kayce had something on his mind. He was holding himself back from saying it. In a delicate tone she asked, “penny for your thoughts?”

He eyed Stella up and decided to take the leap. “Would it really bother you if they talked?”

Her head cocked to the side. “Do you mean about us?” Kayce nodded.

She stayed silent for a few seconds. Apparently her reaction to the potential of being caught crossing a line in their friendship still weighed on him. She assumed his thoughts on the matter were the same. To find out they weren’t and he wanted to push that boundary, floored her. Slowly, but surely, she shook her head. “No. They’ve always talked about us, you know that. So regardless of what we do or don’t do, they’re gonna talk. Whether it’s us, or someone else; their jaws are gonna be flappin’ like old ladies on a Sunday in a salon.” The only person she knew she would catch serious flak from would be her brother or Rip. “So no. I don’t care.”

Kayce’s shoulders dropped. Whether it was relief or not, Stella didn’t know. Kayce nodded quickly. He didn’t give her time to figure it out.

He uttered a gravelly, “good,” before he stepped across the room in three long strides to her. He grabbed her face and they collided. Stella unceremoniously dropped the clothes she still had in her hand. She trailed her hands to his sides and pulled him closer while she scrunched his shirt in her hands.

“Fuck, Kayce. What’re we doing?” Stella mumbled against his mouth. Her mind felt like a dense fog had draped over it.

“Are you okay with it?” He brought his head back slightly and touched his forehead to hers. Nervous he’d gone too far.

She said breathlessly, shaking her head forcefully. “Yeah.” Kayce moved his arms to give her more space. Stella leaned into him and wound her fingers in his hair. She brought his face back to hers.

Kayce trailed his hands down her sides. Past her sore side, her hips, and wrapped them around the backs of her thighs. He squeezed and pulled her up. She let out a gasp and she circled her legs around his waist. He braced her and walked to her bed. She tossed her glasses off to the side. ‘I’ll find them in the morning.’

Gently he laid her down, her legs still around him. Looking up at him through half lidded eyes, she smiled and brushed some hair out of his face. Stella was taken back by how Kayce was looking at her with wonder. If she wasn’t already breathless she would have the wind knocked out of her. It was like he was seeing her with new eyes.

He was enamored by her at that moment. Her hair started to come loose and her lips were swollen from all the attention. The way she smiled up at him made him dive back in. “God,” he breathed.

The scratchy feeling of his facial hair gave her arms goosebumps as he chose a spot on her collarbone to pay attention to. Her eyes fell shut. Kayce moved back causing her legs to fall apart and grabbed the hem of her shirt. He gave it a pull upward. He remembered what happened the last time he gave too much exploration to the visible part of her neck, so he would go lower. Slowly the bruise on her side from the bull came into view. He placed several featherlight kisses along it. “No more cowboy poker. Ya hear me?” He examined the large doe and flowers tattoo that was partially covered in a bruise on her side that matched his buck and gave it a kiss.

“Who’s gonna stop me?” She asked playfully while removing her shirt the rest of the way.

Kayce pulled her down to be eye level. “I will.”

“Are you threatening me, Kayce Dutton?” She laughed.

“No, it's a promise.”

Her eyebrows popped up. “Oh really?”

Kayce placed a soft kiss on the left side of her chest and the scar that resided there. “Really.”

The kiss to the sensitive skin made Stella’s eyes flutter closed. He nipped at her collar bone above the scar. Stella let out a sigh. He worked his way down to the top of her pants. He tapped her stomach to gain her focus. When Stella’s heavy lidded eyes met his, there was a silent question of whether she wanted to keep going because there wouldn’t be much turning back they could do after this.

Stella nodded, but knew he needed to hear it. “Yes Kayce.” He smiled up at her and it took her breath away. He worked the belt loose and the button, and gave Stella room to shimmy her pants down far enough that he could yank them farther down. When they got far enough, she kicked them the rest of the way off, underwear included.

Kayce climbed fully on the bed on top of her. She took a moment to appreciate feeling small and safe. Reaching down she grabbed the bottom of his shirt. She pulled it and frowned. “Off please, too many clothes,” she mumbled.

He sat up straight and yanked his shirt off. When he leaned back down Stella grabbed at his torso, wanting to feel his skin beneath her fingers. He wasn’t cut like most people expected cowboys to be. He had a nice layer that made him soft. Stella dug her fingers into his hips at the top of his waistband.

He quickly stood back off the bed. Stella thought she had done something wrong, but realized it was the exact opposite. Kayce desperately made quick work of his jeans and boxer briefs. She scrambled to sit up and took off the black lace bralette that remained of her clothes. She barely had time to register that he sprang free from the hold his boxer briefs had on him before he was crawling back to her. It was apparently now or never.

Her heart pounded in her chest as he trapped her under his body weight. She could feel his hand drift down between them. He stopped at her breasts to give her nipples a quick pinch, which brought out a breathless moan of his name from Stella. His rough fingertips deftly drifted lower to her entrance. They dipped in between her folds collecting the slick that had built up and spread it up to her clit. He gave a few slow circles around it coaxing a moan from Stella. He grabbed his throbbing cock and pumped a few times. He slid himself through her slick and let himself drive home slowly until he felt the resistance of her cervix.

They both moaned, almost in relief, as he slid home. It had been a while since Stella had been with anyone. It was tight on the way in, and that made her feel all the more full. She placed her feet flat on the bed and squeezed his hips with her bent knees. When she did his hips thrusted ever so slightly and made her completely lose all sense and inhibition. She draped her arms around the back of his neck and found his lips and kissed him greedily. “Fuck, Kayce. Please move.”

He dragged his cock out slow, savoring the feeling of her, and then pumped it back in, hitting her cervix every time. Small moans puffed out of Stella’s mouth each time he connected and she bounced. He hit her back wall hard, but at the same angle every time. “Jesus fuck, oh my god.” Her eyes rolled back and shut. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Kayce gave her a quick and hard two taps, ripping her out of her head with a moan. It was almost like he knew.

He locked eyes with her, despite the closeness, and guided her. “Stay with me baby.” If Stella was able to form a cognitive thought, she would have been drooling. He slipped his arm behind her back and scooted her up farther on her bed so she could lay her head on her pillows. He sat up, bracing her legs on his thighs and placed his hands behind her knees. He continued the rhythm but picked up the pace. He bent toward her, bringing her knees with him.

She gasped at the new angle. “Oh shit.” Her hands reached up to grab any part of him she could. She tried to get to his hips to convince him to move faster. “Faster Kayce. Please.”

His hips slammed at a new pace and Stella swore she saw the universe. Small moans of, ‘oh fuck, oh god, oh fuck, oh fuck,’ slipped out of her as her eyes rolled back again. Kayce put her calves on his shoulders and leaned down to kiss her. Stella thought for certain she would combust at how deep she could feel him.

In this position, with every thrust that he gave her he could feel her cunt squeeze him back, almost pleading with him to stay. “Shit Stella,” he whispered against her mouth. “You like that huh?”

“Oh fuck yes.” Stella breathed out. “I’m close Kayce, keep going,” she panted, pleading, “don’t stop.” Kayce was more than happy to oblige and kicked it up a notch. He panted as his hips snapped against hers. Stella grappled to get any sort of leverage as he manhandled her while he focused on chasing that delicious high. He bit roughly at the base of her neck where it connected to her shoulder and a delighted moan released from both of them.

A few more sharp thrusts and both of them shattered. Stella saw stars erupt behind her eyes and she forced them back open to see Kayce. The look on his face was absolute bliss and she felt a swell in her chest. Both of them moaned each other's names, caught on the high tide. They grabbed at each other trying to tether themselves back in reality.

Stella dropped her legs from his shoulders feeling herself twitch every so often. Kayce remained on top of her trying to catch his breath. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed the side of his head.

They laid there, still entangled in each other. Kayce laid on her chest, her hand running through his hair. She felt peace. Stella let out a big yawn.

Kayce encircled her and moved them so they were laying next to each other. Her head and hand were placed on his chest. She remained quiet. Trying to figure out just what the hell had gotten into her. Into both of them, really. There were no complaints from her, but the whiplash was real.

Stella softly tapped his chest. “We should get some sleep.” She said slowly. To Kayce it sounded like she was half asleep already. “We gotta be up early.” Kayce remained quiet. Tilting her head, she glanced up at him.

“You know you don’t have to use the couch anymore, right?” He smirked at her.

He felt her nod. “I know, but I wanna give you your space.”

Kayce pulled a face. “You’re worried about space? I was just inside you. Space went out the window then.” He laughed.

“Okay okay, fine,” she laughed along with him. “You just don’t wanna sleep alone, do you?”

“Maybe.”

“Okay. I’ll stay.” Stella moved her head to get comfortable again. “Can you turn out the light?”

[bellarkeselection]

Watching Happiness for Beginners on Netflix. Now I'm wanting to write Kayce requests again 🤗

[roadtogracelandx45]

Coming Soon| Angel of Mercy| Yellowstone

Lee Dutton isn't the bachelor his brothers thought he was, he had a wife that lived in town with their toddler daughter, and he kept them secret so they wouldn't get wrapped up in the drama that always seemed to follow the Duttons wherever they went. But when Kayce comes around more with Tate, he brings them to the big house so their children would know their family, if he only knew what kind of drama it causes, he would have to left them in town.

Lee Dutton/ OFC (Spencer Grace)

Possible Kayce/ OFC

Rated M for language, adult content

[ericaand]

i am so sorry for the comment i left, i was jus too excited!! no seriously though, i apologize. but since your taking requests for Kayce Dutton…

I would love it if you could write a bsfs to lovers??

Like maybe reader grew up on the ranch with the Duttons bc she had some connection to one of the ranch hands or jus was bsfs with one of the Dutton siblings so she became Kayces bsf. Maybe he and Monica split up or they were never together (you decide) and maybe some SERIOUS AMAZING TENSION WITH THE BEST LOVE CONFESSION😍

again, thank you! and i’ll keep requesting as long as this writers block is here bc i need me and love me some Kayce!!

Seriously had a ton of fun writing this. Enjoy, and send MORE! Please.

Pairing: Kayce Dutton x Fem!Reader

Words: Almost 2k.

Warnings: slight mentions of blood. underage alcohol use. That's about it.

"You know, I hate how much I care about you." Kayce's eyes burn into yours, scanning from right to left continually.

He balls his hand into a fist and speaks through clenched teeth, "Because I know..."

He pauses, loosens his stance, and hangs his head sighing, "I shouldn't."

Earlier that day:

Driving down the familiar driveway, you began to reminisce on all the time you spent on the ranch as a child. With each spin of your tires, the car filled with dust; the smell taking you back to a time when things were easy, and playing with boys was just that: playing.

You hadn't returned to the ranch since your best friends, Kayce and Monika, married. It was too much. Too much pain. Too much hurt. Too much love.

In fact, you weren't even sure you could consider them your best friends anymore. Now, they were each other's best friend. And you? You were just the third wheel now. Sure, you talk to Monika on occasion, mostly through texting. But even that hadn't happened in months. There hasn't been any contact with Kayce at all. Except for the occasional grocery store visit. But even then, it's not like it used to be. Your hellos now feel hollow. But at least the goodbyes don't hurt as much anymore.

You weren't really sure what to expect when you got to the ranch. You knew John and Beth, and Rip would probably be happy to see you; you never really saw them at all anymore. The ranch hands were always fun to spend time with. But now, it feels different. Now, the childhood magic has drifted away, not just from the ranch but from you.

You continue to drive, spotting the tall white silo. Instantly, you're envisioning three little kids chasing after each other, round and round the silo. The side of your mouth curves into a smirk.

You put it in park and take a deep breath, leaning your head back and closing your eyes. When you've conjured up enough courage, you step out and make your way toward the corral. Your steps are slow, hands in your back pockets, head down; until you hear someone yell.

"Y/N! That you?"

You look up to see Rip, slowly trotting over to you with a smile. You tilt your head and smile with a shrug.

"Well, I'll be damned! If it ain't little Y/N." He swings his leg around the horse and graciously hops down. He wraps his arms around you, as you wrap yours around his waist.

He grips your shoulders and pushes you away from himself. "Let me get a good look at ya." He clicks his tongue a few times as he shakes his head.

"You look just like your momma. Beautiful. Whatcha doin' here, kid?"

"Well, looks like you and your boys are obviously starving." You say sarcastically, waving your hand toward the horse corral. "You're lookin at the new Dutton Ranch chef. John called me a while back and asked if I could come help out while Gator was away. I couldn't turn it down. I mean, who says no to John?"

"I sure as hell don't." Rip lets out a quick breath. "See ya later, kid. Can't wait for dinner. I always miss your mommas cooking."

You make your way to the house slowly, letting the wind flow through your hair. You stop dead in your tracks when you spot the small circle of Adirondack chairs in the front yard.

You recall it being the last weekend of summer, all those years ago. A soda bottle filled with whiskey from John's stash was being passed around between the three of you. The fire gently lights the faces of your friends. All that was heard was the crackling, the laughter, and the crickets.

"Dance with me?" The boy with dusty blonde hair reached his hand out to you. You took his hand as he delicately helped you out of your chair.

You draped your arms over his shoulders, as you began to sway slowly. Although the musk of whiskey was strong, you could smell faint bits of his cologne; pine began to fill your nostrils.

"I've gotta pee!" Monika shouted, stumbling toward the house.

You rested your head on his chest as you both continued to sway in sync, his hands resting on your hips.

"This is so perfect, Kayce. I don't want it to end. The stars. The fire. You." You mumbled.

Kayce stopped moving and lifted your chin with his finger. "What?"

"You heard me." You smiled.

Kayce slowly began to dip his head down, until you both heard Monika assert herself by asking when it was her turn for a dance. Kind and caring Kayce pulled you back into a hug and kissed the top of your head, barely whispering, "Me neither."

"You gonna stand there all day? Or are you gonna come cook some supper?" Someone hollared from the porch.

You blinked to reality, seeing John leaning on one of the stone pillars. You smiled as you began to walk towards him, him now walking toward you.

"How are ya, darlin? We sure have missed seeing you around here." John says, pulling you in for a hug. "I'm sorry about your Mom. She was my favorite chef, you know. Well, you might change that."

"Thanks, Mr. Dutton. I missed it here, brings back a lot of memories though." You spoke into his chest.

"Its John, especially to you. You know that. Where's your stuff?"

"It's, uh, in the truck. Should I -" He cuts you off.

"Eh, well have Rip grab it later. Let me just show you where you'll be staying real quick."

John escorts you up a log staircase and to one of the bedrooms. After informing you where everything was, he motioned for you to follow him to the kitchen. Nothing had really changed in the Dutton home. Maybe some updated furniture, but that's about it. You almost felt like it was a time capsule.

The kitchen was small but extremely functional. You walked through, gently grazing your fingers across the beautiful stove. You turned to meet John's gaze.

"Things have changed a bit, but this will work for you, right?" He asked.

"Absolutely." You said with a smile.

"I'll leave you to it." He said, turning and walking away.

You pulled ingredients from the fridge and various cupboards, chopping and prepping. You began to feel the frustration build in you from not knowing your way around the kitchen. You grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge, popped the top, and chugged as much as you could down in one gulp.

You tilted your head back to finish the bottle and turned to put it in the sink, only to be met with another body next to you. There stood Kayce with his back and hands leaning on the counter, smiling cheekily at you.

"Just like I remember." He said.

"Hi, Kayce." You replied, placing the bottle in the sink and going back to the stove.

"You know, I thought I was seein' a ghost." He laughed. "What're you doing here?"

Not taking your eyes from the stove, you replied. "You're looking at the new chef. I'm filling in for Gator while he's gone."

He nodded with pursed lips. "Well, I'm gonna go get washed up."

You turned and nodded with a smile, as he began to walk away. Why was Kayce here? Last you heard he was living on the reservation with Monika.

You filled large serving dishes with the meal for the night and began to place them in the middle of the table, in front of John, Kayce, and Beth.

"Enjoy, guys." You forced a quick nod, wiped your hands on your apron, and moved to leave the room.

"Y/N, stay. Eat. Please. You're not just a chef here. You're family." John spoke.

"Oh...okay. Uh, thank you." You said meekly, pulling your apron over your head and laying it over the back of a chair. Kayce slid the chair next to him out and gestured for you to sit. You obliged.

As you sat and ate, everyone caught up with each other's lives and reminisced about the good times that were had years ago. You noticed that your wine glass never seemed to be empty, but you didn't mind. There were a lot of emotions going on, so a little numbness was welcomed.

You couldn't help but notice that Kayce continually touched your shoulder with his, and you seemed to be the focus of his attention tonight. During dinner, you found out why Kayce was here, and not with his wife and son. He expressed that Monika wanted nothing to do with the ranch and didn't feel it was a good place for Tate. She told him she needed space.

As dinner finished, you piled the family's plates on top of yours and began to balance them into the kitchen, only to realize upon standing that you were much more inebriated than you thought. Before you could even stop it, one plate fell right after the other; shattering on the ground.

The tears began to flow, out of embarrassment and fear combined. You quickly dropped to your knees and attempted to pick up the tiny pieces scattered all around. Unknowingly, while picking up the shards of plates, you were also cutting small slices into your hands. You felt hands on your shoulders.

"Y/N? What happened? Stop, stop. It's okay." Kayce shouted.

You stood and brought your shakey hands over the sink, small drops of blood dripped into the basin.

"I thought I could do this. I thought I could come back here. I figured it'd been enough time. I didn't know it would hurt so much. Between everything that happened with you. And now with Mom..." You cried.

Kayce stepped behind you, his chest pressed to your back. He turned on the faucet, took your hands in his, and gently rinsed each finger and cut slowly. You leaned your head back against his collarbone, wincing at the water stinging your nerves.

After he finishes rinsing your hands, he turns you around and blots your hands tenderly with clean paper towels.

"You know, I hate how much I care about you." Kayce's eyes burn into yours, scanning from right to left continually.

He balls his hand into a fist and speaks through clenched teeth, "because I know..." he pauses.

He loosens his stance and hangs his head sighing, "I shouldn't."

You rest your forehead on his.

"Why?" You ask.

You both pull away to face each other, the eye contact almost unbearable.

"Because I fucked up...I fucked up a long time ago. And if I didn't, well, maybe things would've been different." He shook his head and stared out the window behind you. "I wouldn't trade Tate for the world. But I don't know why I didn't just speak up. I didn't want to be with Monika. But we were having a baby, what was I supposed to do?"

"Hey, you did the right thing." You cupped his face in both your hands, forcing him to look at you again. "You were having a baby! What else were you supposed to do?"

"I was supposed to be with you. I wanted to be with you. I love you, Y/N. There's no one else I ever saw myself making a life with." He lamented.

You moved your arms to drape over his shoulders, memories of that night flooding back to you again. In the same fashion, Kayce hooked a finger under your chin to align his lips with yours. Warmth flowed to your cheeks. His lips met yours, soft and tender. It felt like home.

MASTERLIST

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 32: Destiny

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: language, despair, angst, dealing with first time killing, smut, p in v sex, unprotected sex, creampie

* Word count: 4,604ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all

Author's note: All I have to say is finally. Good lord. You’ll all understand when we get there lol. I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well! One more before I take a break to get some actual writing done.

The sound of the door being opened woke Stella with a jump. When it was daylight and she teetered on the edge of consciousness, it had been fine that she was by herself. She hadn’t thought about what it would be like after dark. She quietly sat up. She tried to listen for any recognizable sound.

The boot falls she would recognize anywhere. They belonged to Kayce. Her heart rate started to slow again. He opened the door a crack, just enough that he was able to see into where she was on the bed. She looked back at him and blinked sleepily.

“Hey cowboy.” Her voice was quiet, scratchy.

He smiled softly at her, “Hey Stellfire,” he opened the door a bit more and leaned against the door frame. “How’re you doin’?”

“I mean, isn’t that kind of a loaded question after… Wait, what day is it?”

“It’s the same day. It’s late though.”

She groaned and threw herself back onto Kayce’s pillows. “It couldn’t have at least been the next day before I woke up?”

“No, you know how our luck runs, but your brother also wanted you to be checked on. He was about to come up here himself, but I figured I would spare you.”

“My hero, thank you. Seriously. I don’t know if I can talk to him just yet.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s somehow going to turn into a lecture and I really don’t feel like being lectured right now.”

“Oh you mean how he and Colby tried to interrogate me as to why I answered your phone?”

“What do you mean they tried to interrogate you? About what?” Stella swept the sheets off and stood. “That you’re probably the main reason I made it out of that bullshit alive?”

“Hold on there, spitfire.” Kayce put his arm across the door frame to keep her from going out the bedroom door. He looked down at her. She was shorter without her boots. He wasn’t sure he’d ever stopped to think about it before. He had to clear his throat to keep from laughing at the cute scrunch of her face, her eyes squinted hard trying to focus in the dark without her glasses. “He just cares. Which you should be worrying about yourself right now. Not me. I can handle your brother.”

She crossed her arms, and squinted at him in the dim lighting.

“You should also probably get your glasses if you’re gonna be awake with me for a while.” She shoved him, silently telling him to fuck off.

“I guess I’ll stay up for a little whil—,” she realized she didn’t have pants on as the comforter brushed against her leg when she reached for her glasses. Kayce seemed to be ignoring her lack of pants, or it truly went unnoticed. “I’ll meet you out there in a second.”

After Stella heard him wander off, she searched for her black sweatpants. They had to be here somewhere. She had them on when she got back to the ranch. She looked on the bed. They weren’t there. They weren’t on the arm chair, the dresser or the floor. Anywhere on the floor.

“Where the fu—,”

“Lookin’ for these?” Kayce said in an amused tone. His arm was outstretched through the door, her black sweats dangled from his hand.

“Kayce John give me those!” She reached out and snatched them while he laughed and walked away.

His voice sounded far away in the living room. “What are they doing out here anyway?”

Stella walked through the door and into the kitchen, “I wish I could tell you, but I came in here and after I opened the door, I don’t remember anything else.”

She padded her way into the little living room. She sat down cross legged and faced Kayce on the couch. The quiet enveloped them both. She uncrossed her arms and looked at her hands. They started to shake as reality started to set in again. She killed someone with those hands. Two someones. She had snuffed the life out of them and couldn’t take it back. Yes, she had witnessed death more times than she should have at this point in her life. But she’d never been responsible for it.

“Kayce, what the fuck.” She leaned forward as a wave of nausea overtook her stomach, her face nearly touched the couch. He leaned over and rubbed her back. He chewed on his bottom lip as he tried to find the words. There was nothing he could say to make it any better. It definitely wouldn’t change the course of action she had taken.

“I know, sugar. You did what you had to do. To stay here. Alive, and with us. Like you said, they were coming for you and they weren’t stopping.”

“But I should have shot their knees or something. I didn’t have to go for their heads, Kayce. Fuck!” She moaned as she sat up. She ran her hands down her face. She started to hyperventilate.

“Stella,” he scooted closer and grabbed her hands bringing them down to her lap, “Stella, look at me,” he grabbed her full round cheeks. She stopped all forms of movement. She almost stopped breathing.

“Yeah?” Her voice was small.

“You did what you had to do. And if I’m right, he was a bad man—,” Stella interrupted and pulled back from his hands.

“— that doesn’t make it fucking better Kayce.”

“Yes it does actually.”

“What the actual fuck?!” Her temper raised her voice to a higher octave. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“You’re here with me and I don’t have to do this alone!”

Everything went silent. Both of them breathed heavier than normal as their blood pressure came back down. Stella blinked at Kayce, but he wouldn’t look at her. It wasn’t very often that you would find him raising his voice to her. She wasn’t sure what to do with the admission. Especially since the talk they had a few weeks ago. She hadn’t taken into account how important she was to him before. How crucial she still was, apparently.

“Look at me.” Her tone was soft. She didn’t want to scare him into leaving. She realized that he had been just as scared about her dying as she was. He took his time, but finally looked at her.

“I’ve always been your Huckleberry, Kayce. Why do you think Lee joked about us being attached at the hip?” Stella fidgeted with her hands and tried to keep her mind busy. “I made a promise to your brother that I would do almost anything for you and the family. You’re all Ryan and I have. You’ve done everything for us. I’m glad I’m still here. With you.” She reached out and grabbed his hand.

“The point I’m trying to make is that regardless of whether or not they were bad men, there’s still blood on my hands. How do I come back from that? I just—,” the lump in her throat cut her off. She puffed out air. She tried to catch her breath, but the thoughts stole it from her.

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. He cupped her full cheeks to make her bring her eyes to his. He could see her starting to calm down.

“Baby, it’s okay. Whatever it is, we're gonna get through it together, alright?” He used the words she’d used for him time and time again.

Stella nodded, “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course Stella. You know you can always ask me anything.”

She hesitated. She felt childish asking this, but she really didn’t want to be alone. “Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?” Kayce smiled at her affectionately. The small way she asked was endearing.

“Come on, let’s go to bed.” He stood from the couch and grabbed her hand to lead her back to the bedroom. Stella felt her stomach tighten. She had been in and around Kayce in a bedroom plenty of times. They’d slept together for crying out loud. Something felt different now, and she wasn’t sure if she was overthinking it this time, or if something had actually shifted. She was torn, wanting to forgive him because he had saved her life, but also not wanting to because that shit had really hurt.

He walked in before her and pulled the covers down. He placed his hat off to the side and started to take off his boots. Stella was nervous and didn’t want to move more than she had too. He gazed over at her and could see the anxious look in her eyes.

Kayce assured her. “It’ll be okay. I promise. I’ll be in the house all night.”

Stella broke out of her daze and busied herself. She made her way to the bedside as Kayce took off his jeans. She sat down and watched him grab a pair of his own sweatpants. She bit her lip and looked away.

“How can you be sure? There’s so many places people can sneak onto the property and we all would be none the wiser.” Stella thought of all the different ways people could sneak in. She took her glasses off and set them on the nightstand on her side of the bed.

“Well, even if they do find a way in, we’ve got an entire group of people that will stop them.”

“I would rather it didn’t come to that though.” She didn’t want to endanger anyone else, more than she already had.

Kayce breathed out as he placed himself on the full size bed next to her. Stella scooted back toward the edge of her side.

He grinned. “I promise I won’t bite, Stell.”

“I know, I know. I just don’t wanna be all up in your grill.”

“At least make yourself comfortable. You don’t have to squeeze all the way over there.” He pulled the covers up over his lower half. Kayce placed his arm back against the headboard as if leaving a space for her to slide in. Stella squinted at him, unsure of what was happening.

Kayce reassured her. “Well c’mon.” She gnawed on her lip for an extra second and contemplated. She couldn’t help but feel like a line was being crossed somewhere. The exhaustion creeped in. ‘Whatever, I’ll deal with this later.’ She dismissed the idea. ‘That’s a later me problem.’

Stella shuffled underneath the blankets. She moved a fraction closer to Kayce, to which he huffed. He pulled her into his side.

“Since when did you become scared of me, huh?” He framed his arm around her shoulders giving her a gentle squeeze.

“I’m not scared of you. I just don’t want to be vulnerable again. We know how that ended up last time.”

Stella focused on whatever she could in front of her. There had been a lot that happened within the last 24 to 48 hours. She felt like the only thing she could do was be quiet. Some of the thoughts that ran through her mind still made her feel physically sick. Some of them left her uncertain. Her head was all over the map. How could she be thinking that something had changed between Kayce and she, when she had killed two people not long ago? Where did that make sense?

“I just think I’m tired, Kace.” Stella migrated farther into the blankets, but remained encircled in Kayce’s arm. “Can you turn the light off please?” The full weight of his arm dropped against her. He didn’t want her to clam up on him. He wasn’t sure what to do. He kissed the top of her head and leaned over to turn out the light.

It had only been a few hours since they had wandered into the bedroom. Kayce’s full intention had been to head out to the couch once she fell asleep. He woke up as he felt her rutch around. She was making small noises. Even faced away from him, he could tell she was troubled. She flopped back over and faced him again. She reached out and grasped his tank top.

He reached out for her. “Stella, honey.” One hand grabbed hers on his chest, the other touched her face lightly. He rubbed her rosy cheek and tried to pull her out of the nightmare.

“Stella.” Kayce said more firmly. Her eyes flew open as she breathed in a gulp of air. Her arms flailed as she grappled to get her hands on anything she could to keep herself from falling.

“Hey, hey, hey. It’s okay, Stella. I’m right here. You’re safe. You’re in the foreman’s house. Everything is alright.” Kayce told her quickly. He brushed the stray hairs from her face. She heaved trying to catch her breath making high pitched wheezes come out. She pushed his hands away, and kicked at his legs.

Kayce tucked his leg over top of hers, grabbed both of her wrists in one hand and brought them close to his chest. He laid himself over on top of her to weigh her down some. He leaned into her, as close to her face as he could get. He had to get her to stop struggling.

“Stella!” She drew back into the pillows. Her eyes fully locked in on Kayce, and she realized was safe. They both puffed and panted. Her short bursts of breath moved the hair in Kayce’s face. Their eyes locked and Stella froze. Time appeared to stand still.

“Come back to me, Stell.” He let go of her wrists and she touched his face. She had to make sure this was real, and wasn’t about to transition into a horrible scene.

“Oh my god, Kayce.” Her arms shot out and hugged him tight. As he dropped, he moved to his side. He rolled her with him and kept her in his grasp. She buried her face as far into his neck as she could and started to cry. “I’m a horrible person. I killed someone. I can’t take it back. I should be arrested, or in jail! But no, I had to call you, and now all of you are wrapped up in my fuckin’ mess too.”

He placed his hand on the back of her head. “Shh shh, it’s okay baby. It’s okay.” His heart broke all over again for her. He wished he would have gotten to that last man before she had to kill him. He would have gladly placed that on his shoulders, so she didn’t have to bear it.

“No! It’s not okay! I put everyone in danger—,” she hiccuped with tears.

“Baby, I came for you. I got you safe, and you did what you had to. You didn’t force any of us to do anything we wouldn’t.”

Stella got frustrated. She pushed back and away from Kayce. “Why do you keep calling me that! You made your feelings very evident when you ripped me apart!” She sat up and swiped angrily at her face. “You don’t get to call me that!”

“I don’t know!” He sat up and fixed his gaze on her. She glared at him. “I can’t do this anymore. You know we’re more than friends at this point.”

“No. No. I’m not doing this right now.” She started to panic. She clambered from underneath the tangled sheets on her legs.

“Stella, where are you going?” Kayce scrambled to get out of the bed behind her.

“Away from you!” She hurried and snagged her boots. She could hear his footsteps behind her. Her hand landed on the door knob and she started to swing the door open. It slipped from her hand violently as it was pushed shut by Kayce’s much larger hand. She gaped at Kayce’s arm and spun around and scowled up at him while dropping her boots.

He towered above her. With his hand on the door, his presence felt so much bigger. Their eyes finally met. They both huffed wildly. Stella felt warm. The whole room felt like it was on fire. She rammed her hands into his chest and tried to shove him backward. He moved, but swung back forward, keeping her surrounded.

“Kayce let me go!”

“No Stella. Not until you simmer down.”

“That’s not gonna happen with you in my face!” She shoved at him again. He grappled with her hands. Kayce yanked on them and straightened her back against the wall. He pressed himself against Stella’s body as close as he could get, then maneuvered his leg in between hers. That caused her to hike up, almost on her tiptoes. It made her lose her breath. She was taken over by a memory of that first time in her house.

Kayce gripped her chin in his hand. “Stella, stop. Focus.” She glowered at him. “I will let you go, but I need you to calm down. I don’t want you leaving here in a huff and getting hurt because you left unprepared.”

“Oh my god. I don’t need you to fuckin’ baby me.”

“I’m not babying you! I’m trying to make sure you don’t die!”

“Why?!” She screeched. “No one signed you up for that!”

“Because I fucking love you okay!” He let her go and she dropped back onto her feet. Kayce retreated and turned away from Stella. His shoulders dropped and he wiped his face with his hands.

The silence that enveloped the room was deafening. Stella sagged back against the door while she tried to catch her breath. She stared at his back, her mouth hung open, unsure of what to say. In a small voice, she asked simply, “Why?”

Kayce picked his head up, but he didn’t turn around. “Because after everything that’s happened in my life in the last 13 years, good, bad, horrible… you’ve never run.” Stella looked down at the floor. She went to adjust her glasses, but realized she had never grabbed them in her hurried temper tantrum. “Hell, even when I told you what I had done after Lee… you still, never ran.”

“I know I can always count on looking up and seeing you somewhere ready to fight anyone coming for me, or die trying.” She heard his feet move on the floor, but refused to look up. He placed his hand gently under her chin to bring her eyes up to meet his. Once she did, he released her face.

“I couldn’t breathe when I heard you scream and those gunshots, Stella. I thought I was gonna run to you, and you would be gone. My heart stopped.” He opened his arms in an offered hug. Stella sniffled and moved forward into the embrace. “I’m happy it was him and not you. I’ll say that every time. No matter if we got the chance to change it, or not.” Kayce said softly into her ear.

Muffled from his chest came the hushed admission. “I’m really glad it was you who came and had my back.” He softly smiled and put his chin on her head.

Stella stared at his chest. All the thoughts rushed through her mind at once. She leaned back to take a good look at him. When his eyes met hers, everything ceased. She threaded her hand through his hair and stood on her tiptoes to meet his lips halfway. Kayce wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her closer like she was his source of air. Their tongues danced along one another and Kayce let out a quiet hum.

She pulled back, leaning her arms on his shoulders. Kayce gazed down at her as if she held the universe in her palm. She timidly looked up at him in contemplation. The last time they allowed this to happen had been a whirlwind. Kayce watched her mind work.

Was she ready to forgive him? Of course she forgave him. She would probably always forgive him. They were both human and when all of that went down they were both vulnerable in different ways. They sought out comfort and safety with each other. Did it make it right that they both took advantage of each other? Absolutely not. But did coming to the realization they both weren’t perfect make it easier to swallow? Did she think they could work things out? Yes.

Amidst all the weirdness, he had put that aside when she needed someone the most. He’d saved her. She wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t rushed out to her. Was she ready to let him back in for real this time, was the question. His hand on her cheek brought her back to reality.

“You okay, Stell?”

A tiny grin settled on her cheeks. She placed her hand on his chest and with a hushed tone said, “come to bed with me.” Gently she grabbed his hand and led him to the bedroom.

Her heartbeat pounded in her chest so hard she could barely catch her breath. “Keep me safe.” She whispered. It was about more than just the act they were about to engage in. She wanted him to be careful with not only her body, but her mind. Her heart.

Kayce stepped forward, and kissed her softly. He reached down and wrapped the bottom of her plain white t-shirt in his fingers. Tugging upward, Stella instinctively lifted her arms to let the garment slide up and off. When it slipped over her head, her breasts dropped free of the shirt. They bobbed with her heavy breaths from her nerves.

Kayce took off his shirt to join her and tossed both to the side. The duo grabbed the waistband of their pants and quickly dropped them to the floor. They stood there taking each other in. He closed the gap between them and took her mouth with his. Stella met him with open arms. Kayce turned them about face and laid back on the bed, bringing her with him.

Neither of them came up for air as they slowly descended onto the mattress. Stella’s hand trailed its way from his chest, along his stomach. The muscles tightened as her fingers flitted along closer to their goal. Her soft fingers wrapped around his dick. Kayce broke their kiss to groan.

Stella placed soft kisses along his jaw and shoulder. She stroked his cock with a soft grip and loose wrist. With every pass of her hand she swore it hardened even more. He looked beautiful in this moment to her. His head was back against the pillows, lips parted, eyes closed. She gave him gentle direction. “Hey look at me.”

Kayce’s eyes shot open, searching for hers. When he found her, she was watching herself jerking his dick with her bottom lip pulled in between her teeth. She released her lip and looked back at him. The desire he saw in her almost stopped his heart. His penis throbbed and jumped in her hand.

She lazily sat up and pulled her hair free from the messy bun that sat atop her head. Kayce propped himself up on his elbows and groaned at the lack of contact, but her hand on his shoulder stopped him. Stella threw her leg over his hips and straddled him. He placed his hands on her thighs and gave them a squeeze.

Posting up, he reached between them and grabbed himself to help her aim. He pumped his cock a few times and he slid himself between her slick folds. Stella tossed her hair to the side and sunk down onto him. She watched him disappear into her waiting pussy. The sound she made was almost a purr when he was fully sheathed. Her head fell back and her eyes fluttered shut at the sensation of being full.

Kayce grabbed her arms and pulled her down to his chest. He propped his legs up on flat feet, pulling her in to kiss her. His tongue found its way into her mouth and she responded with a moan. Gradually he thrusted his hips upward. Stella’s waist came to life and ground down on his cock in time with his thrusts.

It was lazy and it was slow. There was no rush, and every feeling built upon the last one. Stella pushed back and sat up straight. She wound her pelvis against his. There was a particular angle he noticed she hitched at. When she came around again Kayce snapped his cock up into her dripping cunt. She buckled forward, catching herself on his chest. She kept winding her center against him. The electricity from him hitting that angle ran through to her toes. She whispered breathelessly, “fuck, Kayce.”

“I know, sugar. Lay down.” He helped her up off him. When she was settled he got comfortable on top of her. She subconsciously surrounded his waist with her legs. He angled his cock at the entrance to her pussy and dove back in. Stella embraced him, burying her face in his neck. Kayce’s hand trailed back along her side, and up her leg to lend her support.

He drove his cock into her slow and deep. Each time he hit her cervix she huffed out a moan. Stella was so overwhelmed with how deep he was she scratched at his back. “Kayce,” she mewled. “Shit.” She wasn’t sure how much more she could handle.

Kayce rolled his hips in a circle and felt Stella clench around him. “Fuck, Stella,” he sighed shakily. “You gonna cum for me?” He thrusted sharply when she squeezed him again.

“Yes, yes!” She cried out. “Please,” she begged. Her arms left his neck and she grabbed his midsection, spurring him into action.

He rose up on his hands and Stella grabbed her legs behind the knees to keep herself spread for him. He almost came at the sight. Kayce locked his elbows and pounded into her from the close angle, pushing deep into her. Small grunts left him from the effort. He felt his release rising.

Stella felt as tears lined her eyes. The pleasure absorbed her. “Kayce, cum in me,” she requested soberly.

Kayce’s thrusts stuttered, “oh fuck,” he groaned at her invitation.

She reached up to touch any part of him she could reach. “That’s it cowboy, come on. Cum in me.” Kayce dropped overtop of her and hammered into her. He growled louder with every push. Their keening grew in volume and he felt his cum shoot out into her begging cunt. He shook and stuttered. Stella sobbed with her orgasm.

They laid there intertwined with each other, trying to come back down from the high. Stella came to sooner and brushed Kayce’s hair back from his face. His eyes slowly opened and he smiled up at her.

“I’ll be right back.” He tenderly pulled out of her and shuddered at the loss of contact. He quickly went to the bathroom and turned on the water in the sink. While he waited for it to heat up, he cleaned himself up, and grabbed a separate rag to run under the water.

Stepping back into the room, he gazed at Stella laying there, knees bent and feet flat in the bed. “Come to the edge baby.” She slid herself to the end of the bed and he took the wet rag and softly wiped his cum off of her.

“We made a mess, didn’t we?” She asked shyly.

He chuckled. “Nothin’ a washer won’t fix.” He finished cleaning her up and threw the washcloth into the hamper.

“Can we go back to bed, and deal with this during normal hours?” Stella asked as she placed her hand on his chest when he came back to her.

Kayce breathed a chuckle. “Yeah, c’mon, Stellfire.”

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 30: The Warning

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: language

* Word count: 4,965ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all.

Author's note: Oh shit y’all, things are getting serious. It really feels like we’re seeing Stella unfold a little bit and step into a new role. At least I feel like she’s grown quite a bit! I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well!

Stella woke up to the sound of quiet movements in the bunkhouse. She turned over from facing the wall to see who moseyed about. She glanced at her phone to see that it was about 5:30. She reached over and snatched her glasses off the little table she had next to her bunk. The lights were off, except for the little one over top of the sink. She could see from the silhouette that it was Kayce.

She took a few moments to really observe him. He came across lighter, but still weighed down. It would take time for everything to ease. It was heavy, and definitely couldn't be painless to carry. Stella wished with every fiber of her being that she could take that away from Kayce. It hurt her to see him more withdrawn than usual. Even with everything that had happened between them. Silently she got up and padded her way over to the kitchen. She would pretend everything was normal, even if it was just in this moment.

“Mornin’, cowboy.” She murmured. She came up behind him and placed her hand in between his shoulders and rubbed softly. He turned to look at her, both stuck in their sleepy daze. She wished they could get past the avoidance stage and stay in this fuzzy warm feeling. She peered up at him with sleepy doe eyes and asked softly. “Make me a cup of coffee, please?” It was her offer of putting things aside for the time being. She leaned her head against his shoulder for a second before she wandered off. She didn’t want to be awake yet, especially after yesterday’s shenanigans.

He acknowledged her and got started on the coffee. Stella walked off and went to the bathroom. She wanted to grab a quick shower and brush her teeth before all the other men decided to take over the communal space.

Kayce kept track of her movement as she weaved her way through the house to the bathroom. There was an easy smile on his face the longer he looked at her. There was just something comforting about the exchange. Almost like someone was saying everything was going to be okay. Lloyd cleared his throat as he stepped into the spot Stella had been and gave Kayce a sharp look of warning. He had watched the entire interaction. He fixed his gaze back on the coffee, as Lloyd walked over to grab a mug.

“The man who wins her heart will be one lucky son of a bitch.” Lloyd prompted.

Kayce looked over at him and chuckled. “Yeah, he sure will, Lloyd. He sure will.” He peeked out the window to watch the sun slowly lighting up the ranch. His eyebrows furrowed at the thought of someone else gaining her affection and how it made him feel. It was like that one time Charlie Samuels had asked her out. Charlie and Kayce were seniors and she was a sophomore.

“He what?!” Kayce jumped up off the couch in his dad’s living room.

“Yeah, he asked me out! Can you believe it? Someone actually asked me out!” Stella practically jumped up and down with excitement.

Kayce paced back and forth. He tried to think of some way he could stop this from happening. “No no no. You are not going out with Charlie Samuels, Stella. Never in a million years!”

“What? Why?” Stella watched him pace.

“Because he’s not a good guy. I can promise you that.”

Stella hopped up. “Oh come on! You’ve said that about every dude who’s barely breathed in my direction Kayce!”

“If I find out you do go out with him?”

“What? What are you gonna do?”

Kayce stormed off to formulate a plan. Charlie was notorious for the notches in his bed post that he loved and left. Kayce wasn’t about to let Stella become one of them.

Jake hollered from behind him and startled him back to the present. “Hey everyone, Kayce’s makin’ coffee! Time to get up!”

Stella’s yell was muffled from the bathroom, “that first mug is mine! I already called dibs!” She raced out to the kitchen just as Kayce pulled the mug away from the commotion. He safely handed it to her and she smiled at him in thanks. He watched as she wandered away to go back to the bathroom. Everyone tried to get some of the dark liquid energy before they had to wait for another pot.

Kayce wandered outside to head to the barn. He spotted his dad in the aisle getting his horse Red ready. “What’s goin’ on? Is there a problem?”

John sighed at the silence being broken. “Are there problems?” He chuckled. “Everywhere I turn, son.”

“So where are you headed?”

“You know the only time I’m solely focused on the present, is on this horse. Just need a long ride to remind myself of what we’re fightin’ for.”

“Want some company?”

“Well, you have a few problems that need fixing first, I’m afraid.”

“Well ain’t that the thing about problems, dad? No matter how long you’re gone, they’ll be right here when you get back.”

“Grab a horse.”

“Okay, but Monica is dropping Tate off here later to spend some time with us. So I gotta be back for that.”

“You’ll be back. I’ll wait for you out here.”

“You don’t gotta wait on me. I’ll catch up.”

“You think, do ya?”

“Just tell me what direction you’re headed.”

John laughed and rubbed his nose slyly showing his youngest where he was going and walked off. Kayce laughed and knew he’d find his dad easily.

Kayce made his way back to the bunkhouse from the barn with Tank ready to go. Stella walked out the door. “Oh hey.” She took in Tank being ready. “Whatcha doin’?”

“I’m gonna go ride with my dad for a bit.”

Stella smiled at that. It had been a long time since she’d heard him actively trying to bond with his dad. “That’s good, Kace.”

“Before I left, I was actually hoping to run into you.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Oh really? What for?” Still on the outs, she would never have expected to be sought out.

“Yeah, Monica is dropping off Tate in a little while, and I’m gonna try to be back in time, but if I’m not I just need someone to sit with him until I get back.”

Stella crossed her arms and her feet at the ankles. “Uh, yeah. Sure.”

“I can have Rip look after him,” Kayce suggested.

“No, it’s fine. I don’t have anything to do today.” She gave him a small smile. “You go have fun.”

“Thank you, Stell.” Kayce climbed up into his saddle

The father and son galloped along the pastures. They were transported back to a simpler time. Back to when they didn’t have as many worries as they did now. Kayce was a kid and free to run wild. John was only concerned about what pasture he was moving the herd to this week.

They came to a stop in front of one of the many fences the property had. They slowly dismounted and went to lean and gaze out over the pasture in front of them. John looked around and chuckled.

Kayce joked, “come here often?”

“Every chance I get.” John sobered at the thought of his wife. “It’s been 20 years,” he frowned, “no. 21. 21 years and it feels like yesterday. I still feel her, smell her. Been half a man without her. It's not an excuse. I was just a better father when she was with me. I hope you never know what that feels like, son.”

“I already know what that feels like.”

“How did getting Stella’s stuff go? Were you followed?”

Kayce sighed and looked down. “It went fine, but we were followed by a silver sedan. She also thought someone had been in her house.”

“You don’t think there was?”

“If she says there was, I believe her. Out of all of us, she’s probably the most scary observant.”

“Sounds like someone else I know.” John smirked at him amused. If there was anyone he knew would notice the little things, it was his son or his best friend. He looked at Kayce, who appeared to be holding something back. “There’s more, isn’t there?”

Kayce felt the note in his pocket. The thought of what it said made his stomach turn. “I found this on her porch.” He held out the note for his dad.

John reached out to take the note. “Sweetheart, you weren’t home when we stopped by. Shame we missed you. You and your employer will remember exactly who the fuck I am by the time we’re done, Miss Daniels.” He read out loud.

Kayce cleared his throat. “Now that she’s told us about Malcolm stopping by and pissing him off, I’m almost certain it was him. Or his brother.”

“Well she’s safe here. So we’ll get this fixed. Soon.”

Through the kitchen window of the bunkhouse, Stella spotted Monica’s Nissan pull up. The woman and her son climbed out of the car. Stella took a deep breath to prepare for seeing Monica since everything happened.

Cautiously, Stella exited the house and made her way closer to Kayce’s wife. “Hey Monica,” Stella greeted.

The dark haired woman whipped her head to look at who called out to her. Monica hadn’t been ready for this. She sighed. “Tate, why don’t you go find Rip?”

“Okay!” The little boy ran off.

“Hey Stella.”

“How are you?” Stella asked timidly.

“Fine. Day by day. Where’s Kayce?”

“He went out riding with his dad earlier. He asked me to watch after Tate until he got back if he wasn’t back on time.” Stella put her hands in her back pockets. “Is that okay? If not, I’m sure Rip will do just fine.”

“It’s fine.” Monica watched Stella’s shoulders drop back in shock. “Just as long as you understand I’m always going to be around because of our son.”

“I wouldn't expect any less.” Stella frowned. “Wait, what’re you getting at?”

“I’m sure you and Kayce are moving on together.” Monica assumed.

Stella scoffed. “Actually quite the opposite. The last few days have been the most I’ve talked to him at one time in a few weeks. But regardless I understand your point, and again I wouldn’t expect any less.”

“Do you know about when they’ll be back?”

Stella shrugged. “Not really. He didn’t say and I didn’t ask.”

“Okay well let Kayce know I’ll talk to him about pick up and everything later on then. Please?”

“Of course.”

“And keep my boy safe.”

“If he’s in my presence? Always.”

Monica smiled sorrowfully at her. “Text me or call if you guys need anything.” She went to find her son to give him a hug. Stella turned on her heel to go inside and grab some water bottles. It would give Monica time to leave and herself time to calm her nerves.

She walked back from the bunkhouse with water for Tate, Rip and herself. When she came up behind them, she watched Rip gently explain colt breaking to Kayce’s son. A gentle smile appeared on her face. It was sweet to see the other side of Rip that most people never saw. “You tryin’ to teach him how to put me out of a job?”

Rip chuckled and answered Tate’s question first. “Well, I want to get all the shit out of his system, so I can get on him.” He glanced at Stella with a smile. “And no, just teaching him tricks of the trade.”

“Hey! You owe me a dollar!”

“I ain't paying you a fuckin' dollar.” Rip laughed.

“Rip!” Stella scolded him. She held out his water bottle for him.

Tate took his water from her and asked Rip, “so you don't go ass over teakettle?”

“Tate Dutton!” Her maternal voice came out.

Rip snorted. “Yeah, that's right. Here, here, here, here, here... Here. See that, Tate? That's him submitting.”

Stella rolled her eyes at the way Rip explained the horse’s body language to Tate. “It’s not submission, it’s trust. Now I see why you don’t train them.” She laughed at Rip’s playful glare. She looked at Tate. “No matter how much we train them, they can still overpower us if something pushes them to. We train to hopefully avoid having that happen so we can get work done, but animal instinct will win every time.”

“What does that mean?” Tate asked.

“Well that means he's ready to go to work. Hold on. Go nice and easy.” Rip held the horse still. “You can pet his face now.” Rip gave Tate permission. “There you go. Right up... there you go. That's a good job. All right, what do you say? Should we get another one?”

“Yeah!”

“Go get the gate for me.” Rip requested and Tate’s little legs flew to go to the gate. Stella smiled fondly at Rip and Kayce’s son bonding. Her face dropped as Kayce and John trotted up along the fence as Rip walked through the gate.

Rip joked to John and Kayce, “you can add babysitting to my list of talents.”

“Gotta say,” Kayce dismounted, “I didn't see that one coming.”

“Me neither.” They shared a chuckle.

Tate stepped forward, but John spoke, interrupting the 9 year old’s stride. “We need to talk.” That sounded important.

Rip nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Do you need me too, sir?” John didn’t have a chance to answer Stella because Tate made his presence front and center.

“I need to talk to you first, Grandpa. It's very serious.” His little face scrunched in a frown.

“All right.” John replied.

“Do I need to be part of this conversation?” Kayce asked.

Tate roasted his father like a marshmallow over a campfire. “You ain't got any money. Gotta be him.” All the adults laughed at the youngster’s brutal honesty.

“This should be good. Come on.” John grabbed his grandson’s shoulder and led him off away from everyone.

Kayce glanced at Stella, still unsure of how lightly he should tread. She stared back at him not knowing what to say. Kayce said to both her and Rip, “thanks for watching him.”

“It’s no problem, Kace.” She gave him a small smile.

“He's a smart kid. You can see it in his eyes.” Rip encouraged her best friend.

“Got that from his mother.”

“Yeah, kind of figured.” Rip laughed.

Stella sobered when she remembered Monica’s message to Kayce. “Speaking of his mother,” Stella cleared her throat, “she said she wanted to talk to you when you got back about the details for pick up and stuff. Might wanna talk to her soon.”

“I’m going to see her for a little bit after here anyhow.” Both men gauged Stella’s demeanor at the mention of the sensitive subject.

“Whatever floats your goat,” she said dismissively. She would rather avoid the topic all together.

From behind them, they heard Tate yelling for his dad. “Daddy! Daddy! You gotta train my horse!”

“I’m gonna go get started on chores Rip.” Stella turned on her boot heel and made herself scarce.

Both men watched her walk away. When she was far enough out of hearing distance, Rip turned to Kayce. “Still bumpy, huh?”

“Even after I talked to her about it.”

“You hurt her, Kayce. I’m surprised she’s talking to you at all.” Rip headed further into the barn.

Kayce got Tate settled in his truck. He looked back to his son. “Hang on tight for a minute. I gotta go find Aunt Stella.” He shut the door to go hunt for her.

Stella led another gelding out of the barn. He was another bay gelding named Kodiak. Kodi for short. He fought against her over the lip of the doorway. “It’s okay, buddy.” She stepped over the lip of the door and looked back at him. “C’mon Kodi, it’s not scary I promise.” The gelding took a moment to contemplate how he was going to go about getting through the doorway. He watched Stella and carefully lifted his front hoof and set it down when he realized it wasn’t anything dangerous. He bunny hopped the rest of the way and evened his gait out when he was away from the offensive doorway.

She huffed out a laugh at his antics. She clicked her tongue at him to walk on. “C’mom Kodi, let’s get to work.” Kodi and Stella trailed slowly to the pen. Walking around the corner, they almost ran Kayce over. Kodi chuffed in annoyance. Stella’s brows pulled together. “What’s up? I would have thought you left by now.”

“Is everything okay?” He asked. Stella felt the shyness in his question.

Her frown deepened. “You mean from yesterday? I’m still skeeved out, but I’ll be fine. Why?”

Kayce shook his head. “No, not that.” He was walking on eggshells and that irked her.

“Then what do you mean?” Kodi touched her elbow with his nose. She wrapped her arm under his jaw and pet the side of his face softly. The silence between them hung in the air.

“You know what I mean.”

Stella’s fingers pressed into Kodi’s large cheek and her lips pulled into a thin line. It was partially his refusal to say the words out loud that annoyed her the most. “Oh. That.” She sighed. “No, Kayce. I’m not. That shit really fuckin’ hurt. I know you didn’t do it on purpose. I could have stopped it, should have stopped it, before it got that far. But neither of us did those things. So here we are.”

“Stella, I’m—,” he tried to apologize again, but she interrupted him.

“I get it, you’re sorry. I’m sorry too.” Kodi bumped her toward him. She sideyed the horse. “I’m thankful you helped me and my brother out yesterday, but I still need time. Okay?”

Kayce crossed his arms and stared at the ground. “Yeah.” He breathed in and finally looked back at her. “I got Tate waitin’ in the truck.”

“Yeah you go. I’ll be fine workin’ with Kodi here.” She watched as he backtracked to his truck.

Stella had been in the training pen for a good while now, running another one of the new horses since she finished up with Kodi. She spotted John as he sprinted down the hill toward the barn. He yelled out for Rip waving his jacket through the air.

“Sir, what’s wrong?” She called out.

“Jamie!” John shot past her. In the corner of her eye she detected a shape that looked like Rip. He dropped the wheelbarrow of hay he had, ready to take off.

Stella gauged the new mare. Her disposition had been very peaceful the whole time. Stella knew she was taking a chance, but she had a hunch she would be just fine. “Alright Ember girl, time to show me whatcha got.” Stella placed her foot in the stirrup and eyed the mare carefully. She stepped up, placing her full weight on the saddle. Ember moved forward slightly, but steadied herself with a huff.

Stella swung her leg over and leaned her hips forward and Ember started walking. Ryan walked by the pen at the right time. “Ry, open the gate. I'm gonna go with them.” He rolled his eyes at being halted but reached for the latch on the gate.

Stella gave Ember a swift tap with her heels and she took off. As they breezed by her brother she shouted over her shoulder, “thank you!” The horse and rider made it to the end of the barn just as John and Rip shot out of the building.

“What’s going on?” She hollered from behind them.

“Jamie left the house with a gun.” Rip looked at her as she caught up to him. “Did you see him at all? Did he grab a horse?”

Stella’s brows knitted together. She didn’t like the implication of what Rip meant. “No to either of those!” She shouted over the hoof beats. “He can’t be that far on foot! I’ll go high.” She leaned left and Ember responded by heading toward the hill. She thought it would give her a good vantage point to see wide.

When she reached the top, she looked back down to make sure the men were still heading in the same direction. When she saw they matched her stride for stride, she pushed Ember further along the ridgeline. Her eyes darted around for any sign of Jamie. Ember bobbed and weaved in between the trees along the ridge. She spotted orange on the ground. It was Jamie. She came to a stop a good distance away and glanced down at the men that had galloped along down below. She whistled multiple times as loud as she could. It caught John’s ear and his head whipped her way.

He met her at the top of the hill and she pointed to his son about 100 yards from them. “Go down to Rip. Wait with him.”

“Yessir.” She turned the mare around and they made their way down the hill.

Rip adjusted in his saddle while he watched her trot up to him. “New mare good to go?”

“I’d say she’s pretty damn good. Been on her a couple times before now, but this was the first time out of the safety of the pen.” Rip smiled at her briefly. “So was this about to be what I think it was?”

Rip nodded soberly.

“Hellfire.” Stella sighed.

“Speaking of hellfire, you wanna tell me what leaving a man to hang was all about?”

“Is now the time for that?”

“It’s the perfect time. We got nothin’ to do but wait.”

She chewed the inside of her bottom lip thinking back to what she told Jimmy the other week. “You heard John. He wants me to help Kayce. To protect this place. Like you do for him.”

“I don’t think he meant that far, Stella. That’s my job.”

“Yeah and one day it’ll be mine. This place is my home just as much as it is yours. I’m one of the ghosts that’ll haunt this place forever. Just like you.” His ice blue eyes met her red toned brown. They both knew that was the truth. She’d shown up one day with her brother, and eventually her soul decided that she was never going away. In an odd way, Rip was almost proud of her. Even with everything that had happened to her lately, she was still going to grit her teeth and muddle through somehow.

She continued. “That asshat threatened our home. We can’t be soft defending it. Because other dickheads like him and the Beck brothers will come along and try to steam roll us out of here.” She sighed. “And if that’s a sacrifice I have to make, to be barbaric to ensure this place and the people that reside here stay safe? Then so be it.”

John walked Jamie down the hill with his arm locked around his son’s. Both of them looked distraught, but in different ways. “He’s moving to the bunkhouse for a little while.”

The group made it back to the big house and John gave out directions. “Stella, you go with Jamie.” He thought her presence might be more soothing than Rip’s. “Rip you wait down here.” He looked at his son. “You just get a few things. You can come back and get them as needed.”

Stella prodded the lawyer gently. “C’mon Jame.” The nickname from when they were younger slipped out. “Let’s get you packed up.”

On the top floor they came to his bedroom door. Stella leaned her shoulder against it, crossing her arms and ankles. She watched the eldest sibling quietly. Stella had been able to determine that he wasn’t running for office any longer. It appeared he had moved back into his bedroom. It was clear he was in shambles. The rug got pulled out from underneath him, and by the looks of it, it was rather quick.

“I’m sorry Jame. The bunkhouse will set you right. It’ll be a nice change of pace.” Down the stairs behind her she could hear muffled voices talking. It sounded like Beth had gotten home.

“This is silly, Stella.” Jamie shoved clothes into a duffel bag resentfully.

“Is it? It’s a good reminder of what you’re fighting for. What we’re all fighting for.” He looked at her. “And really, are we all that bad?” She smirked at him.

He would have chuckled if he had it in him. “No. I suppose not.”

“That’s the Jamie I remember.” She smiled softly at him. Yes, he annoyed her to high hell, but she never would have wanted him to end his life. “And anyway, you’ll get to hang out with Kayce more. I think that’ll be good for you.” He zipped up the bag when there was no more room to stuff things in it. Stella straightened away from the door. “Alright, buckaroo. Let’s go.”

At the bottom of the stairs, John stood patiently waiting. He and Stella shared a look. “Rip, you take him on down to the bunkhouse. I have to talk to the women for a minute.”

“Yessir.” Rip nodded.

Beth perched herself on the couch in the living room. “How’s it hangin’ homewrecker?”

Stella removed her glasses and set them on a nearby table. She rubbed her face, dragging her hands several times up and down. “Shut the fuck up, Beth. It’s done and over with, okay? So drop it.” She picked her glasses back up and placed them on her face.

Beth could tell Stella wasn’t in the mood. She wanted to see how far she could push her. “Is it really? You’re still here and his wife isn’t.”

Stella glared at John still being present for this, but decided to lay everything out. Beth had left her no choice. “I would still be here regardless, you dickhead. The most I’ve talked to your brother in the last few weeks was yesterday and today. I had no sway in whatever decision they came to. It’s not my business. I did, however, make a promise to him,” she motioned to John, “that I would help Kayce protect this place from the back end. No matter what happened between us. So suck it up buttercup. I’m here to stay. Whether you like it or not.”

John moved to sit on a chair opposite of his daughter. He stared at both women before him. It was time to intervene. “I need you two to put whatever bullshit this is aside and tell me everything about your visits with Malcom Beck and his brother.”

Stella cocked a hip and crossed her arms. “I already told you everything last night, John. He came nosing around, I pissed him off, and I’m sure he had someone tailing me.”

Beth glanced at Stella feeling the anger bubble beneath the surface at her audacity of getting in between her brother’s marriage. Stella disregarded the heated glare from Beth. She knew the woman was furious with her for multiple reasons, but now wasn’t the time. If Malcom wasn’t poking around where he didn’t belong, they wouldn’t even be in the same room right now. Stella cautiously asked her, “he visited you too?”

“He metaphorically whipped it out to compare size.”

“He did that to me the other day.”

“Where?”

“At my house. The morning after one of his guards punched me.” Stella pointed to her face. The cut from the man’s ring had scabbed and evolved into a thin pink scar along the apple of her cheek. The bruise that surrounded it was ugly and yellow, but faded with each passing day.

Beth looked to her father. “He’s digging. What for?”

Stella offered her opinion. She’d had time to think about it. “Weak spots. He’s trying to figure out exactly how to fuck us. How to fuck us right out of this place.”

“I see you’ve pulled your head out of your ass.” Beth chided her. “Now you’re talking like a rancher.”

“Beth,” John warned her. He didn’t need this conversation going south.

“Okay fine.” She huffed. “What’re we gonna do about it?”

“Well Rip and the guys are already looking into it.” John sat back and observed Stella taking charge. The way she stood and the look on her face reminded him of Rip. “If you tell him about your run in, things might get done a little faster though,” Stella suggested.

“I don’t need someone to hold my hand through it, Stella.”

“I know you don’t.” Stella rolled her eyes with a huff. “What I’m saying is Rip would bend the laws of physics or break them entirely to make sure you’re safe. So it would keep the fire lit.”

Beth eyed Stella carefully. There was something different about the woman in front of her. It was unclear what had evolved in her. If Beth wasn’t so pissed at her, she might even be proud.

Stella leaned back against the wall and brought her arms across her chest again. “Listen, you can either tell him or not. I can’t make you do anything. All I know is before I came to stay here for a little while, someone was tailing me, and they’d been in my house when I wasn’t there.” Her eyes looked far away as she relived the moment. As mad as she was at the only Dutton daughter, she wanted to give her a warning. “Just, if you have to go out, be careful please. Guys like Malcolm can be all talk, but sometimes,” her thousand yard stare snapped back to the present, “we’re wrong.”

Beth was taken back by her observation. “Men like Malcolm like to be feared. He’s gonna try.”

“Which is exactly my point. Be careful.” Stella reasserted. The women stared each other down. John wasn’t sure if it was a battle of dominance or some form of quiet acceptance. She looked at John. “Is it okay if I go now sir?”

“Yeah you’ve helped more than you know. See you tomorrow.”

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 23: doomsday

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: language, violence, harsh reality check, Bethany Dutton is a warning personified

* Word count: 3,548ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all!

Author's note: Ugh this is the first chapter and I hate whats happening already. I got overexcited again (lmao) so I’m breaking my every third day posting rule. I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well! Just hold on for me, we’ll come through the other side of this storm. I promise.

Feel free to scream in frustration with me in my ask box or replies! I love hearing from y’all!

All the wranglers stood around ready to hop on their horses and get on with their day. Rip sat in his saddle, but he wasn’t giving any directions. He just looked at the ground. Anyone who didn’t know him would have thought he was asleep behind his sunglasses.

“Should we mount up?” Jimmy questioned and looked around at everyone for some type of cue.

Rip sniffed indignantly. “Not up to me, Jimmy.”

Colby looked at Ryan with his eyebrows pulled together. “What’s goin’ on?”

“No clue.” Ryan was just as confused.

Kayce and Stella showed up together. Both late, looking disheveled and flushed. Kayce led both the horses for them while Stella threw her hair in a bun. She pulled her hat out of her back pocket and slipped it on her head, pushing her bun through the hole she’d cut in the mesh of the back.

She took the reins from Kayce and whispered a soft, “thank you,” to him. She hopped up onto Abigail and joined the other wranglers, ignoring the looks from everyone. Her brother included, who squinted at her in uncertainty. Stella focused on Kayce and his father and she waited for instruction.

“The sooner you push it to a head, the sooner it’s behind you.” John told Kayce.

“You know he’s not gonna follow me. Just you.”

“Ain’t about his respect, son. It’s about everyone else’s.” John stood back and let his son take control.

Kayce got up on Tank and faced everyone to give them orders. “We’ll push ‘em up the valley, then over the saddle to East River Road. We’ll take that up the canyon. Ryan, you and Colby got point.” They looked pleased with that decision. “Walker, Cowboy. You’re on swing. Avery and Jimmy, you got flank. Rip!” He glanced around for him, but found him close by. “You and Lloyd are ridin’ drag. Stella, you’re with me. Let’s go.”

“Hope you boys got your wild rag. It’s gonna be a bit dusty.” Walker taunted Rip.

Lloyd came up alongside Rip. “What the hells goin’ on?”

“Oh, just a little reminder Lloyd. They might let us stay here and get old and rusted, but we’re just tools. And that’s all we’ll ever be.” Rip sighed.

Everyone moseyed along, sitting in their positions for a good chunk of the morning. For the most part it was quiet while pushing the cows. Everyone was busy concentrating on keeping the cattle moving. The space between Jimmy and Walker became too big and the cows saw their chance to make a break for it.

“God damn it Jimmy!” Rip yelled.

“It’s too big a gap!” Jimmy screamed back.

“You hold your spot or the whole herd goes!” Rip asserted.

“Here I’ll give him a hand.” Lloyd started to trot forward, but Rip stopped him aggressively. Lloyd’s horse squealed at the abrupt movement.

“I got it, god damn it!”

Stella watched as Walker took off after the cows. Rip was hot on his heels. “Kayce!” His head whipped in her direction. She hollered so he could hear her over the ruckus. “Rip’s out for blood! He’s gonna kill him!”

Walker legged his horse pleading with it to go faster. He looked behind him every so often to see Rip closing the gap. He knew he was in danger and he had to get the hell out of this place. Rip was right on his hind end.

He threatened Rip. “I’ll flip that horse right on you, you son of a bitch.”

Rip kicked his horse to bounce up right next to Walker. He reached out and shoved the hand as hard as he could. He flew off his horse and hit a nearby tree with such velocity he crumpled on the ground.

Rip trotted up to him. “Are you dead?” He smirked with a wild look in his eyes. “You’re about to be.” Walker watched him from the ground. Rip trotted around to get some distance and spurred his horse into a run. He was going to trample Walker.

“Hey!” Kayce pulled up on Tank in a hard stop in front of Rip and Dude. “Hey! What the fuck are you doin’?”

“You needed an excuse. Now you got one.” Rip yelled. Kayce started to get down, but Rip stopped him. “Nah, not here. We’ll do it in front of everybody, Kayce.” He pointed at the new foreman. “And I ain’t gonna take it easy on you either.” Kayce watched Rip leave. He had to figure something out and quick.

Kayce walked up on Tank to Walker. “You alright?”

Walker climbed to his feet. He picked up his hat and dusted it off. “Funny, how you can do somethin’ your whole life, and it just takes one man to ruin the whole fuckin’ thing.”

Stella watched the portion of trees that Rip, Kayce, and Walker had disappeared through impatiently. She gnawed on her bottom lip in fear that all three of the men had been successful in killing each other. Things had been going to extremes lately and Stella didn’t want to put it past the universe to play a cruel joke like that.

When Rip came out first with no one behind him, her heart stopped. “No,” she muttered. Kayce cantered out a few seconds behind him. “Oh thank god,” she heaved out a breath and her body relaxed.

Kayce trotted up next to her. She peeked over at him. “Is anyone dead?”

“No, but almost. Let’s go. We need to get back.”

Kayce led the charge back into the arena. Everyone trailed behind him. He came in hot, Tank skidding to a stop. Rip cantered in behind him, ready to get this fight on the books. Stella frowned when she found John standing at the fence line. He looked like he was spectating. Stella parked Abigail in between her brother and Colby. Kayce jumped down from the mustang’s back and marched to the center of the pen.

Rip dismounted and placed his hat on his saddle. He handed his sunglasses and reins to Lloyd. Stella landed on the ground and stepped to Ryan. “What the hell is happening?”

“I’m afraid to guess.” He replied.

Kayce stalked the last few feet up to Rip. Rip roughly shoved his gloves down on his fingers. Kayce ripped off his hat and they met in the middle in a ferocious explosion of fists and dust.

“Kayce! Rip!” Stella screamed. She leapt forward.

Ryan snatched her around her waist before she could get traction. “No you don’t!”

The two adversaries swung and dodged hits left and right. Stella winced when she heard fists connect to skin. Rip slid Kayce backwards and Kayce took Rip to the ground in a neck breaker. They rolled away from each other and gasped for air. Each man crawled their way to their feet. Stella watched as they each ripped off their jackets. She saw Kayce spit blood. She dug into Ryan’s arms and clawed hard against him. Colby snuck up next to her and helped Ryan keep her contained.

Rip slammed Kayce to the ground again, crawling on top of him. He let loose on Kayce’s face with a barrage of solid hits. Stella screamed in the background as she fought against her brother and Colby. She knew if Rip went too far, he would kill Kayce. When Rip was like this, it was hard to get him to see reason. “Rip stop!” Stella grappled with her brother and Colby. “For the love of Christ stop! You’re gonna kill him!”

Ryan struggled to turn and ask John, “you want us to get in there, sir?”

“No. This needs to happen.”

“What?!” Stella exploded and now her brother and his best friend had to hold her back from tearing John apart. Ryan was sure if she slipped out of their grasp, that’s exactly what would happen. She would tear him limb from limb like a badger.

Kayce had gotten Rip under him and he hammered down on him. Rip reached up and dug into Kayce’s eye and he wailed in pain. With the distraction, Rip tossed Kayce off of him. They huffed for air and traded more blows. They were losing momentum.

Rip stood and waved his hands at the youngest Dutton. “C’mon. Go on Kayce. Take it. C’mon.”

Kayce landed one final blow and Rip stayed down. Kayce sniffed and picked his hat up. He faced everyone, making sure they saw the carnage on his face. “There ain’t no fightin’ on this ranch.” Ryan still had a hold of Stella, who had stopped struggling seeing the fight come to an end. “If you wanna fight. You come fight me.”

Ryan let her slip through his arms. She took off running to Kayce. He caught her as she skidded to a stop. Her hands instantly moved up to his face. She pulled his bandana off and used it to wipe the blood away from his mouth.

Kayce frowned because she refused to look at him. “I’m fine, Stell.”

“No you’re not. I’m making sure nothings broken.” She prodded his cheeks and jaw.

Ryan, Colby, and Jimmy stood back and watched the exchange. Jimmy made a noise of realization. “I think she was lying when she told me she didn’t have a thing for him.”

Ryan promptly turned on his heel and stomped to the barn. That was definitely a conversation he needed to have with her. Colby tagged along behind him, shaking his head. Jimmy took in his surroundings and felt awkward watching the pair. “Stella, you need anything?”

“No, Jimmy, but thank you.” Stella glanced back at him. “Actually wait, would you mind putting these guys up for us? I need to get Kayce cleaned up.”

Jimmy pivoted and grabbed the horses for her and Kayce. He trailed along behind everyone else to the barn.

Stella’s next orders were a complete 180 compared to the sweet voice she had given Jimmy. “Lodge, now.” She pushed his shoulder to move him toward the house.

“My dad wants me up at his house.”

Once inside, Stella pointed at the dining table. “Sit. I’ll be right back. Then you can go to your dad’s.”

She weaved her way through the house to the bathroom. Opening a cabinet, she found some alcohol and bandaids and whatever else she might need. With her hands full she made her way back to the table.

Kayce gazed up at her from underneath his hat. Stella huffed, “what,” and firmly pulled his hat off and set it on the table.

“You gonna be mad at me for long?”

She frowned at him. “No, and I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at the situation.” She rubbed an alcohol soaked piece of gauze along his cheek and moved down to his chin.

“I know, but it had to happen. You know just as well as I do.”

“That doesn’t make it any less barbaric and archaic.” She put her hand on his swollen cheek, running her thumb across his split lip. There was a moment where she forgot everything. “Well you at least don’t need any bandages. You should probably shower before you go to your dad’s. Change your clothes.”

Kayce rose to his full height and took her in. “Thank you. I appreciate you trying to help.”

“Yeah I guess.” She whispered back. He wrapped her in a hug and kissed the top of her head.

After Kayce left for his dad’s, Stella went back to the bunkhouse. Her foot was barely in the door before her brother pointed her back out. Ryan herded her out the door and into the barn. Stella made confused noises the whole way.

“Ry, what are you doing?”

“What’s going on with you and Kayce?” He demanded.

She stared at him, stupefied. Her mouth hung open. She couldn’t give herself away. The embarrassment would take her out. “Nothing Ry. Why?”

“Stella, don’t lie to me. I know you’ve been head over heels for him since we were kids.”

Her shoulders sagged and she looked down at the ground, feeling her cheeks heat up. “Ryan,” she griped.

“No “Ryan” nothing,” he mocked her tone. “What are you doing?! He’s married.”

“I’m well aware.” She grouched as reality smacked her upside the head. “I was blinded and I let it get away from me.”

“Stella!” He hissed her name. “You’re the other woman.”

“I’m sorry! Okay? I’ll work it out.”

“No you’ll stop whatever you’re doing and leave a married man alone. Whatever it is ends here. Right now.”

Stella wanted to scream. On the one hand she knew she was completely in the wrong. She shouldn’t have even let Kayce kiss her the first time. When his lips touched hers, every ounce of logic she possessed left her. Every sense of right and wrong flew away. On the other hand she was ashamed she had let it go this far.

“I know. It was stupid. I let it go too far. I’ll talk to him later.” It killed her to say those words. She had finally experienced the side of Kayce she always wished she would see. Yet, Ryan was right. She had become the side piece. “I,” she took a deep breath, “I need to go take a walk or something. I need some air.” She got to the barn door and said sullenly, “you’re right.”

Stella started walking. She didn’t know where she was going and didn’t know when she would stop. Wandering aimlessly, she made laps around the barn, bunkhouse, and round pen. Every once in a while nausea would hit her. She couldn’t believe she had fallen into the trap the world had laid before her. Couldn’t believe she had lost all sense of whatever moral compass she had. She had remained on the outside and respectful of Monica and Kayce’s relationship and marriage for years. Almost a decade. She never sought Kayce out, only bumping into him when he showed up at the ranch, which was few and far between. Only showing up at their house when invited. Except when Monica allowed her to move in with them. “Shit.”

She wound around the hill in front of John’s house and stumbled upon Rip sitting there. He spotted her and started to rise to his feet to leave. Stella held her hand out. “No, please wait.”

Rip dropped back onto the grass with a sigh. “I’m not in the mood for one of your tantrums, Stella.”

She wrung her fingers together, looking down at them. “I know. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t help, but I’m sorry John and Kayce kicked you out. I don’t know why he goes about things this way.”

“Because that’s who he is. And I am who I am and who I’ll always be and I’ll always be here. Whether he cares or not.”

“Rip, don’t say that. He cares about you. I don’t know if he’s trying to right wrongs or what. I think almost dying without fixing things scared him.”

“Yeah well, it’ll do that.”

“Just hold on. Things will turn out. They have to.” Stella glanced behind him and saw Beth coming over. “It looks like you have an appointment with your favorite Dutton.” She gave Beth a small wave. “So I’ll leave you alone, but thank you for listening. I have to go make something right anyhow. I’m just procrastinating at this point.”

Rip frowned at her and wondered what she was talking about. He didn’t have time to ask her because she whisked off down the hill toward the lodge.

Stella sat with Kayce on the back deck together. They were enjoying the silence. Well Kayce was enjoying it. Stella was trying to figure out how to bring up quitting while they were ahead. She didn’t want to be the other woman. She didn’t want to fuck up any more than she already had. She zoned out on the void of darkness in front of them. She prayed it had an answer for her.

Kayce turned and studied her. He could tell something was bothering her. He reached out a hand for hers. “What’s wrong, Stell?”

Annoyance rose in Stella. She didn’t grab his hand back. She was aggravated that just sitting here he knew something wrong. That he knew her that well. “Nothin’. Just thinking.”

Kayce sat up straight, about to dig for information, but he saw his sister come up out of the dark.

“So you’re the big man now, huh?” Stella stayed quiet, knowing if Beth figured anything out she would burn Stella at the stake. The darkness had answered her prayer, but instead of handing her mercy, it had given her savagery in its human form.

“Uh,” he paused, “couldn’t run the bunkhouse while I was livin’ in it.”

Beth pointed out simply. “So go live in the main house.”

“Grown men don’t live with their fathers.”

“Yeah, they also don’t kick other men out of the only home they’ve ever had.” Stella pursed her lips. It was exactly the same argument she had hit Kayce with.

“Well he could use some humility. He ain’t nothin’ but a bully. And that’s all he’s ever been.”

“No. He’s not a bully, Kayce. He is exactly what our father turned him into. What do you think he’s turning you into?” Beth growled and paced. She noticed them sitting closer together than normal, his hand still outstretched toward Stella. Beth saw the marks that lined Stella’s collarbone and snorted. “Boy, it sure was easy for you to walk away from a life you worked so hard to build.”

“Well, she doesn’t want that life anymore.”

“Let me guess. She left you because she was afraid that you would turn into him. Instead of proving her wrong, you come here, and you take the crash course in how to do it and you shack up with your best friend like some tragic romance novel.”

Stella spoke up, “cut it out Beth. Nothing is happening here. I was just keeping him company.”

Beth’s arms crossed and she cocked a hip. It looked like she was going for the execution. “Those fading hickeys on your neck and shoulder say otherwise. I know the look of a well fucked woman who hasn’t gotten any in a long time. You reek of the desperation of needing to be loved by something you can’t have.”

“Jesus Christ, Beth, knock it off.” Kayce scolded her.

“No, Kayce. You came home and lost your mind and roped in the little home wrecker.” She fixed her eyes on Stella. “Rip was right. You make horrible decisions.”

Stella shot up out of her chair. Kayce was half afraid she was about to launch at his sister. She had no idea how Beth had figured out it was Rip she was talking about that day, but she had to get this off of her quickly. “I’m not gonna defend my decision making to you. Not when you don’t know what happened. The same could be said for you anyhow, Bethany.”

“Oh Stella. You’ve always wanted my baby brother and have never had the opportunity. So you sought out attention and praise from anyone else. And when you don’t get your way, you throw a fit. Well we’re all going to make sure you don’t get your way this time either.”

“So what if I have! Fuck, Beth. It’s pointless to bring it up because it’s never gonna be a reality.”

“The way you want it to be.” Beth gloated.

“There’s nothing for me to pitch a fit over, Beth.” She ignored the razor sharp words. “I’m just the best friend. That’s all I’ve ever been and all I’ll ever be. So drop it.”

Kayce felt like he was watching a car wreck. The weight of what he had done by sleeping with his best friend smacked him. He tried to deflect Beth’s vitriol from Stella, knowing Beth was close to crucifying her. He didn’t want to give Beth anymore leading information to confirm the affair. “This place is all I have to give them. I’m just trying to protect it. That’s why I came back.”

Beth rounded on him. “I’m protecting it! I’m protecting it. You’re really gonna sit on boards and run for office and navigate the filthy fights that a place like this requires?! No you’re not. Kace, you’re gonna lose your temper and put somebody in the hospital, or worse, and go to prison, and get sued and lose this place. Just go home, Kayce. Go work on this. Stay far away from her.” Beth pointed to her heart and then Stella. “And you stay far away from him. When he dies, you can have this fucking place. I will give it to you.” She stormed off.

Stella stood there and trembled with rage. She couldn’t bear to turn and face Kayce after Beth’s attack. “Kayce, we shouldn't be doing this. Beth and my brother are right. You’re still married. You shouldn’t be fucking around with me.”

“Stella, I—,”

“I’m not gonna be the other woman anymore, Kayce. I don’t know what I thought I was getting into. I fucked up.” She sighed and stepped off the patio. She had to get the hell away from this place.

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 22: Take it out on me

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: NSFW, language, unprotected p in v sex, fingering, blowjob, oral, squirting, spanking, creampie

* Word count: 5,523ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all

Special mention: @lexixstewart & @deanscroissant and the friends who don’t have tumblr for giving this a look see as well!

Author's note: Let's goooooooo! I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well! Also I just realized this is a heavy smut chapter 😅. Hope y’all enjoy it! It chills out after this lol. I promise lol.

Stella moved around and got comfortable with a quiet groan. She tucked herself back into the solid form behind her and breathed deep, falling back into sleep. Kayce noticed the movement and was quickly reminded of the night before with his best friend behind his closed eyes. He had been awake for some time now, enjoying the peace that came over him in the quietness of Stella’s bedroom.

He opened his eyes and maneuvered himself to be able to look down at her. She faced away from him, but they didn’t stop him from his inspection. She looked beautiful. His marks along her tanned skin from being out in the sun made him smirk and his dick started to stir. Her hair tie was fighting for its life to hold on to the hair that had slipped out during their romp in the sheets.

If he was honest with himself, he was speechless. They’d gotten close to this when they were younger and fooling around, but it was always interrupted. Wrong place at the wrong time, he always told himself.

Now however, they were older. Unattached. He needed to drown in something that wasn’t going to judge him or think he was dangerous. He needed someone that had always been there and never turned away. In the past he would have said Monica without a doubt in his mind. As of her decision to leave him and take their son with her, Kayce was second guessing how true that actually was.

Stella had always been there for him. She always had his back. She even stood up to his father for him. More than once. He couldn’t believe he had been so blind. He placed a kiss on her shoulder. In response she turned to face him. She moved around to find a comfortable spot on her ear. He smiled at the action. He reached his hand out to touch her side and softly trace the doe tattoo there.

“That tickles.” Stella’s sleepy, muffled voice floated up from between them. “You know how I feel about soft touches.” She groaned, wiggling around and scratching her eye before opening them.

When her brown eyes met his, Kayce chuckled low in his throat. He in fact did know that Stella always said, ‘if you’re gonna touch me, just touch me.’ She had never been a soft woman in that regard. “Yeah yeah.” He grabbed her shoulder from behind and pulled her close and kissed her forehead.

Stella repositioned her head and draped an arm over his side. She rubbed back and forth in a relaxing motion. It would have been if his cock wasn’t waking up to her being pushed up against him, naked. “What time is it?” She asked lazily.

“I have no idea actually.” He looked at the light coming in the window. “Looks early still.”

“I don’t even know where my phone is.” Stella scrunched her face up. “I actually don’t know where a lot of shit is at the moment.” They laid in comfortable silence. Both of them thought of what the hell they’d gotten themselves into with this. Stella would be a fool to not admit she hadn’t fantasized about this exact thing happening a time or two.

“We’ve got a full day.” She sounded annoyed.

“We do, but not for a little while.”

“So we don’t have to face reality just yet?” She stretched her hand out on his side.

“We’ve got time.”

She paused, feeling his slowly growing erection against her inner thigh. “I think I like how your mind works, Kayce Dutton.” She smirked.

Kayce leaned toward her. He pulled her hair tie the rest of the way off with his free hand. “Is that right?” He questioned smugly. Running his fingers through her hair, he secured his hand on the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss.

A small sigh of contentment escaped from Stella. Her leg raised and she hooked it across his hip as if it was second nature to her to open herself up to him. Kayce ran his hand down her side and placed his hand on her behind. They never broke contact, mouths battling for dominance. He propped his foot up to keep her leg on his thigh.

With her spread open, it was convenient for him to reach down and sink his fingers into her wet cunt. His fingers came back out coated in her slick. He ran his middle finger around her clit and she broke free of his lips to let out a low moan. His skillful fingers traced a pattern back down to her opening and dove back in. This time he curled them in a rhythmic pattern, middle finger leading the way, and tapped the front wall of her vagina.

With one hand on his chest and one on his side, Stella gripped him tight. “Fuck,” she huffed out.

“That’s it, baby.” Kayce coaxed her. “Give it to me.” He curled his middle finger inside her and brought his thumb to her clit, massaging them in time.

“Oh god, Kayce.” Stella pushed on his chest moving her center closer to him.

He felt her pussy start to twitch around his fingers. He rapidly pulled his hand away. Stella let out a disappointed sound. They locked eyes and there was a gleam in Stella’s, that on any other day would have Kayce telling people to run for the hills.

Stella quickly detangled herself from his limbs and sat up. She ran a hand through her hair, tossing it to the side. Gently she pushed Kayce’s leg down. She let her hands explore his hips in the soft morning light. His cock standing at full attention in her face. She looked up at him through hooded eyes and licked her hand and wrapped it around the base of his cock.

Kayce let out a hiss through his teeth. “You wouldn’t.”

Stella hummed. “Oh but baby, I would.” She leaned over him fully and enveloped his dick with her mouth. She went down as far as she could without choking herself. Kayce moaned and his eyes fluttered shut for a split second before he snapped them back open, wanting to see the magic happen. Stella swirled her tongue around just above her hand and pulled back, bringing her hand up to his swollen head.

“Fuck,” Kayce dragged the syllable out. He reached out and tucked his hand in her hair as she slid her mouth back down on him further this time. She braced her hands on his hips and went as far as she could. She felt her throat close and Kayce held her mouth on him for a few seconds before allowing her to pop back up for air. She went back to using her mouth and hand in tandem. She brushed against his balls and he shot up causing her to jump back.

He leaned back against her headboard and waved her to his lap. “Now.”

Stella was more than happy to follow the order. She crawled over to him, put her knee next to his hip and hiked the other leg over. Kayce reached down and grabbed his twitching cock and ran it between her folds. She was posted up just high enough that his head could touch her. “Sit down.”

Stella placed her hands on his shoulders. She leaned in to kiss him as she sheathed his cock fully in her wet cunt. They relished in the feeling, both full in different ways. She lifted her head and they locked eyes. Kayce grabbed her hips and slowly started to grind her center onto his. She followed his pattern and took over the work. Kayce licked his finger tips and placed his hand between them, reaching for her clit all while keeping her gaze.

“Shit, Kace.”

“Yeah Stell, I know.” He panted. “Take it.” With his blessing Stella started riding him. He helped her hips hitch up and let gravity slam her back onto him. Each time he connected, Stella let out a moan. Her head flung back and she reached up to play with her nipples, lost in the feeling of him.

“Oh fuck me Kayce,” she gasped.

He sat up and wrapped his arms around her. He twisted them and pinned her underneath him. Leaning down to kiss her, he readjusted his hips. His pace started slow, but picked up momentum as the minutes went by.

He straightened one of her legs out, but kept the other against his chest. “Oh fuck, Stella.”

“Yes Kayce, oh fuck yes. Please please please,” she pleaded breathlessly. “You’re so deep, oh fuck.”

Their hips slammed together at an outrageous pace. The wet slapping noise just edged both of them further. Stella reached down to pet her clit and that caused her pussy to grip him tighter. “God damn it!” Kayce yelled. His cock drove into her erratically.

“Oh fuck,” Stella gripped him tight with her arms and held on for dear life. The orgasm started to rip through her and her breath left her completely. Kayce’s motion stuttered and she felt the hot come start to slip out of him. She moaned at the fullness. “Oh shit Kayce, yes!”

“Stella,” he choked on his own words, “christ. It’s still going.” He grunted from the effort of his orgasm.

Stella was blissed out from the sounds he made. She felt his load start to seep out of her as he continued to gyrate his hips into her. She encouraged him to keep going. “Fuck that’s it, baby.” She could feel a rebound orgasm creeping up. She gasped for air as the intensity gained traction. “Oh my fucking god,” her eyes rolled back in her head and she moaned out Kayce’s name loudly. Her body convulsed as her orgasm ripped through her.

Kayce held onto her, guiding her through it. “That’s it baby. Come back to me.” When the twitching slowed for both of them Kayce released her other leg and he leaned down to her, softly touching her face. Stella finally opened her blurry eyes and Kayce was able to breathe again. “Welcome back. Was afraid I’d lost you.”

Stella laughed quietly. “I thought I almost lost too. Jesus Christ,” another laugh puffed out of her, “I think I blacked out.”

The pair laid there gazing at each other in the post coital glow. She would be content to lay her with him forever and forget the world. Stella grumbled at the thought of leaving the bed. “We should probably get cleaned up. We still gotta go get your dad.”

“And I’m immediately soft.”

Stella let out a hearty laugh and lightly hit his chest. “Shut the fuck up, Kayce.”

“You go clean up first. I’ll find my phone.” He gently directed her.

She gave him a mock salute and sat up, scooting to the edge of the bed. When her feet touched the floor, she stretched her arms upward. She winced in pain as her bruised ribs grounded her in reality. Kayce grabbed her attention.

“Hey.”

She turned to look over her shoulder at him. “Yes?”

He smirked. “Nothin’. I just wanted to look at you before you walked away.”

Stella rolled her eyes and laughed. She turned away feeling her cheeks heat up, not used to the attention from him in this manner. “I’m gonna grab a quick shower.” Wandering around her room, naked and glowing, she picked out clothes. She picked up her glasses that she’d thrown haphazardly the night before. Stopping in the doorway she looked back at her best friend. “Don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone, ya hear?” They shared a laugh and she waltzed away.

Once in the bathroom, she flicked on the light ready to survey the damage. Her hair was wild and her cheeks and chest were rosy. There were traces of Kayce all along her chest and neck. More specifically her shoulder. ‘That’s definitely gonna bruise up. Shit.’

She turned on the shower and while the shower was heating up, she brushed her hair out. She tested the water and hopped in, taking care to wash the sensitive bits and make sure everything was cleaned out properly. Especially after this morning's turn of events.

True to her word, she only took about 10 minutes. Once out, she toweled off and got dressed. Coming out of the bathroom she was met by Kayce at the top of the stairs. His eyes dropped to her shoulder and back up.

“Am I witnessing Kayce Dutton blushing?” Stella teased. “It’s fine, I’m gonna have my coat on anyhow. And I have a hoodie for later.”

He silently tried to get his panic to slow down. “My dad’s ready.”

“Well let’s go then.”

Kayce swung the truck around to the front door of the hospital. John was already walking out. Stella went to reach for the truck door to hop out, but John beat her to it.

“Stella?” John looked between his son and his son's best friend. Something was different. He squinted in suspicion.

She grinned sheepishly at him. “Hi sir.” Stella figured he must not have remembered that she had been with Kayce last night. John backed up a few steps to let her hop out. “You were much quicker on the draw than I expected.”

He smiled at her. “Gotta keep you on your toes, kid.” She slid out of the truck and onto her feet. Secretly standing behind John just long enough to make sure he didn’t fall getting in.

“I think you’ve done enough of that over the last few days.” She laughed. Kayce and her made eye contact around his dad’s head. Kayce subtly nodded his thanks. Stella smiled, shutting the door behind John and opened the back door to hop in.

Things were quiet for a while. Stella watched Montana zip past through the window. John squirmed in his seat and groaned. He cleared his throat. “So Stella, did my son force you to come along?”

Stella and Kayce looked at each other through the rear view mirror. “No. I came with him from the jump yesterday. Well, I got his truck and then I met him at the hospital because he went with you obviously.” She moved her gaze to stare at John's headrest.

“And you sat with him?”

“Yeah?” Stella tilted her head. Not sure what he was getting at. She shrugged as if he could see her and continued. “Then I took him back to my house to let him get some rest like you asked. Since it’s a little closer than the ranch. And well here we are.” There was gruff, but quiet ‘thank you,’ from the front seat. She chuckled. “It’s no problem, sir.” John grumbled at her. “John,” she corrected, remembering he wanted her to call him that. It was hard to get used to.

John was ticking off things he noticed between the duo. Longer looks, Stella had a permanent flush across her cheeks. Something had definitely changed. John went back to moving around and groaned every so often. Kayce and Stella glanced at each other before Kayce asked, “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m alright. It just hurts to sit.”

Stella felt the truck swing and hit a pothole. She gave Kayce a sharp look in the mirror.

“Sorry. Didn’t see that one.” Kayce mumbled. The vehicle swerved again and hit another one. Stella cleared her throat. Kayce looked at her in the mirror.

“Jesus, son. Are you aimin’ for ‘em??”

Kayce had enough. “If you know a smoother way back, let me know and I’ll take it!”

“Just,” John decided what he wanted to say. He pointed up ahead. “Pull over right here.”

Kayce abruptly moved the truck and pulled over next to an open gate. John’s door flew open and he slid out as quickly as he could. Kayce leaned his head back against his headrest. “Fuck.”

Stella leaned up in between the seats and propped her elbows on them. She mumbled softly, “you were definitely hitting them on purpose.” Stella poked his shoulder. “Why?”

“I dunno, Stell.”

“You’re upset. I get it,” she sighed, “but maybe a conversation instead of causing him physical pain would have been better?”

“Not with him. Especially when his mind is made up. You know that.”

“Unfortunately I do. Go talk to him. I’ll stay back here.” Stella gave his arm a squeeze and sat back.

Kayce got out of the truck and slowly followed after John. They heard Stella prop her door open. She was being nosy, but only to make sure if it escalated she could jump in.

“Maybe it’s a little soon to come home?” Kayce asked his dad.

“Yeah well I could say the same to you.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means you don’t fight, Kayce. Understand me? If wranglers get worked over, then wranglers handle it.” John coached.

“How am I supposed to sleep in the same room with men I won’t defend?”

“You aren’t.” John heaved a breath as he tried to regulate the pain. “I’m gonna fix that problem too.” He walked farther forward. Stella’s eyebrows scrunched together.

“What, you gonna walk home now? I don’t even know who’s field this is.”

“Me neither.” John chuckled humorlessly. “10 years ago I did. I think I finally, finally understand you son.”

“Yeah, well if you wanna explain me to me, I’m all ears.” Kayce tossed his arms outward.

“You know, there’s being scared to die, son, and knowing it’s coming. When you know it’s coming, tomorrow stops factoring into your decisions because you know you’re never gonna see it. Then you, then you live. And you realize you ain’t dead, and you’re not gonna die. And now you gotta face all of them decisions you made. And outta all of that, you gotta figure out how to let yourself start living again.” John advised.

“I don’t know how to do that.”

John laughed. “Yeah. Well. Shit I don’t know.” He softened his harsh tone. “I don’t know. But we’ll figure it out.” He wheeled around to go back to the truck.

John observed Stella’s door propped open with her foot and watched her lazily scroll through her phone. He stopped short and glanced at Kayce. “Did something happen there?”

Kayce almost choked. “What?”

“You heard me.”

Kayce looked around. “I did, but what do you mean?” John glowered at his son. Kayce put his hands on his hips, looking at the ground. “No, nothing happened.” John grunted a response of not believing his son at all and moved to get into the truck.

The truck finally pulled into the long driveway to the ranch. It was a dreadfully silent drive after John and Kayce talked. Kayce slowed the truck down when he spotted Walker coming down the way with his bags in his hands.

Kayce rolled down his window all the way. “Where you headed?” Stella leaned up against the seats again to listen.

“I quit.” Walker stated simply.

“How come?” Stella asked.

“I’m a cowboy. And that’s all. You know what I mean?” Stella shook her head. She had felt bad he had been press gained into doing dirty work when he was just trying to turn his life around.

“You know that’s all we need from you.” Kayce explained.

“That’s not all you needed the other night.” Walker argued back.

“The other night won’t happen again.”

Walker scoffed. “You say that, then someone else says somethin’ different. Can’t figure out who runs this deal.”

John leaned toward Kayce’s window with a grunt feeling his stitches pull. “I run it. And he runs it. You don’t listen to nobody else. Head on back to the bunkhouse.” Walker glanced around, unsure of the mess he had gotten himself into. John prompted him again. “Head on back.” He paused, looking annoyed as ever. “Drop Stella off and take me to the house. We’re makin’ some changes.”

They drove up and around the bend and pulled to a stop outside the barn. Before Stella exited the vehicle she stared at Kayce questioningly. He shrugged, not too sure where his dad was going with any of this.

“I’ll be here when you’re done.” She let him know and slipped out of the truck. She looked at John through his window with a smile. “I’m glad you’re on the mend. If you need anything, holler.”

Up at the house, John had Kayce in his office. He pointed to the papers he laid out in front of him. “Alright just, uh, just sign these two at the bottom. I’ll have Beth fill them out.” He pulled a badge out of a box on his desk. “Here. That was Lee’s.”

“When do I start trainin’?” Kayce asked.

“Soon. But let’s, lets get this bunkhouse thing figured out first.” He looked down as Kayce walked off. “You haven’t mentioned her, Kayce.” John leaned up against his desk with a groan. “Not once. Or Tate. Or why you’re not with ‘em. And then all of a sudden there’s something different between you and Stella.”

“What’s talkin’ about it gonna do?” Kayce splayed his hands out and then slapped his thighs.

“It’d help you form a plan to get them back.” John advised.

“Plans not gonna change the way someone feels.”

“When Lee ran this place, he was honest, and he was fair with everyone. That’s what I need from you. But you can’t be that way with others, son, until you’re that way with yourself.” John gave him the suggestion.

“I miss ‘em.” Kayce admitted and teared up. There was a moment where he second guessed himself because of what happened between him and Stella. He knew he missed them. He knew he wanted his son around. Other than that he didn’t know what he truly wanted anymore.

“What happened?”

“You happened, dad. Then everything happened.”

John caught his son one more time before he left. “Kayce, send Rip up to the house.”

Coming down the hill he caught sight of Stella running in panic to the bunkhouse after Rip. Kayce shouted after her. “Stella! What’s wrong?”

“Rip is out for blood!” She yelled over her shoulder.

Both of them ran through the door. Stella yelled as she squeezed through Jake and Ryan, “make a hole!”

Kayce stomped forward grabbing Rip by the collar, holding him back from attacking Walker. “Hey wait! Rip! Come here!” Kayce groaned with the effort it took to hold Rip back. “My father wants to see you.” Rip tried to jump forward again. Kayce shook him. “Hey hey. Now.”

Stella stood back with everyone else as Rip stormed out. Lloyd had cornered her behind him in the kitchen in case things got bad. She placed herself next to him and asked, “what the hell jumped up his ass?”

“Walker was out of line today. Pulled a knife on Rip.”

“What?!”

“Yeah it was almost real bad.”

“Do y’all need anything?” Stella watched Kayce leave.

“No, other than Rip and Walker to not kill each other.”

Stella chuckled. “If I find the remedy to that, you’ll be the first person I call.”

Jimmy approached Stella. “You wanna watch football with us in a little while?”

She looked around and caught Avery’s eye. They shared a smile. Stella thought it sounded like a great idea. “You know what? Yes, I’d love to.” Ethan raised up from his spot on the couch. “I can grab a chair, Big E.”

“No, take my seat. It’s only right.”

Ethan didn’t talk much, but he was always so sweet to Stella. “Thank you.” She smiled at him and took the seat on the farthest end of the couch. Colby took the spot next to her, and Jimmy plopped himself on the opposite end of the couch. Her brother and Ethan took chairs at the back of the couch. Lloyd and Ethan sat at the table. Walker and Cowboy kept to themselves in the bunkroom.

Jimmy decided this was the time to ask a bunch of stupid questions that none of the guys felt like answering. Colby obliged him, but started to threaten Jimmy when he brought up Colby’s mom. Stella pulled both legs up onto the couch and got comfortable as Lloyd told them all to shut up. She giggled.

The door swung open wide and Rip came in with bags in his hands. He dumped them by the table and everyone got quiet. It was almost as quiet as when Avery showed up. He moved around the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge. “The bobcats look good,” he muttered while looking at the tv.

Everything seemed to snap back to normal. Friendly conversation picked back up between everyone. Stella went over to Rip. He glanced up at her from his seat. “So what're you doin’ in here? With bags?”

His face hardened with a scowl. “Ask Kayce.”

Stella frowned and made a quiet exit from the bunkhouse. Taking a turn to the left, she rounded the corner and saw Kayce’s truck parked out in front of the lodge. Rip’s place. Her brows pulled together. She moved up to the door and pushed it open. Kayce was standing in the kitchen.

“Kayce what the fuck?”

“What’s wrong?”

“What’re you doing here and why is Rip in the bunkhouse?”

“It was my dad’s decision, Stella. Ain’t nothin’ I can do about it.” Kayce leaned back against the counter.

Stella’s eyes widened. She squinted at Kayce. Furious. “You could’ve said no!”

He raised his voice slightly. “I can’t do that when he wants me to learn how to run this place.”

“There are plenty of other out buildings you could’ve moved into! The trapper cabin, Lee’s cabin,” she listed. “Any of them, yet you chose the foreman’s cabin!”

“I didn’t choose it! My dad did! He made me foreman. And the foreman should stay in the foreman’s house.”

Stella’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve gotta be fuckin’ joking.”

“What?” Kayce stopped leaning on the counter. He felt a fight brewing. “You think I can’t do this? I watched my dad and grandpa do it from day one.”

“Kayce, that’s not what I’m saying. Don’t put words in my mouth. The part that bothers me is you knowingly helped kick a man out of a house he’s lived in forever and a day now. Just because your dad said so. How are you okay with that?!” She got up in his personal space. “You and I both know,” she poked his brand scar, “you’ve never listened to your father. Ever. And even when you have, it was barely.”

“I’m tired of fighting it, Stella. Everything has fallen apart. I have to build up from somewhere.”

She laughed out a scoff. “Wow. I never thought I would live to see the day that you turned belly up to your dad.”

He glared down at her. Everything his dad put into his head today ran through his mind all at once. His breathing picked up. He threw caution out the window and grabbed her head with lightning speed. Stella struggled against his chest, but didn’t try to break the kiss. Kayce pushed her backward and backed her up against the back of the couch.

Stella bit his bottom lip and he let out a growl. He released her face. She tried to start yelling again, but Kayce went in for the kill. He didn’t care that the door was unlocked, he didn’t care that the shades weren’t drawn and they were in clear view of anyone who might walk past. He needed her. Now.

Their mouths latched onto each other and they battled for the upper hand. Kayce reached down between them and undid her belt along with the button of her jeans.

Stella almost growled. “God damn it, Kayce.” She was so pissed at him, but intoxicated by him at the same time. She reached down to undo his shirt buttons. When she got to the second layer that was just a t-shirt, she groaned. “Why do you have to wear so many fuckin’ shirts?”

“To make you work for it, sugar.”

Stella rolled her eyes, but pulled the second shirt off of him. She trailed her hands from his shoulders, just to the top of his pants. “God I fuckin’ want you, but you piss me off,” she exhaled. He removed her shirt in one motion, her glasses got caught in her collar and went along with it.

He laughed. “I’ll make it up to you.”

He took her in, standing there full of rage and in her bra and unbuttoned pants. He loved the lace bralettes she wore, even though he’d only seen it in full once. They were attractive, but left enough to the imagination. He decided he wanted it to stay on. He carefully exposed her breasts. He leaned down and took a nipple into his mouth. Stella propped her arms on the back of the sofa and threw her head back. Kayce’s tongue swirled patterns around her nipples one at a time. Since she was being a brat, he bit her nipple a little harder than he normally would.

Stella squealed. “Fuck!” She slapped his shoulder in reprimand.

While he was busy with her top half, she wiggled her hips enough so that her pants fell. She grabbed his pants by the buckle and hastily undid them. She slid her hand beneath the waistband of his underwear and wrapped her hand around his hard cock. It pulsed in her hand with his heartbeat. With a soft grip, she pumped him and felt him harden with her manipulation. She bit her lip. “Kayce, fuck me,” she requested.

Kayce didn’t need to be asked twice. He unlatched from her breasts and pivoted her around. He hoisted her up on the table. He instructed her, “lay back.” He brought her to the edge of the table and pulled her boyshorts off. This was the first real look he’d had of her. “Shit,” he panted.

He placed her legs on his shoulders and dove in. He used his fingers to spread her open for him. Securing his mouth on her clit, he felt her tense. He gently put his hand on her lower abdomen to keep her still. Using his other hand while his mouth sucked a pattern on her center, he brought his free hand up and let his middle finger lead the way into her. He continued tasting her, but pumped his fingers into her rhythmically. Every now and again he would curl them in a come hither motion.

“Oh fuck,” Stella moaned, breathless. She grabbed at his hair while his tongue and fingers drove her insane. The slurping noises that emanated from in between her legs were sinful. Her chest and cheeks went red from the embarrassment. Kayce hit a particularly sensitive spot with his fingers and she gasped. “Jesus Christ, do that again!” He repeated the motion and Stella started to lose control of her lower half. Her slick cunt throbbed against Kayce’s mouth and hand. The feelings and sounds overwhelmed her. Her moans caught in her throat.

His head popped up from between her thighs. His nose and mouth were flushed red from the assault. He rubbed her clit furiously and her moaned finally broke through her. Liquid hit Kayce’s hand and he smiled. “Atta girl, c’mon.” He worked her until she convulsed from his touch.

Stella was breathless. “Fuck I didn’t know I could do that.”

“C’mere.” He helped her off the table and he bent her over the back of the sofa. He couldn’t decide where he wanted her. He just knew he needed her. He pushed his pants off with urgent need. “I need to be inside you.” He grabbed his cock as it jumped at the sight of her bent over for him. Stella trembled at the feeling of his gaze on her dripping pussy. She wanted to be embarrassed by how hot she was for him, but that thought flew away when Kayce thrusted all the way to her cervix. “Fuckin’ hell,” he said through his teeth.

He propped one of her legs up on the couch and hammered into her waiting cunt. He didn’t even give Stella a second to catch her breath. Every thrust seemed deeper than the last and stole her breath from under her. She moaned every time he hit home which spurred him on. “Look at you,” he grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head back to look at him. “So good, Stella.” He gave her ass cheek a slap.

“Ooh fuck, ye-es!” She hiccuped in between. “Fuck me, Kayce. Take it,” she cried.

Kayce pulled out of her tight cunt, needing a second to breathe or he’d lose his shit right there. He brought her leg down and turned her around. He leaned her back against the couch and propped her ass on the edge. He lined up his cock and sank back in. Stella used his shoulder to hold herself up and wrapped a leg around his hip. He grabbed it to hold as leverage. That was all the convincing he needed.

He grabbed her other leg behind the knee and pounded into her feeling the release getting closer. Stella moaned his name and pleaded with him repeatedly. She wanted to come just as bad.

“Kayce, fuck,” Stella wasn’t able to form a coherent thought. She was reeling from how hard he was hitting her. It felt like he was in her stomach with every thrust. She reached her fingers down to her clit. She rubbed in time with his thrusts.

“Fuck I’m gonna,” the ferocity of her orgasm cut her off.

Kayce groaned as she tightened around him. His thrusts sped up as he felt his release shoot out in hot streams in her cunt. “Ahh fuck, Stella!” His hips stuttered as he lost momentum.

As Kayce slowed, Stella’s head dropped back against the couch as she heaved. “Fuck,” she exhaled as he pulled out of her.

“You okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

She leaned up on her elbows and chuckled. “No. I’m okay, but I’m gonna go take care of,” she glanced down at her center, “this.”

Kayce backed up and Stella planted her wobbly feet on the ground. “You know this doesn’t negate the fact that you kicked Rip out of his house, right?” She felt his cum start to leak out of her. She made her trek to the shower quickly before any of it could hit the ground. “I’ll be back.”

Feeling refreshed, Stella stepped out of the bathroom in her towel. On the bed she spotted clothes. They were his. They were probably for after his shower. She looked around, but didn’t see Kayce anywhere. “Kace? Where'd you go?” She heard the fridge close. She wandered to the doorway and looked out at him. “Are those clothes on the bed for you?”

He spun around. “No. They’re for you. I’ll pick some out now to go shower.”

His answer was clipped. He was still annoyed at her. Stella backed up out of the door to let him by. She reached out and grabbed his arm. “Hey, wait,” she whispered. He halted and looked down at her. She reached up to tuck some hair behind his ear. “I’m sorry for taking it out on you, but your dad really gets on my nerves sometimes with the way he does shit, you know?”

He gazed down at her in silence. Bending down, he kissed her softly. “Yeah me too, Stell,” he sighed. “Me too.”

She let him go and quietly got dressed. She curled up in the bed on the side closest to the wall.

By the time Kayce opened the door and turned off the bathroom light, he found Stella fast asleep. He smiled sadly at her. He didn’t know what to do and she was stuck in his mess, yet again. Rip’s words from a few weeks ago came back to him.

He rolled his eyes and went and climbed into bed next to his best friend. They would figure it out.

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 29: Trouble

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M? (Still figuring out the rating system) (might eventually be M anyhow)

* Warnings: language, someone tailing Stella

* Word count: 4,314ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all

Author's note: Oh shoooot 👀. Things are getting interesting! And okay, I only lasted two days, but I got the finale chapter done, and I wanted a reward. 😂😂😂 Also a fun fact about this chapter, it was the first chapter I wrote for this story a little over a year ago. I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well!

Ryan and Stella were out riding. There was no work to be done and Ryan wanted to take the opportunity to check in with his little sister. It had been a little while since they had one on one time. Since he’s been her primary guardian for so long, even though she was a full adult now, he still liked to make sure she was okay. He never wanted her to feel like she was alone in dealing with whatever life threw at them.

“So truly Stellee, how are you?” Both of them came to a stop at the top of a hill overlooking the valley back to the ranch.

Stella pursed her lips and sighed quietly to herself while adjusting her glasses. “I’m okay, Ry. There’s just been a lot going on.”

He nods in understanding, looking her over. She was shifting, seemingly uncomfortable in her saddle, which was the farthest thing from true. That woman was more comfortable in a saddle than on her own two legs. Her bay roan mare, Abigail, whom he gifted her at 16 was also fidgety. Kayce and Stella had both worked together to make sure that the horse was as solid as a rock. She was feisty, sure, but solid. She was sure to give away how Stella was feeling though.

“You know I don’t fully believe you, right?”

Stella barked out a laugh, “Oh really now? And why is that?”

“You’ve got a tell, sis. It also doesn’t help that your mare gives you away either.” Ryan smirked.

“I mean, I’m not lying when I say there’s been a lot going on this year. Lee, the bear, Jenkins, Malcolm.” She glared at the horizon at the thought of the platinum haired man. “The stupid shit with Kayce. There is a lot going on at the repro barn over at Olivia’s.”

Ryan smoothly interrupts, “but…,” he drug out.

“But,” Stella huffs, giving him a pointed look, “a couple times on my way here recently, someone has followed me.” She decided to fess up without much of a fight because there was no use trying to get around Ryan when he wanted information. He’s very persistent and she’s the same way. They would have dug themselves into the ground and died before giving in. Being followed was also starting to bother her.

“Excuse me Stella Lee?! You’re just telling me this now?!”

“Well at first I didn’t think too much about it! A lot of people drive back this way. The second time was after that thing with Malcolm.”

“So why didn’t you tell me then?” She could visibly see his blood pressure rising higher and higher.

“I wanted to be 100% sure they were actually tailing me. Third times the charm, right?” She defended weakly.

“Wait, the third time?” His face turned to stone.

“Today.” At this point, if he would have been able to physically implode and survive, he would have. Stella swore she heard an explosion of the sound barrier as he took off back toward the ranch.

“Fuck.” Stella motioned and Abigail kicked it into high gear. She had to beat Ryan before he caused a ruckus and bothered everyone.

Ryan knew he needed to tell Rip or John. Something wasn’t right and he had to beat Stella there. He adored her stubborn and independent nature, but sometimes it was capable of giving him aneurysms.

In the distance Ryan could see John, Rip, and Kayce by the outer fence talking amongst themselves. Lloyd was closer to him and was trying to flag him down.

“Ho, Ryan! Where’s the fire?”

As he rushes by Lloyd, “I need to get to them before Stella does!”

“She ain’t far behind you.” Lloyd said quietly and looked in the direction of the woman in question. She and that mare were closing in on the round pen with an extensive cloud of dust following. Stella’s face was more determined than he had ever witnessed and he worried for Ryan’s safety.

Ryan came to an abrupt stop in front of the three men, out of breath and rushing to get words out, “Someone has been following Stella. Three times on her way here, and god knows how many other times she’s failed to mention to me.”

In a swift motion with the sharpness of a damn good cattle horse, Stella and Abigail swept in and bounced to a solid stop between Ryan and the others.

“Ryan! Don’t bother them with this! It’s probably just me being paranoid.” She rolled her eyes and moved her glasses back to the bridge of her nose. She really wasn’t feeling having any of her bosses involved. Kayce especially.

“No. It’s you being observant of something that’s out of place.” He pointed at her. “You trying to brush it off the way you are? Is gonna get you kidnapped or killed.”

“Or both,” Rip chimed in from behind them making Stella whip her head around. She had forgotten they had an audience.

“Or worse,” Kayce added with a serious look.

She groaned, “Not you too…,” she trailed off as she finally took notice of the look he was giving her and stopped all forms of argument. They hadn’t had a real chance to speak much since his visit with Monica the other night. Only the one time and it didn’t end great. Her shoulders dropped. It was three against one.

“You’re staying here for a little while. Isn’t she Ryan?” The direct eye contact from Kayce pinned Stella to her spot as he made his declaration final and he didn’t break the contact to talk to Ryan either.

“Yes Kayce, I couldn’t agree more.”

“Ryan, you stay here. Stella, come up to the barn with me.” She rolled her eyes, mostly to herself and the situation she had gotten herself into, but kept up behind Kayce and his mustang nonetheless.

As they were breaking down their horses it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Stella was a speedy little thing when it came to break down. She could see the light at the end of the tunnel. She wasn’t going to be the one to break the silence. If she finished and got out of the barn before he could catch her? She would be just fine with that.

She hung Abigail’s halter on the outside stall hook as she shut and latched the door. Before she had a chance to turn around, there was a heavy hand that gripped her up and tugged her to the tack room.

In a flurry of noise the door slammed shut behind her and the offending person. Quickly Stella turned around while cocking back her fist. She was fairly certain it was Kayce, but she would rather be safe than sorry, and he deserved a punch from her. So she was fine with it either way.

He grabbed her wrist as she swung her balled fist toward his nose. She visibly relaxed when she realized her assumption was correct. It didn’t ease her irritation, however.

“What the fuck Kayce,” she flicked the brim of his cowboy hat with a huff and pulled her wrist from him. She noticed she was in his personal bubble and tried to back up.

“You’re staying here until we tell you otherwise. Don’t even bother trying to fight me on it. Ryan agrees and will fight you with me, so there’s no use.”

“Kayce, I’m sure it’s just me being paranoid. A lot of people drive back and forth past here every day. It’s a popular road.”

Kayce pulled her back in toward him trying to make a point, “I would like to not have to plead on the six o’clock to get you back or find you murdered.” He leaned closer as if she was about to disappear into thin air.

She adjusted her glasses thinking how she should really get them tightened. It also didn’t help that it was a nervous habit. She looked down in defeat.

“Okay fine. But you’re taking me back to get my clothes for my undetermined stay.” She poked his chest as his body sagged forward. Yes they had been avoiding each other, but she was one of his best friends. Longest friend at least.

“We just want you safe, Stellfire.”

“I know, ya big dumb cowboy,” she smiled and gave him a friendly shove, “now let’s go before they think I’m still being the other woman in the tack room.” She missed the fall of Kayce’s face as she walked away.

Ryan grimaced. He hadn’t meant to cause such a fuss. Other than the ranch and being a livestock agent, his little sister was his everything. They had been through hell and back, and he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if something happened to her and he couldn’t get to her quick enough.

“Sir, I’m so sorry to bring this up to you all like this. I just know something isn’t right and I needed someone to know before she could stop me. And I mean you saw her coming —,” John interrupted.

“She looked like the devil herself coming for reckoning. It’s something I’ve seen in you both.” Ryan almost let a look of pride slip through at John’s admission, but he held it together.

“You’re my lead livestock agent for a reason, Ryan.” John tried to hide a small smile, “We can have her stay here. It’s probably safer than her place anyway.”

Rip offered, “I’ll follow behind to keep an eye out with Lloyd. You or Kayce can run her in a different car.”

“Kayce is gonna take me.” The pair sauntered up to the group from behind. Rip could see Ryan’s hesitation at the thought of not being close to his sister.

“Ryan, why don’t you back Lloyd and I up on the way?”

Ryan came out of the bunkhouse and stopped for a minute to look at his sister. She could most certainly be hell on wheels more often than not most days. He liked to think it was all the years of holding her own with the bunkhouse. He knew that it was a trait shared between them as well.

Even though she was rough and tumble, she had a soft and gentle grace about her. Especially when having a heart to heart with someone. Her being stubborn as a mule was giving him grey hairs, but he couldn’t be more proud of the woman he had raised. Of course, with the help of the wranglers. ‘It takes a village,’ he thought to himself.

Stella could feel eyes on her as she threw a couple of empty duffle bags into Kayce’s truck. She glanced around and spotted her brother giving her a look. She tilted her head at him with her eyebrows scrunched together. He shook his head and went about getting things for the ride together.

It almost felt like an out of body experience looking at the men around her. There was an immense feeling of humility that swarmed in through her lungs and filled her chest. These tough as nails cowboys truly cared about her. They cared enough to rally around her and try their damndest to keep her safe. She studied each of them with a loving fondness. She had grown up with these men, and they had always remained a steady constant in her life. For that, she was grateful. She realized that this place, these people, really did feel like home. If she thought about it hard enough, she might get misty eyed.

Finally, forest brown eyes met a matching set as Stella felt the breath in her lungs get caught. Kayce gauged her actions, trying to decipher if she was okay without asking. She shook her head and smiled at him to let him know she was indeed okay. Ryan made his way over to the pair while clearing his throat, feeling like he was interrupting some unspoken conversation.

“You almost ready, Stellee?”

She nodded. “Yeah, but there's a flaw in the plan that I just thought of.”

“What’s that, Stella-belle?” Rip questioned from over by his truck.

She readjusted her glasses and looked around to her brother, almost like she did when she was little and needed reassurance. “Well if they’re planning on following me back, they aren’t going to do it if it’s Kayce’s truck that leaves here.”

Ryan sighed and dropped his head, “As much as I hate to agree with her, she’s right.”

Kayce reached into the back of his truck and grabbed the duffles and on his way past Stella said, “You can out-maneuver them, right?”

“Kayce… I hang out with a bunch of cowboys,” she laughed, “and if I can’t outrun them? Then we’ll get lost in these here hills, baby.” There was a pause between all of them. The men quickly picked up Stella’s hidden meaning.

“Plus, I’ll have one of the best shots on the ranch riding shotgun.” She smirked in Kayce’s direction. She loved to give him a hard time about his itchy trigger finger. He gave her a soft shove as if he was telling her to fuck off, and she giggled and hopped into her car.

Everyone loaded up in their respective vehicles. Stella thought Ryan had hopped into Rip’s truck, but the interior light kicked on and the car moved as Ryan’s weight settled into her backseat. She made eye contact with her brother in the rearview mirror, and silently asked him what he was doing.

He raised his eyebrows at her, “You think I’m not about to be in your car to protect you?” He stopped short for a second realizing one of his bosses was in the front seat, “No offense.” Kayce smirked as Stella put the SUV in drive.

She pulled to the end of the long driveway. She looked in both directions checking for signs of the car from earlier. She didn’t see anything, but there was still a definitive hesitation in her movements. Things were suddenly very real to her.

Kayce says softly, “Hey, it's okay Stellfire. We’ve got you. Just do what you would normally do. We’ll worry about the rest.”

Ryan watched the gentle nature Kayce used with his sister. It was almost similar to the way you would approach a green horse. There was something softer about it though. Ryan couldn’t quite put his finger on what was going on. He knew there wasn’t anything going on between them any longer, but he didn’t know if Kayce was kissing his sister’s ass or being genuine. He squinted at Stella in the rearview, but didn’t say anything. She pulled out and to the left, took a deep breath and began her normal trek home. The only thing different was she had four guests in tow this time.

Rip and Lloyd pulled out a few minutes behind everyone else. They wanted to leave enough space in between to be able to box in whoever was following Stella. If they decided to follow her again.

“You know Lloyd, I’ve got a bad feelin’ about this.”

“I was feelin’ the same way. Especially if whoever these people are, are coming after little bit.”

“Because none of us would let her get involved in some shit like this, well this part of it anyhow.”

“Especially Ryan.” They chuckled knowing that he could be kind of a helicopter when it came to his little sister.

“That boy sure has tried his hardest raising her right.”

“And he’s done a damn fine job. That stays here, Lloyd.” The men smiled at each other.

Halfway between the Yellowstone and the outskirts of downtown, a silver four door sedan pulled out behind the white SUV. Ryan and Kayce noticed that Stella’s body language tensed up, but she refused to say anything to them. They felt her accelerate slightly. Ryan glanced out the back, and Kayce was looking through the side mirror. They easily spotted the car, and let each other know they had seen it.

“Don’t speed up Stella. Remember, we’re both here.” Ryan gently reminded her. Her shoulders relaxed as she found her brother’s gaze in the mirror before looking back to the road ahead.

“You’re just driving home. Nothing out of the ordinary.” Kayce added.

Ryan turned around in the back seat to observe the car again. The windows were, of course, tinted so dark that he could barely make out that the car was being driven by a person in general. ‘Why would this shit be easy?’ He rolled his eyes, turning around to pick up his ringing phone. It was Lloyd calling.

“Yeah?”

“We’re a couple miles back, but there’s a silver car that’s tailing you.”

“We’ve got them in sights. They aren’t subtle if that’s them.”

“They probably think she’s oblivious and hasn’t noticed them at all. Rip wants to say something, put it on speaker.”

Ryan engaged the speaker, and they all heard Rip clear his throat. “Stella?”

“Yessir?”

“When you get to your house, I want you and your brother to hop out and go inside. Kayce,” he paused for a few seconds as Kayce presented himself, “You stay outside. Watch every move that these motherfuckers make if they pull in behind you.”

Kayce nodded even though Rip couldn’t see him, “Roger that.” He also heard the unspoken order to shoot to kill if necessary. For Stella, he would change the landscape if he had to.

“Where will you be Rip?” They all clearly heard the nervous tick in her voice. It almost made Ryan grab for her hand like when they were kids. She sounded so small and he hated that.

“We’ll be right outside of view, either following them or making sure they stay off of your property, sweetheart. You go get your stuff. We’ve got the rest.” Rip finished and Lloyd ended the call.

Stella lived just a little ways out in between the ranch and downtown. She had neighbors, but they definitely weren’t close. Ryan grimaced at the thought of his sister being by herself out here.

Stella pulled her car around the driveway and around to the back. She pulled it up to face out toward the road again. Putting it in park, she looked at Kayce. “Alright Kace, I know you’re always carrying, but in case you need extra,” they locked eyes, “it’s holstered in the glove box.” His mouth upturned at the corner proudly, ‘Just like I taught her.’ He quickly nodded as he flipped his baseball cap backwards.

Stella ignored the clenching of her stomach at the attractive maneuver. There was always something about a man in a backwards ball cap that caught her eye. She hopped out and started to walk toward her house as Ryan followed sidling up beside her.

“This is the bad thing about you having a wooded driveway, and all the way out here. Can’t get much of a heads up.”

She smiled at her brother and let out a humorless laugh. “Yeah, but no one can witness the aftermath.”

Ryan’s face screwed up at the confession, “My god, you’ve got to stop hanging out with Rip.”

Her laughter got stuck in her throat as she reached out to unlock her door. Her whole body tensed.

“Ry…,” she said so quietly Ryan almost missed it. She took a deep breath, “it’s unlocked.”

“Did you leave it like that?”

She breathed out harshly and shook her head. Ryan stepped in front of her.

“Stay behind me and do exactly as I say.” Stella wasn’t about to argue.

Ryan opened the door wide, dropped the duffel bags to his far right, and drew his weapon within 10 seconds. She followed suit and went to the concealed weapon underneath the front table and hoped it was still there.

He heard the snip of her gun safety being switched off behind him. He immediately went to the right and into the den taking a wide gap to the left. Stella made sure to clear the rest of the room and the straight view into her kitchen. They swapped places back and forth in a fatal dance going from room to room. Being taught by her brother not only kept him sharp, but it gave Stella the knowledge to help in this situation.

They finally finished clearing the house. She holstered her weapon back and pulled it from its compartment under the table and hooked it to her belt. With a heavy sigh, she reached down to grab the bags.

“What’s wrong Stellee?” Ryan came up from the small hallway that led to her kitchen.

“Someone was in my house, Ryan. That’s what’s wrong.” She said curtly.

“You’re sure you didn’t just forget to lock the door in your rush to get to the ranch today?”

“Yes Ryan,” he could hear the stress dripping in her voice, “not only was my door unlocked, which I never do mind you, but some stuff was out of place. It definitely wasn’t how I left it. And it feels like someone offensive has been in here.”

“Well let's get you outta here.”

Kayce got out of the SUV once the tight knit siblings made it inside. He had seen Stella tense at the door and had almost ran to the porch. He knew that if she needed the help, she would have made it clear. So he held off.

He looked around the back driveway and yard. The parking spots were messy dirt and gravel. It was a shot in the dark that he would see tracks because they had driven over them, but it was worth a glance.

He stood, huffed and placed a hand on his hip as he surveyed the surroundings. Nothing appeared to be out of place. Except a piece of paper that fluttered because it had gotten stuck against the railing in the nighttime Montana breeze. He didn’t think anything of it and grabbed it. It wasn’t uncommon for trash to blow around every now and again. He almost crumpled it up, but Stella’s name in larger font caught his eye.

“What the,” he whispered. He heard the door close. He quickly folded it up and put it in his jacket pocket. He cleared his throat, “everything alright?”

“For all intents and purposes, yes. It’s okay.” Stella readjusted the duffel bags on her shoulder and her glasses with her forearm as she made her way down the porch steps. Kayce met her at the bottom and took the bags from her and put them in her back seat.

“On the back half of that though, somebody was in my house.”

“What?!” Kayce started toward the house, but Stella’s hand in the middle of his chest stopped him.

She shook her head, “let me clarify, someone had been in there. Ryan and I checked the house. No one was in there at the time. I’m ready to get the fuck outta here though,” she slipped her hand away from his chest and made her way to the driver’s seat, “let’s go home gentlemen.” They met up with Rip and Lloyd at the end of her drive. With a nod from Rip to Stella, they made it back to the ranch without any more incident.

Stella got out of her SUV and leaned on the back door, locking her elbows to keep her upright. She was exhausted. Her head started to pound from all the tension being released from her neck and shoulders.

“You alright, sugar?” Kayce came up and touched her elbow. She jerked a little bit, being pulled back into reality.

“Yeah…,” He reached for her arm again and pulled her into a hug. She melted into him and he heard her sniffle. She was tired of avoiding him. She needed her best friend.

“Hey, hey. It’s gonna be alright.” He placed his hand on the back of her head allowing her to hide her face in his chest, “you’re safe, sugar.”

She raised her head partially, “I know. The stress is just leaving. I’ll be fine after some sleep and some hard manual labor for a few days.”

It was comfortably quiet between the pair. Kayce still had her in an embrace. He could feel the tension slowly leaving her the longer they stood there. He could also feel that if they stood there any longer, she would most definitely fall asleep standing up.

He patted her on the back, “Your brother is probably wondering why you haven’t made it inside yet. Let’s get you settled in, yeah?” Stella nodded, too tired to speak anymore. Kayce grabbed the bags out of the back seat, and gently directed her to head inside.

When she crossed the threshold to the bunkhouse, there was a slight lull in the usual loud activity before everyone jumped to greet her. She greeted them quietly back and made a beeline to the empty bunk that Kayce used when he first came back since Jamie took the one she usually took. Ryan had a clear view from here. She knew she could let herself relax, even if it was only for a few short hours.

Everyone quieted. They weren’t used to seeing Stella so defeated. Kayce made eyes at Ryan, Rip, and Lloyd and nodded toward the outside. He didn’t want her to hear about the note.

Lloyd started off, “That silver car slowed up at her drive until they spotted us.”

“We followed them into downtown as far as we could, but with the fuckin’ traffic we lost them.” Rip was pissed.

Kayce pulled the note out of his jacket pocket. “I found this on the stairs at Stella’s.” He handed the note off so the others could take a look. “Even though she's not as involved with any of the shit that happens here, somebody sure as hell thinks she is.”

“Someone is trying to find vulnerable spots. This is about to be a shit show.” Ryan said.

Rip directed, “We’ll talk to Mr. Dutton in the morning. Let the girl get some rest for now.” He took a second and looked to the youngest Dutton, “Oh and Kayce?” Rip paused. “Don’t let Stella see that.”

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 26: The Hard Way

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: language, angst, violence, Malcolm Beck 🤢

* Word count: 4,542ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all

Author's note: Oooo I'm starting to get excited y'all! This is where things really start to amp up. Let's goooooooo! I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well!

Still not sure how I feel about the conversation he and Monica have, I feel like it’s lacking, but I’ve sat on it for a while and haven’t been able to figure out. So hopefully y’all don’t mind that part lol.

Stella followed Rip close behind. To the average outsider, Stella may have seemed like an odd choice, but out of everyone that was down there around him, John thought her approach might be a little more gentle in keeping the peace.

There were two men knocking on the door as Rip and Stella stopped their horses. Both of them sliding off their saddles, Rip came out of the gate ready to rock. Stella snarled at his quick assault.

“Can I help you?” Rip interrogated as he walked up toward the men aggressively. Stella struggled to catch up to him.

“We’re looking for John Dutton…,” the man with the light colored cowboy hat explained.

“Yeah, who's looking for John Dutton? We don't know you.” Rip accused hotly.

Stella was trailing behind him. Her legs couldn’t keep up with his long angry stride. As Rip got past the door to the stranger’s car, a man jumped out. She stopped abruptly so she didn’t smash into the door or the guy. She thought they might be some type of security. They weren’t interested in her at all.

The guy yelled at Rip and tried to grab for him. “Hey, step back. Hey!” Rip wasn’t too fond of that, and things started to go wayward before Stella could even open her mouth. He dropped the guy to the ground with a body slam.

Stella cursed a long string of expletives in her head as he continued to beat the guy. “Rip! Don’t!” The other man ran over to try and pull Rip off of his partner. Stella scrambled to grab Rip first. She wasn’t quite fast enough and the other guy got to him before she did.

She grabbed the second guy and yanked him backwards by his suit collar. “Get off him!” She caught him off guard and he lost his footing and stumbled back. He swung forward and around to face her with new momentum. The punch he landed on Stella's left cheek was solid. Her glasses flew off to the side, rendering her very nearsighted. She reeled back and shook her head trying to shake away the stars she was seeing. Everything was blurry, from the missing glasses, but also her watering eyes.

The man who just punched her raced forward and grabbed her arm. Rip witnessed the punch and propelled himself at the second man. He landed a hard punch of his own to the man trying to grab Stella.

Her eyes widened at the sight of the gun in the other man’s hand. “Behind you!” She yelled to Rip and ducked out of the way.

He whirled around and challenged the man with the gun. “Come on, mοthеrfսckеr, shoot me.” He stalked toward the man, begging him into action.

The second man that tried to grab her went for her arm again as she tried to wrestle him off. His grip was successful and he twisted it around her back and brought his other arm one up to her throat effectively caging her in from behind. He pulled out his own gun and aimed it at Stella.

She lost her cool at this point. “Rip!” He could hear the high octave of her voice and whipped his head in her direction.

Rip grabbed the first man and he yelled pitifully when Rip grasped his gun and tried to put him in the same position that his buddy had Stella in.

John yelled from his saddle as he bumped the man Rip was wrestling. “Put it down!” He raced by and sideswiped both Stella and her captor. She tried to brace for the impact, but it still hurt when she landed. She laid there, hoping her stillness would have everyone leave her alone. She also tried to regain brain power. This had been a way more dramatic event than she had been prepared for. John quickly hopped off his horse and made his way to her.

He whispered as he bent down to help her. “Stella?” He gave her a gentle nudge. She groaned in annoyance. “Stella, c’mon. Let me see those brown eyes.” She squinted open her eyes at him because she knew he wasn’t going to go away until she got up.

She sighed heavily. “Fine.” She reached out and grabbed the hand he offered to her. When she stood, she used his hand to catch her balance. Her head felt like it was swimming.

John looked at her closely. “You okay?”

She answered through her teeth. “Yeah I’m fine.” She looked around and asked out loud, mostly to herself, “Where the hell are my glasses?” She brushed his hand away. She searched around while squinting. John heard gravel crunching behind him and stood to face the uninvited guests.

“Mister Dutton, seems all the stories I've heard are true.”

Jamie busted out the door. “Wait. Wait... Whoa, whoa, whoa, everybody calm down. Dad. This is…” Stella glared at his late and failed attempt at getting everyone to relax. She found her glasses and made a place for herself next to Lloyd. She leaned against Abigail, who Lloyd had a hold of, and she checked her glasses over. She looked for cracks or scratches, or if they were snapped anywhere.

“I'm Malcolm Beck. This here is my brother, Teal.” John looked unimpressed. “Look, I apologize for everything that's happened here. Misunderstandings aside, we need to speak. Seems there's a problem that we share.”

“My problems are squarely my own.”

“Not this one. May we sit?”

“We can talk under that tree.”

Malcolm agreed. “Uh-huh.” Teal patted him on the arm. They began to make their way to the tree John pointed out.

John questioned Jamie. “What in the Sam-Hell was that about?”

“I'm sorry. They called fifteen minutes ago, I didn't know they meant now.” He explained quickly.

Stella placed her glasses back on her head and roared, “maybe if you would have picked up the fucking phone you would know!”

“I was in the middle of something!”

“I don’t fucking care, Jamie! If you would’ve picked up the phone, this whole situation could’ve been fucking avoided and we could have had a normal conversation instead of a brawl on the front fuckin’ lawn!” She rolled her eyes and whispered to herself. “Useless.”

John cut them both off from squabbling any further. “Alright, stop it! Both of you. I'm taking this meeting alone.” He pivoted on his heel and walked toward the two guests. Rip followed, naturally. Jamie tried to follow along too. John stopped walking and glared at Jamie with a stern look. “I said alone, Jamie.”

Stella watched the men stand and talk. She could feel Lloyd’s eyes on her. “I’m fine Lloyd. Thanks for grabbing Abigail. I’m going back to the bunkhouse.” She hopped up onto Abigail who snorted at the movement, but also at her rider’s irritation, and took off.

She brought Abigail to a halt outside of the barn. Everyone glanced at her, trying to gauge what was going on. Sliding off, she left the mare tied to the pole. The bay roan gently nudged her arm with her muzzle. She was trying to get Stella to wrap her arm around her neck, which Stella obliged her. She leaned on her heavily. Closing her eyes, she breathed out hard. It just officially hit her how much her face and head hurt.

She lifted her head and opened and closed her jaw. Trying to not only stretch it, but to also make sure the hinge still worked and nothing was broken. Feeling something warm run down her cheek, Stella reached up and swiped at whatever it was. As she pulled her hand away, blood covered her fingers.

Stella was jerked out of her stupor when she heard Jake yell. “What the hell happened to you?!” The cacophony that followed was overwhelming. Everyone scrambled in her direction, fighting to get to her first. Stella would have been amused at the cartoonish way they stumbled over each other any other day. Ryan pushed everyone out of the way. He marched over to her, ready to wring the neck of whoever had hit her.

Abigail quickly pulled loose of the slip knot and swung her back end around to block Stella off from everyone, her brother included. Stella dropped her arm from Abigail’s neck and ducked under the tie post. Ryan tried, and failed, to get the angry mare to move. The horse dangerously aimed her backside to Ryan and positioned her back hoof in his direction.

Stella moved with her mare, gently rubbing her chest to keep her from absolutely destroying her brother. “It’s okay girl. Shh.” She whispered softly to her. Stella peeked at Ryan from over top of Abigail’s shoulders. He stood there defeated and huffing angrily. The hard look he gave her would have had her six feet deep if it were possible. The unspoken questions of who did it and where they were now hung heavily in the air.

She spoke softly to her brother, not wanting to fight. There had been enough of that this morning. “I’ll be fine Ryan. It was very much me being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Can you watch her?” She gave Abigail a few neck scratches. “I'm gonna get cleaned up.” Not leaving him any choice, or giving him any time to respond, she walked off to the bunkhouse.

She wanted everyone to think she went there. Instead, when she got to the house, she wrapped back around and headed for the foreman’s lodge. She was sure Kayce had something left over to clean up with.

Walking inside, she leaned back against the door as it closed behind her. It was peacefully quiet. That was exactly what she was going for. She hoped she could finish before Kayce wandered in. The bunkhouse would have gotten loud and obnoxious. She wouldn’t have been able to deal with that. The remnants of her cleaning Kayce’s wounds from the fight with Rip were still on the small breakfast table. Not everything she wanted to use was there. She tapped the door and she pushed toward the bathroom, the only bathroom, inside Kayce’s room.

Before opening the medicine cabinet, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were watery still, her cheek red and angry from the hit. The guy had a ring on, she was pretty sure that was what split her cheek. She looked tired. A few locks of hair ran astray from the flurry of activity. Shaking her head with a sigh, she opened the cabinet and dug around until she found alcohol and a couple gauze pads to use as wipes.

Stella was so engrossed in what she was doing she didn’t hear someone come into the lodge. A throat cleared behind her and she nearly jumped out of her skin and through the ceiling. Her first instinct was to spin around and throw the bottle of alcohol at the offending intruder. Kayce swatted his hand out and hit the bottle away from his face.

The words tumbled from her mouth as the bottle smacked into everything on the way down to the floor. “For the love of God and all that is holy! You should know not to sneak up on me, you jackass!”

Kayce smirked. “Funny you callin’ me a jackass, in my place, that I sleep in, when you shouldn’t be in here at all.”

Stella rolled her eyes at him. “I didn’t want to go to the bunkhouse to take care of my face. Too many people. Too loud. Too many questions. Sue me.” She held her breath for a second and blew it out as she thought about it. “Actually wait, don’t. I don’t have the kind of money for that.”

He stepped forward into the small bathroom and into her personal bubble chuckling at her. Stella leaned her backside against the counter wanting to be anywhere else.

“What happened?”

Stella explained shortly. “Some guy came to talk with your dad. Jamie didn’t pick up his phone, so no one knew that they were coming. Rip and I went up to the house, Rip was a little aggressive and the guy’s security didn’t like that. They started to gang up on Rip, and I successfully got in the way. With my face.”

Kayce came to stand over her. He took off his hat and set it on the counter and checked out her face. He gently removed her glasses and placed them on the brim of his hat. He poked and prodded different parts of her cheek to make sure nothing was broken. Stella winced every so often. The area was still very tender. He was being gentle, but it still hurt.

She watched his laser focus on her face. She had to figure out how to get away from him. Being this close to him again wasn’t doing her heart any favors. His lips pursed in annoyance, most likely at her for getting in the way of trouble.

He was quiet. Probably trying to think of a way to scold her without her realizing he was doing so. Or he was trying not to lose his cool at her. Even though he was annoyed with her, she would sit there and stare at him all day if she could if they could have gone back to normal.

“I know you’re probably super pissed, and I know you and Rip are kinda on the outs again, but I couldn’t let him get jumped.” Stella looked everywhere but at him now. “I would have done the same if it were you.”

Kayce sighed and his hands dropped from her face. “I know Stella, but damn it. You’ve gotta be more careful. You’re lucky nothing’s broken.”

“You know I’ll never be that way. Especially about the people I care for.”

“Yeah I do know that. That’s the scary part. I don’t need you windin’ up dead. I wouldn’t be able to stand that.”

She shyly stared at the floor. In the heat of the moment, she often forgot how much other people cared about her. When she looked back up, Kayce was very close. Their noses almost touching close. Her breath got caught in her throat with a tiny, nearly inaudible gasp. Memories of them sleeping together the other day flashed across her mind. He made direct eye contact with her. She swallowed nervously. “Don’t.”

His voice was heavy, laced with something Stella couldn’t put her finger on. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” Kayce tossed his head to the door, for her to go out before him.

Stella’s voice was soft. “I would love to, cowboy, but uh, you’ve gotta move first.” She pointed out.

Kayce backed up, giving Stella the space to go forward. He swatted at her back. “Smart ass.” She skipped a few steps into the bedroom to get away from the swat. He followed her and continued. “Go sit out at the table. I’ll get your face cleaned up.” He picked up the alcohol bottle and breathed out hard, regaining some semblance of composure.

She seated herself at the table in the same spot Kayce was in a few days ago. He laid her glasses on the table as he positioned himself above her. Quickly, he started to clean her face.

She chuckled and asked. “Two peas in a pod, aren’t we?”

“Whattaya mean?”

“I mean, not long ago the roles were reversed here.” She motioned the reversal with her hands between them.

“Oh, that. Yeah, we have to figure out a different dynamic that doesn’t involve both of us getting hurt.”

Stella smiled sullenly as best she could while he cleaned her face. “So how are things with you and Monica? Have you two spoken since,” Stella inquired timidly. She couldn’t bring herself to mention the other night.

“I’m actually supposed to run over there tonight. She called me earlier, said she was lonely.” He took a moment to grab some gauze to use as a rag. “I am too. I miss her.”

Her chest tightened. She felt foolish. Biting her bottom lip, she took a deep breath and willed herself not to cry. In classic Stella fashion, she got caught up in her own head of what she thought may have been happening, instead of seeing what was actually happening. She had been a distraction. Simple as that.

She pulled back from Kayce’s hands carefully. “You go on ahead. You try your best to fix things. I can take care of this.” She motioned to her face. She cleared her throat trying to dislodge the lump there. “I’ll make sure everything is put away when I leave.” Faking a smile up at him, she motioned to the door.

“Stella, I can help you finish.” Kayce tried to object.

“No, no, no. You go. You should fight for the things you want. Standing here with me, cleaning up my recklessness, isn’t doing you any favors. Go.”

Kayce’s eyebrows scrunched up at her tone. There was something off. She was almost begging him to leave. He backed up a few steps and truly looked at her. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Her shoulders were slumped, defeated. She seemed crestfallen in a way that Kayce wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her before.

She looked at the floor quite intently. “Yes. I’ll be fine. I’ll clean up and head out.”

“At least go find your brother so someone can keep an eye on you. Please? For my peace of mind?” Kayce wanted some kind of reaction before he left.

“Yeah, I will. I hope things go well. You’ll have to update me later, yeah?” She looked up at him and gave him a smile tinged with sadness. He grinned back at her and she felt a pang run through her. Watching as he left, she finally let out the breath she was holding in.

Her eyes started to sting. She chuckled to herself humorlessly. ‘For his own peace of mind.’ She felt the bitter bile rise up in her throat. ‘Now, now. Don’t be hateful at him. You’ve got nobody to blame, but yourself girl.’ Shaking her head, she stood and went back to the bathroom.

With a glance in the mirror, she took three strip bandaids and placed them gingerly over the cut across her round cheek. She quickly shoved the alcohol and gauze back into the cabinet, along with the bandaids. With one more look in the mirror, she started to make a beeline for the door.

When she got back to the outside of the bunkhouse, Ryan paced back and forth. He shouted out to her as she got closer. “Stella! Where the hell did you go?”

“I went to the lodge. Too many people here. I’m fine.” She explained and motioned to her face. “All cleaned up and ready to go home.”

“No.” Ryan shook his head. “Nuh uh. Nope. You’re not driving.”

“What the fuck, Ryan? I didn’t get run over. I got punched. I’ll be fine.” Her hands slapped her thighs in frustration.

“No. You could have a concussion, and I don’t need you passing out behind the wheel.” He wasn’t having her leave his sight.

Stella ignored his worry. “Is Abigail still tacked up?”

“Jimmy is getting ready to break her down.” Ryan explained. Stella headed away from him to go get her mare from the newest hand. Ryan tried to put his foot down. “Stella Lee, absolutely not. Jimmy is breaking her down, and he’s gonna keep doing it. You’re not going anywhere.”

Turning around, she pinned her brother with a glare. “Says who?” Her eyebrows raised and her arms out to the side, as she challenged him to defy her to take her horse out. “I don’t need a damn babysitter, Ryan Stephen.” She marched toward the barn and shouted. “Jimmy! Don’t break Abigail down!”

She crossed the threshold and her brother followed directly behind. Jimmy heard the tone his name was hollered in and his head shot up from behind Stella’s mare. The ferocious look on her face made Jimmy start to scurry backward away from Abigail.

“I’m sorry Stella! I was told to get her ready for turn out.”

“It’s fine Jimmy, but I’m taking her out.”

Ryan interjected loudly. “No the hell you’re not!” He tried to reach for the bridle. The bay roan mare shot her head up when she heard Ryan’s raised voice, effectively yanking the reins away from Ryan’s grasp. She squared her body up to her heavy almost 17 hands height and crossed Ryan with a look that made his motion stall. He second guessed himself and his safety. He knew that Abigail could be extremely protective over Stella, especially when things got aggressive, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. However, in a situation like this, it really hindered his ability to get Stella to agree with him.

Stella gripped the split reins in her hand tightly. She gave Abigail a few pats on the shoulder making direct eye contact with her brother. “Ryan, I would be very careful with the action you choose next. I will not stop her.” He knew the threat was valid. Stella had been pushed to her breaking point. Even though Stella loved him dearly, she would let that mare trample him in a heartbeat. Especially when she felt backed into a corner.

He stepped back and raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, fine. But don’t come crying to me when you get in a tight spot. I tried to stop you.”

Stella gritted her teeth. “Fine.” She stepped up into her saddle and prodded Abigail into action.

The pair galloped out of the barn and headed to the river. Stella felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She knew if she got to the river and sat down she would be fine. The tree thickets and high grass flew by them. Stella had the idea of the river, but she just let Abigail run. She hoped that the roan would take her there, but wherever they ended up Stella didn’t care.

They came up to the top of one of the many hills the property had. Abigail came to a gentle stop. She caught her breath and snorted. Stella looked out over the field. The sun was just starting to set. She had a while yet before it would get truly dark. She had a lantern attached to her saddle anyhow.

Leaning deep in her seat, she let out a huff. Today really got the best of her. Things at the house got out of hand really quick, and then things with Kayce. Well, the disappointment she had because of what she thought had been happening versus what truly was going on with Kayce. She had gotten too big for her britches and life chose to take her down a few pegs.

“Damn girl.” She whispered to Abigail. “I should have just stuck to training horses and running cattle with you.” A sad chuckle escaped her. “Who would have thought I would have ended up the super hopelessly hopeless romantic who would then become the homewrecker?” She scoffed as tears fell down her cheeks. “Fuck.”

The thoughts she was letting go were interrupted by the sound of hooves. Stella dropped her head forward and groaned. She rolled her eyes as she brought her head back up. “I don’t know which of you it is, but could it truly not fucking wait?” She propped her glasses on top of her head and wiped angrily at her eyes.

The silence that followed made Stella second guess whether or not she had actually heard someone or not. She turned her head and found that it was Rip who sat just off to her left, silent and resolute while he observed her. She was thankful that it wasn’t her brother because she didn't think she could handle more harshness.

“Your brother sent me to find you.”

“Of course he did. As you can see, I’m fine. So you can go ahead and report back to him. I’ll be just dandy by myself.” She rolled her eyes and placed her glasses back on her nose.

“Nah, you know I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” Stella questioned. Rip refused to answer. He could tell something was wrong. Not just from this morning. Stella was off, and he didn’t like it.

“Rip, come on.” She grumbled. Almost on the verge of a tears again.

“What’s wrong? I’ve seen you take a punch before and I know this ain’t how you react to that.”

Stella’s mouth hung open. She should have expected Rip to be able to read her mood. She looked back to the sunset, hoping it would give her some type of answer.

Rip questioned her again. “So what happened?”

She sighed loudly and looked down to pet Abigail. “I just went and broke my own heart, is all.”

“What do you mean?”

Feeling her not injured cheek heat up, she fixed her glasses. “I got blinded by what I wanted, and misread a lot. That’s all I’m gonna say.”

“What did you want?”

“It doesn’t matter, Rip. What I wanted can’t want me. So it’s a moot point to keep talking about it.” Her shoulders dropped, feeling the defeat and embarrassment all over again. “Why can’t I just be alone?”

“Because I’m gonna sit here with you until you’re ready to go back to the house. Get out whatever you need to. Or don’t. That’s up to you.” He shrugged. “But I’m here either way.”

Stella stared at him in reflection. “I just needed time away. After I get Abs settled for the night, I’m gonna head home.” Rip breathed in preparation to interrupt, but Stella held her hand out at him to hold him off for a second. “I’m not sleeping in the bunkhouse because I don’t want to deal with Ryan. I don’t wanna stay in the lodge either. So the only other option would be the barn or the hay loft. And I’m not doing either of those.”

“Why don’t you wanna stay at the lodge? I don’t think Kayce’ll be home tonight.”

Stella let out a hurt laugh at the mention of Kayce. “I don’t feel like being around anyone.”

“Even Kayce if he did come back?” Rip questioned delicately.

Stella’s shoulders dropped as she looked back to the horizon. She heaved a sigh and whispered. “Even Kayce.”

“Damn it.” Rip moved his horse closer. He wasn’t sure what had transpired between the two after the events of this morning, but he wasn’t sure he liked the outcome. “At least let me take you home, so you’re not the one driving. Mr. Dutton said to give you tomorrow off anyway. I can bring your car to you later on.”

Stella tapped on the horn of her saddle and thought it over. “Alright, Wheelie. You drive a hard bargain, but it’s the best bargain anyone has given me tonight. Get me the hell outta here please.” She grinned, causing her dimples to cut small craters into her cheeks. She hissed as she drew her smile back some. Rip looked at her to make sure she was okay. “I’m fine. Just smiled too big.”

Rip turned his horse to go back the way they came. “C’mon now, Stella-belle.” He directed Stella to follow.

Kayce wiped his hands on his jeans. Ever since he got out of his truck, they were sweating. This meetup with Monica was make or break. He just had a feeling in his gut.

Quickly and quietly he made his way to her apartment door. He hit the door a few times and heard Monica’s soft footsteps pad to the door. As she opened the door, he gulped.

Monica gave him a sad, soft smile and waved him in. “Have a seat.”

He searched around the hallway and the living room. “Where’s Tate?”

His wife sat down opposite of him with a sigh. “He’s with my dad. I didn’t think he should be here.”

Kayce couldn’t blame her. They had never really yelled around their son, except the last time he was here, and he would rather keep it that way. “So how’s this gonna go, Monica?”

She observed him from her seat. She had thought long and hard about the plunge she was about to take. Yes, Kayce was a part of her, and always would be because of their son, but he had proven time and time again that his John’s draw on him was too strong. She couldn’t allow her son to be roped into that, or watch his father’s bad decisions catch up with him. “Kayce, I,” she stopped. “I’ve tried to move on from you. I’m kind of seeing him.” Waves of nausea rolled through him at her admission. Now both of his tethers were gone. “I’m sorry, but I had to try. The power your father has over you is too much. You’re never going to escape him. I can’t let Tate get wrapped up in that. Or let him watch it destroy you.”

“I’m making moves to not be as involved!”

“Are you really? He’s given you a job you still carry, you’re his horse trainer and foreman now. You’ve also neglected to mention Stella at all, which makes me think you tried to move on too.”

Kayce ground his teeth at the mention of Stella. “Like I said the other day, this isn’t about her. It’s about us. Our family.”

“But it should be. You’ve always had a soft spot for her, Kayce. I could see it the first time you introduced me to her and through all the events that followed.” Monica rested back and crossed her arms. “She’s soft on you too. She was always respectful, so that’s why I never bothered saying anything. And she’s a part of your father’s world. She’s gotten more ingrained as time has gone by.”

“So what are you saying? Are you giving me an ultimatum?”

“No, Kayce, I’m not. I’m saying that I think we’ve both tried, but it isn’t fixing anything. This,” she motioned between them, “isn’t fixable. I need to keep our son safe.”

Kayce stood, pacing. “You can’t take him from me, Monica!”

“I’m not going to. We will always be in each other’s life because of him. You can still see him, and keep him whenever we decide, but I can’t let him be forced to watch your bad decisions and toxic family catch up to you.”

Kayce looked down at the floor with his hands on his hips. He wasn’t sure if it was devastation or relief. Maybe both. He knew in his heart that both of them had moved on. The tide had turned and his world had flipped upside down. “How do we do this Monica?”

“Well, we’ll take it day by day, week by week. If I need help for something for Tate, I’ll ask and vice versa. We’ll co-parent and whoever we choose to be with will have to understand that.”

“Yeah.” His answer was lame, but he couldn’t drum up the words. He’d failed. He’d fucked up. He’d lost. “I’m gonna go, but we’ll talk more about this in the daylight, yeah?”

“Sure.” She watched as he walked to the door. “Kayce?” He halted. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah me too.”

Rip leaned his shoulder against the doorway into Stella’s kitchen. He decided to stay for a little while to make sure she got settled in and that she was okay to go to bed soon. He watched her as she flitted around. She was more concerned with making sure he was comfortable.

“So what were you talking about earlier with the “you broke your own heart” thing? Does it have to do with Kayce?” Rip asked gently. He knew that she’d been in love with Kayce forever. He just never said anything because she never did.

“Do you want anything to drink?” She asked, ignoring his question. Stella didn’t know if she would be able to keep it together if she engaged in that conversation.

Rip huffed and ignored her deflection. “C’mon, you know you can tell me.”

She braced herself on the counter and sniffed. “We slept together, Rip. And he went back to his wife because she said she was lonely and he apparently missed her.” Her voice wavered. “I can’t blame him for trying to make things work, but I can’t help but feel dirty and used.” She turned to him with tears in her eyes. “There. You happy?”

Rip’s face sobered. “Oh honey,” he walked toward her with his arms outstretched, “c’mere.” He clutched Stella tight. “It’s okay. It’ll be okay.” He placed his hand on her head and hushed her. He felt his own heart break as her sobs shook him.

“Stella, you go take care of you. Get a shower and we’ll go from there. I’ll be fine down here.”

Stella exhaled. “Okay.”

Rip reached out and grabbed her shoulders and directed her toward the stairs. “If I hear a thud I’ll come running.” He watched her toddle up the stairs. He went into her living room with a sigh. Once she was showered and he was sure she would be safe to sleep, he would go home, but until then he would listen to her soft footsteps mill about upstairs. He busied himself with straightening up the living room. He heard the water turn on and moved around the room placing pillows back and folding the throw blanket on the couch.

He heard footsteps coming up on the porch. He frowned. Whoever the steps belonged to twisted the doorknob and let themselves in. Rip walked up to the archway and leaned against it, hoping to have the element of surprise. His eyebrows rose up underneath his hat when he saw Kayce. “The nuts you have to come here after what you did amazes me, Kayce.”

“The fuck are you talkin’ about?”

“You know exactly what the fuck I’m talkin’ about you asshole.” Rip stormed over getting up in Kayce’s face. They didn’t hear Stella come to the top of the stairs. “You have the nerve to sleep with her and then tell her you missed your wife and you’re going to go play make up?!”

“I had to try for my son!”

“That’s not the issue Kayce. You jumped into bed with Stella when you knew full well you had a wife and son waiting for you to get your head out of your ass! You shouldn’t have made a move on Stella at all! You wanted to protect her, you should have done that. You should have done what I told you to do and left her alone.”

“I’m sorry.”

Stella waited around the railing where they couldn’t see her. She pulled her lips together and placed her hand over her mouth to keep herself quiet. Tears sprang up in her eyes.

Rip shoved Kayce backward. “Yeah, well you took advantage of Stella, and now I’m left to pick up the pieces.” He growled. “Just like I warned her. And the fucked up thing is, she understood why you had to do it. But it broke her in the process.”

“Well, going to Monica didn’t work! It wouldn’t have worked even though I went to her multiple times! Monica moved on. We both did.”

Rip yelled. “Save it, Kayce! I’ve only seen that girl cry a handful of times and you’ve been at the top of half of them. You can't just lead her on and then ruin her and come back because you know she’ll forgive you.” He hated Stella’s blindness to the man in front of him.

Kayce lost his cool. “You know what?! You were right! Is that what you wanna hear? She always ends up hurt because of me.”

“She deserves more than you. Take that up with her a different day. She doesn’t need your shit tonight. You can leave.”

Kayce looked up the stairs and then down at the floor. He turned and left. Defeated. His dad was right. He didn’t know how to fight for anything.

Rip stewed as he watched Kayce leave. He realized the water wasn’t running any longer. “Stella, you can come out now. He’s gone.”

Her steps were timid coming down the stairs. She stood at the bottom and Rip thought she looked so small. It broke his heart. “C’mere, Stella-belle.” He wrapped her in a hug again.

“Can you not say I told you so please?” Came her muffled request.

“Nah, I’ll save it for tomorrow.” She let out a sad laugh at his attempt.

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 33: How High

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: language, brief mentions of physical abuse from attackers, branding

* Word count: 3,828ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all.

Author's note: So the “secret she carries with her always” that John needed reminding of from Rip has been revealed! I’m sincerely hoping this reveal is as cool as I was trying to make it lol. Next chapter we have a little celebration for our girl! I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well!

Kayce woke up from the sliver of light that snuck way in through the curtains in the bedroom. His eyes fluttered while consciousness greeted him. He felt weight on his right arm. Looking down, he recognized the mousy brown hair. Stella was nestled in his side, facing away from him. She used his arm as a pillow. He had finally gotten her to settle long enough to let sleep actually take her. He didn’t want to wake her just yet.

Stella moved in his direction again. Kayce appreciated the soft curve of her full cheeks all the way down to her hip in the glow of the morning light. He couldn’t resist placing a light kiss on her forehead. He wasn’t sure what had come over him. He had no idea how to move forward.

She started moving her head around like she was searching for a comfortable position again. She lifted her face and her lips found his jawline before he figured out what she was doing. He thought he heard her whisper his name. It was soft and quick, but Kayce closed his eyes. He almost couldn’t open them again.

Stella opened her eyes slowly, not ready to wake up for the day. “Is it time to get up yet?” Her right arm came up over her head and her toes pointed downward as she stretched with a groan.

Kayce chuckled deep in his chest and wrapped his arm around her shoulders drawing her in closer. “No, sugar. It’s still early.”

“And I’m awake, what the fuck?”

He laughed at her irritation. “Your body is set on ranch time.”

“Yeah well ranch time can go fuck itself for the next few days.” Stella curled her arms into herself, and turned her hands to place them on Kayce’s chest. She traced the scarred rocking Y that resided there. “Can I ask you something?”

A heavy handed knocking came to the door and startled both of them. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder tightly to keep her grounded.

She came up for air. “Kayce, who is it this early?” She mumbled with sleep filled eyes.

“You stay here. I’ll check.” He went to kiss her head again, but she turned his head and caught his lips with her own in her sleepy haze. Kayce smiled into the kiss and pulled the covers off of him.

She rolled toward his warm spot. “Be safe please.” She closed her eyes as she made herself comfortable again. He threw on the sweats he’d abandoned last night.

The pounding continued as he made his way to the door. “Alright, alright! I’m coming!” He swung the door open and was met with Ryan standing there.

“Where is she?”

“Hello to you too.” Stella’s brother tried to come in, but Kayce threw his arm in front of him. “She’s still sleeping. She had a rough night. I’m gonna let her sleep until later.” He blocked the door in a protective manner.

“Let me just go see her. Please?” Ryan wasn’t begging, but Kayce understood he just wanted to see her safe. He moved his arm to let him pass.

“She’s in the bedroom.” Kayce offered. A brief panic hit his chest as he tried to remember if his very naked best friend was covered.

Ryan nodded. He quietly stepped up to the door and peeked in. Stella laid there, peacefully unaware under the blankets. He could tell she hadn’t slept for long. The circles under her eyes gave that away. Ryan had seen her like this plenty of times when she was growing up. Dark circles, hair all over the place, sprawled across the bed in any position she found comfortable. Usually Kayce had some part in her dishevelment because they were galavanting all night. He breathed a sigh of relief. She was safe and that’s what mattered.

He stopped breathing when he became painfully aware of Kayce’s hat, pants and boots off to the side of the bed. Squinting his eyes, he turned back to Kayce. He was in sweats and nothing else. He looked at the couch and there were no signs of someone sleeping there. Ryan quickly glanced back at his sister, not sure if she was clothed. His heart rate picked up at the implication and he spun on his heel to retreat back to the outside.

“I’m gonna go catch up with everyone. Y’all meet us when she’s ready, okay?” He didn’t leave time for Kayce to reply. He knew he had to get out of there before he said something he might regret.

Kayce stood there at the door perplexed. From behind him, he heard, “Kace? Who was it?” Stella shuffled out to him rubbing her eyes. She had slipped on her white t-shirt and pants from the night before.

“It was your brother telling us to meet up with them when you’re ready.”

“Oh.” Stella came up to him and wrapped her arms around him. She felt warm and fuzzy. Safe. Kayce gazed down at her and leaned in to kiss her, testing the waters. When they pulled away from each other Stella asked, “did he want to see me at all?”

“Yeah, but I asked him to let you sleep. Don’t blame him for that.”

Stella yawned. “I’m gonna grab a shower.” She needed coffee before the day started. She stepped back from Kayce, holding one one of his hands, and smiled shyly at him. “Hit me with some coffee when I come out?”

Kayce squeezed her hand and laughed. “Yeah, sugar. It’ll be waitin’ for you.”

“Thank you!” She twirled and headed off to the shower.

Colby hung back from the rest of the wranglers. He waited for Ryan. He heard the tell tale sound of hoofbeats coming from the barn. He could see the tension in Ryan’s demeanor before he got to him. Colby pulled his eyebrows together.

Ryan said bluntly, “I think my sister and Kayce are sleeping together again.” Colby’s face lit up with shock as he watched Ryan continue to trot past him on his horse.

He nudged his horse to catch up. “Hold up, hold up! Did I hear you right? Again?”

“I didn’t stutter, did I?”

“That’s a big accusation, Ryan. Did you ask Stella? Kayce??”

“No. She was sleeping. She was safe and that’s what mattered. I had to get outta there.”

“What made you think they’re sleeping together? Supposedly again?”

“They had been in the same bed.”

“Okay?” Colby questioned. He understood his friend’s hesitancy on the subject, but without having the facts from the proverbial horse’s mouth, he didn’t understand jumping to conclusions. Yet. “We all know that couch is ass. I honestly don’t blame two grown adults for sharing a bed.”

“That’s not the point. They’ve hooked up before. A few weeks ago.”

Colby’s eyes widened. He couldn’t help but think to himself about how they’d finally made the jump. He shook his head. He would talk to Stella later. He had to focus. “Then what is the point? I mean, we all know that there’s always been something there. They’re just either too hard headed, or too oblivious to see it. Which is on par for both of them.”

Ryan glanced around, trying to slow his racing thoughts. Colby was right. There had always been a little something there if you watched the pair. Even through Kayce going off to the military, getting married, having a child, coming back home. His little sister had never made mention, or tried to make a move on it though. She seemed content to watch from the sidelines. She would jump in when necessary, but then resume her position on the flank. Until the one time she didn’t. In the most complicated way possible.

“He’s our foreman now.”

“And he was her best friend way before that even became an option on the table for him.”

“I don’t know, Colby.”

“Are you bothered because it's your baby sister?”

Ryan stopped his horse. That was the thing. He wasn’t sure. She wasn’t a baby anymore. He knew she could handle herself. He was bothered because Kayce was still married. He whispered, “he’s still married, Colby. Nothing good can come from that.”

Colby dropped his head. That was a detail he didn’t think about. Seeing Kayce here without Monica made him assume.

Ryan continued in a quiet voice. “I’ve never wanted the cowboy life for her. I never wanted her to stay in it, but she fell for it. Just like we did.”

“Well she is one, but also you have to think about what she would want. She’s a smart girl. And Kayce won’t do her dirty.”

Ryan sighed, “he’s already hurt her once. I don’t want it to happen again.”

“Why didn’t you tell me, man?”

“Stella was already embarrassed enough and I was furious with her. I didn’t want to humiliate her even more.”

“Well, we’ll cross that bridge when it comes. And I’ll help you with whatever we need to do. If, and that’s a big if, something is going on between them.”

Ryan sighed. He tapped his horse and moved forward. “We’ll see, I guess.” He went off to meet up with Jimmy and Lloyd. Colby stayed behind to keep up with the cattle.

Kayce heard the shower turn off 10 minutes ago. He was already dressed and ready to head out. The only thing stopping him was Stella. They didn’t have to rush because he had thought ahead and texted Jimmy to get their horses ready before he headed off with Lloyd. Thinking it might be safe to wander to the door, he knocked.

He heard Stella’s muffled reply. “Yeah?”

“Is it safe to come in?” The door whipped open in front of him. Looking up at him in all her glory was Stella, in just her bra and a pair of jeans. His gaze wanted to linger, but he quickly averted his eyes.

“Lord woman, put a shirt on before you open the door!”

Stella rolled her eyes. “Oh pfft. You’ve literally seen me naked.” Walking back from the door, she grabbed a light blue tank top to throw on. She walked into the bathroom and continued to finish getting ready before she put her shirt on. “You’ve cum in me. Multiple times at this point.” Kayce could see her in the reflection smirking at him in the mirror from the spot he was leaning.

He thought about that for a split second. “Yeah, we gotta be more careful about that.”

“I’m on birth control Kace, don’t worry.”

The gentle light from the bathroom made her look delicate. He questioned himself. ‘Since when?’ He tried to scrounge up any possible moment when his vision of her changed. He thought about the small kiss she gave him this morning in her sleep. The times they’d kissed before. ‘No, it couldn’t be then. What are you? 16? She didn’t realize what she was doing.’ He saw her turn and grab the tank top she brought with her.

Stella caught his gaze in the mirror. Her eyes softened and she put on a little smile. Kayce stopped breathing for a split second. ‘Oh.’ He figured it out.

“Hey, did you hear me?”

He shook his head and brought himself back to the present and breathing. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t focus when you look at me like that. Say it again?”

“Wait, what?”

“No, I missed what you said. Repeat it please?”

Stella nodded in slow motion with her eyebrows pulled together. “Uh huh.” She drug out the syllables. Her brain tried to process if she had heard him right.

She chose to ignore it for later. “Okay. Anyway, I said, we should probably get going if I’m gonna be there as moral support for Ryan.”

He continued leaning and waited for her. “You realize he’s gonna have a bull calf when he finds out, right?”

She took a deep breath and said, “oh I know,” and huffed out a laugh, “but I’m hoping the sizzle of his own skin will distract him enough.” She threw the tank top on and quickly snapped the door fully open. He glanced at her exposed skin of the scar on her chest and cleared his throat. It wasn’t every day that Stella wore a tank top that wasn't a high neck racer back.

Stella had a bashful blush on the apples of her cheeks as she looked up at him. “What? Do I still have sex hair?” She ran her fingers through her hair and redid her bun low on her neck to leave room for the ball cap she was gonna put on.

Kayce smiled warmly at her. “No. It’s nothin’. Just lookin’ at you.” He grabbed a plaid button up of his to give to her.

She scrunched her face up both trying to figure out his motive for that statement and also to focus on what he was handing her. He’d said that the morning they’d slept together. ‘What is he getting at?’ She questioned. He handed her glasses to her. He wanted to lean in and kiss her, but he didn’t want to push his luck. “Let’s go, sugar.” She followed, but paused to grab her ball cap on the way.

She and Kayce slowed to a trot as they came to the front of the trapper cabin that the branding always took place at. Stella hopped off of Abigail. Tying a quick slip knot, she panned her eyes around to find Ryan, Jimmy and Lloyd standing by a fire. Ryan pulled her to the side, away from prying ears.

“Did you and Kayce sleep together?”

“What?!” Stella hadn’t planned on being caught.

“Are you sleeping with Kayce again?”

“Jesus Ryan!” She quickly glanced back at Kayce and then back to her brother. “No! I mean we shared the bed, but I didn’t want to sleep by myself.” Stella tried to forget the confession early this morning and the following events. She felt bad lying, but she wanted to enjoy whatever was coming before something else happened. They needed to figure out what was going on first before they told anyone.

“We’re talking about this later.” He declared. Stella rolled her eyes at him because there was nothing to talk about. Well, there would be.

Everyone was quiet as the siblings rejoined the group. It was a heavy thing. Ritualistic at this point. Stella felt bad because she was the reason Ryan had been backed into this corner. If she wouldn’t have killed — ‘No. Stop. If you wouldn’t have killed them, you would be in a body bag right now.’

“You sure you really wanna do this, Ryan? You don’t have to do this just for me.”

“I’m so deep into this, Stellee.” He turned to her. “You know as well as I do that we’re not leaving this place.”

Stella nodded her head to the left while raising her eyebrows. Ryan was right. “Do you want to hold my hand? It’s really gonna fuckin’ suck.” She handed him something to bite down on.

Ryan pulled his eyebrows together. “Obviously it’s gonna suck.” He looked at Lloyd. “Don’t you touch her with that brand.”

Stella looked at Kayce first. Then to Lloyd who was getting closer with the hot brand. “It’s a little late for that.” Stella pulled back Kayce’s plaid shirt. The raised pink scar sat lower on her chest. A portion of the top of the Y could be seen above her tank top neckline. It was obvious it had been there a while. Ryan’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head.

“What the fu—,” he was interrupted by the sizzling of his skin, “— ahhhh!” He screamed through clenched teeth. Kayce and Jimmy caught Ryan underneath his arms. Lloyd rocked the brand on his chest and finally pulled it away. Stella came forward with some antiseptic and gauze.

“Sit him down over there.” She pointed to a log around the fire. “I’m so sorry, but this is gonna suck even more.” She began working on his wound. He pissed and moaned the whole time.

“Oh my god, you’re a fuckin’ butcher Stella!” Ryan fussed.

“Quit whining. Would you rather one of them do it? Because I can guarantee you they will be much less gentle than I’m being.” Kayce and Lloyd could be heard chuckling off to the side.

Ryan motioned to her brand trying to distract himself. “So when the hell did you get that?”

Stella fixed her glasses and ripped off a piece of medical tape for Ryan’s gauze. She squinted, trying to remember exactly when she got branded. “I was just about 18.” She admitted quietly.

Ryan breathed heavily. Partly from pain, but the other part was anger. He couldn’t believe she kept it from him. She couldn’t believe she let them do it in the first place. Or why they had done it. He couldn’t fix his gaze on one solid point.

Kayce broke him out of his irritable haze. “She did it for me, Ryan.”

“What?!” Ryan roared. He scrambled to his feet, ready to take a swing. Stella poked him in the fresh brand, successfully dropping him back onto the log he was sitting on.

Stella placed herself between the two men. “Knock it off, Ryan Stephen!” She huffed and brushed her hands on her pants. “Damn bunch of children.” She scoffed.

Lloyd was an unexpected participant in the conversation. “She was pissed Mr. Dutton was doing it to his own son. The reasons he was doing it for. Her best friend, if you recall? She stepped up, told Mr. Dutton to fuck himself and get off his high horse and do it to her too.” He added, “you remember when things got tense for your sister around then? She wasn’t at the ranch as much?”

“I went to stay with Kayce for like a year.” Stella reminisced on helping them out with Tate when he first came along. “If John Dutton was going to have any regret about doing that to his own son because he wouldn’t, “follow his orders,” I was gonna make him have me, an innocent bystander, on his conscience too.” Everyone could tell from the way she said it, she still meant every word. “And he didn’t take too kindly to me telling him to fuck off. Which was my whole goal. I wanted him to do it.” Kayce and Stella locked eyes across the dying fire. Their look lingered until Ryan cleared his throat.

They milled about while Ryan got ready to go back to work. Lloyd messed around with the fire. Jimmy made his way over to Stella. “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”

She smirked at him while putting the medical supplies in her saddle bag. “Full to the brim, Jaybird.”

“So how long have you had it?”

Stella turned on him and scrunched her face in thought. “Well I was almost 18 when it happened. So 8 years?” She thought about the time of year it was. “Wait, what's today's date?” She asked anyone who would answer.

Jimmy gave it some thought. “Uh, November 2nd?”

Her eyes bugged out of her head and she turned to the other men. “Oh shit, it’s my birthday today.”

Jimmy chuckled. “Wait, you forgot your own birthday?”

“In her defense there’s been a lot of near death going on. Kinda took over.” Kayce defended Stella.

“How old are you?” Jimmy asked.

“Weren't you ever told it’s rude to ask a lady her age?”

Jimmy shot a zinger her way. “I wasn’t aware I was asking a lady. I thought I was asking a cowboy.”

Stella’s whole body shook with laughter as she threw her head back. “Damn that was a good one, Jaybird.” She wiped tears out of her eyes. “Kace, you’re 29 now right?”

“Affirmative.”

“That would make me 27 as of today at,” she looked at Ryan for confirmation, “6:30 pm.” He nodded at her. He remembered the time like it was yesterday.

“Well we should do something for you, don’t you guys agree?” Jimmy looked to the men for help.

Stella shook her head. “Nah I dunno about all that. I just wanna hang out and be grateful I’m alive after yesterday.”

“Well then we’ll hang out.” Jimmy smiled at her.

Kayce interjected. “But first, my dad wants us up at breakfast, Stella.”

Her eyebrows rose. “What for?”

He shrugged. “I dunno. We should probably find out.”

Kayce held the door open for Stella and she weaved inside. She flipped her baseball cap backwards. The house smelled wonderful. Her stomach grumbled and growled, coming to life at the smells of bacon and eggs.

“Ugh I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” Stella groaned. Her mouth was almost watering at the thought of food. She turned quickly and stopped Kayce with a hand on his chest. He looked down at her. “So what did your dad want us up here for? I know I ate meals here often growing up, but it’s been a hell of a long time. What gives?”

Kayce placed his hands on her hips and spoke softly. “I really don’t know, Stell. C’mon.” He gently pushed her toward the dining room. He spotted his son at the table and kissed his head before sitting down.

“Hi daddy!” The youngster immediately brightened. He saw Stella and smiled. “Hi Aunt Stella!”

“Hey buddy.” She smiled softly at him. Stella’s eyes landed on Kayce’s sister when she stepped into the room. “What the hell happened to you?! Was it,” she stopped her question short because of the little ears that were still in the room.

John came into the room behind her. “It was.”

Stella whipped her head to her boss. “When?”

Beth cleared her throat. “Night before last.”

Stella looked between Kayce and John as John sat at the head of the table. “At the same time as me?”

Kayce shook his head. “No, after. I had just finished leaving a message to them when you called me. That’s why I was able to get to you so fast.”

“Why the hell didn’t anyone say anything?” She couldn’t believe that wasn’t the first thing out of their mouths.

“You both were a little busy.” Kayce defended as he grabbed his fork.

Stella locked eyes with the only daughter of the family. “Jesus Beth. I’m sorry.”

Beth gave her a smirk. “We both said there would be an attempt.”

“Yeah but I didn’t think it would have been this or what happened to me.”

“You underestimated them then.” Beth looked at the doorway. “Hey Gator?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you mind making me a smoothie, please?”

“Sure.” He stepped back into the room to get her request. “What kind of smoothie?”

“Two scoops of ice cream, three shots of vodka.”

“Two scoops, three shots. Got it.” He nodded and went off to the kitchen.

“And would you mind bringing it to me on the porch? Please?” Beth called out to the chef and started to rise out of her chair painfully slow.

“Of course.” Gator continued heading for the kitchen to get Beth’s smoothie made.

Beth leaned close to Stella. “You should see the other guy, I promise.”

“That I have no doubt of.” There was something unspoken between the women. They shared a look and Beth made her way out to the porch.

John wiped his mouth off. “Excuse me.” He stood and followed after his daughter.

Stella propped her hands against the back of the chair next to Tate and breathed out slowly. “Shit, Kayce.”

He popped some eggs in his mouth. “I know. They’re taken care of though. We’ll get the Beck brothers. Don’t worry.” He glanced at her before taking another bite. “Sit and eat. We’re gonna start Tate’s horse today.”

She shrugged. “I’m not hungry anymore. You two finish. I’ll be down at the barn.”

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 37: O Death

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: language, dread, violence, kidnapping

* Word count: 1,881ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all.

Author's note: I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well! Please don’t come for me with pitchforks and torches! 😅

Feel free to scream at me in my ask box. I have a feeling we’re all going to need to.

Stella had gone out to the barn to grab Abigail to go for a night ride. The bay roan was antsy. The mare could tell Stella was anxious. Stella hadn’t really had much of a chance to take her out properly as of late, so that didn’t help.

Kayce said he loved her. That still floored her. She wasn’t sure if she was overreacting or not. Her mind tried to downplay what had happened. The last time she got ahead of herself, she ended up getting humbled really quick. She definitely didn’t want to do that this time.

Stella had a hard time comprehending why Kayce would be interested in her at all. If that’s what was truly happening here. She would have to suck it up sooner or later and find out. Then again, Kayce had bigger things going on. He was getting everything settled and finalized with his soon to be ex-wife. He had a living situation, and the time with his son to figure out. There’s no way he would have even been thinking about her during all of that.

Stella quietly led Abigail to the outside. On their way out of the barn, she spotted a solitary crow sitting on a fence nearby. Her face scrunched. A single crow? At night time? ‘What was that rhyme about crows? One for sorrow? Two for mirth? Somethin’ somethin’ blah blah.’ She felt her chest tighten at the thought of what that could mean. She’d seen one too many single crows lately. ‘You gotta stop freakin’ yourself out, girl.’ Stella heard noise ahead of her and saw Tate over at the round pen. He was alone, with what looked to be an armful of hay. She led Abigail over to the youngin’ and his horse.

“Tate, what’re you doin’ out here all by yourself?” She thought it was strange that he was allowed to come out by himself at night. Yes, the ranch was safe for all intents and purposes, but there was no way to effectively say it was safe at all times. It was late and most of the guys in the bunkhouse were out taking care of Jimmy’s problem. Stella ran a count in her head of who was still home. Jamie, Colby, Ethan, and Jake were the only ones in there. They were probably already looking at the backs of their eyelids.

The little boy latched the gate behind him, and faced her. “Grandpa said I had to feed my horse before I got dessert because it’s not fair that I’m treating myself and he’s down here hungry.”

Stella smiled. “Well he’s right, buddy. We can’t just forget about our pets,” she gently patted Abigail’s shoulder. “Do you want a ride back to the house? I’ll let you ride while I walk her.”

Tate’s eyes lit up. “Yeah!”

“Alright, bud. Come stand over here.” Stella knelt down and cupped her hands so Tate could step into them in order to give him a hike into the saddle. When he was seated safely, she handed him one of Abigail’s reins and held the other to walk her along. “So back to what your grandpa was saying.”

Tate sighed. He hadn’t been expecting a lecture from Stella.

“They depend on us. If we don’t come to help them out, they can’t just go get the hay or the feed for themselves.” Stella looked up at the boy. “They don’t have thumbs.” She wiggled her thumbs at him, successfully making him giggle.

“Yeah, you’re right, Aunt Stell. I gotta start thinking about him too.”

Stella nodded, “now you’re thinkin’ like a cowboy.” The fast crunch and skid of tires on the gravel of the hill could be heard not far behind them.

“Who’s that?” Tate questioned.

Stella’s face pulled into a frown and stopped Abigail’s motion and quickly walked around front of her. She wasn’t familiar with the van. Her stomach dropped thinking back to a few weeks ago with those men that were following her. How she said to Kayce a few nights back, “how can you be sure? There’s so many places people can sneak onto the property and we all would be none the wiser.” A couple men spilled out of the van and started to close the gap between them rapidly.

“Tate, get down now!” She clambered to catch the boy so he didn’t hit the ground too hard. She grabbed his shoulders to hold his attention. Quickly, she explained to him, “no matter what happens next, no matter what you hear, I need you to run. And if you can’t make it to the house, I need you to hide in the best hide and seek spot you can think of that’s out of sight and don’t come out until you hear someone you know! Do you understand me?”

He shook his head quickly.

“Take Abigail, use her as cover to run until you aren’t seen anymore. She’ll find someone when she runs off. Go!”

“But Aunt Stel —,” Tate started to object, but Stella cut him off.

“— I said go!! Run!” Stella yelled at him. She hated to scare him, but something was awfully wrong about the situation.

She knew Abigail would make her way back to the barn or in front of the bunkhouse. Stella needed her to be a distraction to keep Tate safe. She stalked off to the round pen. Cursing herself that she only had her hunting knife on her.

“Can I help y’all?” Stella called out to them, shocked at herself for sounding almost like Rip.

“Yeah we’re looking to get a message to John Dutton.” The lead man expressed.

“You are, huh?” She slid the knife out of its belt holster, that belonged to her and Ryan’s dad, in a fluid motion. To the men she approached it looked like she fixed her jacket. “Y’all tell me and you can leave. I’ll relay the message.” She tried to keep her eyes on the men and make sure she could see where Abigail was headed in her peripheral vision. If she couldn’t see Abigail anymore that meant Tate was one step closer to safety.

“Nah we can’t do that. We were sent with a specific purpose. You weren’t it.” The lead man confessed. Stella’s heart sank at the implication about Kayce’s son. “Now where’s the boy, Stella?”

Her hands started to go clammy. Her breathing was shallow. “How do you know my name?”

“We know a lot of things about you. About everyone here.”

The second man started to search around. Stella couldn’t see Abigail any longer. She closed her eyes for a split second and breathed hard. She prayed with every last bit of her soul that Tate was on his way to his grandpa.

“That’s nice, but you need to leave. You’re not getting anything.”

“We came for the boy, and we will not let anyone, let alone some girl, stop us.” The lead man yelled to his partner, “Cut out farther until you find him. I’ll take care of her.”

Stella turned abruptly, starting to make a mad dash for the bunkhouse. Her burning legs wanted to give out, but she pushed them to go faster. She could hear the lead man behind her as he gained length on her. He was almost on top of her and she panicked. She grabbed a piece of rebar sticking out of the sand by the round pen and swung it at the face of the lead man, hard. Stella swung as if she was trying for a home run.

The man’s jaw snapped shut and reopened as he let out a deafening scream. He grabbed the bar tight and yanked her toward him. “You filthy bitch!” The man’s words came out garbled. He gripped up Stella’s hair and pulled as hard as he could.

Stella stabbed at the man with her knife, but in her panic she didn’t have a good hold. She punctured his leg and he howled in pain. It didn’t have the desired effect Stella had wanted. She jabbed wildly and got him in his side twice before the lead man was able to slip it out of her hands.

Tate must have seen her struggle because he screamed her name loud and clear from not far off, “Aunt Stella!!”

“Fuck!” She wrestled with the man to get her balance back and his hand out of her hair. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tate as he ran over to her. “Tate, I said run to the house!” Stella screamed at him.

Tate continued to dart toward her, he wanted to get the men away from Stella. He was snatched up by the second man she’d lost sight of.

“Stella!!” His tiny voice hollered. Tate struggled against the second man’s grasp.

Stella broke loose from the lead man and started to scramble for the second, but was grabbed from behind. “Fuck you piece of shit! Let us go!”

A fist hammered down onto her head from the man that had her, knocking her glasses off her face. She groaned as her vision blurred. She tried to get her foot behind or under the man’s leg, to sweep his foot out but he stayed on top of it. His arms were wrapped around the top of hers as she struggled to gain some high ground. She didn’t want to do this, but she didn’t have any other option but to ram her head backwards into his nose as hard as she could. She hoped she would break it.

Stella and the lead man both cried out, and he loosened his grip. Her head started to thump wildly. Quickly slipping her right arm out of the weak hold he had on it, Stella wrapped it around the lead man’s neck and tried to flip him like she would a calf. They both hit the ground and groaned. Stella was winded and half woozy, but scrambled her way to standing.

She ran forward trying to make it closer to the bunkhouse. A silent prayer was said. Stella let out a scream she hoped would be heard by the entire ranch. “Colby! Anyone help!!” She would have gotten away if the other man hadn’t been enraged and made his way back for her after getting Tate in the van.

“Fuck!” She squeaked out. He gripped her up by the neck making her lose air and landed a solid fist to her face that dazed her. Her posture drooped and the man behind her let her fall to the ground.

She tried to claw her way back to standing to run toward the van. Both men kicked her sides, her head, her arms; anything they could get at to make sure she stayed down. The bunkhouse was too far away to have heard their screams clearly. She couldn’t breathe from the wind being knocked out of her and her vision was starting to go. No one was coming this time. With one final attempt to crawl back to her feet to get to the van, the lead man landed a knockout blow to her chin with his foot and Stella stopped moving all together. That solitary crow cawed and fluttering wings was the last thing Stella heard.

[keep-the-wolves-close]

Steady Heart

Chapter 39: Black Sky

* Pairing: Slow-burn Kayce Dutton x OFC Stella Daniels

* Rating: M

* Warnings: language, angst, suicide, Malcolm Beck, injured character, character death, violence

* Word count: 6,110ish

I would love to give credits to @dameronscopilot and @deanscroissant for being sounding boards for me during this whole process, giving outsider insight, being cheerleaders, and allowing me to screech at them about things that have happened during the writing process. I seriously couldn't have gotten this far without y'all.

Author's note: Here we are folks! Season 2’s finale! I hope everyone is enjoying so far! I hope you love this chapter as well! Thank you for sticking around this long, and I hope you continue to follow along with the story as we head through onto season 3!

Gonna take a little break to get season 3 and season 4 worked on some more, so bear with me!

It was still early in the morning of the second day after his son was kidnapped and his best friend landed in the hospital. Kayce had barely slept. His father was meeting with the sheriff this morning. There was nothing more they could do until Donnie cleared the way.

Kayce chewed his bottom lip as he stared off into nothing. His son was kidnapped and god knows where and his best friend was laid up in the hospital unconscious potentially never to wake up, all because he let himself be convinced to leave the ranch. He knew he should have been there. He knew it might have made a difference, but the opportunity had passed him. Now they had to defend their home and right the wrongs that had been done to them.

He could hear Stella’s voice in his head. ‘We can’t be soft defending it.’ Being soft was exactly what they weren’t going to do. If he knew her like he thought he did, she’d be practically begging to blow them and everyone involved to pieces on main street for everyone to see so that the message was received.

Kayce’s stomach clenched again at the thought of losing both his son and Stella. Monica’s soft voice came from behind him. “Have you heard anything about Stella?” Even though she was fairly certain about the relationship between her almost ex-husband and his best friend now, Monica didn’t think Stella deserved to be in the current situation she was in. Especially since it was because she tried to save their son.

Kayce wiped his hand along his clenched jaw. He hadn’t heard anything from Ryan or Colby since yesterday. The last they had told Kayce, the doctors said Stella had covered her face just barely good enough. She had some broken ribs, one hell of a concussion. There would be a gnarly scar along her face once it healed. He assumed she was still unconscious. Kayce was surprised the kick that caused the gash didn’t fracture her skull. She was lucky it wasn’t worse than that.

He absently shook his head. “Nothing new. Still unconscious I’m guessing.”

“Can we go see her?” Monica hoped Stella would wake up.

“We have to get Tate back. It — it wasn’t — supposed to be this way.”

“Your father is gonna take a while talking to the sheriff. Let’s go see her. If she’s in this predicament because she tried to protect our son, it’s the least we can do.” Monica turned to look at Kayce. “Ryan and Colby shouldn’t be alone.”

Ryan’s leg bounced continuously and he chewed on the side of his thumb. He numbly stared at his sister lying in the hospital bed. He was terrified that she wouldn’t wake up. The doctors and nurses had tried to convince him that her body was trying to heal itself. That she will wake up when she’s ready.

Aside from the bruised and swollen face, she looked peaceful. Ryan couldn’t understand any of this. He could, but the extremes threw him down into a spiral. He prayed to whatever god would listen. His mind was taken over and he was reminded of when their dad was in the hospital. He felt as helpless now as he had then. There was nothing he could do. ‘Except make sure those motherfuckers pay.’

A light knock behind him brought his and Colby’s attention to the door. It was Kayce and Monica. He breathed out loudly and his shoulders dropped. Ryan waved them into the room, standing.

Monica caught sight of Stella and gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth. She squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t want to believe it was real. “Oh, Stella.” She whispered. “Ryan, I'm so sorry.” Monica pulled Ryan into a tight hug.

Ryan leaned into her grasp for a moment, and tried to keep himself from crying. He didn’t know what to say. At this point, he didn’t think there was anything he could say.

Kayce stopped moving the second he could see Stella lying there. His heart was in his throat and his palms went clammy. “This was a bad idea.” Colby stood and placed his hand on Kayce’s shoulder to keep him from running.

“It’s gonna be okay, man,” Colby gave Kayce’s shoulder a squeeze, “from what I can tell, it looks worse than what it actually is.”

Ryan let Monica go and said to Kayce. “Every single one of those sons of bitches are gonna pay, Kayce. For Stella and for Tate.”

Monica stepped up to Stella’s side. She prayed silently. She knew Stella could pull through. Monica knew that Stella was strong and hard-headed. Just like Kayce. However, this time around she needed some help. Kayce stood there speechless, trying to catch his breath. Monica prompted him softly, “You can come over here, you know. It won’t hurt her.”

Colby gently tapped Kayce’s arm to try and spur him into motion. A look passed between the three men. It was a glance of retribution promised, but sorrow, and understanding. Both of the most important people to the men were hanging in the balance, and there wasn’t much they could do for either of them. Kayce’s steps faltered. If he went over and touched her, it would make it real. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to handle that.

Monica was reminded of when she was in the hospital from the distressed look on Kayce’s face. She waved him over. She would at least give him some comfort, disregarding the split between them. He made it to the end of what felt like the longest walk in his life even though in reality it was only a few feet. Monica switched spots so Kayce could be closer to Stella. She placed her hand on his back, letting him know the support was there.

Kayce felt his eyes sting, and his breath got caught in his throat. He choked on his own air. He leaned down and kissed Stella’s forehead gently. He whispered to her, “we’re going to get everyone single one of the sons a bitches who did this to you. I promise you that, sugar. None of them will walk out alive.” A few tears dropped from his eyes, landing on Stella’s face. Kayce lifted his hand and gently wiped them away.

Ryan watched the scene in front of him and felt his heart crack even more. Before he could get too deep, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Need you back at the ranch. A text from Rip read.

“Kayce, they need us back. I’m going to check in with the doctor and then I’ll be right behind you.” Ryan directed. He looked to his best friend. “Colby, can you stay with her so I know she’s safe?”

“Of course, man.” Colby patted Ryan’s shoulder. “If anything changes I’ll let you know.”

Monica gave Stella one last look and prayer as all three of them rushed out of the room. Kayce couldn’t bring himself to look back.

“Ryan, you take Monica with you. There’s a stop I gotta make on the way.”

“Kayce!” Monica called out. He snapped his head in her direction. She waved him closer. “I will not face this world without our son. You make sure you kill them,” she whispered.

“Don’t worry about that, Monica. If he doesn’t, I sure as shit will.” Ryan interjected.

••

Kayce pulled up to the M/T Beck Ranch to where Donnie’s deputies stood guard. He rolled the window down and the deputy closest to him stepped forward. He leaned out the window and asked, “how many in the house?”

The deputy shrugged. “Just him. As far as we know.” He placed his hands on his hips. “I need to see the warrant.” Kayce pulled the paper out of his pocket, unfolded it, and held it up to the officer.

The deputy nodded. “Alright.” His boots crunched in the gravel as he turned on his heel and sat down in his patrol car. The other deputy followed his lead. The car started and they pulled away without any further question, leaving Kayce to do as he pleased.

He pulled into the drive, just far enough that he could remain undetected, but close enough that he didn’t have to run a mile to get to the house.

He ran up to the front doors crouched, and gently opened the first set. They squealed loudly in protest and he winced at the disruption of the silence. When no one came to look, he continued through the second set of doors.

He looked in the living room and didn’t see anyone. Panning around the room, he saw a hallway to the back right. Making his way through the mouth of the hallway, he looked through each of the rooms as he passed them by, finding no one.

He continued pushing toward the back of the house. He came to a set of stairs. He looked down then first, but running water caught his attention from upstairs. He raised his pistol to aim ahead of him and traveled up the stairs. He climbed slowly and grimaced when he reached the top as the floor creaked beneath his weight. He banked on the fact the running water would drown out his extraneous noise.

Moving further down the hallway, he could see a bathroom sink at the end. The water was indeed running, and the sound of paper rustling grabbed his ears. He strode up to the doorway and spotted Malcolm’s brother Teal sitting on the toilet. He lifted his pistol with surefire accuracy and popped off three rounds in Teal’s gut before he barely registered someone was there.

Teal slumped forward and groaned in agony, holding his hand to his stomach. Kayce kneeled down onto the balls of his feet, his face flat but pleased. Teal sputtered in fear seeing Kayce’s resolute face. “Where’s my son? Where is he?”

Teal tried to catch his breath. “I don’t know,” he growled out. Kayce shot him in the calf without blinking.

Teal screamed in pain. “Stop! Stop!”

“There’s a lot of stuff I can shoot before you die.”

“The — Montana Free Militia. They’re who we used. They got him.”

“Where do they camp?”

Teal huffed and puffed. “Base of the Crazies. The Crazy — the Crazy Mountains.”

Kayce’s face hardened. “You ever been up there?”

“Yeah. Up 284. Just before Diamond City. There’s a,” Teal started to cry, “there’s a little beat up house,” Kayce made peace silently with what he was about to do after he got everything he needed from Teal. “Behind a bunch of junkers.”

Teal leaned forward and moaned. “Oh fuck. I’m shot to shit.”

Kayce remembered Stella’s words about not being soft defending the ranch and the family that stood behind it. “Don’t you know about my family?” His face scrunched in disappointment. People really had thought they’d gotten soft. “You didn’t think we’d fight back?”

Teal was crying. “No. Nobody ever fights back.”

“Until now.” Kayce raised his pistol.

“No, please. Please.” Teal begged. “Not on the toilet. I don’t wanna die on a fuckin’ toilet.”

Kayce’s face softened briefly. “I promised the mother of my son, and my girlfriend’s brother, I’d kill you. All a man has is his word.” He squeezed the trigger and the kill shot knocked Teal back against the back of the toilet.

Kayce took a different gun, and angled himself as if Teal was shooting back. He rubbed Teal’s hand all over the grip, getting his blood on it, then placed it on the ground just beneath his hand.

He stood and went back the way he came in. He pulled out his cell and called his dad.

••

Ryan was sitting on the porch with Jamie and Beth. They’d wanted as much of an update as he could give them. “She’s got some broken ribs, a concussion, wicked slash across her eye, and she’s unconscious.”

Jamie sighed loudly. “Shit. I’m sorry Ryan.” Stella wouldn’t be in this mess if she hadn’t been trying to protect his family member. She shouldn’t have been there at all. He wished he would have heard something, if she’d called for them.

“She’ll wake up, Ryan. If there’s anything I know about her, it’s that she’s spiteful. She’s not gonna let some pussy of a man who comes to kidnap a child in the cover of nightfall take her out.” Jamie and Ryan stared at Beth for a moment. The softness from her shocked both of them.

John came out of the house on the phone and made his way down to the grass determined. “Okay, good.” John took a breath. “You’re okay though, right?” He visibly relaxed at whatever answer he’d been given. “Thank god. Come home.”

The trio scrambled off the porch to catch up with the leader. Beth asked gently, “what did he say?”

John reached into his vest and pulled out a letter. “You need to make an amendment to the trust, Beth.” He leaned closer to give her the letter. “Read this. Then do what it asks.” He grabbed her shoulder. “I know who loves me.” He glanced at Ryan. “I know who’s loyal,” and then back at his daughter. “I always have.” He walked back into the house to get ready for the fight that was about to take place. Not only for his grandson, but the revenge for one of his employees.

Beth opened the letter and skimmed over it quickly.

Jamie watched Beth closely. “What does it say?”

“None of your fuckin’ business.” She headed off to do what her father asked. She needed to go see Rip.

“I’m gonna go down to the bunkhouse to get ready. We’re moving on them tonight.” Ryan departed as well leaving Jamie standing there dumbfounded.

John stalked back out of his house toward Kayce and Jamie standing in the driveway. A large SUV pulled up the drive fast, and out came Mo, Chief Rainwater’s head of security. He shut the door and made his way around and said, “I was sent here to help.”

John went into the red shed next to the house and grabbed a bullet proof vest. He turned and gave Kayce directions. “Go get Rip when he’s done with Beth.” Before Kayce could object John said, “I can’t risk you, son.”

Kayce marched up the hill that led to the new cabin Rip had been gifted. Beth had walked by him, letting him know where to find the man in question. Rip was sitting on the steps to the house. “Whattaya know Kace?”

“Stella’s torn up. Still unconscious. Tate’s with a militia. In the Crazies.” He shook his head. “We don’t have any time.”

“How can I help?”

“It’s a big ask,” he adjusted his ball cap, “can’t attack a fortified position without knowing the strength of our enemy. In Afghanistan, we’d send an armored vehicle into ambushes. Draw fire to know how many we were fightin’.” Rip nodded and Kayce rubbed the side of his face. “We don’t have any armored vehicles. I’d do it myself, but,” he stopped himself. He hated that he was even asking something like this of Rip.

“I know. I’ll draw your fire.” Rip rose off the steps with a groan. He began his march back to the barn with Kayce trailing behind him.

••

Ryan, Kayce, Mo, and Handon pulled up in the cover of darkness to the little busted up shack Teal had told Kayce about. Rip and John pulled up behind them with a horse trailer. The three men got out of the truck and put eye black on their faces to make themselves harder to see. Rip and John jumped out and started to pull their horses out of the trailer.

Kayce put on his gloves and surveyed the surrounding area with Mo standing next to him. Handon made sure his sights were good. Ryan reined in his anger and held it for when he got the chance to take the motherfuckers who hurt his sister to meet their maker. Rip walked up with his horse.

Kayce asked Mo, “you want a rifle?”

“I’m best with my pistol.”

“Pistol won’t pierce armor.”

“I won’t be aiming at their chest.” Mo looked at Kayce. He fully turned to Kayce, taking in his camouflaged face. “Got anymore of that?” Kayce handed the eye black over to him.

Mo walked over to Rip and Dude. He looked at Rip and got his approval to bless the horse for the hell they were about to go through. He traced a circle around Dude’s right eye. “So he sees danger.” He drew some more sigils on his neck. “So he is sure-footed.” He made his way to the gelding’s shoulder. “So the bullets bounce off.” He finished by drawing some on the horse’s hind quarter. “So he moves fast.”

Rip tried to lighten the mood the only way he knew how, hearing Stella’s voice in his head making a joke. “You sure you don’t wanna draw on me some?”

Mo chuckled. “Won’t work on you.”

“Yeah, I figured.” Mo walked away and Rip took a second to say whatever kind of prayer he could muster up.

John and Rip mounted their horses and trotted over to the rest of the group. John fixed his collar. “You know, of all the days to ask this of you, I’m sorry it’s today.”

“I can’t think of a better day for it, sir.” They shared a look. Rip nodded.

“I’ll be coverin’ you on your right.”

“Yessir.”

John took off to swing around on Rip’s right side. Kayce waved everyone forward. “Let’s get in place.”

Handon stopped next to him. “You think they got night vision?”

“Yeah, and thermal. You can bet on it.”

Ryan, Handon, and Mo moved forward to take cover behind some rubble that laid in front of them. They needed to be able to see where the fire was coming from and how many shooters there were.

Rip leaned back and took in the sky one more time in the moment of peace before all hell broke loose. He thought of Beth. Of Stella. “I love you.” He spurred Dude into action. He was ready to cause a ruckus.

As soon as he galloped by a small building on his right, shots started flying through the air. All of the ground men rushed behind him.

Kayce yelled out, running forward, “Livestock Police! Drop your weapons!” They dropped several men and took cover in between reloading time.

Rip pulled Dude to a stop. John cantered up to his side and hollered. “Livestock Police! Drop your weapons!” John raised his rifle and took out another one of the militia members.

Rip climbed down off his gelding, taking deadly aim and took out another. John slid out of his saddle to join him. Handon placed one of the men in cuffs.

Kayce, Ryan, and Mo came to the actual house the militia were staying in and surrounded it. Handon and Ryan took the back. Mo and Kayce took the front.

Kayce opened the front door and ducked back quickly. A few shots rang out from behind the door and while the man was reloading, Kayce and Mo took their chance to charge inside.

Each of the four took to clearing the house. Checking every room they passed by for Kayce’s son. The foursome came to a back room and there were three people left. Ryan and Handon got two of the people in cuffs. One sat in almost a meditative position.

Kayce had his rifle aimed at the man on the ground. He checked the room off to his right and went back to the man on the ground. “Where’s my son?” The man just stared blankly at Kayce. “Do you know, where my son is?”

The man scoffed. “I sure do.” He placed a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger before anyone could stop him.

“No!” Kayce screamed. “Fuck!”

Back outside, John had just finished tying up one of the militia men that was still alive and he heard footsteps through the grass behind him. He grabbed his rifle and yelled, “hey! Stop!” He followed after the man running away.

The man that was running, turned and took a few poorly aimed shots at John, but John stopped him assertively with a round of his own. The man dropped to the ground. John stormed over to him, and he rose from the ground and took another shot at the patriarch. John squeezed the trigger again, hitting the man and making him fly back onto the ground.

He groaned in pain as John stepped closer to him. When John was almost on top of him, he realized it was Malcolm. Unbeknownst to John, the group he’d brought with him stood by the fence and watched as he stepped up to Malcolm.

“You deserve a lot worse than this.”

Malcolm rolled over to grab his gun, but John aimed his rifle and shot Malcolm’s arm. “Ah god! Fucking cocksucker!” He cried.

“There ya go. Get it all out you son of a bitch.” John retrieved Malcom’s weapon. “Now tell me where my grandson is, and I’ll getcha to a hospital.” He kicked Malcolm over. “You have my word.” Malcolm laid there crying. “Go on, scream. Scream till whatever makes you want to hurt a child, my daughter, my horse trainer to hurt me leaves you.” Malcolm rolled back over onto his back. “If there’s a heaven, and I sure hope so, this is your last chance to do something that just might get you in it.”

John sat down next the injured man and Malcolm spluttered. “You know, I think a lot about the ten-or-so years I’ve got left before there’s not much left for me to but sit around and reminisce. You on the other hand, have to cram a lifetime of reminiscing into the next thirty minutes or so. Or you could lay there, and not telling me where he is will be your last thought.”

Malcolm wheezed and John looked him over. He thought of his daughter and the atrocity of what Malcolm’s hired men put her through. “Not whoever you may have loved, or your brother’s ninth birthday. None of that shit. Your entire lifetime’s gonna be reduced to my grandson’s face. It’s up to you, Malcom.” The thought of Stella, beaten and bloodied, laid up in the hospital unconscious, for trying to protect his family. Doing the job he had asked her to do. ‘Until my dying breath, sir,’ whispered through his head and he shuddered. He prayed with everything in him that it hadn’t been her last breath.

Ryan and Kayce watched on as Malcolm twitched, trying to catch his breath. Ryan looked back at Kayce. “What’s he doin’?” Kayce shook his head and they both observed the moment before them.

John looked up at the sky while Malcolm sputtered some more. “That’s Jupiter up there, the bright one.” He shifted his focus back to the ailing man on the ground next to him. “Did you know that?”

Malcolm’s chest started to rattle. “Carter Meads. That’s his name. Whitefish, Montana.” He struggled to breathe as deeply as he could. “Whitefish, Montana.”

“I’ll call for a chopper. Get you to the hospital.”

“I ain’t gonna make it to a hospital.”

“Yeah well, I gave you my word.”

“I won’t hold you to it.”

“You want company or do you wanna be alone?”

“Alone.” Malcolm ground out. “I wi— wish we’d never met.”

“Yeah,” John laughed darkly, “I bet you do.” John made his way back to his men.

••

As the sun rose over the mountains in Whitefish, Montana, Sheriff Haskell’s truck and a squad car rounded the corner on the house where Carter Meads lived with their lights on. Kayce, Ryan, and Handon covered their backs down the hill from up top.

Donnie and his team loaded up on the porch, ready to ram their way in. They busted the door open and everyone filed in. They took out a few people in the front part of the house.

Going toward the back Kayce called out for his son. “Tate!” Ryan, Handon and himself made their way up the stairs.

Donnie had already made his way upstairs and opened a door in the back and immediately turned back to stop Kayce. “Kace! I need you to step back!” Ryan pushed forward. Handon held Kayce back as best he could. Donnie asked Kayce, “give my guys a minute. You don’t wanna see him like this.”

Kayce started to grapple against everyone in his way. Ryan was their last defense. Kayce busted through him yelling, “see him like what?!”

He broke through the wall of men and into the bathroom where his son was. Tate shrieked and he got up close to him, catching his focus and letting him know he was safe.

Donnie stepped up to the door and told Kayce, “we’ve got a trauma specialist on the way.”

Kayce hugged Tate and the boy finally calmed down long enough that Kayce was able to get him outside and into the truck.

The drive home was quiet. Ryan knew that everyone who had hurt his sister and kidnapped his friend’s boy was dead. A weight lifted off his shoulders knowing that everything had to look up from here. Now he just needed his little sister to wake up.

A small voice from Kayce lap startled everyone. “Aunt Stella tried to save me and they hurt her. Is she okay?”

Ryan’s heart shattered completely. They all knew Stella’s beating had to have been because she tried to stop the men. He kept the tears at bay long enough to look at Tate, who was hiding in between his father’s arms. “Yeah, buddy. She’s okay. And she’s gonna be real glad we got you back.”

Ryan, Rip, and Lloyd walked through the hospital entrance. Everything at the ranch was taken care of for the time being. Tate was home safe. Traumatized, but safe. Stella was safe, but Ryan didn’t know when she would wake up. If she would wake up. Ryan was thankful the other two came with him. He was grateful Colby was still here. That helped him shake the heebie jeebies off.

The men came up on Stella’s room. They braved themselves and entered. There were whispered curses from Rip and Lloyd. A nurse just finished taking her vitals. She smiled at the men, trying to bring some cheer to them.

“Her vitals are super strong, gentlemen. She wants to be here. She’s just gotta wake up.” She patted Ryan on the shoulder making her way out the door.

Ryan could do nothing but stand there and watch the love everyone had for his sister. Colby came to stand with him. It was at that moment that he knew they were with the right people. He leaned a shoulder on the wall to let Rip and Lloyd have a moment with her.

Lloyd walked up to her bedside. “Little bit,” Lloyd mourned. He reached out to grab her hand. “Those evil people are taken care of. Your brother and Kayce led the charge. You can come back to us now. Please.” He pleaded.

Rip joined Lloyd at Stella’s other side. He placed his hand on the top of her head after he removed his sunglasses. “Shit, Stella-belle,” he sniffled, “this isn’t the kind of trouble you were supposed to be gettin’ yourself into.”

Ryan moved into the room and took a seat next to his sister’s bed. He glanced up at Colby, “so what have they said while we were gone?”

Colby crossed his arms. “Basically what the nurse said before she left. Her vitals have been strong this entire time. Her bloodwork came back great. Her MRI came back with some swelling in her brain, but with the head trauma that’s to be expected.” Rip and Lloyd grumbled. “They have her on meds to help keep the swelling down. Her X-rays showed a few broken ribs, but thankfully nothing was punctured. She’s just gotta wake up.”

It was somber in the room for a few minutes. Lloyd sat next to Ryan. Rip still stood guard at her bedside holding onto her hand. Colby left to get them coffee and give them time to stand vigil.

Stella’s breathing picked up. Her legs started to rutch around like she was uncomfortable. Her hand squeezed Rip’s. Rip watched her intently. A scratchy mumble of, “it’s still better than meth,” uttered from Stella who kept her eyes closed.

Ryan jumped out of his skin and the chair. Lloyd quickly made it to the door, calling for a nurse or a doctor. Anybody.

Once Kayce was sure Tate was sound asleep he quietly told Monica he was going to go check on Stella. She wanted to object, but understood. They hadn’t heard anything from the three who went to visit her in a while.

“Just make sure to come back in case he wakes up,” she spoke softly to Kayce. He agreed and made his way downstairs.

John called out from his office. “Where are you going?”

“To check on Stella.”

“Kayce?” His father called his attention.

Kayce poked his head in through the door finally. His dad looked focused out the window, but worried nonetheless. Kayce supposed there were a lot of things he had to be worried about right now. “Yeah, dad?”

“I’m coming with you.”

John left no room for discussion. He stood, striding past his son. Kayce fell in line behind his dad. He wasn’t sure how to take this kind of response from him about Stella. In the past John would have asked for a report back on her. This time however, he was coming along. John knew it his fault she was in this mess to begin with.

Coming out of Stella’s room was a group of nurses. Kayce thought the worst. He stood outside the door, scared to enter. His heart dropped into the floor. Terrified of what he would find. John waited with him, uncharacteristically patient. The doctor walked out, almost running into them.

“Oh sorry! You picked the perfect time to visit, gentlemen. Go on in.” The doctor whisked off down the hallway.

Going in, Kayce could see Rip smiling. His shoulders relaxed seeing his gruff lead wrangler in a good mood. The two made eye contact and Rip motioned at Kayce and John to the others. When they rounded the corner, Kayce’s eyes casted to Stella first. There she was, sitting propped upright. Not as swollen, but still bruised. The gouge over her right eye most likely held together with liquid stitches was red and angry.

Her brown eyes peeked at him. She smiled shyly. Almost embarrassed to be seen so vulnerable. “Hey, cowboy. John.”

Kayce rushed past everyone to get to her. He leaned down and softly hugged her neck. Placing a hand on the back of her head, he kissed her on the top of her head and breathed deeply. “Jesus. Don’t you ever do that to me again, you hear me?”

“I thought I saw a few more greys on you.”

John, Rip, Lloyd, Colby and Ryan decided now was the time to give them a minute and backed out of the room to the hallway.

“I brought you somethin’.” Kayce said. He reached into his jacket pocket.

“Oh?” Stella questioned, trying her damndest to not raise her eyebrows.

Kayce pulled his hand out, surprising her with her spare pair of glasses.

“Oh my god you’re an angel! I’m tired of squintin’ at shit.” Slowly she placed her hand out to recieve them. Once she had them on and could see him clearly, she cleared her throat. The scratchiness hadn’t left yet. “You found Tate, right?”

“Yes we did. Your brother and I made sure we made a point to every single one of them.”

Emotion bubbled up in her throat. “Kayce, I tried to stop them. I really did.”

“We know Stella. Tate told us. I couldn’t be more thankful for you. What you tried to do for him.”

“I’m so glad you found him. I didn’t know he would see them attack me and come back. He must get that from someone else I know.” She paused to look at Kayce. “When he came back for me instead of running to the house like I told him… I lost all sense of rational thought.”

“I know, baby. I know.” He looked her over, deciding to take the seat next to her. He worried about calling her that. He didn’t want her to panic all over again like a few weeks ago. “I just wish it didn’t happen this way.”

Stella gingerly touched her fingertips to the cut that started above her right eyebrow and stopped on the apple of her cheek. “Yeah me too. It probably looks gnarly, doesn’t it?”

When she didn’t panic when he called her baby, he continued. “It’s beautiful. Just like you.” They didn’t know the men had come back into the room.

Her mouth dropped open. “These meds they’ve got me on must be hittin’ me real good.” She chuckled. She went quiet. Kayce thought she might have fallen asleep, but there was a look of contemplation on her face.

“What is it Stella? Is something wrong? Do I need to get the doctor?” Kayce began standing.

“No, no, no.” Stella reached out for his hand. “I was just thinking, and it’s a horrible time to ask, but if I don’t now, I never will.” Kayce waited for her to continue and gently rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand that didn’t have the IV port. “Did you really mean what you said the other night in the lodge?”

“There were a lot of things said that night, sugar.”

Stella had hoped she wouldn’t have to say it out loud. She sighed. “You said you loved me.” She adjusted her glasses, pulling her bottom lip in briefly. “Did you really mean that?”

Around the corner, the five men were about to shit a brick house. They all looked between each other with their mouths hanging wide open. This was not where they thought this conversation was headed. It wasn’t what they thought they were going to be walking in on.

Kayce thought about it. She hadn’t mentioned anything since, so he thought it was something she didn’t want to talk about just yet.

“By god Stella, yes. I meant every damn word.” He watched her as she mulled everything over. “You okay with that?”

“Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just been a lot.” She played with a corner of her blanket. “So when do you gotta go back? I don’t wanna keep you from your family.”

“Tate finally caught sleep. He should be solid for a little while. I do have to go back eventually.”

“But I’ll be here with you all night, Stellee.” Ryan announced as the men walked back around the corner.

“When they let me outta here, where am I going?”

“I’d like it if you would stay at the ranch for a little while longer.” Rip mentioned. “Just in case something isn’t feeling right, someone is around.”

“Can I stay somewhere other than the bunkhouse?” She inquired. She looked to her brother. “Please? For my own sanity?”

John finally spoke up. “Yes, you may. You have the pick of wherever you want. You say the word and I’ll get you a spot.”

Stella and Kayce shared a look of bewilderment. She smiled gently at John. “Thank you, sir.” She tried to straighten her face out to avoid stretching her skin. She grimaced with the movement of her skin. “I mean, John.” The bruises and the gash across her face were really killing her vibe for smiling. Even if it was for the simple fact that she was alive. She let out a sharp yawn.

John glanced at Stella and Kayce, then the rest of the men. “I think that’s our sign to head out for the night. She needs to rest. Ryan, you keep us updated, alright?” Ryan confirmed with a nod.

“Can I have a minute with Stella before we leave?” Kayce asked.

“Of course, Kace.” Ryan ushered everyone out of the room.

Kayce stood, still holding Stella’s hand. She watched him contentedly while he contemplated. He rubbed her knuckles. “Can I kiss you? I’ve never really asked.”

A small smile splayed across her face as far as she could without pain. It was probably the wrong time for this joke, but she couldn’t resist herself. “I dunno. Can you?”

“Oh you ass.” Kayce started to pull his hand away.

Stella gripped his fingers with a giggle. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Yes, please kiss me.”

He leaned down gently to her. He was almost afraid to hurt her.

“I won’t break, Kayce.” She whispered. Their eyes met finally in a collision of brown on brown.

He leaned forward and softly pressed his lips to hers. Time seemed to stand still. He had been so worried she was gone, he hadn’t been able to focus on anything else other than getting his son back and getting payback to the sons of bitches who did this to her. He pressed slightly harder, trying to melt into her. He hadn’t realized he wanted this for a long time until the thought of her being gone crossed his mind. Even long before Monica came along. Her partially dry lips, no thanks to the dry hospital air, opened with a gasp.

He backed up slightly thinking he’d hurt her. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, come back here. Don’t apologize. It’s just hard to breathe with a stuffy swollen nose and broken ribs.” She greedily reached for him. When his lips touched hers again, her eyes closed and she leaned into him. He trailed after her, but pulled away and straightened his back.

“I should go. When we get you to the ranch, you wanna stay in the lodge with me?”

“I think I’d like that.” She would appreciate the solitude, but would still be close to her brother, her horse.

“Wait, Abigail. Is she okay? Did you guys find her?”

“Funny enough she ran up to us first panicking, before we found you. We thought it was because everyone was running around.” He gazed down at her with a sad smile. If only he would have known before he found Stella. The memory tried to come back, but he blocked it. “So yes, she’s okay. A little spooky, but she’s okay. I’ve had Jimmy lookin’ after her. When he wasn’t, Rip was.”

Stella sat back with a sigh of relief. “Oh thank god.” She didn’t know what she’d do if something ever happened to that horse. “You go. Take care of your boy. I’ll be safe with Ryan here.”

Kayce squeezed her hand and went out to the hall to trade places with Ryan. The two shared a look, knowing that this would be a conversation had at a later date.

The three extra men that visited began to walk back out to their vehicles. John stopped, causing Kayce to pause. John faced Ryan. “Ryan!” The man in question stopped his journey through the door. “This is on me.”

Ryan’s face contorted into confusion. “What do you mean, sir?”

John looked down. “I mean your sister almost gave her life to protect my family. She earned that brand fully. This trip is on me.” John swiveled on his heel, and caught up with the other men, leaving Ryan standing there about to cry if he wasn’t careful.